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

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method of processing of germanium-containing material, represented by coal or lignite. Heat treatment of material is carried out in two steps for extraction in addition to germanium yttrium and scandium. First, method comprises pyrolysis in inert medium at temperature 800–700 °C to produce a solid residue. Second step includes burning said residue at a temperature of 750–700 °C at air excess coefficient α= 1.05–1.1. Method then includes cooling gaseous products of thermal treatment to 160–180 °C for condensation of compounds of germanium, transfer thereof, as well as yttrium and scandium into trapped flue ash and slag, which are combined and treated with aqueous solution of 5–15 % sulphuric acid at ratio L:S = 5–10 and temperature of 60–90 °C for transfer of germanium, yttrium and scandium. Further, obtained solution is separated and yttrium and scandium are extracted therefrom on ion-exchange resins. Remaining solution is neutralised to pH = 4 with formation of a precipitate of Fe(OH)₃, into germanium contained in solution is transferred. Precipitate is filtered and dried at 120–130 °C.

EFFECT: technical result is reduction of germanium losses during thermal treatment and extraction of scandium and yttrium.

1 cl, 3 tbl, 2 ex