How is wolframite beneficiated for tungsten extraction?
Wolframite ((Fe,Mn)WO₄) is one of the primary ores used for tungsten extraction. Beneficiation is the process of concentrating the ore and removing impurities to make it suitable for tungsten production. The beneficiation of wolframite involves several steps designed to separate it from other minerals and impurities based on its physical and chemical properties:
1. Ore Crushing and Grinding
- The raw ore is crushed and ground to liberate wolframite particles from the surrounding gangue (host rock). This is a critical step to ensure efficient separation later.
2. 중력 분리
- Wolframite has a high specific gravity compared to most gangue minerals, making gravity separation the primary method of concentration.
- Equipment used for gravity separation includes:
- 지그
: Separate wolframite based on differences in density.
- 진동 테이블: Used to further concentrate the ore by stratifying particles of different densities.
- 나선형 농축기: Enhance separation based on density differences.
- This step removes lighter minerals and concentrates wolframite.
3. 자기 분리
- Wolframite is weakly magnetic and can be separated from non-magnetic impurities using magnetic separation techniques.
- High-intensity magnetic separators are often used to separate wolframite from minerals like cassiterite or silicates.
4. Flotation (Optional Step)
- If impurities such as sulfides (e.g., pyrite or arsenopyrite) are present, flotation may be used as a supplementary separation method. Wolframite can be selectively floated or recovered while rejecting sulfide impurities.
- Specific reagents (collectors, depressants, frothers, etc.) may be added to aid the process.
5. Hydrometallurgical Purification
- After concentrating wolframite via physical methods, chemical processes can be used to further purify the concentrate. This may involve leaching or scrubbing steps to remove residual impurities like phosphorus, sulfur, or arsenic.
6. Roasting and Chemical Processing (Tungsten Extraction)
- Once a high-quality wolframite concentrate is obtained, it is processed chemically:
- Wolframite is often roasted to remove unwanted impurities.
- The roasted concentrate is then treated with sodium hydroxide or sodium carbonate to dissolve tungsten and yield sodium tungstate.
- From the sodium tungstate solution, tungsten is precipitated as tungsten acid or ammonium paratungstate (APT), which are intermediate products in tungsten production.
Factors Affecting Beneficiation:
- 광물 조성: The presence of other tungsten minerals like scheelite or impurities like sulfides affects the choice of beneficiation techniques.
- 입자 크기
: The ore must be finely ground to liberate wolframite from gangue, but excessive grinding can lead to loss of tungsten in slimes.
- 경제적 고려사항: Optimum beneficiation techniques are chosen based on cost, scalability, and efficiency.
결론:
Wolframite beneficiation relies heavily on physical separation methods such as gravity and magnetic separation, supported by flotation and selective chemical processing when necessary. These methodologies help produce a concentrated wolframite product that is further processed chemically to extract tungsten.
프로미너(상하이) 광업 기술 유한회사는 전 세계적으로 완벽한 광물 처리 및 고급 소재 솔루션을 제공하는 데 전문화되어 있습니다. 우리의 핵심 사업 분야는 다음과 같습니다: 금 처리, 리튬 광석 선광, 산업 광물, 음극재 생산 및 흑연 처리 전문 분야입니다.
제품은 다음과 같습니다: 분쇄 및 분급, 분리 및 건조, 금 정제, 탄소/흑연 처리 및 침출 시스템입니다.
엔지니어링 설계, 장비 제작, 설치 및 운영 지원을 포함한 종합적인 서비스를 제공하며, 24시간 연중무휴 전문가 상담을 제공합니다.
저희 웹사이트 주소: https://www.prominetech.com/
저희 이메일:[email protected]
저희 영업: +8613918045927(리차드), +8617887940518(제시카), +8613402000314(브루노)
