Presentation Information
[O7-4]Efficient Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Diluted Magnet e-Waste Streams
*Denis Prodius1 (1. Critical Materials Innovation Hub, Ames National Laboratory (USDOE) (United States of America))
Keywords:
NdFeB magnets recycling,Rare-earths metals,Energy-efficient manufacturing
Rare earth elements (REEs) are essential for modern technology, as they are used in the production of high-performance magnets, batteries, and electronic devices. Their unique properties make them indispensable in various industries, including advanced manufacturing and defense. Recycling REEs from e-waste is impactful because it reduces the need for environmentally damaging mining practices and helps ensure a steady supply of these critical materials. By recovering REEs from discarded electronics, we can also minimize waste and support resource conservation.This presentation will focus on the recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) using the acid-free dissolution recycling technology developed at the Critical Materials Innovation (CMI) Hub at Ames National Laboratory (USDOE). This process allows for the selective leaching of REEs from e-waste, such as shredded hard disk drives, without the need to pre-separate the magnet contents or demagnetization, thereby facilitating the recycling of other e-waste materials. The acid-free nature of the process provides environmental benefits, as demonstrated by Life Cycle Analysis, and has been shown to be economically viable for deployment in the United States, according to Techno-Economic Analysis. Developed in 2016, the acid-free dissolution recycling technology has matured and is now commercially licensed. This presentation will highlight recent advancements and future technology directions, emphasizing the importance of rare earth elements for energy-efficient manufacturing.
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the CMI Hub, funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. This work was also partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy SBIR/STTR program (Phases I, II, and IIB; Award# DE-SC0020766) in cooperation with industrial partner TdVib LLC (Boone, Iowa/USA).
Acknowledgments
This work was supported by the CMI Hub, funded by the US Department of Energy, Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Technologies Office. This work was also partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy SBIR/STTR program (Phases I, II, and IIB; Award# DE-SC0020766) in cooperation with industrial partner TdVib LLC (Boone, Iowa/USA).