Session: DFMLC-02-02: Design for Manufacturing, Assembly, and Integration

Paper Number: 143247

143247 - Techno-Economic and Environmental Impact Assessment of Phytomining for Extracting Rare Earth Elements in the Northwestern United States 

Demand for rare earth elements on a global scale is increasing daily due to the surging demand from various sectors (e.g., renewable energy and consumer electronics). Bio-ore, a product from pyrolysis conversion of biomass feedstocks obtained through phytomining, is a promising solution to address challenges faced by sustainable rare earth extraction, such as minimal land disturbance and soil erosion. This study explores the sustainability benefits of producing bio-ore at a critical materials rich site via a portable refinery unit and transporting it to an extraction plant. Techno-economic and environmental impact assessments are performed on a case study in the Northwestern United States. Total bio-ore production cost is estimated utilizing a life cycle costing model as part of the techno-economic analysis. Life cycle assessment is used to explore the global warming potential and other environmental impacts of the proposed bio-ore production pathway. Total cost of bio-ore production through phytomining ranges from $156-$197 per metric ton, depending on key parameters (e.g., mobile refinery capacity and hyperaccumulator water content). Total greenhouse gas emission is 11-35 kg CO₂ eq. per metric ton of bio-ore. On-site production rate and biomass water content are the two key parameters that are examined in a sensitivity analysis to reduce bio-ore unit price and environmental impacts. This study concluded that the proposed phytomining-to-bio-ore approach provides a cost effective and economically feasible rare earth element extraction pathway.

Presenting Author: Amin Mirkouei University of Idaho

Presenting Author Biography: I am Amin Mirkouei, an Associate Professor at University of Idaho, Forbes sustainability contributor, certified Professional Engineer (PE), and experienced Technologist. I have over 10 years of experience contributing and leading cross-disciplinary projects in decarbonization technologies, renewable materials, sustainable design and manufacturing, cyber-physical control and optimization, and operations research, particularly renewable fuels, green chemicals, and rare earth elements and minerals from various resources, such as biomass feedstocks, plastics wastes, e-wastes, and animal manure. Currently, I am a major advisor in Industrial Technology, Technology Management, Mechanical Engineering, Biological Engineering, and Environmental Science programs at University of Idaho. I have served as a federal and state agency panelist (NSF and USDA), editorial board member (MDPI and Nature Scientific Reports), conference and symposium organizer (ASME and IISE), and journal and conference reviewer. I also have served on several university committees, such as UI President’s Sustainability Working Group, Safety and Loss Control Committee, and Environmental, Health, and Safety Committee. In addition, I have published and co-authored over 50 articles in scientific journals and peer-reviewed conference proceedings. I received over $2.5 million in research grants from state and federal agencies, as well as honors and awards, such as “2022 University of Idaho Interdisciplinary and Collaboration Excellence Award” and 2022 ASME IDETC-CIE Design for Manufacturing and the Life Cycle Conference (DFMLC) Best Paper Award.

Authors:

Ethan Struhs University of Idaho
Amin Mirkouei University of Idaho