In the field of advanced metallurgy and strategic resource recovery, the extraction and purification of critical metals such as niobium, tantalum, and cesium are directly tied to the development of key industries including aerospace, new energy, and electronic communications. However, due to the similar properties of these metals and the complexity of their natural occurrences, their separation and purification have long been recognized as major technical challenges in the industry. Traditional recovery processes face numerous issues, including low efficiency, limited recovery rates, and environmental pollution. Zhengzhou Tiei Extraction Technology Co., Ltd., with its advanced centrifugal extraction technology, provides highly efficient, energy-saving, and economically advantageous industrial solutions for these demanding separation tasks.
Industry Pain Points: The Limitations of Traditional Processes
Traditional recovery of niobium, tantalum, and cesium typically relies on equipment such as mixer–settlers, but the process faces several insurmountable bottlenecks:
- Long process flows and low efficiency: Multistage countercurrent extraction often requires dozens or even more stages, resulting in large equipment systems and a large footprint.
- Unsatisfactory separation performance: Long residence times and low stage efficiency make it difficult to separate elements with similar properties, such as Nb, Ta, and Cs, limiting product purity.
- High reagent consumption and elevated costs: Large organic phase holdup, along with significant entrainment and volatilization, greatly increases the consumption of expensive extractants.
- High environmental risk: Solvent volatilization creates harsh working conditions, while treating organic-laden wastewater is difficult, adding substantial environmental pressure.
Breaking the Bottleneck: Tiei Extraction Centrifugal Extraction Technology
In response to the challenges faced by the industry, Tiei Extraction has introduced a groundbreaking solution for the recovery of niobium, tantalum, and cesium through its advanced centrifugal extraction technology. By harnessing the powerful centrifugal force generated by high-speed rotation, this technology enables rapid mixing and instantaneous separation of two liquid phases, fundamentally transforming traditional extraction processes. Its core workflow is clear and streamlined:
- Feed Mixing: The aqueous feed containing niobium, tantalum, and cesium is pumped together with the organic extractant into a rapidly rotating drum.
- Efficient Mass Transfer: Under the strong centrifugal field, the two phases undergo intense shear and thorough mixing. Target metal ions quickly transfer from the aqueous phase into the organic phase, completing the mass transfer process.
- Instantaneous Separation: Driven by centrifugal force, the mixed liquid separates rapidly and cleanly into two phases based on density differences.
- Independent Discharge: The loaded organic phase enriched with the target metal (e.g., tantalum) exits through the light-phase outlet, while the raffinate (containing niobium, cesium, etc.) exits through the heavy-phase outlet and proceeds to the next extraction or stripping stage.
- Closed-Loop Operation: Multiple units can be connected in series to form a continuous countercurrent extraction system, enabling precise, continuous separation and enrichment of materials.
Successful Applications
Tiei Extraction centrifugal extractor has already been successfully implemented in the niobium, tantalum, and cesium recovery lines of several well-known mining groups and metal smelting enterprises in China. According to customer feedback, after completing technical upgrades:
- The extraction recovery rate of tantalum increased from the traditional 92% to over 99%.
- Solvent consumption was reduced by 40%, saving several million yuan in annual costs.
- Production lines achieved continuous, stable, and clean operation, significantly enhancing product competitiveness.
Welcome contact us for more details
Email: sales@tieiextraction.com
Whatsapp: +86 19069612820
