Extraction of niobium, yttrium, and cerium from a low-grade niobium-bearing ore by roasting (NH4)2SO4-Na2SO4-H2SO4 system

Abstract

A novel process of extracting niobium, yttrium, and cerium from a low-grade niobium-bearing ore by the roasting (NH 4 ) 2 SO 4 -Na 2 SO 4 -H 2 SO 4 system was experimentally studied. The influences of various factors, such as roasting temperature, roasting time, mass ratio of agents-to-ore and particle size fraction on the extraction of valuable metals were comprehensively investigated. It is found that the roasting Na 2 SO 4 -H 2 SO 4 system is effective to extract the niobium, yttrium, and cerium. The obtained optimum conditions for the extraction of Nb, Y, and Ce are roasting temperature of 300°C, roasting time of 3 h, mass ratio of Na 2 SO 4 :H 2 SO 4 :Ore of 0.5:1.0:1.0, and particle size fraction of -74 lm (*95 %). Under the optimum condition, the maximum recovery of Nb, Y, and Ce can reach 90.53 %, 92.15 %, and 98.04 %, respectively. All the results generated from this study will provide the fundamentals for Nb, Y, and Ce extraction from a niobiumbearing ore with low-grade.

Technology development for rare earth cleaner hydrometallurgy in China

“…These technologies are widely used in industrial production of rare earths and integral industrial production systems. With the large demands of rare earths and rapid development of rare earth industry, the issues of resources and environment are more prominent [43][44][45]. Based on the development of the rare earth industry, comprehensive utilization and cleaner production should still be focused on in the future, to support the sustainable development.…”

Initial Study for Cerium and Lanthanum Extraction from Bangka Tin Slag through NaOH and HClO4 Leaching

“…The initial characterization of BTS shows cerium and lanthanum contents, 1.57% and 0.13%, respectively. The cerium contents are high compared to those in other studies, which have only 0.120% Ce 2 O 3 [22]. The process of recovering Ce and La contents in this study was carried out through dissolving other oxides.…”

Pyrometallurgical Approach in the Recovery of Niobium and Tantalum

“…Niobium and tantalum were discovered by British scientist, Charles Hatchett in 1801; and Swedish scientist, Anders Ekeberg in 1802, respectively. Niobium (Nb, Z = 41) has very similar geochemical properties, electronic structures and behavior (small radius/atomic size and high charge) with tantalum (Ta, Z = 73) [3,4] and as such the two metallic elements are regarded as geochemical twins [5][6][7], and hence similar beneficiation and extraction techniques are usually adopted and employed for both metal elements. Nb and Ta metals are both refractory, transition, weakly acidic, BCC solid metallic elements.…”

“…Nevertheless, there is still need to adopt mild concentrations/consumption of the alkali reagents with reduced/moderate temperatures. Also, most successful decomposition processes were however established effective to a certain measure on high-grade minerals but not effective on low-grade minerals [2,4]. However, alkali roast and leach dissolution method employing KOH roasting and H 2 O leaching on a low-grade Nb-Ta mineral ore has had great recoveries [44,47].…”