(54a) Hydrogen Plasma Reduction of REOs/Salt for Rems Production

Rare earth elements (REEs) are crucial to the production of green energy motors in wind turbines, hybrid cars, electric vehicles, and electronic devices. REEs are also used in defense systems, including precision-guided munitions, radar systems, avionics, night vision equipment, satellites and guided missiles. China dominates the REEs production and exports and is continuing to reduce REEs exports. DoD and DOE are looking at options to increase domestic production in the U.S. However, rebuilding the U.S. rare earth industry could take many years.

In this paper, we will report a process for producing REMs from REOs by plasma-enhanced hydrogen reduction to recycle rare earth materials from post-consumer products. Of the five critical REEs, [dysprosium (Dy,66), neodymium (Nd,60), terbium (Tb,65), europium (Eu,63), and yttrium (Y,39)]. This is an efficient and low energy consumption technology for five most valuable REMs (Nd, Y, Dy, Sm, Ce) production from their corresponding oxides.