Preliminary Flowsheet Development for Mixed Rare Earth Elements Production from Apatite Leaching Aqueous Solution Using Biosorption and Precipitation

A flowsheet was developed to extract mixed Rare Earth Elements (REEs) from an aqueous solution generated by nitric acid leaching of apatite concentrate. In this study, Platanus orientalis (P. orientalis) leaf powder employed in the biosorption process purify pregnant leach solution. The sorption and desorption processes were investigated optimized. results demonstrated successful extraction REEs using biosorbent. Hydrochloric effectively desorbed loaded P. powder. Thermodynamic studies indicated that REEs’ on endothermic spontaneous process. Precipitation calcination steps yielded rare earth oxides (REOs) with assay approximately 87%. final product, REOs, can be further refined through releaching a secondary impurity removal stage prior entering individual REE separation Alternatively, it fed directly into solvent or alternative technologies obtain heavy light REEs.