Foundry and Metal Plant (Zauralskiy, Chelyabinsk region, Russia):

Veselovskiy A. A., Director of Quality, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, a_a_ves@mail.ru

The current status of the problem related to processing of nickelcontaining final dump slags has been considered by an example of the South Ural Nickel Plant man-induced final dump slag. The average chemical composition of the South Ural Nickel Plant final dump slag, determined by electron-microscopic and X-ray fluorescence methods, is presented. The studies were conducted by means of scanning electron microscope Jeol JSM-7001F and energy dispersive spectrometer Oxford INCAX-mai/80, installed on microscope Jeol JSM-7001F. Phase analysis was performed on X-ray diffractometer Rugaku Ultima 4. Nickel-containing final dump slag was ground to –0.16 size fraction by means of grinding machine model IDA-175, and was subjected to thermochemical treatment in a patented laboratory installation, equipped with tube-type muffle furnace. Mix for reduction processes included slag, coke and ammonium chloride. Phases containing iron, cobalt, nickel and chromium are determined, distribution patterns of these elements in slag are presented, these phases decomposition reactions with formation of non-ferrous metals’ halogen compounds are substantiated thermodynamically in the paper. Structure and morphology of ferronickel cinder nucleation in slag are described, subsequent magnetic separation is substantiated, slag structural components chemical analysis data following magnetic concentrate and magnetic separation tailings calcination are presented, acceptable magnetic concentrate yield parameters are estimated, thermochemical treatment reasonable time is determined. Chemical composition and yield of marketable ferronickel, produced by remelting of magnetic concentrate in Tammann’s furnace with application of coke as reducing agent, were studied, nickel and iron recovery from final dump slag into magnetic concentrate degree data, as well as chemical composition of slag, produced following magnetic concentrate remelting, are presented.

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