Battelle, Rare Earth Salts Team on Department of Energy Project
October 17 2017 - 12:54PM
Business Wire
Battelle is teaming with Rare Earth Salts (RES) on a potentially
groundbreaking project for the United States Department of Energy’s
National Energy Technology Laboratory.
The project, Recovery of High Purity Rare Earth Elements (REEs)
from Coal Ash via a Novel Separations Process, will produce
valuable Rare Earth Oxides from coal fly ash, converting them to
the high purities necessary for a saleable product.
The two organizations will advance the development of REE
processing by combining RES novel separation and purification
process and Battelle’s Acid Digestion Process. Under this project
they will validate that they can generate environmentally benign
and economically sustainable REE products from domestic coal ash
sources at purities above 90 percent.
The total funding for the project is about $875,000.
Battelle’s Acid Digestion Process selectively leaches REE from
the coal fly ash. What is unique is that the chemicals are almost
entirely recycled instead of being lost to leaching during the
process. This approach dramatically reduces costs, allows the
exclusion of key contaminants, and provides a concentrated source
of REEs along with other co-products. This process was originally
used by Battelle to sustainably and safely disarm expired artillery
munitions.
“This is an important project to prove the viability of this
approach,” said Rick Peterson, Battelle Research Scientist. “The
need to recover Rare Earth Elements in the United States is of
national importance, since so much of the capacity to produce these
critical materials lies outside the U.S.”
RES’ proprietary separation technology is cost efficient and
environmentally friendly. The Company recycles its manufacturing
inputs so virtually no waste is created, making RES the most
sustainable producer of rare earth oxides globally. RES began
commercial production of rare earth oxides at its Nebraska-based
facility earlier this year with a standard purity of 99.9%.
“Our technology positions us to be a primary producer of
consistent, low-cost, rare earth oxides to Western economies,” said
Cameron Davies, Chief Executive Officer of RES. “As we seek
additional sources of domestic rare earth feedstock, coal fly ash
presents a promising opportunity. Battelle is a world-class
partner, and we look forward to working together to meet the
objectives of the U.S. Department of Energy.”
About Battelle
Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology
to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and
national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research
and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers
critical services for government and commercial customers.
Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929,
Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences,
energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit
www.battelle.org.
About Rare Earth Salts
Rare Earth Salts is a leading materials technology company and
producer of rare earth oxides. The Company has developed a patent
pending industrial technology proven to efficiently and
economically separate and refine all 16 Rare Earth Elements to high
purity. The process is environmentally friendly and demonstrates a
significant cost advantage versus standard processing. For more
information visit: www.rareearthsalts.com.
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version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20171017006519/en/
BattelleKaty Delaney, 614-424-7208delaneyk@battelle.orgorT.R.
Massey, 614-424-5544masseytr@battelle.orgorRare Earth SaltsCameron
Davies, 416-420-2861Cameron.davies@rareearthsalts.com