Collaboration Opportunity: Efficient Adsorptive Recovery of HREEs and Critical Minerals from Coal Derivatives

The National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) is seeking industry partners to collaborate on commercializing a novel adsorptive technology that rapidly (< 5 min) and selectively recovers heavy rare earth elements (HREEs) and other critical minerals (gallium, germanium, vanadium, cobalt, nickel) from coal, coal refuse, and related streams. The process combines a physical pre‑concentration step (flotation/sonication) with multi‑column adsorption and pH‑swing regeneration, delivering high purity products with minimal chemical use and low pressure drop. NETL has filed patent protection and is at Technology Readiness Level 3‑5. Partners may engage via licensing, joint R&D, or cooperative agreements, under NDAs. • Targeted minerals: HREEs (e.g., dysprosium, terbium) plus Ga, Ge, V, Co, Ni. • Feedstocks: coal, coal refuse, mine tailings, acid mine drainage, industrial demineralization streams. • Process highlights: < 5 min contact time, > 1,000 × selectivity over fouling metals, continuous‑flow operation, regenerable adsorbent, scalable. • Current TRL: 3‑5 (lab‑scale proof‑of‑concept). • Collaboration format: statement of interest (company name, contact, expertise) → NDA → licensing or joint research. • No procurement contract; no set budget or award date.