Research Results
Methanesulfonic acid proves its potential in solvometallurgy
Methanesulfonic acid (MSA) has proven again to be a suitable lixiviant for the recovery of valuable metals. Within the SMART project, the SOLVOMET group has developed a solvometallurgical process for the selective recovery of lead and silver from industrial residues.
Selective roasting of NdFeB magnets for ionic liquids leaching intensification
Rare-earths permanent magnets were selectively roasted with 5 wt.% carbon to obtain a rare-earth phase, separated from iron particles. After mechanical removal of the iron particles, the rare-earth phase was recovered in only 20 min by using the ionic liquid [Hbet][Tf2N].
Alkali baking and solvometallurgical leaching of NdFeB magnets
Neodymium-iron-boron or NdFeB magnets are a vital part of our tech-driven world because of their excellent magnetic properties and versatility
Mechanochemically intensified acid-free leaching of rare-earth elements
Researchers from the ProcESS and SOLVOMET Group have developed a mechanochemically intensified acid-free leaching process for the recovery of critical metals from NdFeB magnets
Solvometallurgical separation of Y and Eu in chloride media beats hydro routes
Within the SOLCRIMET project (ERC Advanced Grant), SOLVOMET researchers have developed a solvometallurgical process for the separation of yttrium and europium, showing increased efficiency over conventional hydrometallurgical separation routes. The work has been published in Separation and Purification Technology.
GaCl3 and AlCl3 can be separated by n-Dodecane based on solubility difference
Within the SOLCRIMET project (Advanced ERC Grant) Zheng Li et al. (KU Leuven) and colleagues from the University of Texas (Austin) have developed a solvometallurgical process for the separation of GaCl3 and AlCl3. The work has been published in Ind. Eng. Chem. Res.
Understanding alkali-activation of CaO-FeOx-SiO2 non-ferrous slags
CaO-FeOx-SiO2 slags can be used as raw material for alkali-activated materials, i.e. a green alternative to Portland cement. In Cement and Concrete Research, KU Leuven & Princeton University researchers reveal new insights into the reaction mechanisms.
Suitable polar solvents enhance metal separations in liquid-liquid extraction
Within the SOLCRIMET project (ERC Advanced Grant), Zheng Li et al. discovered that selection of suitable polar solvents can enhance metal separations in liquid-liquid extraction. The work has been published in Chem. Eur. J.
On the degradation of choline chloride-carboxylic acid deep eutectic solvents
Within the SMART project, Nerea Rodriguez et al. have shown that Deep Eutectic Solvents based on carboxylic acids and choline chloride are not stable in time nor at high temperatures. The work was published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
Electrodeposition of indium from trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphonium chloride
The high thermal stability of Cyphos IL 101 allowed SIM² KU Leuven researchers to investigate the electrochemical behavior of indium at temperatures between 100 °C and 180 °C. The electrochemical deposition of indium followed a two-step process. The work was published in Green Chemistry.
New solvometallurgical method to remove coating from REE permanent magnets
Within the framework of the ETN DEMETER project rare-earth permanent magnets were treated with solvometallurgical solutions to remove the metalllic coating prior to direct recycling. The work is published in RSC Advances
Highly selective process developed to recover germanium
Germanium is a precious metal which is mainly used as a semiconductor in electronics and infrared optic industries, and as a polymerisation catalyst for the production of polyethylene terephthalate. Due to its high supply risk and its high economic importance, germanium is considered as one of Europe’s critical metals.
Solvometallurgical recovery of metals from SmCo magnets
A solvometallurgical route for recycling of SmCo permanent magnets was developed by researchers from the SOLVOMET Group (SIM² KU Leuven). The method is based on non-aqueous solvent extraction to minimize water consumption.
The work is published in Separation and Purification Technology.
Occurrence of rare earths in post-processed bauxite residue
In the framework of the EU MSCA-ETN REDMUD project, the occurrence mode of selected rare earths in neutralised-leached bauxite residue was studied by KU Leuven and NTUA. The work is published in Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy.
Deep Eutectic Solvents for solubilisation of metal oxides
The SOLVOMET Group (SIM² KU Leuven), which develops solvometallurgical flow sheets, has synthesized new Deep Eutectic Solvents that can selectively dissolve metal oxides from industrial residues derived from the mining industry.
Selective metal recovery from Fe-rich industrial residues
Within the EU H2020 SOCRATES project, SIM² KU Leuven developed a process to selectively recover lead and zinc from iron-rich jarosite residue of the zinc industry. The work is published in ACS Sustainable Chemistry & Engineering.
Ionic liquids for REE recovery from lamp phosphor waste
Within the EU REMAGHIC project, KU Leuven developed a process to recover yttrium and europium from a mixed oxide obtained by the processing of lamp phosphor waste based on solvent extraction with undiluted thiocyanate ionic liquids.
Selective REE recovery from bauxite residue slags
In the framework of ETN REDMUD, an integrated process was developed by KU Leuven and RWTH Aachen to selectively recover Fe and REEs from slags produced during smelting of bauxite residue. The work is published in Hydrometallurgy.
How circular is the household metal packaging cycle?
Researchers at SIM² KU Leuven & VVSG investigated the circularity of the household metal packaging cycle in Flanders. They found remarkable discrepancies between experimental (sorting) data and reported literature data.
Metal recovery from spent samarium-cobalt magnets
Metals in spent samarium-cobalt magnet can be recovered by oxidative dissolution of metals in trichloride ionic liquids, followed by metal removal from the leachate with a series of stripping steps. The ionic liquids can be reused for next cycles after regeneration.
Reclaiming the treasure hidden in old CRT monitors and TVs
Within the EU H2020 REMAGHIC project, a process was developed by KU Leuven & TECNALIA to recover rare earths from CRT phosphor waste based on roasting and leaching with the green solvents acetic acid and methanesulphonic acid.
Are Chinese policies disrupting the REE supply chain?
New work by SIM² KU Leuven researchers published in Resources Conservation and Recycling demonstrates that the government policies have a much larger influence on the rare-earth supply chain disruption than physical disruptions.
New process to recover indium from iron-rich solutions
SIM² KU Leuven researchers developed a new, selective method to recover indium from iron-rich solutions. This work, funded through EU METGROW+, was published as a golden open access paper in Separation and Purification Technology.
Recovering rare earths from old TVs and computer screens
SIM² KU Leuven researchers developed a new method to recover valuable rare earth elements from waste CRT phosphor powder, using selective sulfation roasting and water leaching. This work was published in Hydrometallurgy.
