The Rare Earth Elements

An Introduction

verfasst von: J.H.L. Voncken

Verlag: Springer International Publishing

Buchreihe : SpringerBriefs in Earth Sciences

Enthalten in: Springer Professional "Wirtschaft+Technik" , Springer Professional "Technik" , Springer Professional "Wirtschaft"

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Über dieses Buch

This book deals with the rare earth elements (REE), which are a series of 17 transition metals: scandium, yttrium and the lanthanide series of elements (lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium and lutetium).

They are relatively unknown to the wider public, despite their numerous applications and their critical role in many high-tech applications, such as high-temperature superconductors, phosphors (for energy-saving lamps, flat-screen monitors and flat-screen televisions), rechargeable batteries (household and automotive), very strong permanent magnets (used for instance in wind turbines and hard-disk drives), or even in a medical MRI application.

This book describes the history of their discovery, the major REE ore minerals and the major ore deposits that are presently being exploited (or are planned to be exploited in the very near future), the physical and chemical properties of REEs, the mineral processing of REE concentrates and their extractive metallurgy, the applications of these elements, their economic aspects and the influential economical role of China, and finally the recycling of the REE, which is an emerging field.

Inhaltsverzeichnis

Frontmatter

Chapter 1. The Rare Earth Elements—A Special Group of Metals

Abstract

This chapter explains what the rare earth elements are, where and when they were discovered, and by whom. The name of each element is explained (as the elemental names are rather exotic), the misleading name for these metals, which suggests that they are rare (which they are not), is clarified, and the fact that they are not earth metals is established. The alkaline earth metals constitute group IIA in the periodic system, consisting of Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, and Ra; the rare earth elements are transition metals (group IIIB).

J. H. L. Voncken

Chapter 2. The Ore Minerals and Major Ore Deposits of the Rare Earths

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the major and minor ore minerals of the rare earths, and of the related major ore deposits. As most of the rare earths are mined in China, the impression may arise that ore deposits of these metals occur in few other places on Earth. However, nothing is less true. The extensive overview of the ore deposits of the rare earths in this chapter is especially meant to indicate that deposits occur in quite a variety of countries, and that the apparent dominance of China is economically (and politically) powered.

J. H. L. Voncken

Chapter 3. Physical and Chemical Properties of the Rare Earths

Abstract

This chapter discusses the chemical and physical properties of the lanthanides, some of which are in a certain way peculiar. It discusses the oxidation states of the REE, and the phenomenon called the lanthanide contraction (meaning that the atomic radius decreases with increasing atomic number in the series lanthanum–lutetium). It lists the isotopes known per element, and explains the radioactivity of promethium, the only element of the rare earths that has only radioactive isotopes and no stable isotopes. Magnetism and luminescence also are discussed.

J. H. L. Voncken

Chapter 4. Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy of the Rare Earths

Abstract

This chapter is about mineral processing of the rare earths (making the mined ore into a concentrate of the valuable minerals), and extractive metallurgy of the rare earths (how to get the metals out of the concentrate). The mineral processing of three well-known exploited ore deposits is discussed in more detail.

J. H. L. Voncken

Chapter 5. Applications of the Rare Earths

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the most important applications of the rare earth elements. The number applications discussed is large, but not exhaustive. Among those treated are catalysts, metal alloys, HT-superconductors, batteries, phosphors, glass, glass-polishing agents, permanent magnets, pigments, nuclear-control rods, photographic filters, lasers, and the scintillation crystals used in PET-scanners. The permanent magnets have themselves a large number of different applications, which are listed in this chapter.

J. H. L. Voncken

Chapter 6. Economic Aspects of the Rare Earths

Abstract

In this chapter, the global production of the rare earths is discussed, expected shortages and surpluses for certain rare earths (the “balance problem”) are indicated, and it is explained how China came to be the largest producer of rare earth elements in the world. Of course, the so-called Rare Earth Crisis of 2009–2013 is also addressed.

J. H. L. Voncken

Chapter 7. Recycling of Rare Earths

Abstract

In this chapter, the need for recycling rare earths is discussed. It identifies the particular sources of materials that can be used for recycling, such as permanent magnets, lamp phosphors, CRT screens and flat-panel screens, polishing media, batteries, and bulk waste products such as red mud, a waste product from the Bayer process, and phosphogypsum, a by-product from the phosphoric acid production. As recycling of rare earths is not yet done to a large extent, some pro’s and con’s of recycling of rare earths are also discussed: why would you do it or not do it?

J. H. L. Voncken

Titel: The Rare Earth Elements
verfasst von: J.H.L. Voncken
Verlag: Springer International Publishing
Electronic ISBN: 978-3-319-26809-5
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-26807-1
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26809-5