Process and apparatus for the selective separation of metal ions in aqueous solutions by modulation/tunable electromagnetic field

BACKGROUND

The critical raw materials (CRM) market is experiencing a period of turmoil. Capacities for extracting, processing and producing critical raw materials are gaining increasing geostrategic and political importance.

Reducing Europe’s dependence on critical materials from external geographical areas means strengthening Europe’s position as an independent key global player in raw materials markets.

An important source of critical raw materials are submarine springs. The technology of extracting elements from liquids enables to effectively exploit this potential.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The device for selective separation of metal ions in aqueous solutions with modulation/tunable electromagnetic field enables the extraction and separation of valuable and industrially important CRM metals such as lithium, copper, zinc, cobalt, niobium, tantalum, gallium, germanium, antimony, cadmium, manganese, chromium, REE, PGM, gold and silver.

MAIN BENEFITS

– Specificity: selection of targeted elements.

– Extraction control: by regulating the dynamics of liquids, channel structure and electromagnetic field, it is determined which elements are extracted at which location.

– High purity: the resulting extracted metal contains only target elements with no other impurities.

– Environmentally friendly alternative to existing processes.

– Continuous flow of elements: extraction occurs continuously.