LLC “UMMC-Holding”, Ekaterinburg, Russia:

S. A. Yakornov, Deputy Technical Director
A. M. Panshin, Technical Director

Technical University of UMMC, Verkhnyaya Pyshma, Russia:
P. A. Kozlov, Deputy Director of Scientific-Research and Project Institute for Science, e-mail: pak@zinc.ru

Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant, Chelyabinsk, Russia:
D. A. Ivakin, Head of Technological Bureau of Engineering Center

We analyzed the modern pyro- and hydrometallurgical methods of ferrous metal dusts processing. The dusts of electric arc steel furnaces (more then 20% of Zn) are the prospective raw materials for extraction of zinc, lead and other valuable components. The existing high-temperature methods (Waelz-process; Mitsui, Contop and Primus processes; conducting-hearth furnace) differ by the big consumption of carbonaceous reducer and obtaining of low quality products, requiring the additional processing. Hydrometallurgical processes with acid, ammonium of alkaline leaching as main operation are the technologies, alternative to the pyrometallurgical ones. Sulfuric acid solutions do not provide selective and complete transfer of zinc into solution. We found the problems of sulfate solutions purification from iron and solid residuals utilization. A big amount of sparingly soluble zinc ferrite in the feed materials is the main disadvantage of direct ammonia-chloride leaching of zinc from electric arc steel furnaces dusts with further obtaining of cathode metal (EZINEX process), which leads to low extraction of zinc into solution. The most prospective technology is alkaline processing of electric arc steel furnace dusts, providing the selective extraction of zinc and lead into solution and concentrating of iron in cake, suitable for processing at ferrous metallurgy enterprises. It is urgent to investigate the alkaline leaching, solutions purification and electric extraction of zinc from alkaline electrolytes. Increasing of zinc extraction during leaching requires the development of preliminary processing of electric arc steel furnace dusts (without zinc sublimation) for destruction of zinc ferrites and halide removal.

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