Processing of Secondary Sources of Refractory Metals

Abstract

Refractory metals belonging to the Group IV to VIA of the periodic table have assumed very important role in variety of high-tech applications. Extraction of these metals so far has been accomplished mainly from primary and byproduct sources. Depletion of primary sources, non-availability of the sources of these metals in certain countries, relatively large applications and greater emphasis on environmental preservation have led to increased awareness in using secondary sources of these metals. Use of secondary sources in fact makes a better economic source particularly for these high value metals

This paper is based on extensive studies carried out in the Materials Group of BARC on the recovery of refractory metals such as tungsten, molybdenum, niobium, tantalum, vanadium and zirconium from a variety of secondary sources available within the country. Major objective has been to develop processes which can be operated even on a small scale with variable grade of the source using indigenously available equipment

Keywords:

• Secondary sources
• Refractory metals
• Tungsten
• Molybdenum
• Niobium
• Tantalum
• Vanadium
• Zirconium