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Scrap Recycling of Tungsten-Based Secondary Material for the Recovery of Tungsten Monocarbide (WC) and Other Valuable Constituents Using an Acid Leach Process: A Preliminary Study

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Extraction 2018

Part of the book series: The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series ((MMMS))

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Abstract

Tungsten carbide scrap (WC–Co) is material generated from the tungsten carbide manufacturing process and worn out or used carbide parts from industry. Tungsten (W) ores contain about 3 wt% WO3 and their W concentrates about 10–75 wt% WO3. Tungsten carbide scrap typically contains 40–95 wt% W. The high intrinsic value of W and the fact that the least valuable scrap contains more W than the average tungsten ore makes tungsten carbide scrap a worthy material for re-use. This study has investigated the selective dissolution of the cobalt (Co) binder phase, and recovery of tungsten monocarbide (WC) and Co using an acid leach process. The Co component was selectively leached leaving the WC solid particles intact. Further investigation using a complexing agent -aided acid leach process that takes advantage of organic chelating agents that form a soluble tungsten complex in place of the passive insoluble tungsten oxide is envisaged. The optimal dissolution of the Co binder phase using an inorganic acid in conjunction with an organic complexing agent is a novel approach with the potential of reduced leaching times and possibility of regenerating the unreacted organic acid.

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Acknowledgements

The National Research Foundation (NRF) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) of South Africa are gratefully acknowledged for their financial contribution to this research work.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    A. Shemi, S. Ndlovu & N. Sacks

  2. DST/NRF SARChI: Hydrometallurgy and Sustainable Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    A. Shemi & S. Ndlovu

  3. DST-NRF Centre of Excellence in Strong Materials, P/Bag 3, Wits 2050, 1 Jan Smuts Avenue, Johannesburg, South Africa

    A. Shemi & N. Sacks

Authors
  1. A. Shemi
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  2. S. Ndlovu
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  3. N. Sacks
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Shemi .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc., Kingston, Canada

    Boyd R. Davis

  2. Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA

    Michael S. Moats

  3. Rio Tinto Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation, South Jordan, USA

    Shijie Wang

  4. RHI Magnesita, Leoben, Austria

    Dean Gregurek

  5. BBA Inc., Montreal, Canada

    Joël Kapusta

  6. Extractive Metallurgy Consultant, Kingston, Canada

    Thomas P. Battle

  7. Missouri University of Science and Technology, Rolla, USA

    Mark E. Schlesinger

  8. Aurubis, Hamburg, Germany

    Gerardo Raul Alvear Flores

  9. University of Queensland, Queensland, Australia

    Evgueni Jak

  10. XPS-Glencore, Falconbridge, Canada

    Graeme Goodall

  11. University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA

    Michael L. Free

  12. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Edouard Asselin

  13. University of Lorraine, Vandœuvre-lès-Nancy, France

    Alexandre Chagnes

  14. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    David Dreisinger

  15. Newmont Mining, Elko, USA

    Matthew Jeffrey

  16. University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

    Jaeheon Lee

  17. Miller Metallurgical Services Pty Ltd., Brisbane, Australia

    Graeme Miller

  18. University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, Australia

    Jochen Petersen

  19. Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Brazil

    Virginia S. T. Ciminelli

  20. Shanghai University, Shanghai, China

    Qian Xu

  21. MetNetH20 Inc., Peterborough, Canada

    Ronald Molnar

  22. Hatch, Mississauga, Canada

    Jeff Adams

  23. University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

    Wenying Liu

  24. SGS Minerals, Lakefield, Canada

    Niels Verbaan

  25. J.R. Goode and Associates Metallurgical Consulting, Toronto, Canada

    John Goode

  26. Avalon Rare Metals Inc., Toronto, Canada

    Ian M. London

  27. University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada

    Gisele Azimi

  28. SGS Minerals, Lakefield, Canada

    Alex Forstner

  29. Newmont Mining, Greenwood Village, USA

    Ronel Kappes

  30. Newmont Mining Corporation, Greenwood village, USA

    Tarun Bhambhani

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Shemi, A., Ndlovu, S., Sacks, N. (2018). Scrap Recycling of Tungsten-Based Secondary Material for the Recovery of Tungsten Monocarbide (WC) and Other Valuable Constituents Using an Acid Leach Process: A Preliminary Study. In: Davis, B., et al. Extraction 2018. The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-95022-8_208

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