Estimating REY content of eastern Kentucky coal samples based on their associated ash elements

• Coal and coal combustion byproducts can be considered as an alternative source of rare earth elements and yttrium (REY). The study of relationships between REY and other main coal properties could have several advantages such as estimating REY content of coal particles and designing beneficial extraction method. In this investigation, inter-correlations between REY content with coal parameters (proximate and ash elements) for a wide range of eastern Kentucky coal samples (708 records) were explored. Results demonstrate that zircon and monazite are the main source of heavy and light rare earth elements (HREE and LREE), respectively. Zr has the highest correlation with Y and Th has the strength relationship with Ce and La. In general, LREE have higher interaction with coal ash content in comparison with HREE. Results indicated that REY can be estimated quite satisfactorily by using their associated elements in coal ash.

Subject headings

TEKNIK OCH TEKNOLOGIER  -- Naturresursteknik -- Mineral- och gruvteknik (hsv//swe)

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY  -- Environmental Engineering -- Mineral and Mine Engineering (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Coal

Heavy rare earth

Light rare earth

Proximate

Ash elements

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)