Evaluation of Technology for Selective Capture of Cadmium from Cobalt Feedstock

NAIT和优美科将合作评估一项从钴原料中选择性捕获镉的技术，该技术是优美科在萨斯喀彻温堡的特种材料生产厂使用的工艺的一部分。钴粉用于生产切削钻头，由10%的钴和90%的碳化钨组成，在高温下真空烧结。镉是一种剧毒金属，存在于钴矿中，并在此过程中作为炉沉积产生。利用分子识别技术（MRT）去除炉前镉将是该工艺的重要改进。MRT是一种高度选择性的分离技术，它采用特殊设计的配体，这些配体与硅胶或聚合物固体载体化学结合，与溶液中的特定离子结合。这项技术将对阿尔伯塔省的化学和材料制造业的未来产生重大影响

NAIT and Umicore will work together to evaluate a technology for selective capture of cadmium from a cobalt feed which is part of a process used in Umicore's specialty materials production plant at Fort Saskatchewan. The cobalt powder is used in the production of cutting bits that are comprised of 10% cobalt and 90% tungsten carbide, vacuum sintered at high temperature. Cadmium, a highly toxic metal, is present in cobalt ore and is produced as furnace deposits in this process. The removal of cadmium before the furnace stage using Molecular Recognition Technology (MRT) will be an important improvement in this process. MRT is a highly selective separations technology that employs specially designed ligands that are chemically bonded to silica gel or polymeric solid supports to bind with a specific ion of interest in a solution. This technology will have a significant impact on the future of Alberta's chemical and materials manufacturing industries, improving