Effect of Mechanical Activation Treatment on the Recovery of Vanadium from Converter Slag

The high roasting temperature and low leaching efficiency of vanadium from vanadium-bearing converter slag are regarded as the main factors significantly influencing the application of calcification roasting–acid leaching processes in the cleaner production of vanadium. In this study, a mechanical activation treatment was performed to enhance the extraction of vanadium from converter slag. The enhancement effects obtained from mechanical activation were comprehensively evaluated through indices such as the roasting temperature and leaching efficiency. The effects of mechanical activation time, roasting temperature, leaching temperature, solid to liquid ratio, particle size, and acid concentration on the leaching efficiency were investigated. Microstructure morphology and elemental analyses of the raw materials and leaching residue were also investigated using scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results demonstrated that the mechanical activation significantly decreased the optimum roasting temperature from 1173 K to 1073 K (900 °C to 800 °C) and increased the leaching efficiency from 86.0 to 90.9 pct.