Germanium stone is a collective name for a group of natural ores that contain the element germanium. Germanium is a chemical element, but also a rare metal. The surface of germanium is silver-gray crystals, with properties similar to tin room temperature crystal Germanium is brittle, with obvious non-metallic properties; The crystal structure for a face-centered cubic cell, each cell contains 4 metal atoms, do irregular movement. Germanium has a wide range of uses, in medicine, and industry, you can see its shadow, germanium is most commonly used in semiconductors, used to manufacture transistors.
Sources of Germanium
- Zinc ores
Germanium is often found in zinc ores and is mainly recovered as a byproduct of zinc mining. - Lead ores
Germanium is found in lead ores and is recovered as a byproduct of lead mining. - Copper ores
Germanium is found in copper ores and is recovered as a byproduct of copper mining. - Coal fly ash
Germanium is found in coal fly ash and is recovered from coal combustion or gasification. - Smelting flue dust
Germanium is found in smelting flue dust and is recovered from the processing of ores and coals.
There are more than ten types of germanium minerals discovered, of which germanium-silver ore, antimony-germanium ore, and germanite are the most important. According to different geological features and deposit structures, germanium ores can be divided into four types, including contact metamorphic type, magmatic activity type, sedimentary-superfluvial volcanic type, and fluvial deposition type. According to global statistics, the reserves of germanium are about 160,000 tons, which are mainly distributed in countries and regions such as China, the United States, Russia, Canada, and Germany.
Germanium Beneficiation Methods
Gravity separation
According to the density difference between germanium ore and other accompanying minerals, germanium enrichment is realized by gravity separating. This method is suitable for germanium ores with coarse embedded grains.
Flotation
Utilizing the difference in physicochemical properties on the surface of germanium ore, germanium minerals are separated from the vein minerals by adding flotation chemicals. Flotation is an effective method to extract fine-grained embedded germanium ores.
Chemical beneficiation method
For germanium ore which is difficult to separate by physical methods, the chemical beneficiation method can be used. Germanium is extracted from the ore by leaching, extraction, ion exchange, and other chemical reactions. This method has a high selectivity and recovery rate, but the cost is relatively high.
Germanium Ore Recovery
Recycling of germanium ore is a crucial task, which is not only related to the sustainable utilization of rare resources but also a positive contribution to environmental protection. As a rare metal with extremely low content in the earth’s crust, germanium is difficult and costly to mine. However, by recycling germanium from waste articles, we can turn the original “primary resources” into “secondary resources”, effectively extend the service life of germanium resources, and reduce the dependence on primary minerals. The dependence on primary minerals can be reduced.
Germanium Ore Recovery Method
In the process of germanium ore recovery, advanced technology and equipment are required to ensure recovery efficiency and purity. Common recovery methods include chlorinated distillation, precipitation, ion exchange, and solvent extraction. Each of these methods has its advantages and disadvantages and needs to be flexibly selected and applied according to specific circumstances. For example, the chlorine distillation method can get high-purity germanium compounds, but the process is long and chemical reagent consumption; and the solvent extraction method can be based on the principle of different solubility of different substances in two insoluble solvents, germanium from the solution extraction, with simple operation, high recovery rate advantages.
Process for Recovering Germanium
1. Leaching
Acidic leaching is used to dissolve germanium into a leachate. Sulfuric, phosphoric, or other acids are used in this process.
2. Separation
Impurities are removed from the leachate through solvent extraction and stripping.
3. Precipitation
The refined germanium is precipitated from the solution.
Challenges of Germanium Ore Recovery
- Germanium is difficult to mine because it is dispersed in various minerals and has low concentrations.
- The recovery efficiency for germanium is low, and the process consumes a lot of energy.
- The behavior of germanium in different phases (oxide, sulfide, silicate, and solid insoluble) is not well understood.
Germanium Ore Recovery Precautions
Germanium ore recovery also needs to pay attention to environmental protection and safety. In the recovery process, effective measures should be taken to deal with waste gas, wastewater, and other pollutants, and at the same time, safety management should be strengthened to ensure the safety of personnel and equipment. Through scientific and reasonable recovery technology and strict management measures, the efficient and environmentally friendly recovery of germanium ore can be realized, so that the rare resource can regain its luster and contribute to sustainable development.
Germanium Ore Recovery Benefits
Germanium ore recycling not only helps to conserve resources and protect the environment but also brings economic and social benefits to enterprises. By recycling germanium from waste items, enterprises can reduce their reliance on new germanium resources, thereby reducing raw material costs. At the same time, the waste generated in the recycling process can also be converted into valuable products through resource treatment, further increasing the income of enterprises. In addition, the development of the germanium recycling industry can also drive the development of related industrial chains, creating more employment opportunities and economic benefits.
In conclusion, germanium ore recovery is a task of great significance. Through scientific and reasonable recycling technology and strict management measures, the efficient and environmentally friendly recycling of germanium ore can be realized, so that rare resources can regain their luster. At the same time, germanium ore recycling can also bring economic and social benefits to enterprises and promote the development and innovation of related industrial chains. In future development, we need to continue to strengthen technological innovation and research and development, promote the continuous development and improvement of germanium ore recovery technology, and contribute to sustainable development.