METHOD OF GERMANIUM-CONTAINING RAW MATERIAL PROCESSING Russian patent published in 2017 - IPC C22B41/00 C22B59/00 C22B1/02 C22B7/00 

FIELD: metallurgy.

SUBSTANCE: invention refers to a method of germanium-containing material processing, where coal or lignite is used as germanium-containing material. Initially, raw material undergoes high-speed thermal vortex activation at 120-220 °C by products of generator gas combustion at 600-800 °C and air excess factor α=1.1-1.05 with obtainment of solid residue. Solid residue is gasified at the second stage at 750-800 °C and α=0.6-0.75, then gas products of gasification are cooled to 180-160 °C for condensation of germanium, yttrium and scandium compounds in trapped fly ash and slag that are combined and treated with aqueous solution of 5-15 % sulphuric acid at the ratio of solid to liquid matter of 5-10 and 60-90 °C for germanium, yttrium and scandium to pass into the solution. Further the obtained solution is separated, and yttrium and scandium are extracted from it in ion exchange resins. Remaining solution is neutralised to pH 4 to obtain Fe(OH)₃ sediment to which germanium present in the solution transits. This sediment is filtered and dried at 120-130 °C.

EFFECT: reduced loss of germanium, recovery of yttrium and scandium.

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