2017/10/12 by Renaud Gueroult, Gueroult, Renaud, Jean-Marcel Rax +3 · 1 citation
Engineering · Environmental Science · #Advancements in Battery Materials #Extraction and Separation Processes #FOS: Physical sciences #Plasma Physics (physics.plasm-ph) #Recycling and Waste Management Techniques
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.1710.04506
openalex publication_date 2017/10/12 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
Rare earth elements recycling has been proposed to alleviate supply risks and\nmarket volatility. In this context, the potential of a new recycling pathway,\nnamely plasma mass separation, is uncovered through the example of nedodymium -\niron - boron magnets recycling. Plasma mass separation is shown to address some\nof the shortcomings of existing rare earth elements recycling pathways, in\nparticular detrimental environmental effects. A simplified mass separation\nmodel suggests that plasma separation performances could compare favourably\nwith existing recycling options. In addition, simple energetic considerations\nof plasma processing suggest that the cost of these techniques may not be\nprohibitive, particularly considering that energy costs from solar may become\nsignificantly cheaper. Further investigation and experimental demonstration of\nplasma separation techniques should permit asserting the potential of these\ntechniques against other recycling techniques currently under development.\n