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Tuncay G, Yuksekdag A, Mutlu BK, Koyuncu I. A review of greener approaches for rare earth elements recovery from mineral wastes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124379. [PMID: 38885830 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124379] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/15/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
The use of rare earth elements (REE) in many various fields, including high-tech products, increases the demand for these materials day by day. The production of REE from primary sources has expanded in response to increasing demand; however, due to its limited, a more sustainable supply is also started to offer for the REE demand by using secondary sources. The most commonly used metallurgical method for REE recovery is hydrometallurgical processes. However, it has some disadvantages, like pyrometallurgical methods. In the review, studies of the environmental impacts of REE production from primary sources and life cycle assessments of products containing REE were investigated. According to the results, it has been seen that those studies in the literature in which hydrometallurgical methods have changed to more environmentally friendly approaches have begun to increase. In this review, mine wastes, which are secondary sources, were defined, conventional methods of recovery of rare earth elements were discussed, greener approaches to the recovery of REE from these sources were comprehensively examined and studies in the literature were evaluated. Furthermore, it was stated that there are limited studies on green approaches and REE recovery from mineral wastes and that this field is developing with an emphasis on the current outlook and future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gizem Tuncay
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey; Turkish Energy, Nuclear and Mineral Research Agency (TENMAK) - Rare Earth Elements Research Institute (NATEN), Kahramankazan, 06980, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Ayse Yuksekdag
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Borte Kose Mutlu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ismail Koyuncu
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey; National Research Center on Membrane Technologies, Istanbul Technical University, 34469, Istanbul, Turkey.
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Alotaibi AM, Ismail AF, Aziman ES. Ultra-effective modified clinoptilolite adsorbent for selective thorium removal from radioactive residue. Sci Rep 2023; 13:9316. [PMID: 37291241 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-36487-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigated the efficacy of using phosphate-modified zeolite (PZ) as an adsorbent for removing thorium from aqueous solutions. The effects of various factors such as contact time, adsorbent mass, initial thorium concentration, and pH value of the solution on the removal efficiency were analyzed using the batch technique to obtain optimum adsorption condition. The results revealed that the optimal conditions for thorium adsorption were a contact time of 24 h, 0.03 g of PZ adsorbent, pH 3, and a temperature of 25 °C. Isotherm and kinetics parameters of the thorium adsorption on PZ were also determined, with equilibrium studies showing that the experimental data followed the Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qo) for thorium was found to be 17.3 mg/g with the Langmuir isotherm coefficient of 0.09 L/mg. Using phosphate anions to modify natural zeolite increased its adsorption capacity. Furthermore, adsorption kinetics studies demonstrated that the adsorption of thorium onto PZ adsorbent fitted well with the pseudo-second-order model. The applicability of the PZ adsorbent in removing thorium from real radioactive waste was also investigated, and nearly complete thorium removal was achieved (> 99%) from the leached solution obtained from cracking and leaching processes of rare earth industrial residue under optimized conditions. This study elucidates the potential of PZ adsorbent for efficient removal of thorium from rare earth residue via adsorption, leading to a reduction in waste volume for ultimate disposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Masoud Alotaibi
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aznan Fazli Ismail
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Eli Syafiqah Aziman
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Rahmat MA, Ismail AF, Rodzi ND, Aziman ES, Fadzil SM, Hidzir NM, Idris MI, Rahman IA, Mohamed F. A window into the future: case study of long-term radiological risk modelling posed by unregulated mining waste repurposing activities. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:714. [PMID: 37221312 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11308-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
The study aims to assess long-term radiological exposure risks and effects to both industrial workers and occupants living in the near vicinity of local tailing processing plants. The detrimental effects of licensing exemption were studied by comparing contaminated soil collected from 7 unlicensed-by the Atomic Energy Licensing Board-tailing processing plants with soil from control location. It was found that the average concentration of 226Ra, 232Th, and 40 K for all seven processing plants fell between the range of 0.1 ± 0.0-7.21 ± 0.1 Bqg-1, 0.1 ± 0.0-16.34 ± 0.27 Bqg-1, and 0.18 ± 0.01-1.74 ± 0.01 Bqg-1, respectively, showing observable indication of soil contamination with Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive (TENORM) material. The annual effective dose was calculated which showed that most samples exceeded the recommended value of the ICRP of 1 mSvy-1 for non-radiation workers. Assessment of radiological hazards in the environment was done by calculating the radium equivalent value; revealing the exposure risk posed by the contaminated soil is substantial. Using the relatable inputs, the RESRAD-ONSITE computed code revealed that the dose due to internal exposure via inhalation of radon gas contributes the most to the overall exposure. The covering of the contaminated soil with a clean layer is effective in reducing external dose but ineffective for radon inhalation. RESRAD-OFFSITE computer code also revealed that the contribution of exposure via contaminated soil in the neighbouring vicinity is below the recommended 1 mSvy-1 threshold but still contributes to a significant amount cumulatively when considering other exposure pathways as well. The study proposes the introduction of clean cover soil as a viable option in reducing external dose from contaminated soil as 1 m of clean cover soil is able to reduce dose exposure by 23.8-30.5%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Abdullah Rahmat
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Aznan Fazli Ismail
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
| | - Nursyamimi Diyana Rodzi
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Eli Syafiqah Aziman
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Syazwani Mohd Fadzil
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Norsyahidah Mohd Hidzir
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Idzat Idris
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Irman Abdul Rahman
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Faizal Mohamed
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, 43600, Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia
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Alotaibi AM, Ismail AF. Modification of Clinoptilolite as a Robust Adsorbent for Highly-Efficient Removal of Thorium (IV) from Aqueous Solutions. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph192113774. [PMID: 36360653 PMCID: PMC9658948 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192113774] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The natural zeolite has been modified with sulphate and phosphate. The adsorption of thorium from the aqueous solutions by using the natural and modified zeolites has been investigated via a batch method. The adsorbent samples were characterized by X-ray Diffraction (XRD), N2 adsorption-desorption (BET), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). Modification of natural zeolite with sulphate and phosphate was found to increase its adsorption capacity of thorium but reduced its specific surface area (SBET). The adsorption experiments were expressed by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevitch (D-R) isotherm models and the results of adsorption demonstrated that the adsorption of thorium onto the natural and modified zeolites correlated better with the Langmuir isotherm model than with the Freundlich isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity (Qo) was determined using the Langmuir isotherm model at 25 °C and was found to be 17.27, 13.83, and 10.21 mg/g for phosphate-modified zeolite, sulfate-modified zeolite, and natural zeolite, respectively. The findings of this study indicate that phosphate-modified zeolite can be utilized as an effective and low-cost adsorbent material for the removal of thorium from aqueous solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdulrahman Masoud Alotaibi
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Applied Science, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah 21955, Saudi Arabia
| | - Aznan Fazli Ismail
- Nuclear Science Programme, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
- Nuclear Technology Research Centre, Faculty of Science and Technology, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, UKM, Bangi 43600, Selangor, Malaysia
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