Rare Earth Elements Association in Different Fractions of Appalachian Coals: Extraction and Enrichment

Bennington Opdahl*, Vikas Agrawal, and Shikha Sharma

Department of Geology & Geography, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506

Presentation Category: Oral-Science & Technology (Oral Presentation #32)

Student’s Major: Chemistry

Rare earth elements are in immense global demand as they are essential for all the major advancements in energy, electronics, optics and defense industries. To meet the high demands, REE supplies are getting scarce and expensive due to the depletion of conventional ores and supplies. In the recent few years, coal and its combustion/waste byproducts have been explored as a potential source of REEs due to their enriched REE content and lower costs. However, the association of REEs in inorganic or organic fractions of different types of coal (especially in bituminous coals) is still not well understood. In this study, we investigate the association of REEs in different fractions of bituminous Appalachian coals by using a sequential extraction procedure. Coal samples from Fireclay, Sewell, Harlem, Little Clarksburg and Upper Kittanning of the Appalachian basin have been acquired for this study. The REEs associated with the exchangeable fraction, carbonates, Fe-Mn oxides, organic bound, and silicates fraction in different coal samples are being investigated. The preliminary results from these experiments will help in determining the mechanism of REE enrichment in bituminous coals. The broader implications of this study are that it will help in developing strategies for maximizing the extraction efficiency and minimizing the extraction cost of REEs from Appalachian coals.

Funding: IsoBioGeM Laboratory

Program/mechanism supporting research/creative efforts: WVU's Research Apprenticeship Program (RAP) & accompanying HONR 297-level course