Extraction of vanadium and synthesis of vanadium pentaoxide from Bayer’s sludge

Abstract

Wastes generated from the Bayer’s process serve as valuable resources for aluminum, vanadium, gallium, etc. This work aims to develop a environmentally acceptable and low-cost chemical leaching-cumpurification method for the recovery of vanadium sludge of Indian alumina plant (10–12% V₂O₅) and synthesize vanadium pentaoxide. The efficiency of leaching was evaluated by various lixiviants like acidified water, H₂SO₄, soda and NaOH against variation in pulp density and temperature. Maximum extraction (96%) vanadium was achieved using acidified water leaching at above ambient temperature in 1 h with 200 g/L pulp density following diffusion control model. Finally, the vanadium rich leach liquor was purified by steps of adsorption/precipitation etc., to remove with iron and silica to get vanadium pentaoxide. A high purity product of 99% V₂O₅ was obtained by allowing the adsorption at acidic pH followed by desorption and precipitation at 90°C.