Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Multi-criteria evaluation of the extraction methods of rare earth elements from aqueous streams

  • Original Paper
  • Published:
International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the extraction methods of rare earth elements (REEs) from aqueous solution streams using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) method. However, their extraction from aqueous solutions is challenging due to their low concentration and complex chemical properties. The AHP method is a multi-criteria decision-making tool that allows for the prioritization of different criteria based on their relative importance. In this study, eight extraction methods were evaluated based on three criteria: economic justification, technical justification, and environmental justification. The eight methods included adsorption, biosorption, chemical precipitation, electrocoagulation, ion flotation, ion exchange, membrane filtration, and solvent extraction. The results showed that flotation was the most efficient method for REE extraction, with a score of 0.176, followed by adsorption, with a score of 0.149. Biosorption and solvent extraction had lower scores of 0.147 and 0.136, respectively. Besides, another AHP was conducted to prioritize the three surfactant categories used in the ion flotation process based on seven criteria: capacity, cost, efficiency, recovery duration, repeatability, scalability, and selectivity. The three surfactant categories included bio-based, chemo-based, and nano-based surfactants. The results indicate that nano-surfactants were the most suitable surfactants for REE extraction by ion flotation with a score of 0.465, followed by chemo-surfactants with a score of 0.390. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into evaluating different REE extraction methods using the AHP methodology. The findings can help researchers and industry professionals decide on selecting appropriate REE extraction methods based on their specific needs and priorities.

Graphical abstract

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

AHP:

Analytic hierarchy process

AMD:

Acid mine drainage

CFAL:

Coal fly ash leachate

CI:

Consistency index

CR:

Consistency ratio

CRMs:

Critical raw materials

EU:

European union

Eu:

Europium

E-waste:

Electronic-waste

GB:

Geothermal brines

LREEs:

Light rare earth elements

Lu:

Lutecium

MSWI:

Municipal solid waste incineration

REEs:

Rare earth elements

RI:

Reliability indicators

Sc:

Scandium

Sm:

Samarium

SW:

Seawater

Y:

Yttrium

References

  • Ahmad K, Nazir MA, Qureshi AK, Hussain E, Najam T, Javed MS, Shah SSA, Tufail MK, Hussain S, Khan NA (2020) Engineering of Zirconium based metal-organic frameworks (Zr-MOFs) as efficient adsorbents. Mater Sci Eng B 262:114766

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Ahmad K, Ashfaq M, Shah SSA, Hussain E, Naseem HA, Parveen S, Ayub A (2021) Effect of metal atom in zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIF-8 and 67) for removal of Pb2+ and Hg2+ from water. Food Chem Toxicol 149:112008

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alemrajabi M, Ricknell J, Samak S, Rodriguez Varela R, Martinez J, Hedman F, Forsberg K, Rasmuson ÅC (2022) Separation of rare-earth elements using supported liquid membrane extraction in pilot scale. Ind Eng Chem Res

  • Alipour S, Sadeghi A, Omidvarborna H, Karimi A (2022a) Techno-economic assessment of the AHP based selected method for separating formic acid from an aqueous effluent. J Chem Petrol Eng 56(1):105–121

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Alipour S, Sagir E, Sadeghi A (2022b) Multi-criteria decision-making approach assisting to select materials for low-temperature solid oxide fuel cell: electrolyte, cathode& anode. Int J Hydrog Energy 47(45):19810–19820

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Anastopoulos I, Bhatnagar A, Lima EC (2016) Adsorption of rare earth metals: a review of recent literature. J Mol Liq 221:954–962

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Asadollahzadeh M, Torkaman R, Torab-Mostaedi M (2021) Extraction and separation of rare earth elements by adsorption approaches: current status and future trends. Sep Purif Rev 50(4):417–444

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Astuti Y, Andianingrum R, Arnelli Haris A, Darmawan A (2020) The role of H2C2O4 and Na2CO3 as precipitating agents on the physichochemical properties and photocatalytic activity of bismuth oxide. Open Chem 18(1):129–137

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Brahim JA, Hak SA, Achiou B, Boulif R, Beniazza R, Benhida R (2022) Kinetics and mechanisms of leaching of rare earth elements from secondary resources. Miner Eng 177:107351

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Can Sener SE, Thomas VM, Hogan DE, Maier RM, Carbajales-Dale M, Barton MD, Karanfil T, Crittenden JC, Amy GL (2021) Recovery of critical metals from aqueous sources. ACS Sustain Chem Eng 9(35):11616–11634

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Cao W, Wang A, Yu D, Liu S, Hou W (2019) Establishment and implementation of an asphalt pavement recycling decision system based on the analytic hierarchy process. Resour Conserv Recycl 149:738–749

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cao Y, Shao P, Chen Y, Zhou X, Yang L, Shi H, Yu K, Luo X, Luo X (2021) A critical review of the recovery of rare earth elements from wastewater by algae for resources recycling technologies. Resour Conserv Recycl 169:105519

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang L, Cao Y, Fan G, Li C, Peng W (2019) A review of the applications of ion floatation: wastewater treatment, mineral beneficiation and hydrometallurgy. RSC Adv 9(35):20226–20239

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen Z, Li Z, Chen J, Kallem P, Banat F, Qiu H (2022) Recent advances in selective separation technologies of rare earth elements: a review. J Environ Chem Eng 10(1):107104

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dardona M, Mohanty SK, Allen MJ, Dittrich TM (2023) From ash to oxides: recovery of rare-earth elements as a step towards valorization of coal fly ash waste. Sep Purif Technol 314:123532

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dashti S, Sadri F, Shakibania S, Rashchi F, Ghahreman A (2021) Separation and solvent extraction of rare earth elements (Pr, Nd, Sm, Eu, Tb, and Er) using TBP and Cyanex 572 from a chloride medium. Miner Eng 161:106694

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • de Vasconcellos ME, Da Rocha S, Pedreira W, Queiroz CA, d. S., & Abrão, A. (2008) Solubility behavior of rare earths with ammonium carbonate and ammonium carbonate plus ammonium hydroxide: precipitation of their peroxicarbonates. J Alloy Compd 451(1–2):426–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Deblonde GJ-P, Mattocks JA, Park DM, Reed DW, Cotruvo JA Jr, Jiao Y (2020) Selective and efficient biomacromolecular extraction of rare-earth elements using lanmodulin. Inorg Chem 59(17):11855–11867

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dinh T, Dobo Z, Kovacs H (2022) Phytomining of rare earth elements–a review. Chemosphere 297:134259

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • El Ouardi Y, Virolainen S, Mouele ESM, Laatikainen M, Repo E, Laatikainen K (2023) The recent progress of ion exchange for the separation of rare earths from secondary resources–a review. Hydrometallurgy 218:106047

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Elbashier E, Mussa A, Hafiz M, Hawari AH (2021) Recovery of rare earth elements from waste streams using membrane processes: an overview. Hydrometallurgy 204:105706

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Fallatah AM, Shah HUR, Ahmad K, Ashfaq M, Rauf A, Muneer M, Ibrahim MM, El-Bahy ZM, Shahzad A, Babras A (2022) Rational synthesis and characterization of highly water stable MOF@ GO composite for efficient removal of mercury (Hg2+) from water. Heliyon 8(10):e10936

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • İnan S, Tel H, Sert Ş, Çetinkaya B, Sengül S, Özkan B, Altaş Y (2018) Extraction and separation studies of rare earth elements using Cyanex 272 impregnated Amberlite XAD-7 resin. Hydrometallurgy 181:156–163

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Karimi A, Sadeghi A (2022) AHP-Based amine selection in sour gas treating process: simulation and optimization. Iranian J Chem Chem Eng (IJCCE)

  • Li D (2019) Development course of separating rare earths with acid phosphorus extractants: a critical review. J Rare Earths 37(5):468–486

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Liu J, Martin PF, McGrail BP (2021) Rare-earth element extraction from geothermal brine using magnetic core-shell nanoparticles-techno-economic analysis. Geothermics 89:101938

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Masry B, Abu Elgoud E, Riz S (2023) Correction: Modeling and equilibrium studies on the recovery of praseodymium (III), dysprosium (III) and yttrium (III) using acidic cation exchange resin. BMC Chemistry 17(1):41

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mwewa B, Tadie M, Ndlovu S, Simate GS, Matinde E (2022) Recovery of rare earth elements from acid mine drainage: a review of the extraction methods. J Environ Chem Eng 10:107704

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Najam T, Ahmad Khan N, Ahmad Shah SS, Ahmad K, Sufyan Javed M, Suleman S, Sohail Bashir M, Hasnat MA, Rahman MM (2022) Metal-organic frameworks derived electrocatalysts for oxygen and carbon dioxide reduction reaction. Chem Rec 22(7):e202100329

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nawab A, Yang X, Honaker R (2022) Parametric study and speciation analysis of rare earth precipitation using oxalic acid in a chloride solution system. Miner Eng 176:107352

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Opare EO, Struhs E, Mirkouei A (2021) A comparative state-of-technology review and future directions for rare earth element separation. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 143:110917

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Page MJ, Soldenhoff K, Ogden MD (2017) Comparative study of the application of chelating resins for rare earth recovery. Hydrometallurgy 169:275–281

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Parveen S, Naseem HA, Ahmad K, Shah H-U-R, Aziz T, Ashfaq M, Rauf A (2023) Design, synthesis and spectroscopic characterizations of medicinal hydrazide derivatives and metal complexes of malonic ester. Curr Bioact Compd 19(4):31–46

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Peng W, Chang L, Li P, Han G, Huang Y, Cao Y (2019) An overview on the surfactants used in ion flotation. J Mol Liq 286:110955

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pereao O, Bode-Aluko C, Fatoba O, Laatikainen K, Petrik L (2018) Rare earth elements removal techniques from water/wastewater: a review. Desalin Water Treat 130:71–86

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Perez JPH, Folens K, Leus K, Vanhaecke F, Van Der Voort P, Du Laing G (2019) Progress in hydrometallurgical technologies to recover critical raw materials and precious metals from low-concentrated streams. Resour Conserv Recycl 142:177–188

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Quijada-Maldonado E, Romero J (2021) Solvent extraction of rare-earth elements with ionic liquids: toward a selective and sustainable extraction of these valuable elements. Curr Opin Green Sustain Chem 27:100428

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Salman A, Juzsakova T, Jalhoom M, Ibrahim R, Domokos E, Al-Mayyahi M, Abdullah T, Szabolcs B, Al-Nuzal S (2022) Studying the extraction of scandium (III) by macrocyclic compounds from aqueous solution using optimization technique. Int J Environ Sci Technol 19(11):11069–11086

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Smith YR, Kumar P, McLennan JD (2017) On the extraction of rare earth elements from geothermal brines. Resources 6(3):39

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Soukeur A, Szymczyk A, Berbar Y, Amara M (2021) Extraction of rare earth elements from waste products of phosphate industry. Sep Purif Technol 256:117857

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Tunsu C, Menard Y, Eriksen DØ, Ekberg C, Petranikova M (2019) Recovery of critical materials from mine tailings: a comparative study of the solvent extraction of rare earths using acidic, solvating and mixed extractant systems. J Clean Prod 218:425–437

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Vargas SJ, Quintao JC, Ferreira GM, Da Silva LH, Hespanhol MC (2019) Lanthanum and cerium separation using an aqueous two-phase system with ionic liquid. J Chem Eng Data 64(10):4239–4246

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wu S, Wang L, Zhang P, El-Shall H, Moudgil B, Huang X, Zhao L, Zhang L, Feng Z (2018) Simultaneous recovery of rare earths and uranium from wet process phosphoric acid using solvent extraction with D2EHPA. Hydrometallurgy 175:109–116

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu C, Tang T, Jia H, Xu M, Xu T, Liu Z, Long Y, Zhang R (2019) Benefits of coupled green and grey infrastructure systems: evidence based on analytic hierarchy process and life cycle costing. Resour Conserv Recycl 151:104478

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang L, Lavagnolo MC, Bai H, Pivato A, Raga R, Yue D (2019) Environmental and economic assessment of leachate concentrate treatment technologies using analytic hierarchy process. Resour Conserv Recycl 141:474–480

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhao F, Repo E, Meng Y, Wang X, Yin D, Sillanpää M (2016) An EDTA-β-cyclodextrin material for the adsorption of rare earth elements and its application in preconcentration of rare earth elements in seawater. J Colloid Interface Sci 465:215–224

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr. Karimi and Dr. Alipour for their invaluable comments. Their expertise and insights have been instrumental in shaping this paper.

Funding

The authors declare the following financial interests/personal relationships which may be considered as potential.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Maragheh, Maragheh, 5518183111, East Azerbaijan, Iran

    A. Sadeghi

  2. Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, 8415683111, Iran

    S. T. Kermani Alghorayshi

  3. Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, 14115111, Iran

    M. Shamsi

  4. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Shahid Bahonar University, Kerman, 7616913439, Iran

    F. Mirjani

Authors
  1. A. Sadeghi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. T. Kermani Alghorayshi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. M. Shamsi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. F. Mirjani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Sadeghi.

Ethics declarations

Conflict of interests

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Editorial responsibility: Binbin Huang.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Sadeghi, A., Kermani Alghorayshi, S.T., Shamsi, M. et al. Multi-criteria evaluation of the extraction methods of rare earth elements from aqueous streams. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Technol. 20, 9707–9716 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05081-7

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Revised:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-023-05081-7

Keywords

Search

Navigation