PYROMETALLURGICAL PROCESS FOR RECOVERING NICKEL, MANGANESE, AND COBALT

• Main Authors: ISABEL VERMEULEN, LENNART SCHEUNIS
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 29.11.2023

A 2-step high temperature process for recovering Ni, Co, and Mn from various sources comprises preparing a metallurgical charge comprising materials containing Ni, Co, and Mn, and Si, Al, Ca and Mg as slag formers; smelting the charge with slag formers in first reducing conditions, thereby obtaining a Ni-Co alloy comprising a major part of at least one of Co and Ni, with Si<0.1%, and a first slag comprising the major part of the Mn; separation of the first slag from the alloy; and, smelting the first slag in second reducing conditions, more reducing than said first reducing conditions, thereby obtaining a Si-Mn alloy comprising the major part of the Mn, with Si>10%, and a second slag. A Ni-Co alloy is produced, and a Si-Mn alloy is produced. The second slag is essentially free of heavy metals and therefore suitable for reuse.