Fast Separation of Rare Earth Elements Using Gas Thermochromatography
Published:3/27/2020Description:
The Problem:
The rare earth element market is heavily controlled by China, but to reduce reliance on China for these materials, more efficient extraction techniques are needed. However, conventional solution-phase techniques used to separate rare earth elements are generally slow and costly and require extensive sample preparation.
The Solution:
Researchers at the University of Tennessee have developed an efficient method for separating rare earth elements using gas thermochromatography. Compared to traditional solution-phase techniques, this novel method greatly reduces sample preparation and separation times, retains or exceeds the accuracy and precision of established methods, and reduces the negative impact on the environment.
Benefits:
- Much faster than traditional methods (Separations in under 8 hours)
- Near 100% recovery rate
- Achieves up to 99.9999% purity
- Reduced environmental impact
Applications:
- Recycling for electronics
- Mining and refining
- Volatilization of rare earth elements
Patent:
US 9,951,398
The Inventor:
Dr. Howard Hall is a Governor’s Chair Professor of Nuclear Engineering at the University of Tennessee and a Senior Fellow and Director of the Global Security Program at the Howard H. Baker Jr. Center for Public Policy. Dr. Hall received his Ph.D. in Nuclear and Radiochemistry from the University of California, Berkeley, and spent over 20 years at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, where he led major scientific and operational missions in nuclear and homeland security. In 2005, Dr. Hall was part of the team awarded the Department of Homeland Security/Science and Technology Directorate Undersecretary’s Award for Science.