Study of the Electrochemical Oxidation Process of Vanadium

The article presents experimental data on the electrochemical oxidation of vanadium-bearing ore with the aim of increasing the efficiency of vanadium extraction during subsequent hydrometallurgical processing. Three different charge compositions were studied during the preliminary oxidative roasting stage, differing in the type of oxidizers used: calcined soda, sodium chloride, and their mixture in a mass ratio of 9:1. Electrochemical oxidation was carried out in a sulfuric acid medium using a membrane electrolysis cell equipped with an MK-40 type diaphragm. Experimental studies were conducted by varying key technological parameters: H2SO4 concentration (5–15%), solid-to-liquid phase ratio (1:2–1:5), temperature (25–85 °C), process duration (0.5–3 h), and current density (100–1000 A/m2). It was found that preliminary roasting promotes the conversion of vanadium into higher oxidation states, predominantly V5+, which significantly increases its solubility during subsequent electrochemical treatment. For the first time, the kinetic patterns of electrochemical vanadium leaching were identified, as well as the limiting mechanism of the process, associated with the formation of poorly soluble oxide films on the ore surface. Optimization of the electrochemical oxidation parameters allowed us to achieve vanadium extraction into solution up to 92%.