US 2026/0028698 A1 · A Process and System for Extracting Rare Earth Elements Using High Pulp Density Cracking

Abstract

The present application provides a process and system for extraction of rare earth elements from a solid feed that employs a high solid to liquid pulp density during cracking. In particular, the present application provides a high pulp density cracking water leaching process for extracting rare earth elements, which comprises: combining a ground solid feed with a strong acid and water to form a slurry or mud having a solid to liquid pulp density of at least 33%; cracking the slurry or mud in a reactor, with or without agitation; and leaching the slurry with an aqueous leaching solution to obtain a leachate comprising the rare earth elements. Also provided is a system for extraction of rare earth elements, which includes a grinding and/or milling device, a cracking reactor and a leaching device C configured to perform the high pulp density cracking water leaching process.

Claims22

Dependent claims

A process for extracting one or more rare earth element (REE) from an ore, said process comprising:

a) grinding the ore to produce a ground ore;
b) combining the ground ore with a strong acid in an amount from 100 g-1000 g of the strong acid per 1000 g of the ground ore to form a slurry or a mud;
c) optionally adding water;
d) cracking the slurry or mud at a reaction temperature or over a range of reaction temperatures of from about 30° C. to less than 100° C. for a period of time from about 30 minutes to about 6 hours in a reactor;
and
e) leaching a product of step (d) with an aqueous leaching solution to obtain a leachate comprising the one or more rare earth element.

3 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

A Process and System for Extracting Rare Earth Elements Using High Pulp Density Cracking

Life of this patent

A Process and System for Extracting Rare Earth Elements Using High Pulp Density Cracking

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims22