Marine Macroalgae Recovery of Rare Earths From Saline Effluents

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing technologies lack optimal conditions and parameters for efficiently recovering rare earth elements (REEs) and Lithium from aqueous media, particularly industrial effluents, using living macroalgae, which is crucial for industrial-scale processes.

Innovation Solution

A process involving the use of living marine macroalgae to interact with an aqueous medium, followed by separation and processing to obtain a secondary medium enriched with REEs and/or Lithium, utilizing forced circulation and dissolution agents, and optionally magnetic nanomaterials for enhanced separation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If living marine macroalgae are used to recover REEs and Lithium from aqueous media, then recovery efficiency is improved, but optimal processing conditions and parameters are not established

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery efficiencyVSAvoidprocess optimization

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent systematically optimizes critical process parameters including pH (maintained between 6-9), salinity (5-35 g/L), temperature (15-30°C), and macroalga concentration (0.1-10 g/L) to maximize REE and Lithium recovery efficiency. This parameter optimization enables consistent high-efficiency recovery while providing clear operational guidelines for industrial implementation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Object-affected harmful factors

If macroalgae are used for REE recovery from industrial effluents, then environmental compliance is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveenvironmental complianceVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs living marine macroalgae that autonomously perform multiple functions: they grow and accumulate REEs and Lithium from effluents, then can be harvested and processed to recover the metals. The system requires minimal external intervention beyond initial setup, with the macroalgae self-regulating their uptake based on environmental conditions, thereby reducing operational complexity while ensuring environmental compliance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The macroalga system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it treats industrial effluents by removing toxic metals, recovers valuable REEs and Lithium, and can be processed to produce a secondary medium enriched with recovered elements. This multi-functionality consolidates what would otherwise require separate treatment and recovery systems into a single integrated process

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If living marine macroalgae are deployed for element recovery, then recovery effectiveness is improved, but system dimensions and scale requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improverecovery effectivenessVSAvoidsystem dimensions

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSVolume of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates localized high-concentration zones of macroalgae within the aqueous medium, particularly in recovery dispositions where effluent contacts the macroalgae. This localized concentration strategy achieves high recovery effectiveness in specific zones rather than requiring uniform distribution throughout large volumes, thereby reducing overall system dimensions while maintaining productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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

Achieves efficient recovery of REEs and Lithium with reduced environmental impact, meeting regulatory discharge standards and enabling scalable, high-efficiency systems with reduced system complexity and dimensions.

Implementation Method 1

The document JPH0283093 (A) discloses a method of purification of industrial effluents using chlorophyceae of the genre unicellular chlamydomonas for sorption of heavy metals, such as Cu, Ni or similar, from said industrial effluent.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSorption: Sorption

Implementation Method 2

The document ES 2251286 A1 discloses a system of treatment of residual waters including filamentous green macroalgae of the genres Hydrodictyon or Cladophora, capable of absorbing and recycling nutrients and/or fixating/capturing heavy metals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectForced Convection: Forced Convection

Implementation Method 4

processing the separated quantity of living marine macroalgae so as to obtain a secondary medium that includes quantities of REEs and/or Lithium

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectDissolution: Solvation

Data Source

PatentUS12571070B2Processes and systems of recovery of rare earth elements and/or lithium by marine macroalgae

Publication Date: 2026.03.10 N9VE NATURE OCEAN & VALUE LDA

AI summary

The present invention refers to processes and systems of recovery of rare earth elements and/or Lithium, from a certain type of primary salted medium such as a solid medium, such as muds, or such as an aqueous medium of high salinity, in particular from aqueous media with a pH greater than 6, and based upon certain types of living marine macroalgae.