Dual-Energy X-Ray Sorting for Rare Earth Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for separating rare earth elements (REE) from coal waste are inefficient, as they cannot effectively distinguish between rocks with and without REE due to similar densities, limiting the concentration and extraction of these elements.
Innovation Solution
A dual-energy x-ray sorting system is used to differentiate regions of coal waste based on x-ray absorption characteristics, employing collimated x-ray beams and detectors to identify and separate regions with higher concentrations of REE, utilizing different air ejectors to sort large and small regions effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If heavy media separation is used to separate coal from waste, then coal can be effectively separated from rocks, but rocks with REE cannot be separated from rocks without REE due to similar densities
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical heavy media separation system with an x-ray based detection and sorting system. The x-ray system measures atomic weight characteristics to identify REE-containing rocks, substituting physical density-based separation with electromagnetic radiation-based detection and air jet sorting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the separation parameter from density (used in heavy media separation) to atomic weight (measured by x-ray absorption). This parameter change enables differentiation of REE-containing rocks from ordinary rocks, as REE elements have distinct atomic weights that affect x-ray absorption characteristics.
2Quantity of substance
If dual-energy x-ray separation is used to remove coal from rocks, then fractions with enhanced REE concentration can be produced, but the process complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a dual-energy x-ray system originally designed for coal sorting to the new application of REE concentration. This multi-functional use of the x-ray technology allows the same device to perform both coal-rock separation and REE-enriched fraction production, reducing overall system complexity despite the advanced technology involved.
3Device complexity
If traditional separation methods are used, then the process is simple, but the REE content in processed waste remains low and extraction is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates x-ray detection that provides real-time feedback on the atomic weight characteristics of particles in the waste stream. This feedback enables the control system to identify and sort REE-containing rocks with high precision, dramatically improving REE extraction efficiency compared to traditional methods that lack such detection feedback.
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 approach increases the REE content in processed coal waste by an average of 1.5 times, providing a concentrated REE ore from coal waste streams, enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of REE extraction.
Implementation Method 1
a sensor flashes pieces of coal and rock with x-rays and measures the x-ray absorption at two different energies. The x-ray absorption is a characteristic property of the atomic weight of the particle.
Data Source
AI summary
Differences in x-ray absorption coefficients and ash content are used to process coal waste and concentrate rare earth elements (REE) found in coal seams. A method for processing the coal waste includes receiving, by a detector, at least one collimated x-ray beam from an x-ray source that has been passed through a sample of coal waste; determining measurements of at least one x-ray absorption characteristic of the sample based on the received at least one collimated x-ray beam; and identifying a first region in the sample having a concentration of rare earth elements based on the measured x-ray absorption characteristic.