Sustainability website / Case Studies 2003 / Xstrata alloys / Health, safety and environmental advantages of producing ferrovanadium from V2O3

Health, safety and environmental advantages of producing ferrovanadium from V2O3

In late 2003, Xstrata Alloys began commissioning of a new ferrovanadium production process that involves the production of vanadium trioxide (V2O3) followed by its reduction. The older process used vanadium pentoxide (V2O5) to produce ferrovanadium. V2O3 is less soluble in water than V2O5 and is therefore less hazardous to health and the environment. In addition the process used for V2O5 production results in relatively high levels of ammonia being released into the workplace and emitted into the air. The lower ammonia generation of the V2O3 greatly improves the working environment and lowers emissions to the atmosphere. The plant has also been designed with totally enclosed pneumatic product transfer systems and high efficiency dust collection equipment. As a consequence independent sampling has confirmed major improvements in stack emission levels of particulates and ammonia. Full commissioning will be completed early in 2004.