Processing of vanadium and niobium electrodeposited from alkali chloride melts

The methods of hydrometallurgical treatment of cathodic deposits obtained by electrorefining vanadium and niobium metals in chloride melts were studied. The effectiveness of employing nitric acid was demonstrated. The optimal conditions of leaching trapped salt were determined: HNO3 concentration of 2.5 wt. % for vanadium and 5 wt. % for niobium; solid-to-liquid ratio 1:10 for both metals. The effect of increasing duration of a washing cycle on number of process stages was investigated. The methods of final washing and drying metallic powders were considered. ©The Electrochemical Society.Physical and Analytical Electrochemistry;Electrodeposition;Energy Technolog