US 12,077,835 B2
Methods and compositions for extraction of rare earth elements from coal ash
Edward M. Sabolsky, Morgantown, WV (US); Gunes A. Yakaboylu, Morgantown, WV (US); Christina Wildfire, Fairmont, WV (US); and John W. Zondlo, Albright, WV (US)
Assigned to West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (US)
Filed by West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV (US)
Filed on Oct. 7, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/065,487.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/911,611, filed on Oct. 7, 2019.
Prior Publication US 2021/0102273 A1, Apr. 8, 2021
Int. Cl. C22B 59/00 (2006.01); C22B 1/24 (2006.01); C22B 7/02 (2006.01)
CPC C22B 59/00 (2013.01) [C22B 1/2406 (2013.01); C22B 7/02 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A method for beneficiating coal ash particles, the method comprising:
a. providing coal ash particles comprising coal fly ash (CFA);
b. providing a carbon source;
c. thoroughly mixing the coal ash particles and carbon source to create a first mixture;
d. transferring the first mixture to a heating vessel;
e. placing the heating vessel in a microwave cavity; and
f. microwave processing comprising heating the first mixture with microwave irradiation to generate processed coal ash particles;
wherein the method creates defects in the processed coal ash particles;
wherein the processed coal ash particles comprise a three-dimensional network between the CFA particles and carbon, thereby providing a rapid transfer of thermal energy from carbon to CFA particles;
wherein the carbon source comprises carbon black, carbon lampblack, activated carbon, 50% compressed carbon acetylene black, 90% compressed carbon acetylene black, 100% compressed carbon acetylene black, charcoal, coal, or a combination thereof; and
wherein the microwave processing is conducted undera gas flow.