Date of Award
11-28-2016
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Applied Science
First Advisor
Laura Ruhl
Abstract
The economic interest in Rare Earth Elements (REEs) has directed research into the REE content of fresh Combustion Products (CCPs). CCPs are the solid waste produced by coal combustion, which have been noted to weather rapidly in holding ponds to clays that are known to bind up REEs. Sequential leaching experiments using a modified version of Tessier et al. 1979 method were performed to determine the chemical association of the REE content in fresh and weathered CCPs. The leachate of each step was analyzed through ICPMS to determine the REE content in each fraction of the CCP material. Morphological changes were inspected with Scanning Electron Microscopy. Mineralogy was determined through X-Ray diffraction. The weathered CCPs had higher levels of REY in the exchangeable portion than the fresh CCPs, while the fresh CCPs had higher levels in the portion bound to carbonates, and iron and manganese oxides than the weathered CCPs.
Recommended Citation
Tucker, Brendon Gordon, "Characterization of Rare Earth Elements in Weathered Coal Combustion Products" (2016). Theses and Dissertations. 709.
https://research.ualr.edu/etd/709
