BADDELEYITE PROCESSING METHOD Russian patent published in 2007 - IPC C22B34/14 C22B3/06 

FIELD: metallurgy of refractory metals, possibly hydro-metallurgical processing of baddeleyite for producing zirconium dioxide of nuclear purity degree.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises steps of adding potassium ion in the form of potassium fluoride after complete dissolving of baddeleyite in acid and returning filtrate containing hydrofluoric acid to step of baddeleyite dissolving. Zirconium hydroxide is obtained by processing recrystallized crystals with solution of potassium hydroxide and prepared pulp is filtered. 1/3 of filtrate volume is returned to step of producing potassium fluorozirconate and 2/3 of filtrate volume is directed to step of recovering potassium fluoride. The last is recovered from filtrate due to processing filtrate with calcium hydroxide for producing potassium hydroxide. Generated calcium fluoride is directed to step of recovery where it is subjected to processing with sulfuric acid for producing hydrofluoric acid to be returned to step of dissolving baddeleyite. Potassium sulfate is used for different purposes in national economy.

EFFECT: reduced cost price of produced zirconium dioxide of nuclear purity, lowered consumption of chemical compounds, improved ecology of the whole process, decreased volume of sewage water.

3 cl, 1 dwg, 1 ex