On Niobium Reduction in Blast Furnace

The Baotou Iron Ore of China contains very high niobium. This paper reported the results through laboratory and practical experiments on niobium enrichment in blast furnace. The effect of temperature, constituents of slag and silicon content in hot metal on niobium recovery was studied and the results had been verified by blast furnace operation. According to the reaserch, a comprehensive extraction process that extraction combines with ore dressing and with pyro--hydro-metallurgy should be adopted for Baotou niobium resource which is difficult to concentrating. The methods of increase in niobium recovey were also suggested in this paper.