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Scientific Article details

Title Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater Towards a Circular Economy
ID_Doc 16842
Authors Barros, O; Costa, L; Costa, F; Lago, A; Rocha, V; Vipotnik, Z; Silva, B; Tavares, T
Title Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater Towards a Circular Economy
Year 2019
Published Molecules, 24, 6
DOI 10.3390/molecules24061005
Abstract The use of rare earth elements is a growing trend in diverse industrial activities, leading to the need for eco-friendly approaches to their efficient recovery and reuse. The aim of this work is the development of an environmentally friendly and competitive technology for the recovery of those elements from wastewater. Kinetic and equilibria batch assays were performed with zeolite, with and without bacterial biofilm, to entrap rare earth ions from aqueous solution. Continuous assays were also performed in column setups. Over 90% removal of lanthanum and cerium was achieved using zeolite as sorbent, with and without biofilm, decreasing to 70% and 80%, respectively, when suspended Bacillus cereus was used. Desorption from the zeolite reached over 60%, regardless of the tested conditions. When in continuous flow in columns, the removal yield was similar for all of the rare earth elements tested. Lanthanum and cerium were the elements most easily removed by all tested sorbents when tested in single- or multi-solute solutions, in batch and column assays. Rare earth removal from wastewater in open setups is possible, as well as their recovery by desorption processes, allowing a continuous mode of operation.
Author Keywords Bacillus cereus; zeolite; biosorption; adsorption; rare earth element
Index Keywords Index Keywords
Document Type Other
Open Access Open Access
Source Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED)
EID WOS:000465503800005
WoS Category Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Research Area Biochemistry & Molecular Biology; Chemistry
PDF https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/24/6/1005/pdf?version=1552461904
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