“Gipronikel Institute” LLC, Saint Petersburg, Russia
S. S. Ozerov, Engineer, e-mail: SSOze@nikel.spb.su
A. B. Portov, Researcher
B. L. Blekhshteyn, Leading Engineer
L. Sh. Tsemekhman, Head of the Laboratory of Pyrometallurgy

Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nickel”, Norilsk, Russia

V. B. Fomichev, Chief Specialist of the Scientific and Engineering Department

At the Arctic Division of ОАО “M&MC Norilsk Nickel” has arisen the demand in sandstone (silica flux) used in all pyrometallurgical processes at all operations. Partially this demand was satisfied on the account of expensive river sand. As one of the options of this problem solving it was offered to use store sandstone spillage quarried at Kayerkansky surface coal mine. Due to the fact that spillage particles size from Kayerkansky Surface Coal Mine of the Board of Non-metallic Mining Operations by the class +20 mm is 0%, and by the class –5 mm — 70%, its use in the unprepared form in metallurgical processes of Arctic Division is impossible, because of significant dust entrainment and owing to safety requirements. In order to use sandstone spillage from Kayerkansky Surface Coal Mine in metallurgical operations of AD it should be agglomerated. The Gipronickel Institute conducted investigations on the possibility to briquette sandstone spillage from Kayerkansky Surface Coal Mine of the Board of Non-metallic Mining Operations, containing more than 70% SiO₂ with the introduction into the agglomerated mixture of different binding agents and without them. The principal target of the investigations was to determine parameters providing production of qualitative lump product — a briquette. Influence on sandstone briquetting of moisture content and the method of mixture preparation was studied. It was discovered that the maximal strength have briquettes made of sandstone spillage, produced with the help of introduction of nickel and copper sulfates water solutions and liquid glass. Necessary condition of the required strength achievement is the stage of strengthening drying.

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