Abstract
The demand for permanent magnets is expected to increase in the 2021–2030 decade, which will require a commensurate increase in the production of samarium (Sm) and neodymium (Nd). Since these metals are considered critical and due to their abundance in Brazilian territory, the Brazilian government and mining companies must master the refining of these metals through autochthonous technologies. Thus, we developed a process to separate the light (La, Ce, Pr and Nd) from the medium (Sm, Eu and Gd) and heavy (Tb-Lu and Y) rare earth elements (REE) with D2EHPA by empirical modeling of solvent extraction (SX) processes. The experimental methodology included three phases: equilibrium data acquisition from batch experiments, solvent extraction simulation, and continuous process trials to validate the model on a mini-pilot scale. Our simulation predicted 99.5% Sm organic recovery and 80% Nd aqueous recovery in a seven-stage process and 0.30 A/O ratio, validated in the continuous trial. This work paves the way for establishing Brazilian technology to obtain the constituent elements of permanent magnets.
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Data sets generated during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.
Change history
19 February 2024
A Correction to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-024-00444-0
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Acknowledgements
The REGINA Project (Rare Earth for Global Industry Application) funded this study. Also, we are grateful to the Center for Mineral Technology lab technicians - Alberto Moura, Isaías Viana Junior, and Ana Lúcia Carrielo.
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Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico.
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All authors contributed to the study conception and design. DGC performed the batch extraction (isotherm) and all the chemical analyses. MLD made the solvent extraction simulator. Data treatments were done by MLD and YMV. The first draft of the manuscript was written by MLD, and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.
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De Luccas Dourado, M., de Carvalho, D.G. & Vera, Y.M. Modeling and simulation of samarium and neodymium separation by a solvent extraction process. Braz. J. Chem. Eng. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-023-00411-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s43153-023-00411-1