Recycle Process of Rare Earth Magnets with High Speed and High Separation Ratio Using Molten Salts

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K16212
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Environmental conscious materials and recycle
• Research Institution: Kyoto University
• Principal Investigator: Yasuda Kouji 京都大学, エネルギー科学研究科, 助教 (20533665)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: 希土類 / 磁石 / リサイクル / 溶融塩

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Neodymium permanent magnet is utilized for the advanced applications such as the motors of hybrid vehicles. Since its demand is expected to increase, recycling technologies of rare earth elements from the used magnet scraps are strongly required. In this work, a recycling and separation process of neodymium and dysprosium with high speed and separation ratio utilizing mixed molten salts containing two anions was investigated. The selective evaporation of neodymium chloride from chloride-fluoride mixed molten salt was experimentally confirmed under vacuum. The selective coordination of chloride ions to neodymium cations in the chloride-fluoride mixed molten salt was suggested.

Free Research Field

金属製錬