FUNDABAC® FUNDAMIX®

Sophisticated flexible filtration solutions DrM Agitation by oscillation without rotation

Application Presentation Paper

Rare Earth
Background
The rare earth elements (REE) are difficult to
separate because they are chemically very
similar. In nature, they are found in two
commercially significant ores, monazite and
bastnasite, embedded in rock or sand
formations. Relatively abundant in nature, they
do occur together not as pure metals.

Cerium is the most abundant RE element in

nature, and is typically extracted as an oxide by
solid/liquid separation. The remaining rare earth
elements are isolated by non-filtration methods.
After grinding the ore the REEs are enriched by
flotation. Then the concentrated RE powder
undergoes a digestive treatment to “crack” the mineral ore. Depending on ore type, acidic or
caustic solutions are used in the digestion step, producing RE sulfates or hydroxides that go into
solution. The FUNDABAC® is applied to remove the insoluble minerals.

Benefits of FUNDABAC®
FUNDABAC® filters are used to remove the
mineral gangue solids from the REE-rich liquor
created in the cracking step. Advantages of the
FUNDABAC® are the availability of corrosion-
resistant materials for filter vessel and internals,
as well as robust filter media with fine pore sizes.
In addition, the ability to wash the filter cake
increases the yield of REEs. Depending on cake
permeability, spray and/or displacement washing
can be used. Last but not least, the
FUNDABAC® enables completely enclosed, fully
automated operation in aggressive fluids at
elevated temperatures and has significant safety benefits for operators.

CONTIBAC® thickeners are employed in isolating cerium oxide after HCl leaching.
Again, cake washing is used to remove as much liquor as possible, since it contains
LREEs. Recovering product and cake washing with a single processing unit streamlines
the process and significantly reduces equipment cost.

Modern REE processing facilities recycle spent brines and salts. FUNDABAC® and
CONTIBAC® filters are used to clarify the raw brine and polish the feed to the
electrolyzers.

DrM, Dr. Mueller AG Tel.+41 44 921 2121 www.drm.ch

Switzerland mailbox@drm.ch APP #004 Rev.0 / 2014-12-19