Patent ID: 7182925
Filing Date: 2007-02-27
Classification: C22B,Y02P

Abstract:
1. A method for the dissolution and purification of tantalum concentrates, comprising: (a) forming a slurry of a tantalum concentrate containing at least one member selected from the group consisting of (Fe,Mn)(Ta,Nb) 2 O 6 , (Fe,Mn,Mg)(Nb,Ta) 2 O 6 (CA,An) 2 Ta 2 O 6 (O,OH,F) and NaTaO 3 , a fluoride-containing compound, and sulfuric acid to cause an exothermic reaction, the fluoride-containing compound being selected from the group consisting of NH 4 HF 2 , NaF, KF, CaF 2 , and combinations thereof; (b) separating liquid from the slurry to obtain a solution containing tantalum values and impurities; and (c) separating the tantalum values from the impurities by solvent extraction.