THE SEPARATION OF TANTALUM, NIOBIUM AND ZIRCONIUM BY FRACTIONAL DISTILLATION

Journal Article · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1958 · Nauch. Doklady Vysshei Shkoly Met.

OSTI ID:4197879

Nisel'son, L A

A rapid separation and purification of tantalum and niobium is carried out by the interaction of the pentachlorides with phosphorus oxychloride. The metal sample investigated, which had the compesition 22.5% Nb, 59% Ta, and 18% Zr, was converted into chlorides and then was treated with phosphorus oxycldoride. The following fractions were obtained: (1) Niobium fraction with about 86% Nb and 0.1% Ta. (2) Tantalum fraction with about 81% Ta and 0.015% Nb. Zirconium was not found in these fractions. The intermediate fractions contain tantalum, niobium, and zirconium and may be subjected to the fractional distillation another time. The method of the fractional distillation of pentachlorides in the presence of phosphorus oxychloride has some advantages as compared to the fractional distillation of the simple pentachlorides of niobium and tantaium. The reaction products of niobium and tantalum with phosphorus oxychloride are characterized by a higher volatility than ihe pentachlorides, and they also show a greater difference between boiling and melting temperatures. (TCO)

• Research Organization: Originating Research Org. not identified
• NSA Number: NSA-14-000265
• OSTI ID: 4197879
• Journal Information: Nauch. Doklady Vysshei Shkoly Met., Journal Name: Nauch. Doklady Vysshei Shkoly Met. Vol. Vol: No. 3
• Country of Publication: Country unknown/Code not available
• Language: English

Related Subjects

BOILING
CHEMISTRY
CHLORIDES
DISTILLATION
IMPURITIES
INTERACTIONS
MELTING
METALS
NIOBIUM
OXYCHLORIDES
PHOSPHORUS CHLORIDES
PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS
SAMPLING
SEPARATION PROCESSES
TANTALUM
VOLATILITY
ZIRCONIUM