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Extracting rare earth elements from coal with plasma assist

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The US National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is collaborating with the University of Kentucky and their subcontractor Virginia Tech to demonstrate a novel process for the extraction of REEs from coal using plasma. However, domestic coal is of interest as a potentially abundant and easily accessible REE source in the US.

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OSU team develops process to clean coal mine drainage and extract rare earth elements

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Researchers at The Ohio State University have developed a novel process to clean coal mine drainage and extract rare-earth elements from it. Coal mine drainage (CMD) impairs tens of thousands of kilometers of U.S. waterways each year, in part with the leaching of low concentrations of rare earth elements (REEs). Miranda et al.

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Ramaco Carbon partnering with ORNL on new processes to make graphite from coal

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Ramaco Carbon is partnering with Oak Ridge National Laboratory to develop new, large-scale processes for making graphite from coal. The conversion of coal to higher value materials, such as graphene, graphite or carbon nanotubes, is of high interest, and a number of researchers have proposed processes.

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Study finds methane emissions from coal mines ~50% higher than previously thought

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The amount of methane released into the atmosphere as a result of coal mining is likely approximately 50% higher than previously estimated, according to research presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. The authors point out that less coal production doesn’t translate to less methane.

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Rhodium Group estimates US GHG fell 2.1% in 2019, driven by coal decline

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This decline was due almost entirely to a drop in coal consumption. Coal-fired power generation fell by a record 18% year-on-year to its lowest level since 1975. An increase in natural gas generation offset some of the climate gains from this coal decline, but overall power sector emissions still decreased by almost 10%.

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IEA: global electricity demand growing faster than renewables, driving strong increase in generation from coal

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Renewables are expanding quickly but not enough to satisfy a strong rebound in global electricity demand this year, resulting in a sharp rise in the use of coal power that risks pushing carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity sector to record levels next year, according to a new report from the International Energy Agency.

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NETL framework for assessing economic viability of recovering REEs from unconventional sources

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Unconventional REE sources such as domestic coal and coal waste could yield the materials needed for the strong magnets necessary to turn wind into electricity and operate electric vehicles. A paper on the work appears in Nature Sustainability. The International Energy Agency estimates that demand may at least quadruple by 2040.

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