Completed and Ongoing Research Projects (After Joining VT)


  1. Development of a Carbon-Negative Process for Comminution Energy Reduction and Energy-Relevant Mineral Extraction through Carbon Mineralization and Biological Carbon Fixation. Funded by the University of Kentucky (ARPA-E flowthrough). Performance Period: N/A

  2. Energy-relevant elements recovery from CO2-reactive minerals during carbon mineralization. Funded by ARPA-E. Performance Period: N/A

  3. Kings Mountain Lithium Materials Processing Plant. Funded by Albemarle U.S. Inc. (DOE flow through). Performance Period: N/A

  4. Development of innovative reagent schemes for gangue depression in bastnaesite flotation. Funded by MP Materials. Performance Period: 9/1/2022-8/30/2023.

  5. Enhanced Dewatering of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge Using an Efficient, Low-cost, and Modular Process Circuits. Performance Period: N/A

  6. An Integrated Approach to Maximizing the Value of Coal with Low Carbon Footprint: Developing Advanced Battery Materials and Recovering Critical Elements. Funded by Vibrant Virginia. Performance Period: 11/01/2021 - 10/31/2022.

  7. Preliminary investigation on critical elements recovery from the acid mine drainages of XXX Inc. (11/01/2021 - 2/28/2022)

  8. Statistically rigorous deep dive nationwide characterization of municipal solid waste and selection of technologies enabling production of conversion-ready feedstocks. Funded by Cascadia Consulting Group (DOE/EERE flow through). Performance Period: 10/01/2021 – 12/31/2024 .

  9. Recovery of ZnO from end-of-life tires for enhanced and effective waste material utilization. Funded by the Center for Tire Research. Performance period: 09/01/2021 – 08/31/2024.

  10. Rare earth elements recovery from secondary resources. Funded by the Virginia Tech National Center for Earth and Environmental Nanotechnology Infrastructure (NanoEarth). Performance period: Summer of 2021.

  11. Rare Earth Elements Recovery Using Food Waste - Phase I. Funded by EPA. Performance period: December 2020 – November 2021.

  12. Rare earth element separation using gas-assisted micro-flow extraction with task-specific ionic liquids. Funded by Phinix, LLC (DOE flowthrough). Performance period: June 2021 – May 2024.

  13. Low-concentration precious metal recovery from complex streams using gas-assisted microflow solvent extraction. Funded by the REMADE Institute. Performance period: February 2021 – January 2022.

  14. Physical, chemical, and mineralogical characterizations of MSWI ash product and recommendations for downstream processing. Funded by DOE/ARPA-E. Performance period: April 2021 – April 2023

  15. Demonstration of scaled-production of rare earth oxides and critical materials from coal-based sources using innovative, low-cost process technologies and circuits. Funded by the University of Kentucky (DOE flowthrough). Performance period: October 2019 – April 2022.

  16. Mid-APPalachian carbon ore, rare earth and critical minerals (MAPP-CORE) initiative. Funded by West Virginia University (DOE flowthrough). Performance Period: June 2021 – May 2023.

  17. Evolve Central Appalachia. Funded by DOE/NETL. Performance period: 07/01/2021 - 06/30/2023.

  18. Multi-Sourced Collaboration for the Production & Refining of Rare and Critical Elements. Funded by the University of Kentucky (DOE flowthrough). Performance Period: December 2021 - August 2022.

Funding Agencies

● Rare Earth and Other Critical Elements Recovery & Purification

Summary:

We are conducting applied research to recover and purify rare earth and other critical elements (Li, Co, Mn, etc.) from various resources, including but not limited to coal refuse, coal combustion ash, acid mine drainage, and municipal solid waste incineration ash. The investigated recovery approaches include size, density, magnetic, electrostatic, and flotation separations as well as leaching and roasting. After critical metals being recovered, we employ advanced purification methods, such as selective precipitation, solvent extraction, selective adsorption, and membrane separation, to obtain high-grade products.

Disciplinary:

Mineral Processing, Hydrometallurgy, Pyrometallurgy

Selected Publications:

1. Zhang W., Noble A., Yang X., Honaker R., 2020. Lithium leaching recovery and mechanisms from density fractions of an Illinois Basin bituminous coal. Fuel, 268, 117319.

2. Zhang W., *Honaker R.Q., 2019. Calcination pretreatment effects on acid leaching characteristics of rare earth elements from a bituminous source coal. Fuel, 249, 130-145.

3. Zhang W., Honaker R.Q., 2018. Rare earth recovery using staged precipitation from a leachate generated from coarse coal refuse. International Journal of Coal Geology, 195, 189-199.

● Flotation Chemistry of Rare Earth, Carbonate, Sulfide, Silicate Minerals, Etc.

Summary:

We are studying the flotation chemistry of a wide array of minerals, including but not limited to coal, monazite, bastnaesite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, scheelite, and magnetite. Concentrate grade and valuable mineral recovery are improved by the fundamental study of collector adsorption, regulator adsorption, solution chemistry, particle-particle interaction, and particle-bubble interaction as well as the development of novel flotation reagents.

Disciplinary:

Mineral Processing, Surface Chemistry, Solution Chemistry

Selected Publications:

1. Zhang W., Liu C., 2019. The effect of diesel emulsification using sodium petroleum sulfonate on carbon flotation from fly ash. Waste Management, 98, 144-150.

2. Zhang W., Honaker R.Q., Groppo J., 2018. Flotation of monazite in the presence of calcite part II: Enhanced separation performance using sodium silicate and EDTA. Minerals Engineering, 127, 318-328.

3. Zhang W., Honaker R.Q., Groppo J., 2017. Flotation of monazite in the presence of calcite part I: Calcium ion effects on the adsorption of hydroxamic acid. Minerals Engineering, 100, 40-48.

● Industrial and Urban Wastes Recycling & Re-utilization

Summary:

We are providing solutions for the recycling and re-utilization of various urban and industrial wastes, including but not limited to electronic waste, smelting waste, and red mud. Interdisciplinary skill-sets in mineral processing, hydrometallurgy, pyrometallurgy, and biology are integrated, aiming to find sustainable and economic-viable approaches for the comprehensive utilization of those secondary resources while eliminating their environmental hazards. In collaboration with other researchers, we are also providing innovative strategies for simultaneous valorization of multiple waste streams.

Disciplinary:

Mineral Processing, Hydrometallurgy, Pyrometallurgy, Biology

Selected Publications:

  1. Coming soon!









Electronic Waste

Bauxite Residue (Red Mud)

Municipal Solid Waste Incineration Ash