Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Wastewater (#4824)

This project sought to quantify the potential recovery and commoditization of rare earth elements (REE) from municipal wastewater and biosolids. The researchers conducted an extensive literature review of the occurrence of REEs in wastewater and biosolids, as well as a summarizing the methods for separating REEs from different phases. The project team conducted a sampling campaign across North America to better understand the abundance of REEs in water resource recovery facilities. With the data generated by the samples, along with knowledge gained from the literature review, the researchers quantified potential costs and value of recovering REEs. Published by WRF. 78 pages. Online PDF. (2019)

Originally funded as WERF project NTRY8R15b.  Also funded by WRF via project 4824.