Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhang Zhihan, Wang Zhi, Wang Dong, Lin Yong, Xiao Wanhai, Liu Chenghao, Liuyimei Yang, Wu Jian, Li Guobiao
Summary: Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial for industrial development, and it is important to recycle them from waste containing REEs; however, challenges of high acid consumption and heavy pollution still persist. This study found that the insoluble phase of NdFeO3 significantly inhibited the leaching efficiency of REEs in roasted NdFeB waste. Mechanical activation was an effective method to destroy the structure of the insoluble NdFeO3 phase and increase the leaching efficiency of REEs. This work provides a green strategy and theoretical basis for efficiently recovering REEs from NdFeB waste.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fulin Mao, Nengwu Zhu, Wen Zhu, Bowen Liu, Pingxiao Wu, Zhi Dang
Summary: By utilizing a hydrometallurgical coupling process involving mechanical activation and selective acid leaching, the recovery of REEs from discarded NdFeB magnets with high REE content can be achieved efficiently. The ball milling activation method enhances the reactivity of samples, promoting the leaching efficiency and leaching speed of REEs. Under optimal conditions, the leaching efficiency of REEs can reach up to 99% with low hydrochloric acid consumption, resulting in a final purity of recovered rare earth oxides up to 99.9%.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Michael Paper, Max Koch, Patrick Jung, Michael Lakatos, Tom Nilges, Thomas B. Brueck
Summary: This study investigated the potential of 12 cyanobacterial strains for biosorption of rare earth elements, and Nostoc sp. 20.02 showed the highest adsorption capacity. Synechococcus elongatus UTEX 2973, Calothrix brevissima SAG 34.79, Desmonostoc muscorum 90.03, and Komarekiella sp. 89.12 were also promising strains. The adsorption of metals by the strains had fast kinetics and pH value had a significant impact on the process.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chenna Rao Borra, Thijs J. H. Vlugt, Yongxiang Yang, Jeroen Spooren, Peter Nielsen, Murugaiyan Amirthalingam, S. Erik Offerman
Summary: This study successfully recovered rare earth oxides from waste polishing materials to produce high-value Al-La-Ce alloys. The development of new alloys through novel processes helps utilize both overproduced primary rare earth oxides and those recovered from waste materials.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Chao Bie, Shan Wu, Hepeng Zhang, Shuainan Ni, Yun Gao, Xiaoqi Sun
Summary: In this study, a novel oil-soluble oxamic acid extractant was synthesized to separate rare earth (RE) and thorium (Th) from radioactive waste residue. The extractant exhibited high selectivity and good oil solubility, making it suitable for extraction under low acidity. Through multiple extraction and scrubbing processes, the concentration of Th in the radioactive slag was reduced and the recovery of RE was high.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quanhui Ye, Xiuyu Jin, Baotong Zhu, Haifeng Gao, Na Wei
Summary: In this study, a new biosorbent (MNPLanM) was developed by immobilizing Lanmodulin-SpyCatcher on the surface of SpyTag-functionalized magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) for selective separation and recovery of rare earth elements (REEs) from waste streams. The biosorbent exhibited high adsorption activity and fast kinetics, and the adsorbed REEs could be efficiently desorbed. MNPLanM selectively adsorbed REEs in the presence of non-REEs and showed high stability after multiple adsorption-desorption cycles. Furthermore, MNPLanM effectively concentrated REEs from low-grade feedstocks, achieving a significant increase in REE purity.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Anitha Kunhikrishnan, Md. Aminur Rahman, Dane Lamb, Nanthi S. Bolan, Surinder Saggar, Aravind Surapaneni, Chengrong Chen
Summary: There is little doubt that rock phosphate reserves are decreasing, with phosphorus peak to be reached in the coming decades. Recovery of phosphorus from alternative nutrient-rich waste streams using adsorption technique is critical and gaining attention, particularly with the use of rare earth elements. Research is needed to further explore the potential of REE-sorbents in recovering phosphorus and their practical application in agriculture.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Bin Ji, Wencai Zhang
Summary: The experiment on rare earth recovery and preparation of porous silica from kaolinite containing rare earth elements shows that thermal treatment and selective leaching are effective methods. In addition, the application of analytical methods and response surface methodology in the process is important for improving product quality and yield.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Yufeng Wu, Minwei Song, Qijun Zhang, Wei Wang
Summary: The global demand for electronic products is increasing, leading to a growing demand for rare-earth polishing powder. China dominates the global rare-earth market but faces challenges with export quotas. As a result, recycling rare-earth resources has become a hot topic in global research.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Jayesh Shanthi Bhavan, Jubin Joy, Ashwath Pazhani
Summary: The sustained growth of the electronic and electrical industries emphasizes the importance of efficient energy utilization and recycling of electronic waste. This study aims to identify and explore the recycling possibilities of rare earth materials in electronic waste through material characterization techniques.
MATERIALS TODAY COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Pan Liu, Simin Zhao, Nan Xie, Lufeng Yang, Qian Wang, Yinghao Wen, Hailong Chen, Yuanzhi Tang
Summary: Due to the demand for rare earth elements (REEs) and the vulnerability of supply, there is increasing interest in recovering REEs from waste streams such as coal fly ash (CFA). This study demonstrates a green system for REE recovery from CFA, which addresses both REE scarcity and CFA management challenges.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Rebecca M. Brown, Amin Mirkouei, David Reed, Vicki Thompson
Summary: There is a growing worldwide demand for rare earth elements (REEs) that are essential for low-carbon energy transition, national security applications, and consumer electronics. This study focuses on nature-based biological methods (bio-leaching and biosorption) for REEs extraction from e-wastes and ore deposits. The narrative and systematic reviews reveal that biological methods are more environmentally friendly than conventional methods in the REE mining industry, and there has been rapid growth in bioleaching and biosorption research. The study concludes that targeted mixed REEs extraction can be a sustainable approach, and nature-based biological REE extraction solutions offer significant socio-economic and environmental benefits.
RENEWABLE & SUSTAINABLE ENERGY REVIEWS
(2023)
Review
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Tai-qi Yin, Yun Xue, Yong-de Yan, Zhen-chao Ma, Fu-qiu Ma, Mi-lin Zhang, Gui-ling Wang, Min Qiu
Summary: This review examines the recovery of rare earth elements through molten salt electrolysis, focusing on the separation and electroextraction of REEs on various reactive electrodes and electrolytes. The feasibility of using LiF-NaF-KF electrolyte is evaluated, and challenges related to achieving low-energy and high current efficiency in practical applications are discussed in detail.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MINERALS METALLURGY AND MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zhiyuan Zeng, Yun Gao, Shuainan Ni, Sijia Zhang, Xinyu Fu, Xiaoqi Sun
Summary: This study developed novel ionic liquids (ILs) and evaluated their effectiveness in recovering thorium (Th) and rare earth (RE) from waste residue leaching solution (WRLS). The difunctionalization of the ILs cation provided more coordination sites and achieved higher extraction and separation performance. [OB2DTA][CA12] was capable of extracting 99.0% of Th and only 0.4% of RE, with a Th/RE separation factor of 22114. This research provides a recyclable separation strategy for the treatment of ion-adsorbed rare earth ore (IATREO) waste residue, simplifying the separation process and reducing chemical consumption.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Neha Shukla, Shrey Agrawal, Nikhil Dhawan
Summary: A novel processing route involving microwave-assisted acid baking and water leaching was explored for recycling waste phosphor from end-of-life fluorescent lamps. Various parameters were optimized, and the process showed high efficiency in rare-earth dissolution. Additionally, cost estimations indicated economic viability with significant contribution from terbium.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Mengmeng Wang, Quanyin Tan, Lili Liu, Jinhui Li
Summary: The research introduces an acid-free method for selectively recovering lithium from spent lithium-ion batteries through ion substitution stimulated by mechanochemistry. The study successfully demonstrated the regeneration of Li2CO3 from various cathode materials of spent LIBs using a sustainable recycling process involving NaCl, SiO2, and Na2CO3, providing a green solution for LIBs recycling.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiadong Yu, Minsong Lin, Quanyin Tan, Jinhui Li
Summary: Graphite electrodes from spent lithium-ion batteries have good crystalline composition and layered structure, but are often polluted with various impurities, limiting their high-value utilization. A systematic analysis revealed contaminants on the graphite surface and the potential of the modified Hummers method in removing them effectively to prepare graphene oxide. The method not only removes impurities, but also helps in forming 2D graphene oxide for high-value utilization.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Yuan Chen, Abhishek Kumar Awasthi, Fan Wei, Quanyin Tan, Jinhui Li
Summary: The increasing production and use of single-use plastics are causing pollution, wasting resources, and posing threats to plants, animals, and marine ecosystems. There is a growing push to minimize the use of single-use plastics, with regulatory tools and voluntary actions being suggested to reduce waste.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yangyang Liang, Quanyin Tan, Qingbin Song, Jinhui Li
Summary: Asia is a major generator and receiver of plastic waste globally, but there are still shortcomings in the management and treatment of plastic waste. The quantity of plastic waste imported by Asia decreased in 2018, particularly due to China's ban on imports causing a sharp decline.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mengmeng Wang, Quanyin Tan, Qifei Huang, Lili Liu, Joseph F. Chiang, Jinhui Li
Summary: This study combines mechanochemistry and high-temperature thermal reduction to recover valuable metals from spent LIBs. By destroying the crystal structure of lithium cobalt oxide under mechanical force and using high-temperature heat treatment, the study successfully converts LiCoO2 into high-value products.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sen Liu, Wei Liu, Quanyin Tan, Jinhui Li, Wenqing Qin, Congren Yang
Summary: China is the largest consumer and importer of copper in the world, relying heavily on imports and secondary use of scrap copper resources to meet its demand. Changes in China's policies have led to a reduction in copper scrap imports. In the future, China will increasingly rely on domestic recycled copper resources.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shang Zhang, Quanyin Tan, Guochang Xu, Jinhui Li
Summary: The generation of solid waste is increasing rapidly due to global economic and population growth. Zero waste, as an integrated waste management method, aims to promote waste reduction through various strategies. This study systematically reviewed zero waste research from a scientometric perspective, identifying key countries, authors, and research areas. The findings show that zero waste has become a multidisciplinary field, with food waste reduction being a major focus. The study proposes a pathway for realizing zero waste cities through research, management methods, and policy implementation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Youping Miao, Lili Liu, Yuping Zhang, Quanyin Tan, Jinhui Li
Summary: The rapid growth of lithium-ion batteries is driven by the popularity of electric vehicles, leading to challenges in raw material supply and environmental protection due to the increasing amount of spent batteries. Emphasis on sustainable supply and recycling of critical metal materials is crucial for the future development of the battery industry.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Fan Wei, Quanyin Tan, Kaixin Dong, Jinhui Li
Summary: This study evaluates the feasibility of replacing disposable plastic tableware through integrated analysis and life cycle assessment. The results indicate that stainless steel, bamboo, or bio-based plastic cutlery is preferred over petroleum-based plastic ones. Replacing cutleries on domestic flights in China can significantly reduce carbon emissions.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Jiaying Cui, Quanyin Tan, Lili Liu, Jinhui Li
Summary: This study evaluates the life cycle environmental impacts of second-life use of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) and finds that a component replacement rate of retired LIBs below 50% makes them worthy of repurposing. Reusing whole packs of retired LIBs is better than using only cells or modules due to the environmental loads from diagnosis, disassembly, replacement, and test processes. The battery energy density and performance degradation significantly affect the maximum return on the environmental input.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Quanyin Tan, Liyao Yang, Fan Wei, Yuan Chen, Jinhui Li
Summary: The rapid growth of employing single-use plastic delivery bags (SPDBs) as express delivery packaging has resulted in resource depletion and environmental pollution. To mitigate these threats, reusable plastic delivery boxes (RPDBs) were developed. Life cycle assessment was used to compare the environmental impacts of RPDBs and SPDBs. The results showed that RPDBs cause fewer environmental impacts during intra-city delivery but higher impacts during inter-city delivery. The largest impact contributor was greenhouse gas emissions from plastic production, mainly from fossil energy generation during primary plastic pelleting. By increasing the average number of reuse cycles of RPDBs to 50, by 2025, CO2-eq emissions could be reduced by 309.3 million kg and plastic waste by 0.96 million tons compared to using SPDBs.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kang Liu, Mengmeng Wang, Jiadong Yu, Quanyin Tan
Summary: In this study, a low-temperature, oxygen-free roasting process was proposed to convert multicomponent lead compounds in spent lead-acid batteries to lead sulfate. The optimal conditions for producing lead sulfate were determined. Life cycle assessment results showed that recycling spent lead-acid batteries can significantly reduce carbon emissions and smog. This research provides an emission-free, low-temperature, and negative-carbon strategy for cost-effective recycling of spent lead-acid batteries.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Duanmei Song, Jiadong Yu, Mengmeng Wang, Quanyin Tan, Kang Liu, Jinhui Li
Summary: The critical supply of materials for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) has become highly vulnerable to epidemics and geopolitical influences, highlighting the importance of independent and autonomous in situ recycling of LIBs. Many technologies have been developed rapidly for recycling spent LIBs in the last decade. However, their sustainability is seriously questioned, given the blind pursuit of recycling efficiency and profit maximization, even if the so-called innovative methods.
ENERGY STORAGE MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Quanyin Tan, Jinhui Li, Liyao Yang, Guochang Xu
Summary: The generation of retired traction batteries in China will experience explosive growth due to the increasing use of electric vehicles. A dynamic urban metabolism model was used to predict the volume of retired traction batteries by 2050, and evaluate their potential use in energy storage. Results show that the volume of retired traction batteries will peak at 5.0 Mt by 2045 and drop to 4.8 Mt in 2050. The capacity potential of retired traction batteries will be able to meet the national energy storage demand for wind and solar energy by 2030, and septuple by 2050 compared to 2030. Regional distribution of retired traction batteries and their use in energy storage vary based on economic development and energy endowment levels, highlighting the need for cross-provincial coordination in planning cascade use schemes.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Kang Liu, Lili Liu, Quanyin Tan, Jinhui Li
Summary: This study presents a green process for the selective and rapid extraction of lithium from spent lithium iron phosphate (LiFePO4) batteries via mechanochemical solid-phase oxidation. The designed process is acid/base free, has an extremely short time, wastewater-free discharge, and high economic profit. The results show that mechanochemical solid-phase oxidation can selectively release lithium from LiFePO4, providing a new approach to the recovery of lithium.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lars odegaard Bentsen, Narada Dilp Warakagoda, Roy Stenbro, Paal Engelstad
Summary: This study investigates uncertainty modeling in wind power forecasting using different parametric and non-parametric methods. Johnson's SU distribution is found to outperform Gaussian distributions in predicting wind power. This research contributes to the literature by introducing Johnson's SU distribution as a candidate for probabilistic wind forecasting.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Xing Liu, Qiuchen Wang, Yunhao Wen, Long Li, Xinfang Zhang, Yi Wang
Summary: This study analyzes the characteristics of process parameters in three lean gas ethane recovery processes and establishes a prediction and multiobjective optimization model for ethane recovery and system energy consumption. A new method for comparing ethane recovery processes for lean gas is proposed, and the addition of extra coolers improves the ethane recovery. The support vector regression model based on grey wolf optimization demonstrates the highest prediction accuracy, and the multiobjective multiverse optimization algorithm shows the best optimization performance and diversity in the solutions.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Cairong Song, Haidong Yang, Xian-Bing Meng, Pan Yang, Jianyang Cai, Hao Bao, Kangkang Xu
Summary: The paper proposes a novel deep learning-based prediction framework, aTCN-LSTM, for accurate cooling load predictions. The framework utilizes a gate-controlled multi-head temporal convolutional network and a sparse probabilistic self-attention mechanism with a bidirectional long short-term memory network to capture both temporal and long-term dependencies in the cooling load sequences. Experimental results demonstrate the effectiveness and superiority of the proposed method, which can serve as an effective guide for HVAC chiller scheduling and demand management initiatives.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Zhe Chen, Xiaojing Li, Xianli Xia, Jizhou Zhang
Summary: This study uses survey data from the Loess Plateau in China to evaluate the impact of social interaction on the adoption of soil and water conservation (SWC) technology by farmers. The study finds that social interaction increases the likelihood of farmers adopting SWC, and internet use moderates this effect. The positive impact of social interaction on SWC adoption is more pronounced for farmers in larger villages and those who join cooperative societies.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Chenghua Zhang, Yunfei Yan, Kaiming Shen, Zongguo Xue, Jingxiang You, Yonghong Wu, Ziqiang He
Summary: This paper reports a novel method that significantly improves combustion performance, including heat transfer enhancement under steady-state conditions and adaptive stable flame regulation under velocity sudden increase.
JOURNAL OF CLEANER PRODUCTION
(2024)
