JSC “Chepetsky Mechanical Plant”, Glazov, Udmurt Republic, Russia:

A. A. Talanov, Leading Engineer
V. L. Kiverin, Head of Calcium Production Shop
R. S. Grachev, Head of Superconducting Matter Production Shop

JSC “Leading Scientific-Research Institute of Chemical Technology(VNIIKhT)”, Moscow, Russia:

M. L. Kotsar, Head of Laboratory, e-mail: kotsar@vniiht.ru

Copper losses appear during the production of metallic calcium by electrolytic method, which compensation requires the introduction of cathode copper (14.7 kg per 1 ton of calcium) into the electrolyzer. The process of production of superconducting matters at Chepetsky Mechanical Plant forms the copper-containing wastes, which are the compact composites, having different shapes and sizes, consisting of wire made of niobium-titanium alloy NT-47 (НТ-47) on copper base, and commingled turnings, containing copper and alloy particles and lubricating-cooling fluid. This article considers the following methods of superconducting matter waste processing:
– high-temperature processes including copper melting.
– dissolution of copper from superconducting matter rods directly in coppercalcium alloy in the running electrolyzer.

– obtaining of briquettes by pressing the turnings followed by vacuum annealing at the temperature of 700–750 °C.
The first method was found to be unsuitable because of the formation of copper alloys with components of niobium-titanium wire. The obtained ingots did not dissolve in the copper-calcium alloy, because titanium and niobium are insoluble in calcium. The second and third methods are the most perspective of the considered ones. To implement the second method, a technological scheme for the processing of superconducting rods was developed. This scheme includes utilization of both copper and niobium-titanium alloy. However, at present it is not being applied at the plant because of difficulties of sorting superconducting matter wastes. Processing of turnings of superconducting matter wastes on an industrial scale by the third method covers about 70 per cent of copper requirement for calcium manufacturing.

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