LLC “Institute “Gipronickel”, Saint-Petersburg, Russia:

A. B. Portov, Senior Researcher of Laboratory of Metallurgy
S. S. Ozerov, Junior Researcher of Laboratory of Metallurgy, e-mail: SSOze@nikel.spb.su
L. B. Tsymbulov, Head of Laboratory of Metallurgy

JSC “Kola MMC”, Murmansk Oblast, Zapolyarnyy, Russia:
A. K. Mashyanov, Chief Meneger of Modernization of Production

The usage of iron sulfates, non-ferrous metals and sulfuric acid as binders in briquetting of Kola MMC’s copper-nickel concentrate is relevant as these are products and intermediates in metallurgical production, so we can expect that their usage may lower the cost value of briquettes. The paper researches the briquettability of Kola MMC’s ore copper-nickel concentrate with sulfate and sulfuric acid binders, determines the optimal conditions for obtaining the briquettes of a required durability, forecasts the usage of such binders in industrial production of briquettes. The briquettability of ore copper-nickel concentrates with different storage lives was researched on a laboratory rolling press. Sulfuric acid and iron sulfate solutions, copper, and nickel were used as binding agents. The influence of ageing of the briquettes (in natural conditions) on their qualitative characteristics was estimated. The basic determinable characteristic of the briquettes was their compressing strength. The most effective binding agents have thus been established: sulfuric acid and trivalent iron sulfate. The optimal moisture of a briquetted charge with sulfuric acid and sulfate binders in the case of a fresh concentrate is 3.0–3.3%. Extension of storage life of the concentrate results in lowering of the optimal moisture. The maximum hardening of the briquettes during the process of ageing is achieved when sulfuric acid and trivalent iron sulfate solutions are used as binders. During the process of ageing the briquettes with a sulfuric acid binder absorb the atmospheric moisture, whilst the briquettes with a sulfate binder lose it. The analysis of side factors suggests that the briquettes have a low impact resistance.

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