Removal of vanadium from petroleum coke by microwave and ultrasonic-assisted leaching

Abstract

The petroleum coke is the main raw material for the preparation of pre-baked anode materials for aluminum electrolysis. However, the presence of vanadium in petroleum coke negatively affects its properties. In the present study, microwave-ultrasonic assisted leaching is used to enhance the removal of vanadium from petroleum coke. The leaching efficiency of vanadium can reach above 90%, under the optimum conditions: ultrasonic power of 1000 W, microwave power of 500 W, temperature of 95 °C, NaOH concentration of 150 g/L, Na atomic ratio of NaOH and Na2CO3 of 3. The results showed that the contact angle and the surface tension between leaching solution and petroleum coke were notably reduced, resulting in an improved leaching efficiency.