Kryukov Y. Metallurgical bases of oceanic nodules processing for production of copper-, nickel-, cobalt-alloys and manganese slag

The thesis is addressed the actual scientific and technical problem of metallurgical processing of principle new type of oxide-polymetallic raw materials - Pacific manganese-, copper-, nickel- and cobalt-containing nodules. This dissertation presents the results of a complex investigation of experimental batch of polymetallic nodules (PMN), dates theoretical and experimental studies of the processes of preparation PMN to the melting and reduction smelting of nodules and snuff. Polymetallic nodules are characterized by a high content of copper, nickel, and cobalt (total to 3%), manganese (25,6%) and alkalis (3,7%). Small fractions of PMN (5-0mm) appropriate briquette, and the pulverulent fractions granulate followed by firing briquettes and pellets at 900°C. Under the reducing firing PMN likely recovery of higher manganese and iron oxides, as well as nonferrous metal oxides CuO, PbO, and, in part, NiO. The greatest degree of recovery during the firing PMN it should be expected for the copper oxides. Nonferrous metals in the product of the firing there as inclusions Ni-, Co-, Fe-containing alloy based on copper. In the upper horizons of the metallurgical furnace it is possible might almost complete recovery by solid carbon and gas-shaped reducing oxides and silicates of copper, nickel and cobalt. Under the same conditions will occur active recovery the higher oxides of manganese and iron, silicate formation reaction of manganese and iron and the destruction of ferruginous clay. In the reaction zone of the furnace takes solid carbon recovery of FeO and MnO, the complete destruction and melting of the products of destruction iron-clays. The possibility of obtaining a complex alloy with a high content of non-ferrous metals 45%, P = 1,1-1,4%) and manganese slag (33-37% Mn, 25-27% SiO2, P 0,05%), suitable for further processing of metallic copper, nickel, cobalt and manganese.