Development of Sorting Algorithm for Critical Mineral-rich Coal Resource Feedstocks for Use in Full-Stream Analyzers

This Small Business Innovation Research project addresses the issue of high variability of critical minerals (CM) that includes rare earth elements (REE) in coal feedstocks. The proposed project is aimed at developing a technology to sort coals based on REE-CM concentration. Sorting the high CM from low CM-containing feedstocks is essential to the economic viability of a commercial CM concentrate production facility. The inability to sort coal in real time is detrimental to REE- CM processing plants. This technology will assist these plants in reducing costs through efficient management of their incoming feedstocks materials. Currently, the uses for REE-CM are increasing and many of the sources and markets are controlled by entities outside of the US. REE-CM are utilized in a suite of high importance end-uses, such as cell phones, hybrid and electric vehicles, magnets, computer components, catalysts, and many others. Lack of a domestic source of REE-CM has a significant impact on our national security, energy independence, environmental future, and economic growth. The Phase I specific objectives include the following: 1) identify coal samples that represent high- rank and low-rank coals, 2) determine abundance and form of the REE-CM in selected coal samples, 3) analyze samples with the advanced sensors, and 4) develop algorithms for total REE, light REE, heavy REE, and individual REE and CM based on sensor responses. In Phases II and III the sorting technology will be demonstrated at coal producers and REE-CM extraction and concentrating facilities. Once demonstrated, the technology will be available for commercial application. The sorting algorithms developed will be installed at coal mines, coal processing facilities, and coal utilization facilities to sort and mix their resources to optimize their REE and CM concentrations. This is especially important in competing with foreign processing facilities that currently have a hold on the majority of the REE and CM markets.