Ionic Liquid Extraction of Metals from Coal and E-Waste
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Solution Overview
Problem
The current methods for extracting rare earth elements (REEs) and other metals are energy-intensive, environmentally detrimental, and reliant on foreign supplies, particularly from China, necessitating the development of safe, sustainable, and affordable extraction techniques in the United States.
Innovation Solution
A method involving the use of ionic liquids to extract metals from sources such as coal, coal by-products, ore, and electronic waste without the need for acid, allowing for the recovery of metals like REEs, alkali metals, and alkaline earth metals through a process that includes contacting the source with ionic liquids and subsequent recovery of the metals from the extraction composition.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If traditional acid-based extraction methods are used, then metal extraction efficiency is improved, but environmental harm and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by replacing acid-based reagents with ionic liquids. This fundamental parameter change allows the extraction process to maintain high efficiency while eliminating the harmful environmental effects associated with traditional acid methods, directly resolving the contradiction between extraction efficiency and environmental harm
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the traditionally harmful acid extraction process into a beneficial ionic liquid-based process. By using ionic liquids that can be recycled and regenerated, the process transforms what was previously a harmful, single-use chemical system into a sustainable, circular process that benefits both extraction efficiency and environmental protection
2Quantity of substance
If traditional mining and extraction processes are used, then metal recovery is achieved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous metal recovery through ionic liquid extraction and regeneration cycles. The ionic liquids can be repeatedly used and regenerated, creating a continuous process that maintains high metal recovery rates without the energy-intensive batch processing required by traditional methods, thus resolving the contradiction between metal recovery quantity and energy consumption
Solution Approach 2:
The patent recovers and regenerates the ionic liquid extractant after metal extraction, rather than discarding it. This recovery process allows the same ionic liquid to be used multiple times, significantly reducing the energy consumption associated with producing and disposing of extraction chemicals while maintaining high metal recovery rates
3Ease of operation
If foreign-based extraction methods are used, then access to metals is improved, but supply security deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the United States to develop and implement its own ionic liquid-based extraction technology for domestic metal recovery. This self-service approach allows the country to extract metals from its own resources using domestically-controlled technology, eliminating reliance on foreign extraction methods and improving both access to metals and supply security simultaneously
4Productivity
If conventional extraction techniques are used, then processing capability is improved, but environmental safety deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent fundamentally changes the chemical parameters of the extraction system by replacing conventional acid-based reagents with ionic liquids. This parameter change enables the process to maintain high processing capability while achieving environmental safety, as ionic liquids are non-volatile, non-flammable, and can be recycled, directly resolving the contradiction between productivity and environmental safety
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This method enables efficient and environmentally compatible extraction of metals, reducing reliance on foreign supplies and minimizing environmental impact, with the potential for high extraction yields and the production of valuable carbon materials.
Implementation Method 1
contacting the source with an ionic liquid in the absence of acid, thereby extracting the metals from the source and providing an ionic liquid extraction composition
Implementation Method 2
ionic liquids and obtaining metal from a source... extracting the metals from the source and providing an ionic liquid extraction composition
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for a method of obtaining metals from a source, including contacting the source with an ionic liquid in the absence of acid, thereby extracting the metals from the source and providing an ionic liquid extraction composition; and recovering the metals from the ionic liquid extraction composition, wherein the source includes coal, coal by-products, ore, tar, or electronic waste. Further, the present disclosure provides for a carbon material made by a process that includes contacting a source with an ionic liquid in the absence of acid, thereby extracting metals from the source and providing an ionic liquid extraction composition; and recovering the metals from the ionic liquid extraction composition, wherein the source includes coal, coal by-products, ore, tar, or electronic waste, further wherein the carbon material includes solids, liquids, carbon films, carbon fibers, carbon nanomaterials, or any combination thereof.