This research explores the recovery of rare earth elements (REE), specifically yttrium (Y) and dysprosium (Dy), from coal fly ash (FA) to support Small Modular Reactor (SMR) advancements. Chemical and mineralogical characterizations revealed FA's potential as a secondary REE source, with concentrations of 234.01 ppm total REE, including 40.3 ppm Y and 6.34 ppm Dy. Direct acid leaching using HCl achieved optimal recovery efficiencies of 37.6% for Y and 39.0% for Dy under conditions of 2M HCl, 25°C, and 60 min. A subsequent hydrothermal treatment with NaOH enhanced recovery, achieving 54.6% Y under optimized conditions. Mechanistic insights demonstrate the selective dissolution of aluminosilicate matrices and the feasibility of this approach for sustainable REE sourcing. The findings highlight the dual benefits of valorizing industrial waste and supporting nuclear energy infrastructure.
Lai et al. (Tue,) studied this question.