Novel Technology for Chlorination of Niobium and Tantalum Oxides and Their Low-Grade Ore Concentrates

B. A. Shainyan, Yu. S. Danilevich, Yu. L. Garmazov, A. L. Finkelstein, T. S. Aisueva, V. K. Turchaninov

“Tantal” Co. Ltd., Irkutsk, Russia.
1A. E. Favorsky Irkutsk Institute of Chemistry of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, 1 Favorsky Street 664033, Irkutsk, Russia..
A. P. Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences, Irkutsk, Russia.
A. P. Vinogradov Institute of Geochemistry of Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences,Irkutsk, Russia.
Irkutsk State Technical University, Irkutsk, Russia.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2008.72013                

Abstract

A novel energy-economic and environmentally benign technological procedure for chlorination of niobium and tantalum oxides as well as their low-grade ore concentrates was elaborated. The process is based on using carbon tetrachloride or silicon tetrachloride as a chlorinating agent under pressure. It proceeds at moderate temperatures and is free from the shortcomings of conventional carbochlorination processes such as the use of chlorine gas at very high temperatures and formation of toxic products and ozone depleting agents (phosgene, carbon monoxide, chlorohydrocarbons).

Keywords

niobium oxide, tantalum oxide, carbochlorination

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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