Study of the leaching process for dust chamber sublimates followed by the extraction of niobium and zirconium into solution

Abstract

The material composition of the sublimates from dust chambers in titanium chlorinators has been studied by chemical, X-ray and microprobe analysis methods. Studies of the phase composition of dust chamber sublimates have shown that the object consists of aqueous and anhydrous chloride phases to a greater extent. Two forms of niobium present, such as oxychloride and oxide niobium were found. The presence of zirconium in sublimates has a chloride and oxychloride nature. Experiments for the aqueous leaching of dust chamber sublimates were conducted to determine the optimal process conditions: S:L ratio = 1:8, leaching time = 1 hour, temperature = 25℃. Studies were conducted to choose an acidic reagent for cake leaching followed by the conversion of niobium and zirconium into a solution. A solution consisting of HF+H2SO4 was selected as an acidic reagent for cake leaching. Optimal conditions for the extraction of niobium and zirconium into solution were established, such as 25% [18M HF] +75% [7M H2SO4], S:L ratio = 1:3, temperature = 90 °C, duration of the leaching process = 120 minutes. Under these leaching conditions, the extraction of niobium, zirconium, and titanium into solution was 94.06%, 84.95% and 32.35%, respectively. The elemental and phase composition of the residue from acid leaching of cake were determined.