Review
Engineering, Environmental
Xilin Geng, Ying Liu, Wei Zhang, Liangshi Wang, Jiankang Wen, Jianzhi Sun
Summary: Germanium, with its excellent electrical and optical properties, plays a crucial role in various high-tech fields. However, the recovery efficiency of germanium is low, accompanied by high energy consumption and impurities. Therefore, there is an urgent need for efficient and low-consumption green processes to utilize germanium in zinc concentrate. This paper provides a systematic overview of the basic properties, key technologies, and recent advances in leaching and separation of germanium, focusing on the study of germanium species and coordination reactions.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2022)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Shuai Rao, Zhi-qiang Liu, Dong-xing Wang, Hong-yang Cao, Wei Zhu, Kui-fang Zhang, Jin-zhang Tao
Summary: Zinc, lead, gallium, and germanium were successfully separated and recovered from zinc refinery residues using stepwise leaching method. The process involved leaching with sulfuric acid followed by leaching with hydrochloric acid, and finally extracting germanium in sodium hydroxide solution. The proposed process achieved high recoveries of the target metals, presenting potential industrial applications.
TRANSACTIONS OF NONFERROUS METALS SOCIETY OF CHINA
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Hossein Kamran Haghighi, Mehdi Irannajad
Summary: Germanium, a strategic metalloid, is mainly sourced from rare zinc minerals and coal-related products, with recycling materials also playing an increasing role. 70% of global germanium production comes from primary resources, while the rest is from recycled materials, driving the industry to explore alternative resources and extraction technologies.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
T. Oishi, M. Yaguchi, Y. Takai
Summary: A new hydrometallurgical route successfully recovered a pure copper cathode from crude copper containing high amounts of impurity elements through selective leaching and purification steps, ultimately obtaining a sufficiently pure copper cathode via monovalent copper electrolysis.
RESOURCES CONSERVATION AND RECYCLING
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Chuan-ming Du, Xu Gao, Shigeru Ueda, Shin-ya Kitamura
Summary: A novel process of selective leaching-precipitation-alkaline wash was proposed in this study to recover high-quality phosphate from steelmaking slag. By achieving high selectivity in the leaching process and removing precipitates, high-quality phosphate can be recovered and the residue can be reused as a steelmaking feedstock.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Materials Science, Multidisciplinary
Pankaj Kumar Choubey, Nityanand Singh, Rekha Panda, Rajesh Kumar Jyothi, Kyoungkeun Yoo, Ilhwan Park, Manis Kumar Jha
Summary: This study explores the recovery of rare earth metals from discarded magnets, with a process including demagnetization, pre-treatment, and hydrometallurgical processing. The results show successful recovery of Nd, Pr, and Dy, with solvent extraction achieving partial separation of REMs and Fe. However, the multistage separation required for this process may not be economically feasible.
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
C. Erust, M. K. Karacahan, T. Uysal
Summary: Increasing demand for low carbon technologies and renewable energy sources necessitates the circular use of resources and economies. Many countries recognize that responsible consumption, production, and recycling of rare-earth-containing products are essential for achieving sustainable development goals, as outlined in the European Green Deal. Sustainable sourcing includes a carefully designed roadmap for cost-efficient REE production from end-of-life products in addition to mining activities. Hydrometallurgical methods, such as roasting, leaching, precipitation, crystallization, solvent extraction, and ion exchange, offer fast developing, selective, eco-friendly, and cost-effective technologies for REE extraction. This article provides an overview of primary and secondary resources, and presents case studies on promising methods for economically recovering REEs.
MINERAL PROCESSING AND EXTRACTIVE METALLURGY REVIEW
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Zhilin Liang, Chen Cai, Gangwei Peng, Jingping Hu, Huijie Hou, Bingchuan Liu, Sha Liang, Keke Xiao, Shushan Yuan, Jiakuan Yang
Summary: The rapid development of lithium ion batteries has posed challenges in terms of disposal, leading to a necessity for efficient recovery and reutilization. Advances in hydrometallurgical methods have improved the efficiency of recycling processes, focusing on waste disposal and environmental impact.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Dongseok Lee, Sung-Ho Joo, Dong Ju Shin, Shun Myung Shin
Summary: Vanadium and cesium were successfully recovered from spent sulfuric acid catalysts using a hydrometallurgical process, with a recovery rate of over 99%. This eco-friendly and cost-effective method involved water leaching, solvent extraction, and precipitation processes.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Zidong Tan, Xin Jin, Yong Zhen, Chang Wei, Xingbin Li, Zhigan Deng, Minting Li
Summary: Selective extraction of indium and selective precipitation of germanium using D2EHPA and tannin were studied in this paper. The extraction of indium was achieved using 15% D2EHPA in kerosene, followed by washing with 0.5 M H2SO4 and stripping with 4 M HCl. The precipitation of germanium was achieved by adjusting the pH of the raffinate, mixing it with tannin, and then baking the tannin-germanium complex at 500 degrees C. This proposed process flow provides a selective recovery method for germanium and indium from In-Ge residue leaching solutions.
SEPARATION AND PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Jorge E. De-la-Cruz-Moreno, Agueda E. Ceniceros-Gomez, Ofelia Morton-Bermea, Elizabeth Hernandez-Alvarez
Summary: This study successfully optimized laboratory conditions to efficiently extract indium from metallurgical waste, providing a basis for developing methods to extract indium and other strategic elements from other metallurgical waste in the future.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Nicolo Maria Ippolito, Marco Passadoro, Francesco Ferella, Giorgio Pellei, Francesco Veglio
Summary: The paper presents a small-scale plant based on the Gold-REC 1 process, which is a hydrometallurgical method developed by the University of L'Aquila for treating printed circuit boards (PCBs). The process includes mechanical treatment, extraction of base metals using sulfuric acid/hydrogen peroxide solution, and leaching with thiourea and ferric sulfate in a sulfuric acid solution to extract gold and silver. The profitability of the process is demonstrated with a net present value of EUR 10.7 million, an internal rate of return of 150%, and a discounted payback time of 2 years.
Article
Metallurgy & Metallurgical Engineering
Longgang Ye, Shichang Song, Shenghai Yang, Yongming Chen, Shufen Liu
Summary: This study proposes an economic and efficient method for the recovery of multicomponent secondary lead dust (MSLD) that contains valuable metals and potentially harmful components. By utilizing desalination, sulfation roasting, water leaching, and zinc plate cementation, the study achieves comprehensive recovery of valuable elements while selectively removing harmful components.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Luyuan Zhang, Hongbo Zhao, Hongshuai Hou, Guoqiang Zou, Guohua Gu, Guanzhou Qiu
Summary: By utilizing the Fe2+/Fe3+ redox couple, galvanic biomining achieves efficient resource recovery and power generation through ore oxidation, oxidant regeneration, and the galvanic biomining reactor. The leaching rates are approximately 10 times higher than conventional bioleaching, and it effectively reduces power consumption and the carbon footprint.
ACS SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY & ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Woo Jin Kim, Sangyun Seo, Seong Il Lee, Dong Wan Kim, Myong Jun Kim
Summary: The study proposed a pyro-hydrometallurgical process for recovering Pb, Sn, and Sb from lead dross, achieving over 99% Pb oxidation and separation of Sb through stages of roasting, leaching, and precipitation. The overall recovery rates of Pb, Sn, and Sb from the lead dross were 99.5%, 95.4%, and 86.3% respectively, showing high efficiency in metal recovery.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)