Rare earth catalysts, also known as lanthanide catalysts, are a group of elements that have unique chemical properties that make them highly effective for use in a variety of chemical reactions, including those related to waste water remediation. These elements, which include cerium, lanthanum, and neodymium, are known for their ability to promote chemical reactions without being consumed in the process. This makes them highly efficient catalysts, as they can be used over and over again without needing to be replaced.
One of the primary ways in which rare earth catalysts are used in waste water remediation is through the process of advanced oxidation. This process involves the use of chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide and ozone, to break down and decompose organic contaminants in waste water. Rare earth catalysts can be used to accelerate these reactions, making the process more efficient and effective.
One of the key advantages of using rare earth catalysts in waste water remediation is their high activity and selectivity. These catalysts are able to promote specific chemical reactions while minimizing the formation of by-products and other unwanted side reactions. This makes them highly effective at removing specific contaminants from waste water, while minimizing the negative impact on the environment.
In addition to their use in advanced oxidation processes, rare earth catalysts are also used in other waste water treatment technologies, such as photocatalysis and electrocatalysis. Photocatalysis involves the use of light energy to promote chemical reactions, and rare earth catalysts can be used to enhance this process and improve its efficiency. Electrocatalysis involves the use of electricity to promote chemical reactions, and rare earth catalysts can be used in this process as well.
One potential application of rare earth catalysts in waste water remediation is the treatment of contaminated groundwater. Groundwater contamination can occur due to a variety of factors, including industrial and agricultural activities, accidental spills, and leakage from underground storage tanks. Removing contaminants from groundwater can be challenging, as it often requires the use of specialized treatment technologies that are expensive and energy-intensive. Rare earth catalysts have the potential to make these processes more efficient and cost-effective, as they can promote the breakdown of contaminants without being consumed in the process.
Another area where rare earth catalysts have shown promise is in the treatment of contaminated surface water. Surface water contamination can occur due to a variety of factors, including industrial discharges, agricultural runoff, and urbanization. Removing contaminants from surface water can be challenging, as it often requires the use of complex treatment systems that are expensive to operate and maintain. Rare earth catalysts have the potential to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of these systems, by promoting the breakdown of contaminants without being consumed in the process.
One of the major challenges in using rare earth catalysts in waste water remediation is the cost and availability of these elements. Many of the rare earth elements used in catalysts are relatively scarce, and their extraction and processing can be expensive. In addition, there are environmental and social concerns associated with mining and processing rare earths, which can impact the sustainability of these materials.
Despite these challenges, the use of rare earth catalysts in waste water remediation is no longer a promising area of research and development, as these catalysts are now being commerically used by Collaborative Technologies in its proprietary GraphX water filtration systems to significantly improve the efficiency and effectiveness of waste water treatment processes. Collaborative Technologies are conducting research to develop new and more sustainable methods for producing and using rare earth catalysts, as well as to explore new ways to manipulate the lattice structure in these materials for use waste water remediation and other areas. One of the CT founder's, Ronen Hazarika, has over 20 years experience in the design and utilization of rare earths for using in environmental remediation.
One promising approach to overcoming the challenges associated with the production and use of rare earth catalysts is the use of recycled materials. Many rare earth elements are present in small amounts in a variety of consumer and industrial products,and can be extracted for resuse utilizing CT’s HRM technology.
November Focus - Rare Earths in Water Remediation
September Focus - PFAS
TEM Image of Manganese Doped Ceria - 10nm
Sources: US National Toxicology Program, (2016); C8 Health Project Reports, (2012); WHO IARC, (2017); Barry et al., (2013); Fenton et al., (2009); and White et al., (2011).
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Figure 1.
Australian Tailings Pond
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December Focus - Australian Mining Mineral Recovery
What are PFAS and what are they used for?
PFAS are a group of more than 4 700 man-made chemicals (OECD, 2018), the two most well-known of which are perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorooctane sulfonic acid (PFOS) (Box 1). PFAS are used in a wide variety of consumer products and industrial applications because of their unique chemical and physical properties, including oil and water repellence, temperature and chemical resistance, and surfactant properties. PFAS have been used in firefighting foams, non-stick metal coatings for frying pans, paper food packaging, creams and cosmetics, textiles for furniture and outdoor clothing, paints and photography, chrome plating, pesticides and pharmaceuticals.
Why are PFAS a concern?
PFAS either are, or degrade to, persistent chemicals that accumulate in humans, animals and the environment. This adds to the total burden of chemicals to which people are exposed (Evans et al., 2016) and increases the risk of health impacts. Of the relatively few well-studied PFAS, most are considered moderately to highly toxic, particularly for children’s development. Figure 1 summarises current knowledge of the health impacts of PFAS.
The mining industry is a major contributor to the economy of Australia, with the country being home to a wide range of minerals including coal, iron ore, gold, and copper. However, the extraction and processing of these minerals generates large volumes of waste water, which can have negative impacts on the environment and human health if not properly managed. In this essay, we will discuss some of the key wastewater issues facing the Australian mining industry, as well as strategies for recapturing minerals and minimizing the environmental impacts of waste water.
One of the major wastewater issues facing the Australian mining industry is the presence of high levels of heavy metals and other contaminants in mine effluent. These contaminants, which can include metals such as copper, lead, and zinc, as well as other toxic substances, can have harmful effects on aquatic life and can be difficult to remove from water. In addition, the high pH levels and high levels of dissolved solids often found in mine effluent can also have negative impacts on the environment.
One strategy for addressing these issues is the use of advanced wastewater treatment technologies, such as chemical precipitation, biological treatment, and membrane filtration. These technologies can be effective at removing contaminants from mine effluent, although they can be expensive to operate and maintain. In addition, there are often challenges in disposing of the solid by-products generated by these treatment processes, as they can be hazardous and require special handling and disposal methods.
Another approach to addressing wastewater issues in the mining industry is through the use of closed-loop systems, in which water is recycled and reused within the mining operation. This can help to reduce the volume of waste water generated, as well as minimize the need for expensive treatment technologies. However, closed-loop systems can be challenging to implement, as they often require significant investment in infrastructure and require careful management to ensure that the recycled water is of sufficient quality for reuse.
Another important issue related to wastewater in the mining industry is the potential for contamination of ground and surface water sources. Mining operations can release contaminants into the environment through a variety of pathways, including through the release of effluent into waterways, or through leakage or spills from waste storage facilities. This can have significant impacts on the quality of water resources and can pose risks to human health and the environment.
One strategy for addressing this issue is through the use of water management plans and environmental impact assessments, which can help to identify and mitigate potential risks to water quality. In addition, there are a range of technologies available for monitoring and mitigating the release of contaminants into the environment, including liners and covers for waste storage facilities, as well as chemical treatment technologies.
Another approach to addressing wastewater issues in the mining industry is the preferred way of Collaborative Technologies, through the recapture of minerals from waste water. This can help to reduce the volume of waste water generated and can also help to recover valuable minerals that would otherwise be lost. There are a range of technologies available for the recovery of minerals from waste water, including sedimentation, filtration, and chemical precipitation. These technologies can be effective at removing minerals from waste water, although they can be expensive to operate and maintain. Using our GraphX filtration and recovery systems, we are able to recover a wide range of high value materials at a very low cost of CAPEX & OPEX. This technology is now ready for deployment into the mining industry for further optimization and industry commericalisation.
In conclusion, the mining industry in Australia generates large volumes of waste water, which can have negative impacts on the environment and human health if not properly managed. Strategies for addressing these issues include the use of advanced wastewater treatment technologies, closed-loop systems, and measures to prevent contamination of ground and surface water sources. In addition, the recapture of minerals from waste water can help to reduce the volume of waste water generated and can also help to recover valuable minerals that would otherwise be lost.