The kinetics of low-temperature (900 – 1180 °C) reduction of iron tantalate (98.2 wt % FeTa2O6, 1.8 wt % Ta2O5, particle size < 0.1 mm) by excess aluminum (particle size < 0.14 mm) at the molar ratio Al:FeTa2O6 = 6 was studied. According to differential scanning calorimetry and X-ray powder diffraction, reduction is almost completed at 1180 °C, the metal products are TaFeAl, TaAl3, and Ta17Al12. Based on the results of thermokinetic calculations (Ozawa – Flynn – Wall and nonlinear regression methods), the formal mechanism of the process is represented by the Bna → CnC model, which includes two consecutive steps controlled by autocatalytically activated reactions. Kinetic parameters of the steps are: 1) Е1 = 429 kJ·mol–1, A1 = 1015.3 s–1; 2) Е2 = 176 kJ·mol–1, A2 = 103.9 s–1 (Ej is the activation energy, Aj is the preexponential factor). Prediction in the Bna → CnC model frames indicates the possibility of obtaining a reaction mixture containing ≥ 98 mol. % the final formal reduction product, with isothermal exposure in the temperature range of 1040 – 1120 °C during 1.5 – 5 minutes. The proposed model can be used to develop scientific foundations and substantiate technological modes for obtaining tantalum alloys from mineral and technogenic raw materials.
Kinetics of Gaseous Reduction of Iron Ore Fines.
