Pridobivanje in uporaba redkih zemelj

MANFREDA, IGOR (author), Vončina, Danijel (mentor)

V diplomskem delu so predstavljeni elementi redkih zemelj. Redke zemlje so danes razširjene in v uporabi v praktično vsaki elektronski napravi, dodatno je njihova uporaba naraščala z uvajanjem novih tehnologij, kot so računalniki in mobilni telefoni. V uvodnem delu diplomske naloge so na kratko predstavljeni elementi redkih zemelj in kje se nahajajo v periodnem sistemu. Prav tako je predstavljena koncentracija teh elementov v skorji našega planeta. Spoznamo, da se največje zaloge in rudniki redkih zemelj nahajajo na Kitajskem. Kitajski vpliv je tako velik, da lahko sama močno vpliva na cene pri trgovanju z redkozemeljskimi kovinami. V drugem delu so predstavljene glavne rude in posamezni elementi redkih zemelj. Opisana je zgodovina uporabe posameznih elementov in njihove lastnosti. Nekatere od teh elementov že uporabljamo, pri nekaterih pa se njihove lastnosti in možnosti uporabe še preučuje. Podani so tudi primeri naprav, kje lahko posamezen element najdemo in čemu služi. V naslednjem poglavju sledi oris stanja, ki kaže na to, da številne države raziskujejo različne načine, kako bi prekinile odvisnost od kitajskega izvoza redkih zemelj. Ena od teh možnosti je tudi recikliranje starih naprav.

• Language: Slovenian
• Keywords: redke zemlje, redkozemeljske kovine, rudarjenje, okolje, recikliranje
• Work type: Undergraduate thesis
• Organization: FE - Faculty of Electrical Engineering
• Year: 2015
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-73457
• Publication date in RUL: 18.11.2015

Secondary language

• Language: English
• Title: Production and use of rare earth elements

Abstract

This thesis describes rare earths. Rare earths are now widespread and used in virtually every electronic device. Their use has greatly increased with the introduction of new technologies such as computers and cell phones. The introductory part of the thesis presents rare earth elements and where is their location in the periodic table. It also shows the density of these elements in the crust of our planet. The largest reserves of rare earths and their mines are located in China. The Chinese influence is so great that it has the ability to influence the market prices of rare-earth metals. The second part presents the main ores and individual rare earth elements. The history and properties of each element are described. Some of these elements are already in use and some are still just studied for their properties and possible uses. Examples of devices where each rare earth element can be found and what is its purpose are also presented. The next chapter describes the current situation in rare earth metals, which indicates that many countries are exploring ways how to break the dependence on Chinese exports of rare earths. One of these options is recycling of old devices. The last part of the thesis contains some concluding thoughts and findings.

• Keywords: Rare Earth, Rare earths metals, mining, environment, recycling