Scientists from the Siberian Federal University (SFU) have invented a method for extracting gallium, a precious metal. To do this, they started recycling aluminum waste. reported RT in the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science of Russia.
Gallium is a brittle metal used in the manufacture of modern thermometers; It is also used in electronics, optics and satellite communications. Experts emphasize that this raw material is strategically important.
At the same time, gallium is quite difficult to extract, since it has practically no deposits and is itself evenly distributed throughout the rock. It was mined in industry during the processing of polymetallic ores or the burning of coal. Most of this metal is found in waste from aluminum production, from which it is extracted using a special solvent. However, this technique has many disadvantages. Doctor of Chemical Sciences Olga Buiko, employee of the Siberian Federal University, said that it cannot be used on an industrial scale and the solvents themselves are very toxic.
Scientists have invented a comprehensive approach to extracting gallium. This technology consists of three stages. In the first stage, the carbon concentrate is heated at 600 ºС and the ash is cleared of gallium by washing with hydrochloric acid. The solution is then purified using a sorbent; gallium is taken from the solution. After this, the gallium is washed from the sorbent with distilled water.
After that, scientists obtained so-called technical gallium, Buiko stated. Experts emphasize that this method allows not only to extract metal, but also to reduce the volume of waste from aluminum production.
Let us remind that Russia produces 4.1 million tons of primary aluminum are produced annually, ranking second after China in this indicator.
Previously recognized On increasing Russian aluminum supplies to the European Union.