Recovering rare earth elements from coal ash for green energy technologies
As the world transitions away from fossil fuels, demand for rare earth elements (REEs) is only going to increase. Using the CLS, researchers from the University of Regina have confirmed that ash from coal-fired power plants in Alberta and Saskatchewan contains a REE called yttrium. They found the valuable elements is concentred in specific mineral phases in the form of silicates or phosphates. Their results can help inform development of methods for extracting the elements from coal waste, an important step toward a circular economy. Some ash is used in making concrete, but most just sits in landfills or mine tailings ponds.
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