Rare Earth Chromatography with UV Chelate Deconstruction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for recovering rare earth elements from chelated forms are environmentally detrimental due to the use of solvents, acids, and bases, and are inefficient for downstream purification.
Innovation Solution
A method involving chromatography and ultraviolet irradiation is used to deconstruct chelated rare earth elements, allowing for their recovery without additional solvents, acids, or bases, by exploiting the differential binding affinities of rare earth elements to stationary and chelating agents, and selectively breaking chelator-REE bonds using UV light.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If acid-based destruction measures are used to free rare earth elements from chelates, then rare earth elements can be recovered, but environmental harm and chemical usage increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the method of bond breaking from chemical (acid-based) to physical (UV irradiation). By using UV light at specific wavelengths to break the chelator-REE bonds, the process avoids using harsh acids and bases, thereby reducing environmental harm while maintaining effective rare earth element recovery
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the chemical system (acids and bases) with a physical system (UV irradiation). The ultraviolet light provides energy to break the chemical bonds between chelators and rare earth elements, substituting a mechanical/physical approach for a chemical one, which eliminates the need for additional solvents, acids, and bases
2Reliability
If chelated rare earth elements are subjected to acid-based destruction, then rare earth elements are freed, but additional solvents and chemicals are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces chemical reagents with UV irradiation to break chelator-REE bonds. The ultraviolet light provides the energy needed to liberate rare earth elements from chelates without requiring additional solvents, acids, or bases, thus minimizing chemical usage while achieving effective element liberation
Solution Approach 2:
The chelated rare earth elements are directly converted to free ions through UV irradiation without needing external chemical agents. The system uses the energy from UV light to break the bonds, making the process self-sufficient and eliminating the need for additional chemical substances
3Manufacturing precision
If chromatographic separation is performed on chelated rare earth elements, then separation can be achieved, but the chelated form remains inaccessible for downstream purification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies UV irradiation to break chelator-REE bonds either before or during the chromatographic separation process. This preliminary action converts chelated rare earth elements into free ions, making them accessible for downstream purification and analysis while maintaining the separation efficiency benefits of chromatography
Solution Approach 2:
The patent integrates UV irradiation with chromatographic separation in a continuous process. The chelated rare earth elements are irradiated with UV light throughout the chromatographic process, ensuring continuous conversion to free ions while they pass through the column, thus maintaining both separation efficiency and downstream accessibility
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 friendly recovery of rare earth elements by minimizing chemical use, achieving high purity and yield through selective deconstruction and chromatographic separation.
Implementation Method 1
exposing one or more of the first chelated rare earth elements that pass through said column to ultraviolet irradiation and deconstructing one or more of the first chelated rare earth elements
Implementation Method 2
introducing one or more of the first chelated rare earth elements and one or more of the unchelated second rare earth elements to a chromatography column having a stationary immobilized phase wherein said one or more of the first chelated rare earth elements pass through the column and one or more of the second unchelated rare earth elements are bound to the stationary immobilized phase
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure is directed at apparatus and methods for rare earth element recovery and purification. The apparatus and methods are preferably configured to apply to column-based chromatographic separation and purification of rare earth element(s) and recovery of rare earth element(s) from a mobile phase containing rare-earth element chelating agent(s).