TITLE:
Investigation of Dissolution Kinetics of A Nigerian Tantalite Ore in Nitric Acid
AUTHORS:
A. A. Baba, F. A. Adekola, O. I. Dele-Ige, R. B. Bale
KEYWORDS:
Dissolution Kinetics, Nigerian, Nitric Acid
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Minerals and Materials Characterization and Engineering,
Vol.7 No.1,
March
20,
2008
ABSTRACT: A study of the kinetics of the dissolution of a Nigerian tantalite ore in Nitric acid
has been examined. A detailed investigation on the quantitative leaching of the mineral was
also carried out. The effects of some parameters such as acid concentration, contact time,
temperature, particle size and the stirring rate on dissolution action have been
investigated. Experimental results indicate that the dissolution rate is diffusion controlled
via hydrogen ion [H+] action, with reaction order of 0.64. About 81.3% of tantalite ore
was dissolved within 120min., using 8.06M HNO3 solution with 0, 2.55A0 and 1.74A00 The ore is not radioactive by its virtue of its very low thorium and uranium contents.