GB969387A - Improvements relating to the production of niobium pentachloride - Google Patents

Abstract

<PICT:0969387/C1/1> Niobium pentachloride is produced by simultaneously feeding to a reaction zone maintained at a temperature between 300 DEG and 650 DEG C. and containing activated carbon, a niobium-bearing oxidic material and Cl2, Cl2+CO, COCl2 or Cl2+COCl2\sBCO, such that the amount of chlorine is at least sufficient to convert all the niobium to pentachloride. Activated carbon of surface area 500 m.2/gm. or above and preferably of cellulosic origin, e.g. wood or nut charcoal, is charged into a closed reactor 1 and fluidized by an inert gas, e.g. N2. The reactor may be of silica, silica brick, nickel or a nickel alloy. Electrical or other heating is applied externally to raise the bed to the operating temperature. The oxidic niobium material, e.g. columbite or pyrochlore concentrate and chlorinating gas to replace the inert gas are supplied simultaneously through 4, 2. NbCl5, together with any chlorides of Mn, Ca, Si or Ba, leave through outlet 3, ensuring that the entering ore cannot contaminate the product. An excess of 10-50% chlorine above that stoichiometrically required to react with all chlorinatable values in the ore is used. 95% or more NbCl5 is separated from the product.