Polar Division of MMC “Norilsk Nikel”, Norilsk, Russia:

L. V. Krupnov, Acting Head of Science and Technology Office, Chief Metallurgist, e-mail: krupnovlv@nk.nornik.ru
V. B. Fomichev, Candidate of Engineering Sciences, Chief Specialist of Pyrometallurgical Production
M. I. Ryabushkin, Chief Engineer of Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant
S. G. Anapolskaya, Chief Specialist (Center of Engineering Maintenance of Production)

Pilot-industrial tests of processing of burn-on charge materials with prospective composition have been conducted in the flash smelting furnace. This charge is planned to be processes at Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant after closure of the Nickel plant. The part of nickel concentrate from Talnakh concentrating plant is decreased in the prospective charge due to supplying more depleted nickel concentrate from Norilsk concentrating plant and slag from copper plant to Nadezhda Metallurgical Plant. Respectively, mass part of sulfur and iron in charge of a flash smelting furnace also decreases, and it lowers heating ability of charge and rises risk of scull forming. Industrial tests have displayed principal possibility of melting in the No. 2 flash smelting furnace the charge with prospective composition with sulfur content in thickened nickel sulfide concentrate in the framework 26.4–28.3% on mattes containing 44–46 % on nickel and copper together. In this case, slags with mass part of silicon dioxide at the level 33.8–34.3% have been received. It was established according to the heat balance that sulfur content in the thickened nickel sulfide concentrate at the level 25% (mass.) is the limit for the new furnace after its capital repair. The decision on modernization of No. 1 flash smelting furnace using new Outotec technical solutions has been taken with account of obtained results and in order to provide leak resistance of this furnace during whole operating period between repairs, possibility of its operation at higher thermal loads as well as operative smelting of sculls (if required).

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