Flash Joule Heating (FJH) Method for treating process waste streams

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SUMMARY

The Flash Joule Heating (FJH) method presents a revolutionary approach to treating chemical waste, specifically targeting red mud and contaminated bauxite residue. This process, developed by James Tour and his team, rapidly converts red mud into strong ceramics and aluminum feedstock in under one minute, transforming a toxic waste into a valuable resource. The method also shows promise for recovering critical minerals from consumer electronics and processing rare earth element ores, marking a significant advancement in industrial waste management.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Flash Joule Heating (FJH) technology
  • Familiarity with red mud and bauxite residue processing
  • Knowledge of mineral recovery techniques, including magnetophoresis and electrophoresis
  • Basic principles of materials science and nanoengineering
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the applications of Flash Joule Heating in industrial waste treatment
  • Explore the process of magnetophoresis and its role in rare earth element recovery
  • Investigate advancements in ceramics production from waste materials
  • Study the environmental impact of converting red mud into aluminum feedstock
USEFUL FOR

This discussion is beneficial for materials scientists, environmental engineers, waste management professionals, and anyone involved in the recovery of critical minerals from industrial processes.

Astronuc
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I caught the tail end of a video about a new application for treating chemical or process waste, which is applied to 'red' mud or contaminated bauxite residue, but the person of interest mention recovering critical minerals from consumer electronics, as well as treating mine tailings and processing ores of rare earth elements.

What I found so far is the following: New electrical flash method rapidly purifies red mud into strong ceramics, aluminum feedstock
https://news.rice.edu/news/2025/new...es-red-mud-strong-ceramics-aluminum-feedstock

“Our research presents a potential game-changing solution for the red mud crisis,” said James Tour, the T.T. and W.F. Chao Professor of Chemistry, professor of materials science and nanoengineering and the study’s corresponding author. “This advance is massive from an industrial perspective, turning what was once a toxic liability into a valuable asset in under one minute.”

I have seen presentations on magnetophoresis and electrophoresis (or some combination) of rare earth solutions. I'm not sure how the different processes compare.
 
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