Germanium recovery from a domestic zinc plant

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

Achievement

  • Commercially available extractant able to selectively extract Ge from 1.63 M H2SO4.
  • Identified a potential existing process stream to target at domestic zinc plant.

Significance and Impact

  • Preliminary TEA indicates a simple process to recover Ge from an existing acidic solution would be economic.
  • Potential to produce 9% of domestic Ge consumption from a sustainable and resilient domestic supply. 

Hub Target Addressed
Diversify sources of critical materials required for the transition to renewable energy.

diagram shows proposed flowsheet to recover germanium from existing domestic zinc plant treating steelmaking wastes with minimal capital and positive operating revenue.
Proposed flowsheet to recover germanium from existing domestic zinc plant treating steelmaking wastes with minimal capital and positive operating revenue.