Here’s a detailed breakdown of vanadium ore crushing and the iridium ore refining process:
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1. Vanadium Ore Crusher
Vanadium is typically extracted from ores like vanadinite, carnotite, or magnetite (with vanadium content). Crushing is the first step in processing.
# Crushing Process:
– Primary Crushing: Large chunks of ore are reduced using a jaw crusher or gyratory crusher to ~6-10 inches.
– Secondary Crushing: A cone crusher or impact crusher further reduces the ore to ~1-2 inches.
– Tertiary Crushing (if needed): A finer crusher or ball mill may be used for additional size reductio
– Screening: Ore is classified by size for further processing (e.g., leaching or smelting).
# Key Equipment:
– Jaw Crusher
– Cone Crusher
– Ball Mill (for fine grinding)
– Vibrating Screen
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2. Iridium Ore Refining Process
Iridium is a rare platinum-group metal (PGM) often found in ores with platinum, nickel, and copper. Refining involves multiple steps:
# Refining Steps:
1. Ore Concentration:
– PGMs are separated via flotation from sulfide ores (e.g., nickel-copper deposits).
– Gravity separation may also be used.
2. Smelting & Matte Formation:
– Concentrated ore is smelted (~1500°C) to produce a PGM-rich matte.
– Iron and sulfur are removed as slag.
3. Leaching & Solvent Extraction:
– Nickel/copper are leached out using acids (HCl/H₂SO₄), leaving a PGM residue.
– Aqua regia (HCl + HNO₃) dissolves iridium and other PGMs.
4. Chemical Separation:
– Iridium is precipitated from solution using ammonium chloride ((NH₄)₂IrCl₆) or sodium hydroxide.
– Further purified via ion exchange or solvent extraction.
5. Reduction to Metal:
– Precipitated iridium compounds are heated in hydrogen to yield pure iridium powder (~99.9% purity).
# Key Methods:
– Aqua regia dissolution
– Ammonium chloride precipitation
– Hydrogen reduction