Combined Physicochemical and Energy Methods to Improve the Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Eudialyte Concentrate

Abstract

The parameters for efficient nitric acid leaching were experimentally determined, which ensured the recoveries of Zr and REEs from eudialyte concentrate up to 87.0%–91.7% and 76.0%–81.1%, respectively. The possibility was shown of intensifying the leaching process through preliminary energy treatments to ensure the intensive breakdown of mineral complexes and grains; as a result, the recovery of Zr and REEs increased by more than 10%. A process was developed for the selective recovery of up to 91.5% of zirconium and up to 71.2% of REEs in the form of carbonate compounds from the pregnant solution of nitric acid leaching by chemical precipitation as well as up to 81.1% REEs and up to 91.7% zirconium on hypercrosslinked polystyrene sorbents.

Keywords

• eudialyte
• acid leaching
• energy impacts
• zirconium
• rare earth elements