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Location
Lexington, Kentucky
Start Date
5-5-2026 2:30 PM
End Date
5-5-2026 3:00 PM
Description
Our Radio-frequency Plasma System is an ash pretreatment before the application of extractive metallurgy and addresses current elemental, methodological, and technological limitations of complex and refractory coal ash. Our system data shows from 10-20% improved recovery, to 9x-100x. RFP can access all metals contained in coal ash. Our focus is not on the alteration of established methodologies, such as cyanidation for non-refractory ore, which has a proven return and capacity to achieve target revenue at-scale. Using the RFP systems, no waste is created, overburden can be more easily dealt with, and no metal content will be left behind. We assert that the traditional methods of extraction will not garner the consistent results compared to the application of RFP. Production rate for a 300kW RFP system is 150 – 200 lb/hr and depends upon specific gravity of the ash, mesh, and efficacy of the one or three-drip-feed system supplying ash to plasma. The process consumes about 3.5 kW/lb. Plasma temperature ranges between 6500°C and 10000°C. At an electricity price of $0.1 per kW/Hr., production cost is $0.35/lb. All powder from the reactor (coarse, up to 40µm) and from the filter (fine, down to 1µm) are products. Off-gas composition depends on ash composition, though generally we could have NOx and CO2. If ash contains sulfur, we will have (generally low) SOx, but the scrubbers are easy to clean or can self-clean. RFP’s segregation by vaporization and subsequent spherical condensation allows a greater surface area for reaction with standard extraction processes. Tailing of the RFP system consists of filters and scrubbers to collect finer particles to prevent material loss.
Document Type
Presentation
Archival?
Archival
Included in
Energy Systems Commons, Environmental Indicators and Impact Assessment Commons, Environmental Monitoring Commons, Mining Engineering Commons, Oil, Gas, and Energy Commons, Structural Materials Commons, Sustainability Commons
PLASMA COAL ASH PROCESSING FOR ENHANCED RECOVERY OF RARE EARTH ELEMENTS & PRECIOUS METALS: PROVEN FROM R&D TO COMMERCIAL PLANTS
Lexington, Kentucky
Our Radio-frequency Plasma System is an ash pretreatment before the application of extractive metallurgy and addresses current elemental, methodological, and technological limitations of complex and refractory coal ash. Our system data shows from 10-20% improved recovery, to 9x-100x. RFP can access all metals contained in coal ash. Our focus is not on the alteration of established methodologies, such as cyanidation for non-refractory ore, which has a proven return and capacity to achieve target revenue at-scale. Using the RFP systems, no waste is created, overburden can be more easily dealt with, and no metal content will be left behind. We assert that the traditional methods of extraction will not garner the consistent results compared to the application of RFP. Production rate for a 300kW RFP system is 150 – 200 lb/hr and depends upon specific gravity of the ash, mesh, and efficacy of the one or three-drip-feed system supplying ash to plasma. The process consumes about 3.5 kW/lb. Plasma temperature ranges between 6500°C and 10000°C. At an electricity price of $0.1 per kW/Hr., production cost is $0.35/lb. All powder from the reactor (coarse, up to 40µm) and from the filter (fine, down to 1µm) are products. Off-gas composition depends on ash composition, though generally we could have NOx and CO2. If ash contains sulfur, we will have (generally low) SOx, but the scrubbers are easy to clean or can self-clean. RFP’s segregation by vaporization and subsequent spherical condensation allows a greater surface area for reaction with standard extraction processes. Tailing of the RFP system consists of filters and scrubbers to collect finer particles to prevent material loss.
