ACS Presidential Symposium

Ensuring the Sustainability of Critical Materials and Alternatives

Tanja Pietraß

Deputy Division Director, NSF CHE

Philadelphia, August 21, 2012

Future Challenges

The Growing Need for Rare Earth Elements

Source: http://www.molycorp.com/products/rare-earths-many-uses/advanced-vehicles/

HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs contain from 20 to 25 pounds of rare earth elements

Minerals, Critical Minerals, and the U.S. Economy

National Research Council, 2008

Source: http://www.nap.edu/openbook.php?record_id=12034&page=R1

HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs contain from 20 to 25 pounds of rare earth elements

Source: Chemical and Engineering News, June 25, 2012, p. 12-18

2.96 Million lb of Mineral Resources per Person (Lifetime) in the U.S.

Recycle Rates of Primary Metals

Source: Chemical and Engineering News, June 25, 2012, p. 12-18

Recycle Rates of Platinum Group Metals and Other Elements

Source: Chemical and Engineering News, June 25, 2012, p. 12-18

In < 1% Li < 1% P = 0% Rare Earths < 1 %

Challenge

Extraction, Refinery and Recovery: Need for Development of Chemical and Engineering Separation Processes Need for Collaboration between Chemists and Chemical Engineers

SEC. 509. SUSTAINABLE CHEMISTRY BASIC RESEARCH

“The Director shall establish a Green Chemistry Basic Research program to award competitive, merit-based grants to support research into green and sustainable

chemistry which will lead to clean, safe, and economical alternatives to traditional chemical

products and practices.”

2010 Reauthorization of the America Competes Act

To advance science, engineering, and education to inform the societal actions needed for environmental and economic sustainability and sustainable human well-being.

Science, Engineering and Education for Sustainability (SEES)

SEES Portfolio of Programs: • Arctic SEES • Dimensions of Biodiversity • Sustainable Chemistry, Engineering, and Materials (SusChEM) • Climate Change Education Partnerships • Ocean Acidifcation • Sustainable Energy Pathways (SEP) • Coastal SEES • Partnerships for International Research & Education (PIRE) • Sustainability Research Networks (SRN) • Decadal & Regional Climate Prediction Using Earth System Models (EaSM) • Research Coordination Networks (RCN) • Water Sustainability and Climate (WSC) • Dynamics of Coupled Natural & Human Systems(CNH) • SEES Fellows

• Replace rare, expensive and/or toxic chemicals with earth abundant, inexpensive and benign chemicals

• Economically recycle chemicals that can not be replaced such as phosphorus and the REE’s

• Seek new (non-petroleum based) sources of important raw materials

• Discover new environmentally friendly chemical reactions and processes that require less energy water and organic solvents than current practice

• * DMR (MPS), EAR (GEO), CBET & CMMI (ENG)

SusChEM Priorities of NSF CHE*

Challenge

Extraction, Refinery and Recovery: Need for Development of Chemical and Engineering Separation Processes Need for Collaboration between Chemists and Chemical Engineers

• Replace rare, expensive and/or toxic chemicals with earth abundant, inexpensive and benign chemicals

• Economically recycle chemicals that can not be replaced such as phosphorus and the REE’s

• Seek new (non-petroleum based) sources of important raw materials • Discover new environmentally friendly chemical reactions and

processes that require less energy water and organic solvents than current practice

Separation Science and Engineering NSF SusChEM Workshop, January 17-19, 2012: Identifying fundamental research needs to increase the sustainability of chemical and materials processing Identified the key role of separations science and engineering in the sustainable extraction, recovery, recycling and replacement of critical metals.

Separation Science and Engineering Recommendations (courtesy of Eric Peterson)

• Multidisciplinary problem • CHE-CBET work more closely together • DOE-AMO and DOE-BES work more closely with NSF • Within NSF include BIO and SBE • Applications of hydrometallurgy and bio-based processes including

separations, etc. • Joint workshops with DOE and other agencies • Chemistries for mediation and remediation of waste piles • Enhanced measurement

• Testing/spectroscopy • Enhanced specificity/sensitivity • Reliable standards – i.e. RAL at Idaho for DOE collaborations • XRF, LIBS, Laser-based

Separation Science and Engineering Recommendations (courtesy of Eric Peterson)

• Fundamental process development vs. optimization

• Fundamental selective extraction o e.g. laser isotope separation

• Additional basic research to improve similar processes

• Water recovery/recycling “closed plant” • Life cycle planning for manufacturing-recycling

Where Discoveries Begin

Thank You