| About this Abstract |
| Meeting |
2025 TMS Annual Meeting & Exhibition
|
| Symposium
|
Characterization of Minerals, Metals and Materials 2025: In-Situ Characterization Techniques
|
| Presentation Title |
Physicochemical Characterization and Alkali Dissolution of Alluvial Fe-Columbite Deposit for Feasible Formation of Soluble Niobium and Tantalum Complexes |
| Author(s) |
Nnaemeka Stanislaus Nzeh, Patricia Abimbola Popoola |
| On-Site Speaker (Planned) |
Nnaemeka Stanislaus Nzeh |
| Abstract Scope |
Niobium and tantalum are referred to as critical metals as a result of their minerals low crustal abundance along with the rapid growing demand of the metals, especially their applications in aerospace and energy sectors. Conventionally, these metals are decomposed with HF acid at moderately high temperatures, forming fluoride complexes which are separated by solvent extraction. This conventional separation and extraction of Nb/Ta involves certain environmental and health challenges with the use of hazardous and toxic chemical reagents. This paper therefore investigates the dissolution mechanism of Nb/Ta mineral complexes using alkali medium for efficient beneficiation/separation measures. More so, physicochemical characterizations of the reaction mechanism of resulting products were conducted. In addition, the thermal analysis and thermodynamic/chemical reactions were investigated for the formation of sodium and/or potassium niobates/tantalates. This study provides physicochemical data for the dissolution and extraction of Nb/Ta, as well as the formation of soluble complexes using alkali medium. |
| Proceedings Inclusion? |
Planned: |
| Keywords |
Characterization, Extraction and Processing, Hydrometallurgy |