Vanadium
What Is Vanadium?
Vanadium (symbol V, atomic number 23) is a silvery-gray, malleable transition metal with a body-centered cubic crystal structure and a melting point of about 1,926 °C
It occurs naturally in approximately 65 minerals and as a by-product of magnetite/titano‑magnetite ores, phosphate rock, petroleum residues, and slag from iron or uranium processing Periodic Table+2Wikipedia+2.
Most vanadium is extracted from V₂O₅ (vanadium pentoxide), which is then converted via reduction processes into vanadium alloys, notably ferrovanadium
Primary Uses of Vanadium
1. Steel Alloys (≈ 85% of consumption)
Predominantly used as ferrovanadium—a vanadium–iron alloy added in small percentages to steel to dramatically boost strength, wear resistance, toughness, and vibration resistance. Common in HSLA steels, tool steels, rebar, crankshafts, and aerospace components like jet engine parts.
Even less than 1% vanadium content can significantly improve mechanical properties Periodic Table.
2. Catalysts and Chemicals
Vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) is a key industrial catalyst, used in:
The Contact Process to produce sulfuric acid by oxidizing SO₂ to SO₃
Oxidation of butane or o‑xylene to create maleic and phthalic anhydrides—precursors to polyester resins and plasticisers.
3. Emerging Energy Storage—Vanadium Redox Flow Batteries (VRFB)
Vanadium is central to vanadium redox flow batteries, where vanadium ions in different oxidation states store and release energy. VRFBs are well-suited to grid‑scale energy storage due to their durability (20‑year lifecycle, >12,000 cycles), recyclability, and safety.
They offer lower energy density than lithium-ion batteries but excel in long-duration applications such as renewable energy stabilization and utility-scale power backup.
Vanadium Exports from South Africa
South Africa exports mainly two vanadium products:
- Ferro-vanadium (HS 720292)
- Vanadium oxides & hydroxides (HS 282530), primarily V₂O₅ form or similar.
Ferro‑vanadium Exports
In 2023, South Africa exported approximately 5.61 million kg of ferro‑vanadium valued at US $119.7 million
Major export destinations in 2023:
- Netherlands: ~3.14 M kg ($80.9 M)
- Japan: ~420 k kg ($10.75 M)
- Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Canada, among others
Vanadium Oxides & Hydroxides Exports
- In 2023, exports totalled around US $93.8 million
- Key destinations in 2023:
- United States: $33.45 M (≈ 1.8 million kg)
- Netherlands: $24.14 M (≈ 1.3 M kg)
- Canada: $12.86 M; South Korea: $12.33 M; Japan: $9.89 M