Experimental and statistical study for leaching of niobium pentoxide from Pakistani ore

Abstract

The growing demand for niobium pentoxide, based on its use in separation processes, established its prominent significance as a leading candidate in the field of separation science and technology. This study reports the extraction of niobium pentoxide from pyrochlore ore occurring in Sillai Patai, KPK, Pakistan. It is difficult to recover niobium pentoxide from Pakistani ore due to its low concentration. Niobium pentoxide is an important material used in manufacturing industries for different purposes. Most of the commercially employed extraction processes are associated with serious environmental impacts and are not efficient in extracting niobium pentoxide from low concentration pyrochlore. Alkali potash has been used for separation and purification of niobium pentoxide because it is efficient and an environmentally friendly process. The leaching of niobium pentoxide is carried out in a batch reactor using alkali potash as a leachant. Various process parameters, including ore particle size, reaction temperature, reaction time and alkali to ore mass ratio, were examined statistically during the leaching process. It was observed that reaction temperature and ore particle size were more significant compared to other parameters. The maximum percent recovery of niobium pentoxide (95%) was obtained at 280?C in 90 min, while keeping the ore particle size 44 ?m and alkali to ore mass ratio of 7:1.