[REEs] Parallelization can be used to improve the rare earth metal refining process output?

平行化可以用來改善稀土金屬精煉流程的產量嗎？

For rare earth metal refining, a country with an older technology can simply multified the operation unit (in parallel) for the separation to achieve multiple times output per year, since separation is the critical step. While other steps such as ore-processing can simply be increased in the batch size. And here is the comment from an AI.

Your understanding is partially correct, but rare earth separation is far more complex and less scalable than it might seem. Simply multiplying units or increasing batch sizes doesn't guarantee proportional output gains.

Here's a breakdown of the key factors:

Why Rare Earth Separation Is Hard to Scale

Separation is the most technically demanding step: Rare earth elements (REEs) are chemically similar, making their separation extremely complex. It involves multi-stage solvent extraction, ion exchange, or membrane-based techniques, often requiring hundreds of stages.

Parallelization isn’t straightforward: Unlike ore crushing or roasting, separation units require precise control of pH, temperature, and flow rates. Scaling by duplication introduces challenges in maintaining consistency, yield, and purity across units.

Expertise bottleneck: Countries with older tech often lack the specialized engineering talent and process knowledge needed to optimize and troubleshoot parallel separation systems.

Environmental and regulatory constraints: Separation generates toxic waste and requires strict environmental controls. Scaling up means scaling compliance, which can be costly and slow.

While ore-processing steps can often be scaled by increasing batch sizes or equipment capacity, rare earth separation is not easily multiplied in parallel due to its chemical complexity, precision requirements, and environmental risks. Countries with older technology may face diminishing returns unless they invest in process innovation, automation, and skilled personnel.