a grayscale scanning electron microscope image with text overlay to show points analyzed for platinum group metals and precious metals

Selective separation of PGMs, precious metals, and critical elements from selenium crude residue

line graph showing green and blue lines marked for thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of Se crude residue.
Figure 1: Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of Se crude residue.

CMI researchers from Missouri S&T conducted the activity for this highlight

Innovation 
Flowsheet development for the selective separation of PGMs, precious metals, and critical elements from unconventional sources (Se residue).

Achievement

  • Approximately 99% of the mass is anticipated to vaporize by vacuum distillation of Se residue - that originally has 90% of Se , 3% of Te, & 0.24% of PGMs, and precious metals - according to TGA results . Most mass was loss (~ 95%) a temperatures above 550⁰ C.
  • TGA residue was enriched in PGMs and precious metals as indicated by SEM analysis. Se and Te were not detected in residue.

Significance and Impact

  • Increase domestic production of PGMs, supply chain diversification
  • Community benefits

Hub Target Addressed 
Improving efficiency of PGM production from domestic sources.
 

a grayscale scanning electron microscope image with text overlay to show points analyzed for platinum group metals and precious metals
Figure 2: SEM image of the TGA residue. Enrichment of  PGMs & precious metals was detected by EDS (Average Content = 26.5% Pd, 1.3% Pt, 26.5% Ag, and 2.5% Au).