Context:
Vanadium, a vital raw material for numerous industrial uses, was recently discovered in sediment samples obtained from the Gulf of Khambhat in Gujarat.
About Vanadium:
- An element with atomic number 23
- Hard, silvery-grey, malleable metal
- Electrically conductive and thermally insulating
- Vanadium occurs naturally in about 65 minerals and fossil fuel deposits.
- At Gulf of Khambhat, it has been found in a mineral called titanomagnetite, which is formed when molten lava cools rapidly.
- Traces of the metal have so far been found in Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha and Maharashtra.
Uses:
- Used primarily as an alloying element in Iron & Steel Industry – Possesses the capability to enhance the resilience of steel and titanium.
- Vanadium pentoxide is used as a catalyst for the production of sulfuric acid.
- As a stabiliser in titanium and aluminium alloys – used in aerospace applications.
- It imparts toughness and strength to steel, alloys and also acts as scavenger for oxygen.
- Vanadium also offers exceptional resistance to corrosion and elevated temperatures.
- Use in vanadium secondary batteries for power plants
and rechargeable vanadium redox battery (VRB) for commercial applications.
Production / Export statistics:
- Highest vanadium reserves – China
- World’s largest exporter – Brazil (Russia and South Africa in top three.)
- Brazil alone is responsible for nearly one-quarter of the metal’s global export market,
- Combined trio represents nearly 60 % of the market.
Main advantages of Vanadium Redox Battery (VRB):
- It can offer almost unlimited capacity simply by using sequentially larger storage tanks.
- Can be left completely discharged for long periods of time with no ill effects.
- Can be recharged by replacing the electrolyte if no power source is available to charge it.
- Suffers no permanent damage if the electrolytes are accidentally mixed.
- The VRB has also been shown to have the least ecological impact of all energy storage technologies.
Source: NewsOnAir
Previous year question
Recently, there has been a concern over the short supply of a group of elements called ‘rare earth metals’. Why?
1. China, which is the largest producer of these elements, has imposed some restrictions on their export.
2. Other than China, Australia, Canada and Chile, these elements are not found in any country.
3. Rare earth metals are essential for the manufacture of various kinds of electronic items and there is a growing demand for these elements.
Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?
[UPSC Civil Services Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (c)
