This paper pertains to the characterization and chemistry of scale formation occurring in an
industrial tungsten chemical process. In tungsten process, scales typically form in filter
presses, pipes (carrying various solutions and waste waters) and evaporation crystallizers.
This paper presents our results on the scale that forms in a filter press. Scale is formed on the
plate supporting filter cloth and located in the exit side of wash solution. Major constituents of
the scale were two tantalum compounds: Na14(Ta0.715Nb0.285)12O37.31H2O and
Na3Ta0.715Nb0.285O4. It is suspected that the scale formation may be related to the filtration of
tungsten values from sludge generated as a result of the high-temperature digestion of
tantalum containing feeds in sodium hydroxide. It seems to be forming after the water-wash of
the wet sludge. Because scale formation interferes in the normal operation of the filter press,
chemistry of its formation and methods for its mitigation need to be investigated.