Upgrading of a Nigerian Ixiolite ore to Columbite by Sulphuric acid treatment

Authors

  • Alafara A Baba
  • Oluwaseun Ajibola University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Abdullah S Ibrahim University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Folahan A Adekola University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Ruth O Sanni University of Ilorin, Nigeria.
  • Yunusa Abdulganiyu Federal University Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

Keywords:

Ixiolite, Columbite, Nigeria, Leaching, Sulphuric acid.

Abstract

A quantitative leaching of a Nigerian Ixiolite ore in sulphuric acid medium was carried out and the effect of some parameters such as acid concentration, temperature and particle size was evaluated as a function of time. The experimental results obtained showed that the Ixiolite dissolution increases with increasing acid concentration, temperature, leaching time and, decreases with particle size. With 3 mol/L H2SO4 solution, 71.14% of the ore reacted within 120 minutes at 80 °C.The kinetics of dissolution of the mineral was also examined and the observed effects of the operating variables on the leaching rate were consistent with the diffusion controlled kinetic model. The calculated activation energy for the leaching process was 24.40 kJ/mol with the reaction order of 0.5, supported the proposed model. Detailed characterization of the ore before and after leaching were carried out. At optimal leaching conditions, thermodynamic feasibility of the conversion of raw Ixiolite to Columbite of industrial value, as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique is possible.

Author Biographies

Oluwaseun Ajibola, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria;

Education Officer III.

Abdullah S Ibrahim, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

Department of Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria; Education Officer ii.

Folahan A Adekola, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria;

Professor

Ruth O Sanni, University of Ilorin, Nigeria.

Department of Industrial Chemistry, University of Ilorin, Nigeria;

Assistant Lecturer

Yunusa Abdulganiyu, Federal University Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

Federal University Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State, Nigeria.

Assistant Lecturer

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Published

2016-09-03

How to Cite

Baba, Alafara A, Oluwaseun Ajibola, Abdullah S Ibrahim, Folahan A Adekola, Ruth O Sanni, and Yunusa Abdulganiyu. 2016. “Upgrading of a Nigerian Ixiolite Ore to Columbite by Sulphuric Acid Treatment”. Metallurgical and Materials Engineering 22 (3):145-54. https://metall-mater-eng.com/index.php/home/article/view/213.

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Articles - archived