Possible methodology for niobium, tantalum and scandium separation in ferrocolumbite
- Submitting institution
-
Manchester Metropolitan University
- Unit of assessment
- 12 - Engineering
- Output identifier
- 1832
- Type
- D - Journal article
- DOI
-
10.1016/j.mineng.2018.01.031
- Title of journal
- Minerals Engineering
- Article number
- -
- First page
- 57
- Volume
- 119
- Issue
- -
- ISSN
- 0892-6875
- Open access status
- Compliant
- Month of publication
- February
- Year of publication
- 2018
- URL
-
http://e-space.mmu.ac.uk/620401/
- Supplementary information
-
-
- Request cross-referral to
- -
- Output has been delayed by COVID-19
- No
- COVID-19 affected output statement
- -
- Forensic science
- No
- Criminology
- No
- Interdisciplinary
- No
- Number of additional authors
-
3
- Research group(s)
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A - Advanced Materials
- Proposed double-weighted
- No
- Reserve for an output with double weighting
- No
- Additional information
- Sc is one of the 20 critical metals for future economic welfare in the EU. Ferrocolumbite is a well-known source of Ta, Nb and Sc. Separation of these elements from such ores/process tailings, as well from each other, is problematic. It involves numerous separation steps and very corrosive and hazardous chemicals. This work adopted a novel solvent extraction approach to separate Nb, Ta and Sc, contrary to the typically employed halogen environments. Ferrocolumbite was successfully treated to separate and recover 91% Ta, 96% Nb and 99% Sc. This can substantially improve sustainable supply of Sc for especially the aerospace industry.
- Author contribution statement
- -
- Non-English
- No
- English abstract
- -