§ 3.2. Metallurgy

    Research Department of Gipronickel Institute incorporates three metallurgical subdivisions, among them Pyrometallurgical Laboratory, Hydrometallurgical Laboratory and Gas-phase metallurgy Laboratory. These subdivisions are fitted with modern equipment, and have experimental sites fitted with most modern metallurgical units that permit to perform pilot testing of processes being studied and developed.

    Based on own pyrometallurgical researches, the following processes have been developed: autogenous smelting of sulphide copper-nickel ore in the units with upper oxygen blow; oxygen-converter method for blister copper production on the basis of copper concentrates from matte separation process. These processes have been introduced into practice at Severonickel Combine (Russia) and Tinchuan Plant (China). Flowsheet and equipment for oxidised poor nickel ore processing into ferronickel have been developed, as well as systems that have substantially improved electrosmelting equipment and technology used at Pobuzhsk Nickel Plant (Russia) and Ferronickel Plant in Kosovo (Yugoslavia).

    Apart from developments related to copper-nickel problems, Gipronickel Institute is busy with methods of processing copper, copper-zinc, lead-zinc, polymetal, chrome-containing, titanium-containing, platinum-containing and other types of ores and concentrates.

    Based on hydrometallurgical studies carried out by our specialists, such methods as pressure oxidising leaching of pyrrhotite concentrates for Nadezhdinsk Plant (Norilsk Mining&Metallurgic Combine) and autoclave processing of arsenic cobalt concentrates for Tuvacobalt Plant have been developed. Also, the following technologies have been developed by Gipronickel Institute specialists: processing of heavy non-ferrous metals containing elementary sulphur; autoclave stripping of hard arsenic gold-containing concentrates; method of autoclave by-product production of ferrioxide pigments, and a lot of other technologies.

    Gipronickel Institute' specialists are highly experienced in performing research work in the field of nickel and cobalt electrolysis, in implementation of new diaphragm fabrics, in correction of electrolytes content, in tank-room air sanitation. At present, it is being planned to carry out the development of integrated hydrometallurgical treatment of concentrates produced at Pechenganickel Combine. This method is expected to increase the level of cobalt and nickel extraction and to eliminate sulphur dioxide air emissions. Also, studies in the autoclave processing of lead-zinc concentrates from Kazakhstan are being underway.

    At Gas-phase metallurgy laboratory methods of production of carbonyl nickel powders possessing various physical and chemical properties and carbonyl nickel pellets have been developed and introduced into practice at Severonickel Combine. Production of composite powders with nickel coating, as well as effective and ecologically safe antiknock for petrol have been worked out and tested in large-scale laboratory conditions.

    The technologies for production of carbonyl nickel foam and synthesis of nickel tetracarbonyl at average pressures of the reacting gas have been developed and readied for implementation.

    Most of studies and developments carried out by the Institute' specialists have been implemented and are being used at mining and metallurgic operations of GMK Norilsk Nickel RJS. Gipronickel Institute co-operates with a variety of companies in Russia, CIS (Kazakhstan) and overseas (China, Mongolia, Finland, Australia, etc.).

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