Posted on Nov 24, 2024
America’s Rare Earth Problem Could Be Solved With Literal Trash
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https://gizmodo.com/americas-rare-earth-problem-could-be-solved-with-literal-trash [login to see] ?utm_source=gizmodo_newsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2024-11-23-pm
Researchers, co-led by Bridget Scanlon of The University of Texas at Austin (UT), have found that up to 11 million tons of rare earth elements could be extracted from coal ash in the U.S., a waste product of coal burning. That’s almost eight times the amount of rare earth elements currently in domestic reserves. Their findings, detailed in a September 17 study in the International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, highlight that this approach could significantly reinforce national supplies without the need for further mining.
“This really exemplifies the ‘trash to treasure’ mantra,” Scanlon said in a UT statement.
Researchers, co-led by Bridget Scanlon of The University of Texas at Austin (UT), have found that up to 11 million tons of rare earth elements could be extracted from coal ash in the U.S., a waste product of coal burning. That’s almost eight times the amount of rare earth elements currently in domestic reserves. Their findings, detailed in a September 17 study in the International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, highlight that this approach could significantly reinforce national supplies without the need for further mining.
“This really exemplifies the ‘trash to treasure’ mantra,” Scanlon said in a UT statement.
America’s Rare Earth Problem Could Be Solved With Literal Trash
Posted from gizmodo.com
Recycling
Environment
Research
Posted 18 h ago
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Lt Col Charlie Brown Finally, a useful thing from coal ash. I remember growing up in Southern Illinois. Coal was the main heating source for many houses, including ours.
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SGT (Join to see)
At Fort Bragg NC in 1972, the barracks were heated by hot water heated with coal, and into the heater coils in the barracks. During cold mornings, during PT you could see the steam comming out of the main pipes by the street side walk.
In the PT field, after calisthenics, if we turned to the street with steam, it was a 1 mile run to Smoke Bomb Hill, SF country.
If we went to the other street by the woods, the run was the Airborne mile, which was really 2 miles, on a wooded trail, but still called 1 mile. Those were the woods, that we took the Cherrys (Paratrooper with only 5 jumps) out at night, to go Snipe Hunting.
What is Snipe Hunting, you take one Cherry with a bag at one end of the field, at the ground level, he holds open the bag to catch Snipes. The other Cherrys at the other end of the field, make loud noises walking towards the bag, hoping that a Snipe would run into the bag. Lol
In the PT field, after calisthenics, if we turned to the street with steam, it was a 1 mile run to Smoke Bomb Hill, SF country.
If we went to the other street by the woods, the run was the Airborne mile, which was really 2 miles, on a wooded trail, but still called 1 mile. Those were the woods, that we took the Cherrys (Paratrooper with only 5 jumps) out at night, to go Snipe Hunting.
What is Snipe Hunting, you take one Cherry with a bag at one end of the field, at the ground level, he holds open the bag to catch Snipes. The other Cherrys at the other end of the field, make loud noises walking towards the bag, hoping that a Snipe would run into the bag. Lol
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SGT James Murphy
This is indeed a fascinating development in the realm of resource recovery and environmental management. The research led by Bridget Scanlon from The University of Texas at Austin opens up a potentially transformative avenue for the U.S. in securing rare earth elements (REEs), which are critical for a wide array of technologies, from smartphones and electric vehicles to defense systems. Here are some supportive points to consider:
1. **Resource Utilization**: By extracting REEs from coal ash, we're not just managing waste effectively but also turning it into a valuable resource. This is a prime example of circular economy principles, where waste products are reused in a way that benefits both the environment and industry. It aligns perfectly with the "trash to treasure" concept, showcasing how sustainability can intertwine with economic benefits.
2. **Environmental Impact**: This approach could reduce the environmental footprint associated with mining new REEs. Traditional mining can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and a significant carbon footprint. Utilizing coal ash, which is already a byproduct, means we could lessen the need to disturb new land, thereby minimizing additional environmental degradation.
3. **National Security and Economic Self-Reliance**: The findings underscore an opportunity to bolster national security by reducing dependence on foreign supplies of REEs, which have historically been dominated by a few countries, notably China. Enhancing domestic supply chains for these essential materials can lead to more stable and secure technological and manufacturing sectors.
4. **Technological Innovation**: The potential to extract such a significant amount of REEs from coal ash could spur innovation in extraction technologies. This research might drive further advancements in how we process waste, potentially leading to more efficient and less costly methods of REE recovery, which could have broader implications for other waste streams.
5. **Economic Implications**: The economic benefits are substantial. Not only does it provide a new market for coal ash, potentially reducing disposal costs, but it also creates jobs in research, extraction, and processing sectors. It could revitalize areas economically dependent on coal by repurposing the ash left from coal combustion.
6. **Sustainability**: At a time when sustainability is paramount, this research highlights a pathway towards more sustainable industrial practices. It's a move towards managing resources more wisely, aligning with global efforts to reduce waste and promote recycling.
The study published in the International Journal of Coal Science & Technology gives us a glimpse into a future where we can manage our resources more intelligently and sustainably. It's a reminder that sometimes, solutions to complex problems lie in rethinking our approach to what we consider waste. This could be a significant step towards a more self-sufficient, environmentally cautious, and economically vibrant future for the U.S. in the realm of critical minerals.[](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40 [login to see] 0-z)
1. **Resource Utilization**: By extracting REEs from coal ash, we're not just managing waste effectively but also turning it into a valuable resource. This is a prime example of circular economy principles, where waste products are reused in a way that benefits both the environment and industry. It aligns perfectly with the "trash to treasure" concept, showcasing how sustainability can intertwine with economic benefits.
2. **Environmental Impact**: This approach could reduce the environmental footprint associated with mining new REEs. Traditional mining can lead to habitat destruction, water pollution, and a significant carbon footprint. Utilizing coal ash, which is already a byproduct, means we could lessen the need to disturb new land, thereby minimizing additional environmental degradation.
3. **National Security and Economic Self-Reliance**: The findings underscore an opportunity to bolster national security by reducing dependence on foreign supplies of REEs, which have historically been dominated by a few countries, notably China. Enhancing domestic supply chains for these essential materials can lead to more stable and secure technological and manufacturing sectors.
4. **Technological Innovation**: The potential to extract such a significant amount of REEs from coal ash could spur innovation in extraction technologies. This research might drive further advancements in how we process waste, potentially leading to more efficient and less costly methods of REE recovery, which could have broader implications for other waste streams.
5. **Economic Implications**: The economic benefits are substantial. Not only does it provide a new market for coal ash, potentially reducing disposal costs, but it also creates jobs in research, extraction, and processing sectors. It could revitalize areas economically dependent on coal by repurposing the ash left from coal combustion.
6. **Sustainability**: At a time when sustainability is paramount, this research highlights a pathway towards more sustainable industrial practices. It's a move towards managing resources more wisely, aligning with global efforts to reduce waste and promote recycling.
The study published in the International Journal of Coal Science & Technology gives us a glimpse into a future where we can manage our resources more intelligently and sustainably. It's a reminder that sometimes, solutions to complex problems lie in rethinking our approach to what we consider waste. This could be a significant step towards a more self-sufficient, environmentally cautious, and economically vibrant future for the U.S. in the realm of critical minerals.[](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40 [login to see] 0-z)
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Good news for China and India:
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/top-25-coal-power-countries-in-2020/
https://ember-energy.org/latest-insights/top-25-coal-power-countries-in-2020/
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AN Ron Wright
The only problem with embers statement which also follows the green new scam/Paris climate accords
The USA burns the cleanest of all nations. And in the climate accords it does NOTHING against china and India the two biggest polluters in the world, but punishes the USA massively and billions of $$$$
Doesn’t pass the smell test
The USA burns the cleanest of all nations. And in the climate accords it does NOTHING against china and India the two biggest polluters in the world, but punishes the USA massively and billions of $$$$
Doesn’t pass the smell test
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