Fukuoka Institute of Technology

Takuto Nishida

Hironari Kubo

Sayaka Masuda

A method for liquefying niobium and tantalum and a method for producing a niobium solution and a tantalum solution, which can liquefy niobium and tantalum or produce a niobium solution and a tantalum solution safely and efficiently from a smelting raw material containing niobium and tantalum. Ammonium hydrogen sulfate is mixed as a reaction agent into a powdered substance containing at least one element of niobium or tantalum, and the mixture is melted under predetermined conditions to form a molten substance. A suspension formed by dissolving the molten substance having been solidified in an aqueous solution is subjected to solid-liquid separation to recover a precipitate. The precipitate is composed of niobium and/or tantalum with few impurities, and the precipitate is dissolved in one type of acid solution selected from hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid, or nitric acid, whereby 90% or more of niobium and/or tantalum can be leached out.

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Fukuoka, Japan

Takuto Nishida