Project monitoring:
Dipl.-Ing. Dominik Hofer
Priv.-Doz. Dipl.-Ing. Dr.mont. Stefan Luidold
Synthetic tantalum concentrate for the production of pure tantalum is produced by a multistage pyrometallurgical process. The main focus of this study is the investigation of the melting process in an electric arc furnace and the optimisation of metal/slag separation for an increased tantalum output as well as the reduction of slag refluxes. Therefore following factors are analysed:
- C requirement for complete reduction of Ta and Nb
- Fe amount for liquid collector phase
- Additives to minimize the Ti and Cr reduction
A model of the melting process as basis for process automation considering energy consumption, input materials, process control, slag refluxes, slag properties and product quality is produced.
