Extraction of rare earth elements and carbon rich solids from coal feedstock using ionic liquids
AssigneeEnergy, United States Department of
InventorsChenlin Li, Ting He, C. Luke Williams
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Rare earth elements and carbon rich solids are extracted from coal feedstock by combining a coal feedstock with an ionic liquid, forming a mixture. The mixture is heated and a co-solvent is added. Carbon rich solids and rare earth elements are removed from the solution. The ionic liquid and co-solvent may be reused.
Claims16
1) A method to extract at least one rare earth element and carbon rich solids from coal feedstock, the method comprising:
- providing a coal feedstock, the coal feedstock comprising at least one rare earth element;
- providing an ionic liquid;
- combining the coal feedstock and the ionic liquid, forming a mixture;
- heating the mixture to a predetermined temperature;
- adding a co-solvent to the heated mixture, producing a first solution;
- removing carbon rich solids and dissolved minerals from the first solution thereby forming a second solution;
- and
- separating the co-solvent, ionic liquid, rare earth elements from the second solution thereby forming a third solution.
15) A method to extract at least one rare earth element and carbon rich solids from coal feedstock, the method comprising:
- providing a coal feedstock, the coal feedstock comprising at least one rare earth element;
- providing an ionic liquid;
- combining the coal feedstock and the ionic liquid, forming a mixture;
- heating the mixture to a predetermined temperature;
- adding a co-solvent to the heated mixture, producing a first solution;
- removing carbon rich solids and dissolved minerals from the first solution thereby forming a second solution;
- separating the co-solvent, ionic liquid, rare earth elements from the second solution thereby forming a third solution;
- and
- reusing the ionic liquid.
16) A method to extract at least one rare earth element and carbon rich solids from coal feedstock, the method comprising:
- providing a coal feedstock, the coal feedstock comprising at least one rare earth element;
- providing an ionic liquid;
- combining the coal feedstock and the ionic liquid, forming a mixture;
- heating the mixture to a predetermined temperature;
- adding a co-solvent to the heated mixture, producing a first solution;
- removing carbon rich solids and dissolved minerals from the first solution thereby forming a second solution;
- separating the co-solvent, ionic liquid, rare earth elements from the second solution thereby forming a third solution;
- and
- reusing the co-solvent.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.