Researchers produce nearly-pure rare earth concentrates from coal

Re:Researchers produce nearly-pure rare earth concentrates f... by Firerouge on Monday March 12, 2018 @07:14AM (#16567363)

I do hope coal companies come to realize coal is worth far more in valuable rare earth elements than burning it. Maybe then they'll stop pushing their coal fueled pipe dreams.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Researchers produce nearly-pure rare earth concentrates f... by dmurray on Monday March 12, 2018 @09:29AM (#16567988)

Unfortunately for your hopes, it looks like the goal of this process is to be able extract rare earths from the coal and still burn the carbon. That would make coal more viable as a fuel, rather than less.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Researchers produce nearly-pure rare earth concentrates f... by volundr- on Monday March 12, 2018 @07:41AM (#16567482)

As a rare earth ore, most coal has very little value. From a practical standpoint, this is interesting but not particularly actionable, unless it is a process that is cheap and preserves the other industrial utility of coal.

[ Parent | on HN ]