2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Development of an advanced magnetic separation technology assisted by agglomeration for improving the recovery of rare earth minerals from finely ground low-grade ores
Project/Area Number |
20K15214
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Research Institution | Hokkaido University |
Principal Investigator |
PARK ILHWAN 北海道大学, 工学研究院, 助教 (80844753)
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Project Period (FY) |
2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
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Keywords | Magnetic Separation / Rare Earth Minerals / Agglomeration |
Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
This research aims at developing advanced magnetic separation techniques for the recovery of rare earth element (REE)-bearing minerals from Mongolian ore deposits. The most important achievements of this study are summarized as follows: 1. Dry high-intensity magnetic separation (DHIMS) of ground REE ore (-0.5 + .01 mm) could achieve the enrichment ratio of 2.8 with a TREO recovery of 70%. 2. Wet high-intensity magnetic separation (WHIMS) of ground REE ore (-106 + 75 μm) enriched TREO content by 5.5 times with a TREO recovery of ~80%. 3. Agglomeration of finely-ground bastnaesite (D50 = ~3 μm) using BHA increased the particle size to > 8 μm, which improved its recovery by WHIMS from 50% to 95%.
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Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
1: Research has progressed more than it was originally planned.
Reason
As planned last year (FY2021), the mechanism of BHA-assisted agglomeration via adsorption tests, particle size analysis, zeta-potential measurements, Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), etc. as well as its effect on the improvement of magnetic separation efficiency were clearly investigated. In addition, the preliminary tests of magnetic separation using carrier (i.e., carrier magnetic separation) to improve the beneficiation of finely-ground REE ore were conducted.
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Strategy for Future Research Activity |
In FY2022, BHA-assisted agglomeration followed by magnetic separation will be applied to real REE ore. Furthermore, it is planned to develop a sustainable and efficient flowsheet for upgrading low-grade REE ore via the combination of gravity separation, magnetic separation, and froth flotation.
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Causes of Carryover |
The sufficient amount of the mineral specimen remained, so it was not purchased. In this year, it will be used for purchasing mineral specimen/consumables.
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Research Products
(5 results)