RECOVERY OF VANADIUM CATALYTIC RESIDUES FROM THE PRODUCTION OF SULFURIC ACID BY ALUMINOTHERMIC

Abstract

In this work, we studied the vanadium recuperation found in the vanadium catalytic residues from the production of sulfuric acid, by aluminothermy processing method. From the stoichiometry of chemical reactions that must occur, mixtures were prepared and processed in a graphite reactor, conformed by mill scale, spent catalysts and aluminum. They were obtained alloys containing vanadium (0,6 to 1,76%) and silicon (8,90 to 17,7%). The technical feasibility of aluminothermy processing of the catalytic residues at the same time of mill scale and aluminum chip allows the recovery of their metal components and reduces the levels of the environmental pollution.