Recovering rare earth elements
AssigneeThe Australian National University
InventorAndrew BERRY
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed herein is a process for recovering one or more rare earth elements from a phosphate ore that comprises the one or more rare earth elements. The process can comprise mixing the phosphate ore comprising the one or more rare earth elements with a carbonate-based flux. The process can also comprise subjecting the mixture to conditions such that the one or more rare earth elements are released from the phosphate ore and form one or more rare earth element compounds.
Claims21
-34. (canceled)
A process for recovering one or more rare earth elements from a phosphate ore that comprises the one or more rare earth elements, the process comprising:
- a) mixing the phosphate ore comprising the one or more rare earth elements with a carbonate-based flux, thereby forming a mixture;
- b) subjecting the mixture to conditions comprising a temperature that causes the carbonate-based flux to melt, such that the one or more rare earth elements are released from the phosphate ore and form one or more rare earth element compounds;
- and
- c) washing a resultant solid with water to substantially dissolve residual carbonate-based flux therefrom.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.