I. P. Bardin Central Scientific and Resarch Institute on Ferrous Metallurgy (Moscow, Russia):

Kirichenko A. S., Scientific Researcher
Seregin A. N., Cand. Chem., Head of the Center of Ferroalloys and Technogenic Raw Materials, e-mail: prof-andrey@mail.ru

Features of pyrometallurgical processing of the wasted automotive catalysts on the basis of aluminosilicates in electric arc furnaces with use Fe-based metal collector are considered. Kinetics of the processes that are taking place as a result of pyrometallurgical processing of the wasted automotive catalysts with use of Fe-based metal collector is studied. It is experimentally shown that the first 10 minutes are characterized by an intensive gain of extent of extraction of metals of platinum group (PGM) in iron metal collector. Then the intensity of this rise is slowed down and stops completely after the 15 min. holding. To intensify this processing, it was decided to establish the causes of this limiting stage in the holding period from 10 to 15 min. For this purpose the speed of diffusion and energy of activation of diffusion reaction in the mix of PGM metals, with metal transfer from catalysts to Fe-based metal collector, was calculated. It was concluded that diffusion reaction takes place during 10 min. and isn’t the limiting stage of the process. Metal deposition on a furnace hearth is considered as the another important stage of pyrometallurgical processing. The metal collector presented by Fe powder had fractional composition from 1.0 to 0.1 mm. The time required for sedimentation of particles of different fraction was calculated on the base of slag and metal density, slag viscosity and also dimensions of a furnace bath. These calculations displayed that the time for sedimentation of Fe metal collector by 0.1 mm fraction makes 15 min., what leads to formation of the limiting processing stage. At the same time the extreme minimum fractional structure of applied Fe metal collector should constitute 0.13 mm, according to the calculations. Testing of these theoretical conclusions was carried out on the DC KOMTERM electric arc furnace with 1150 kW capacity at the Remetall Deutschland AG plant. The exception of Fe metal collector with fraction 0.13–0.1 mm from charge material allowed to reduce holding time of melt from 15 to 10 min. with achievement of similar extraction extent.

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