A Note on the Occurrence of Yttrium and Rare Earth Elements in Coal Combustion Products

Authors

James C. Hower, University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, 2540 Research Park Drive, Lexington, KY 40511, USA
Shifeng Dai, State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Vladimir V. Seredin, Institute of Geology of Ore Deposits, Petrography, Mineralogy, and Geochemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, Staromonetnyi per. 35, Moscow, 119017 Russia
Lei Zhao, State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
Irena J. Kostova, Sofia University ‘‘St. Kliment Ohridski, ’’ Department of Geology and Paleontology, 15, Tzar Osvoboditel Blvd., 1000 Sofia, Bulgaria
Luis F.O. Silva, University Center La Salle, Master in Environmental Impact Assessment in Mining, Av. Victor Barreto, 2288, Canoas– RS, Brazil
Sarah M. Mardon, University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, 1401 Corporate Court, Henderson, KY 42420, USA
Gulbin Gurdal, Canakkale Onsekiz Mart University, Engineering and Architecture Faculty, Department of Geological Engineering, 17020 Canakkale, Turkey

Document Type

Article

Abstract

There is an international need for a variety of lanthanide elements (rare earth elements, or REEs) in modern electronic and related components. This has led to a desire to broaden production from both previously productive locations and to expand production to new sources, possibly including coal-derived fly ash. The concentration of lanthanides in coal-combustion fly ash depends on a number of factors, one of the most important being the concentration of the elements in the feed coal. Unlike some elements, such as Zn and As, the REE concentration is largely not a function of element volatility. In this study, we review the concentrations of REEs in a power plant burning a variety of coals. Additionally, a power plant burning 2–3% tires in a cyclone boiler and a plant burning 30% pet coke were also investigated. In general, the Yttrium + REE concentrations do not systematically vary between electrostatic precipitator rows. However, the light REE/heavy REE ratio (LREE/HREE) generally decreases with a decrease in flue gas temperature. The element partitioning responsible for the LREE/ HREE decrease is not fully understood.

First Page

39

Last Page

47

DOI

https://doi.org/10.4177/CCGP-D-13-00001.1

Volume

5

Publication Date

1-1-2013

Recommended Citation

Hower, J.C., Dai, S., Seredin, V.V., Zhao, L., Kostova, I.J., Silva, L.F.O., Mardon, S.M., Gurdal, G., 2013, A Note on the Occurrence of Yttrium and Rare Earth Elements in Coal Combustion Products. Coal Combustion and Gasification Products 5, 39-47, doi: 10.4177/CCGP-D-13-00001.1