An investigation on the parameters affecting smelting process of a Cassiterite bearing Niobium and Tantalum ore
- Authors: Mutombo, David Ilunga
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Smelting , Metallurgy , Niobium ores , Tantalum , Cassiterite
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295026 , uj:32112
- Description:
Abstract: This thesis details results obtained from the smelting process of Cassiterite ore bearing Nb/Ta minerals. The Cassiterite ore, sourced from the Kibara belt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was characterised using different analytical equipment such as XRF, XRD and SEM/EDS. It was then treated using a shaking table in order to concentrate it. The Cassiterite ore was then smelt in a tube furnace and the effect of basicity and smelting time was investigated. The chemical and mineralogical studies by XRF and XRD revealed that the Cassiterite ore sample contained Sn (76.01%), Nb2O5 (0.62%) and Ta2O5 (0.81%). It was mainly composed of Cassiterite (SnO2) as the major mineral phase with minor compounds of Sillimanite (Al2SiO5), Ferrotapiolite (Fe(Nb,Ta)2O6), Pyrochlore ((Na, Ca, U)2 (Nb,Ta)2 06) and Tapiolite minerals (FeTa2O6). These results were confirmed using SEM/EDX. It was further revealed that rich Nb and Ta minerals (Pyrochlore and/or Tapiolite and/or Ferrotapiolite) are trapped in sizes ranging from 1.98 to 3.43 μm in the Cassiterite mineral. The results from the gravity pre-concentration process using a shaking table revealed that the Sn grade improved from 76.01 up to 90.50%. However, the Sn recovery was 49.6%; 55.5%; 65.69% and 14.8% for sizes of x>212; 212
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutombo, David Ilunga
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Smelting , Metallurgy , Niobium ores , Tantalum , Cassiterite
- Language: English
- Type: Masters (Thesis)
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/295026 , uj:32112
- Description:
Abstract: This thesis details results obtained from the smelting process of Cassiterite ore bearing Nb/Ta minerals. The Cassiterite ore, sourced from the Kibara belt in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) was characterised using different analytical equipment such as XRF, XRD and SEM/EDS. It was then treated using a shaking table in order to concentrate it. The Cassiterite ore was then smelt in a tube furnace and the effect of basicity and smelting time was investigated. The chemical and mineralogical studies by XRF and XRD revealed that the Cassiterite ore sample contained Sn (76.01%), Nb2O5 (0.62%) and Ta2O5 (0.81%). It was mainly composed of Cassiterite (SnO2) as the major mineral phase with minor compounds of Sillimanite (Al2SiO5), Ferrotapiolite (Fe(Nb,Ta)2O6), Pyrochlore ((Na, Ca, U)2 (Nb,Ta)2 06) and Tapiolite minerals (FeTa2O6). These results were confirmed using SEM/EDX. It was further revealed that rich Nb and Ta minerals (Pyrochlore and/or Tapiolite and/or Ferrotapiolite) are trapped in sizes ranging from 1.98 to 3.43 μm in the Cassiterite mineral. The results from the gravity pre-concentration process using a shaking table revealed that the Sn grade improved from 76.01 up to 90.50%. However, the Sn recovery was 49.6%; 55.5%; 65.69% and 14.8% for sizes of x>212; 212
- Full Text:
Effect of time on formation of phases in the slag during tin production
- Mutombo, David Ilunga, Wa Kalenga, Michel Kalenga, Nheta, Willie
- Authors: Mutombo, David Ilunga , Wa Kalenga, Michel Kalenga , Nheta, Willie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cassiterite , Smelting , Reduction time
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/282037 , uj:30384 , Citation: Mutombo, D.I., Wa Kalenga, M.K. & Nheta, W. 2018. Effect of time on formation of phases in the slag during tin production.
- Description: Abstract: Most cassiterite ores contain a certain amount of niobium and tantalum, which report to the slag during tin production. The reduction time is said to enhance the formation of some phases which preferentially dissolve some metals than others. The current paper investigates the effect of time on the phases that form in the slag during reduction and the preferential dissolution of Nobium and Tantalum in some phases. XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS were used to analyse the head sample and the products of the smelting process. The basicity was kept at 1 with the addition of dolomite. Carbon was used as reducing agent and an alumina tube furnace for the reduction. Graphite crucible was used and CO was blown in the furnace to minimise the reaction between the sample and the crucible. Experiments were conducted at different reduction times. The time varied from 30minutes to 2hours with 30 minutes intervals at 1400oC. Results showed that Nobium and Tantalum are preferentially dissolved in Monticellite, Ferrocolumbite, Fayalite, Tantalum oxide and Niobium oxide, the two oxides reaching 5% in the slag while the purity of metal reached a maximum of 99% of Sn and 1% Fe.
- Full Text:
- Authors: Mutombo, David Ilunga , Wa Kalenga, Michel Kalenga , Nheta, Willie
- Date: 2018
- Subjects: Cassiterite , Smelting , Reduction time
- Language: English
- Type: Conference proceedings
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10210/282037 , uj:30384 , Citation: Mutombo, D.I., Wa Kalenga, M.K. & Nheta, W. 2018. Effect of time on formation of phases in the slag during tin production.
- Description: Abstract: Most cassiterite ores contain a certain amount of niobium and tantalum, which report to the slag during tin production. The reduction time is said to enhance the formation of some phases which preferentially dissolve some metals than others. The current paper investigates the effect of time on the phases that form in the slag during reduction and the preferential dissolution of Nobium and Tantalum in some phases. XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS were used to analyse the head sample and the products of the smelting process. The basicity was kept at 1 with the addition of dolomite. Carbon was used as reducing agent and an alumina tube furnace for the reduction. Graphite crucible was used and CO was blown in the furnace to minimise the reaction between the sample and the crucible. Experiments were conducted at different reduction times. The time varied from 30minutes to 2hours with 30 minutes intervals at 1400oC. Results showed that Nobium and Tantalum are preferentially dissolved in Monticellite, Ferrocolumbite, Fayalite, Tantalum oxide and Niobium oxide, the two oxides reaching 5% in the slag while the purity of metal reached a maximum of 99% of Sn and 1% Fe.
- Full Text:
- «
- ‹
- 1
- ›
- »