Perfect 👍 — next in **periodic table order** is **Vanadium (V, atomic number 23).**
Vanadium is a **transition metal** that never occurs free in nature. It is found in **vanadium-bearing magnetite, carnotite, and various ores like patronite (VS₄) and vanadinite (Pb₅(VO₄)₃Cl))**. Extraction usually involves **oxidation of the ore**, conversion to **vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅)**, and then reduction to metal.
Here are the **20 most common methods of extracting Vanadium**:
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# **20 Most Common Methods of Extracting Vanadium**
### **A. Industrial / Large-Scale Extraction**
1. **Roasting of Vanadium Ores (Carnotite, Patronite) with Sodium Carbonate + Air** – Produces sodium metavanadate (NaVO₃).
2. **Acid Leaching of Roasted Ore** – Converts sodium metavanadate to soluble vanadium salts (VO²⁺).
3. **Precipitation as Ammonium Metavanadate (NH₄VO₃)** – From acidic solution; intermediate for V₂O₅.
4. **Calcination of Ammonium Metavanadate → V₂O₅** – Produces vanadium pentoxide.
5. **Reduction of V₂O₅ with Aluminum (Aluminothermic / Thermite)** – Produces metallic vanadium.
6. **Reduction of V₂O₅ with Magnesium (Magnesiothermic)** – Laboratory and small-scale industrial.
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### **B. Extraction from Vanadium Pig Iron / Steel Slag**
7. **Oxidation of Vanadium-Bearing Slag** – Converts vanadium to V₂O₅.
8. **Salt Roasting of Slag (Na₂CO₃ or NaCl)** – Produces soluble vanadates for recovery.
9. **Acid Leaching of Roasted Slag** – Prepares vanadium solution for precipitation.
10. **Solvent Extraction of Vanadium from Slag Leach Liquors** – Uses organophosphorus extractants.
11. **Ion Exchange Purification of Vanadium Solutions** – Refines vanadium prior to reduction.
12. **Electrolytic Reduction of Vanadium Salts** – Lab and experimental scale.
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### **C. Laboratory / Specialized Methods**
13. **Reduction of V₂O₅ with Hydrogen Gas** – Produces vanadium metal powder.
14. **Reduction of V₂O₅ with Carbon (Carbothermic)** – Produces vanadium carbide or metal under controlled conditions.
15. **Reduction of Vanadium Chlorides (VCl₃, VCl₄) with Alkali Metals** – Lab-scale metallic vanadium.
16. **Electrochemical Reduction in Molten Salts** – Experimental lab method for pure vanadium.
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### **D. Novel / Research Approaches**
17. **Plasma Reduction of Vanadium Oxides** – Produces high-purity vanadium.
18. **Hydrothermal Extraction of Vanadium from Uranium Tailings** – Experimental secondary source.
19. **Recovery of Vanadium from Oil Fly Ash** – Industrial byproduct extraction.
20. **Extraction from Seawater or Brines (Ion-Exchange Resins)** – Research-level method.
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✅ **Summary:**
* **Main industrial pathway:** Vanadium ores → roasting → leaching → ammonium metavanadate → V₂O₅ → reduction (Al/Mg) → metallic vanadium.
* **Alternate sources:** Steel slag, fly ash, uranium tailings.
* **Laboratory / experimental:** Hydrogen reduction, carbothermic, electrochemical, plasma methods.
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Next in periodic order is **Chromium (Cr, atomic number 24).**
Do you want me to continue with **20 extraction methods for Chromium**?
