Investigation of Dissolution Kinetics of A Nigerian Tantalite Ore in Nitric Acid

A. A. Baba, F. A. Adekola, O. I. Dele-Ige, R. B. Bale

Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin,P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin Nigeria.
Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin,P. M. B. 1515, Ilorin Nigeria..
Department of Geology, University of Ilorin,P.M.B.1515 Ilorin-Nigeria.

DOI: 10.4236/jmmce.2008.71007                

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 <0.040mm particle size. Activation energy, Ea, of 22.37kJ/mole was obtained for the process. However, elemental analysis by inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrophotometry showed that the major elements in the ore are Ta(39.9%), Fe(24.9%), Ti(4.03%), S(12.4%) and Mn(2.39%). The x-ray diffractometry also confirmed the ore to exist in a single phase with tantalite characteristics peaks at 3.31A⁰, 2.55A⁰ and 1.74A0⁰ The ore is not radioactive by its virtue of its very low thorium and uranium contents.

Keywords

Dissolution Kinetics, Nigerian, Nitric Acid

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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