PJSC “MMC “Norilsk Nickel”, Polar Division, Norilsk, Russia:

O. V. Bolshakova, Head of Laboratory, Center for Engineering Support of Production, e-mail: bolshakovaov@nornik.ru
S. V. Bolshakov, Head of Laboratory, Center for Engineering Support of Production

Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia:
N. V. Belousova, Head of the Department, Chair of Metallurgy of Non-Ferrous Metals

Norilsk Industrial Institute, Norilsk, Russia:
A. V. Sinko, Associate Professor

Multi-year studies at the Polar Division of Norilsk Nickel demonstrated the possibility to produce Ni powder reagent for purification by cementation in fluidized-bed (FBF) — rotary tube furnace (RTF) system with coal as reducing agent. However, the pilot tests of the powder application for Cu-removal by cementation in agitating reactors showed that only the considerable increase (40–60%) in powder specific consumption would provide the appropriate Cu removal, which in turn would inhibit the production of cemented copper of proper quality. Meanwhile the active gas-phase reduction Ni powder used at that moment provided the required anolyte purification and proper quality of cemented copper with low powder consumption. The article reviews the mechanisms for two-phase interaction during cementation with Ni-powders of different types in order to draw up recommendations on the pilot powder application. The powder surface maturity is found to impose diffusion limitation either in solution or in powder. The examination of cemented copper particles showed that using of the active gas-phase reduction Ni-powder resulted in the Cu dendrite growth only on one site of the particle whereas the pilot powder promotes growth of Cu in layers over the whole surface of the particle. Analysis of particle size distribution revealed lower particle size of cemented copper samples produced with the gas-phase reduction powder compared to those produced with the pilot powder or the particle size of initial active Ni powder. The solid-phase reduction powder appeared to inhibit the cementation reaction making no reasons to employ it in agitating cementation reactors with 30 min. powder retention time.

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