(461f) Critical Materials Recycling For Resource Sustainability

Rare earth metals, including yttrium and scandium, are being increasingly used in clean energy technologies, colored phosphors, lasers and high intensity magnets. There are important defense applications such as fighter jet engines, missile guidance systems and space based satellite and communication systems based on these metals. The commitment to clean energy technologies by governments and the projected growth in power and transportation sectors across the globe ensure that the demand for rare earth metals and compounds would continue to escalate. This demand implies that, to ensure unhindered technological innovation, it is essential to possess secure supply chains for rare earth elements.  The United States continues to be one of the largest consumers and importer of rare earths and the trend is expected to continue as the demand increases. In order to ensure secure rare earth supply and attenuate supply-demand imbalance post 2014, it is not only necessary to encourage and support exploration of newer reserves, build a rare earth stockpile, but it is also of utmost importance to look at opportunities to recycle and reuse Rare Earth Elements from secondary sources, such as post-consumer and manufacturing process wastes. This research describes the technological developments made to convert these valuable resources into functional manufactured materials for lighting industry, automotive and petroleum refining catalysts, and high density permanent magnets. In addition, production of rhenium from advanced aerospace alloys will be discussed that is recovered for introduction in turbine alloys.