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On the Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Geothermal Brines

Author

Listed:
  • York R. Smith

    (Metallurgical Engineering Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, USA)

  • Pankaj Kumar

    (Metallurgical Engineering Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84115, USA)

  • John D. McLennan

    (Energy & Geoscience Institute, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
    Chemical Engineering Department, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA)

Abstract

The availability of rare earth elements from primary resources has come into question in the last two decades. This has sparked various government and industry initiatives to examine potential rare earth element resources apart from virgin ore bodies. Geothermal fluids are potentially significant sources of valuable minerals and metals, while co-recovery with geothermal energy production would be an attractive sustainable system. In this work, we give a brief survey of data collected on rare earth element concentrations in geothermal fluids. A survey of methods and technologies for extracting rare earth elements from geothermal is discussed along with the feasibility of recovering rare earth elements from geothermal brines. Based on the findings of this study, rare earth element extraction from geothermal fluids is technically possible, but neither economically viable nor strategically significant at this time.

Suggested Citation

  • York R. Smith & Pankaj Kumar & John D. McLennan, 2017. "On the Extraction of Rare Earth Elements from Geothermal Brines," Resources, MDPI, vol. 6(3), pages 1-16, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jresou:v:6:y:2017:i:3:p:39-:d:108842
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Nawshad Haque & Anthony Hughes & Seng Lim & Chris Vernon, 2014. "Rare Earth Elements: Overview of Mining, Mineralogy, Uses, Sustainability and Environmental Impact," Resources, MDPI, vol. 3(4), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Saleem H. Ali, 2014. "Social and Environmental Impact of the Rare Earth Industries," Resources, MDPI, vol. 3(1), pages 1-12, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. János Szanyi & Ladislaus Rybach & Hawkar A. Abdulhaq, 2023. "Geothermal Energy and Its Potential for Critical Metal Extraction—A Review," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-28, October.
    2. Lucjan Sajkowski & Rose Turnbull & Karyne Rogers, 2023. "A Review of Critical Element Concentrations in High Enthalpy Geothermal Fluids in New Zealand," Resources, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-15, May.
    3. Simon M. Jowitt, 2018. "Introduction to a Resources Special Issue on Criticality of the Rare Earth Elements: Current and Future Sources and Recycling," Resources, MDPI, vol. 7(2), pages 1-4, May.
    4. Soltani, M. & Moradi Kashkooli, Farshad & Alian Fini, Mehdi & Gharapetian, Derrick & Nathwani, Jatin & Dusseault, Maurice B., 2022. "A review of nanotechnology fluid applications in geothermal energy systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 167(C).

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