Induction slag reduction process for purifying metals
- Corvallis, OR
A continuous method is provided for purifying and recovering transition metals such as neodymium and zirconium that become reactive at temperatures above about 500.degree. C. that comprises the steps of contacting the metal ore with an appropriate fluorinating agent such as an alkaline earth metal fluosilicate to form a fluometallic compound, and reducing the fluometallic compound with a suitable alkaline earth or alkali metal compound under molten conditions, such as provided in an induction slag metal furnace. The method of the invention is advantageous in that it is simpler and less expensive than methods used previously to recover pure metals, and it may be employed with a wide range of transition metals that were reactive with enclosures used in the prior art methods and were hard to obtain in uncontaminated form.
- Research Organization:
- National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL), Pittsburgh, PA, Morgantown, WV (United States)
- Assignee:
- United States of America, as represented by Secretary of (Washington, DC)
- Patent Number(s):
- US 5071472
- OSTI ID:
- 868086
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
slag
reduction
process
purifying
metals
continuous
method
provided
recovering
transition
neodymium
zirconium
reactive
temperatures
500
degree
comprises
steps
contacting
metal
appropriate
fluorinating
agent
alkaline
earth
fluosilicate
form
fluometallic
compound
reducing
suitable
alkali
molten
conditions
furnace
advantageous
simpler
expensive
methods
previously
recover
pure
employed
wide
range
enclosures
prior
hard
obtain
uncontaminated
molten condition
metal compound
transition metals
alkali metal
alkaline earth
transition metal
earth metal
wide range
reduction process
induction slag
pure metal
pure metals
fluorinating agent
continuous method
slag reduction
suitable alkali
metallic compound
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