Separation and Recovery of Rare Earth Elements from Phosphor Sludge of Waste Fluorescent Lamp by Pneumatic Classification and Sulfuric Acidic Leaching

The pneumatic classification and acidic leaching behaviors of phosphor sludge have been examined to establish the recycling system of rare earth components contained in waste fluorescent lamp. At first, separation characteristic of rare earth components and calcium phosphate in phosphor sludge was investigated by pneumatic classification. After pneumatic classification of phosphor sludge, rare earth components were leached in various acidic solutions and sodium hydroxide solution. For recovery of soluble component in leaching solution, rare earth components were separated as hydroxide and oxalate precipitations. The experimental results obtained are summarized as follows: (1) In classification process, rare earth components in phosphor sludge were concentrated to 29.3% from 13.3%, and its yield was 32.9%. (2) In leaching process, sulfuric acid solution was more effective one as a leaching solvent of rare earth component than other solutions. Y and Eu components in phosphor sludge were dissolved in sulfuric acid solution of 1.5 k㏖/㎥, and other rare earth components were rarely dissolved in leaching solution. Leaching degrees of Y and Eu were respectively 92% and 98% in the following optimum leaching conditions; sulfuric acid concentration is 1.5 k㏖/㎥ , leaching temperature 343 K, leaching time 3.6 ks and pulp concentration 30 kg/㎥. (3) Y and Eu components of phosphor sludge contained in waste fluorescent lamp were, effectively recovered by three processes of pneumatic classification, sulfuric acid leaching and oxalate precipitation methods. Their recovery was finally about 65 %, and its purity was 98.2%.