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Rhamnolipid-Based Remediation Technologies for Uranium and Rare Earth Element Contamination

基于鼠李糖脂的铀和稀土元素污染修复技术

基本信息

批准号：
10159265
负责人：
Chett J Boxley
金额：
$ 60万
依托单位：
GLYCOSURF, INC.
依托单位国家：
美国
项目类别：
财政年份：
2020
资助国家：
美国
起止时间：
2020-05-05 至 2023-04-30
项目状态：
已结题

来源：
https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10159265
关键词：
Address Adsorption Affect Affinity Air Arizona Biological Cells Chinese People Coal Collection Complex Consult Data Department of Energy Development Economics Ecosystem Electronics Ensure Environmental Health Equilibrium Evaluation Excision Fatty Acids Feasibility Studies Glycolipids Goals Health Human Industry International Ions Left Ligands Metals Minerals Mining Modeling Modernization Navajo Outcome Performance Phase Process Production Quality Control Rare Earth Metals Recovery Recycling Research Resources Risk Safety Savings Site Small Business Innovation Research Grant Soil Solid Solvents Source Surface Surveys System Tail Technology Testing Time Universities Update Uranium Water balance recovery base commercialization contaminated water cost cost effective design drinking water economic evaluation efficacy testing experimental study implementation process interest new technology novel operation remediation research and development rhamnolipid scale up surfactant technology development wastewater samples wasting water testing water treatment

项目摘要

Uranium mining in the U.S. Southwest has left thousands of legacy mining sites with uranium-contaminated soils. These soils are polluting adjacent water and land resources that, in turn, pose serious threats to human and environmental health. On the Navajo Nation alone, there are over 500 abandoned uranium mining sites and 12.8% of tested water sources exceed national drinking water standards. Uranium is also a challenge for modern mining operations as it is often present as a contaminant in mineral processing activities targeting other metals. In addition to uranium, rare earth elements (REE) are also often found as contaminants in coal and some hard- rock mining operations. Due to volatile international markets and Chinese domination of market supply, there is interest in developing alternative REE sources domestically due to the importance of REE to consumer electronics, renewable energy technologies, and national defense. Despite expressed need from the mining industry and federal regulators, technology that is both inexpensive and specific to uranium and REE is lacking. Through Phase I research, GlycoSurf has demonstrated two technologies capable of the selective removal of uranium and REE from complex mining solutions. The first is an ion flotation process wherein GlycoSurf’s propriety surfactants complex with target metals in aerated treatment solutions. Metals are separated from the bulk solutions as the metal-surfactant complex attaches to air bubbles rising to the solution surface for collection as a metal-concentrate foam. The second technology is an adsorbent material generated by functionalizing solid media with GlycoSurf’s proprietary surfactants. In this Phase II project, GlycoSurf’s objective is to demonstrate the commercial potential of these technologies for large water treatment applications by: 1) up-scaling reactor size, 2) developing treatment processes for continuous flow operations and testing, and 3) synthesizing more cost-effective glycolipids. With the University of Arizona and Wayne State University as research partners, GlycoSurf will accomplish this project through 4 aims. Currently, ion flotation has successfully been demonstrated in small-volume batch operation. Aim 1 will develop and up-scale a continuous ion flotation process using real-world metalliferous solutions supplied by BHP mining company and the U.S. Department of Energy. Aim 2 will focus on up-scaling production of rhamnolipid-functionalized adsorbent materials and developing a treatment process that will be challenged using real-world mining solutions. The need to reduce materials costs of GlycoSurf surfactants will be the focus of Aim 3. In this aim, GlycoSurf will focus on cost reductions through: 1) streamlining the synthesis process, 2) use of alternate starting materials, and 3) increasing the scale of production to realize economy-of-scale savings. Aim 4 with examine the economic feasibility and commercial potential of technology developments in this Phase II project using a techno-economic approach.

美国西南部的铀矿开采使数千个遗留矿区的土壤受到铀污染。