Department of Scientific-Technological Development and Ecological Safety, “Kola MMC” JSC, Zapolyarnyy, Russia:

Yu. A. Chumakov, Deputy Head of Technological Planning Department

“Kola MMC” JSC, Monchegorsk, Russia:
V. A. Mazmanyan, Head of Foundry

P. A. Egorov, Deputy Chief Engineer on Modernization of Pyrometallurgical Production

“Gipronickel Institute” LLC, Saint Petersburg, Russia:
D. V. Rumyantsev, Senior Researcher
L. Sh. Tsemekhman, Head of Pyrometallurgical Laboratory, e-mail: lst@nickel.spb.ru

Operation of ore-thermal furnaces at “Pechenganickel” Combine (“Kola MMC” JSC) for the period of 2006–2012 is considered in this article. The are described the problems, connected with changes of composition of raw materials, which are fed for melting into orethermal furnaces. The influence of MgO on operational parameters of furnaces is shown. There are presented the results of calculation of liquidus temperature, viscosity and surface tension coefficient for different composition slags in the “FastSage” software system. On the basis of these calculations and analysis of the plant operation, there were offered some methods of reduction of waste slag liquidus temperature and reduction of non-ferrous metal loss with waste slag. Further analysis of ore-thermal furnace operation has shown the correctness of offered decisions, which made it possible to increase the extraction of copper and nickel into matte. Phase compositions of matte and slag samples during transfer to new raw materials were studied by electron probe microanalysis. Inclusion of technogenic materials into processing leads to the change of matte particle size distribution (particularly to increasing of the share of fine dustfoaming material). Increasing of amount of fusible sulphide material (briquettes) changes the mode of ore thermal furnaces' operation (in particular — electrode sintering temperature mode). This article presents the data of thermal imaging exposure of electrode outer surface during the charge processing with different composition of fine material. Due to the change of chemical composition of raw materials and particle size distribution (increase in the share of fine substance in the charge, which is fed for melting into ore-thermal furnace), there were offered the following measures: technical solutions of arisen problems; methods of maintenance of high furnace capacity; ways of reduction of losses of non-ferrous metals with slag and increasing of equipment service life.

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