Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nikel”, Norilsk, Russia:

O. V. Bolshakova, Head of Laboratory (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production), e-mail: bolshakovaov@nk.nornik.ru
I. A. Belogolovkin, Chief Engineer of Calcination Shop of Nickel Plant
E. V. Salimzhanova, Candidate of Chemical Sciences, Deputy Executive Officer of Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production
A. N. Maslovskiy, Deputy Head of Laboratory (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production)

Transition from gas-phase reduction of Ni calcine to solid-phase reduction with semianthracite in the form of coal fines as a reductant is considered as one of the prospective trends to reduce production costs on Ni powder used for Cu ion cementation of Ni electrolyte. Series of studies at the Nickel Plant of Norilsk Nickel permitted to develop a flowsheet for highly metalized Ni powder (~83%). The experimental powder was tested with the purpose to potentially use it for Cu ion cementation of Ni electrolyte. It was established that the produced Ni powders aren’t fit for cementators of agitation & activation type due to their characteristics and don’t enable to yield a conditioned product. Analysis of Ni powder properties showed that the given cementing agent could not be adapted to the cementators of agitation & activation type as soon as it requires to change hydrodynamic conditions of cementation process, e.g. to use fluidized bed cementators for cementation. The fluidized bed cementators necessitate active Ni powder of –1.25 mm +0.2 mm — 95%. To produce the above powder of desired characteristics, the modes of its production and preconditioning were modified and a reductant was chosen. The endurance test results showed the possibility to continuously produce the conditioned Ni powders with the same characteristics as used in the fluidized bed cementators in operation of “Severonickel” plant.

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