Method for Recovering Rare Earth from Rare Earth Element-Containing Alloy

Abstract

A method for recovering a rare earth element from a rare earth element-containing alloy, wherein a rare earth element is eluted by performing electrolysis in an electrolyte which contains a metal powder of a rare earth element-containing alloy. An object of this invention is to provide a method for extremely easily and efficiently recovering a rare earth element.

1 . A method for recovering a rare earth element, wherein a rare earth element is eluted by performing electrolysis in an electrolyte which contains a metal powder of a rare earth element-containing alloy. 
     
     
         2 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein electric conducting salt is added to the electrolyte. 
     
     
         3 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 2 , wherein pH of the electrolyte is set between 2 and 8, and a solution temperature of the electrolyte is set between 10 and 90° C. 
     
     
         4 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 3 , wherein electrolysis is performed while agitating the electrolyte. 
     
     
         5 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 4 , wherein a rare earth element is recovered from a solution to which a rare earth element was eluted. 
     
     
         6 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 5 , wherein a rare earth element is recovered, via a solvent extraction method or a crystallization method, from a solution to which a rare earth element was eluted. 
     
     
         7 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein pH of the electrolyte is set between 2 and 8, and a solution temperature of the electrolyte is set between 10 and 90° C. 
     
     
         8 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein the electrolysis is performed while agitating the electrolyte. 
     
     
         9 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein the rare earth element is recovered from a solution to which the rare earth element is eluted. 
     
     
         10 . The method for recovering a rare earth element according to  claim 1 , wherein the rare earth element is recovered, via a solvent extraction method or a crystallization method, from a solution to which the rare earth element was eluted.