Gipronickel Institute Ltd

B. L. Blekhshteyn, Principal Engineer, Laboratory of Pyrometallurgy

L. Sh. Tsemekhman, Head of Laboratory of Pyrometallurgy, e-mail: LST@nikel.spb.su

MMC Norilsk Nickel PD

M. I. Ryabushkin, Chief Engineer, Nickel plant
V. B. Fomichev, Chief Specialist on Pyrometallurgucal Production

The article is devoted to the search of a method for producing sinter with the improved strength parameters based on low-sulphur nickel concentrate. It was the first-time pilot testing in the history of nickel concentrates sinter roasting accompanied by dosing of Floform 1049V and Carbocel 3V plastic binding agents to the charge. Study of sinter control samples without the above binders addition and samples with the binders dosed in various amounts has revealed that all the samples represent partially melted sinter containing the following components: ‘primary matte’ i. e. sulphide melt having various ‘oxidation’ rates; ‘primary slag’ i. e. the product of silicate melt interaction with iron oxides; and fractions of recycle products (sinter fines). The primary slag content in the sinter samples has been revealed to exceed that of the primary matte, which is caused by the fact that poor concentrate makes the agglomeration charge’ basis. It is shown that use of organic binders makes it possible to improve strength characteristics of both the sinter and unroasted pellets by 2–3 times in comparison with the control samples, contributes to the decrease of sinter fines throughput and, as a result, to the increase of sulphur content in the agglomeration charge and in the final sinter.