Manganese and Aluminium Recovery from Ferromanganese Slag and Al White Dross by a High Temperature Smelting-Reduction Process

The recovery of Mn and Al from two industrial waste of ferromanganese and aluminum production processes was investigated via implementing a high temperature smelting—aluminothermic reduction process. The experiments were carried out with or without CaO flux addition, and two dross qualities. It was observed that the prepared mixtures of the materials yield homogeneous metal and slag products in terms of chemical composition and the distribution of phases. However, the separation of produced metal phase from the slag at elevated temperatures occurs when a higher amount of CaO is added. Viscosity calculations and equilibrium study indicated that the better metal and slag separation is obtained when the produced slag has lower viscosity and lower liquidus. It was found that the process yields Al-Mn-Si alloys, and it is accompanied with complete recovery of Mn, Si and Fe and the unreacted Al in the process. Moreover, the quality of metal product was less dependent on the slightly different dross quality, and the concentration of minor Ca in metal is slightly increased with significant increase of CaO in the slag phase.

Lead Recovery from a Lead Concentrate throughout Direct Smelting Reduction Process with Mixtures of Na2CO3 and SiC to 1000 °C

Lead was recovered through a direct smelting reduction route from a lead concentrate by using mixtures of Na2CO3 and SiC to 1000 °C. The lead concentrate was obtained from the mining State of Zacatecas, México by traditional mineral processing and froth flotation. The experimental trials showed that 86 wt.% of lead with a purity up to 97% can be recovered from the lead concentrate by a single step reduction process when 40 wt.% Na2CO3 and 0.4 g SiC were used in the initial charge. The process was modeled in the thermodynamic software FactSage 7.3 to evaluate the effect of adding different amounts of Na2CO3 on the lead recovery rates while holding constant the SiC amount and temperature. The stability phase diagram obtained showed that an addition of 34 wt.% Na2CO3 was enough to reach the highest lead recovery. It was observed that the interaction of Na2CO3 and SiC at a high temperature promotes the formation of C and Na2O, and SiO2, respectively, where the Na2O partially bonds with silica and sulfur forming Na2S and sodium silicates which may decrease the SO2 emissions and increase the weather degradation of the slag. The PbS was mainly reduced by the produced C and CO formed by the interaction between Na2CO3 and SiC at 1000 °C. The predicted results reasonably match with those obtained experimentally in the lead recovery rates and compounds formation.

Evaluation of Calcium Aluminate Slags and Pig Irons Produced from the Smelting-Reduction of Diasporic Bauxite

This work evaluates the characteristics of calcium aluminate slag and pig iron samples obtained from the smelting of calcined and reduced diasporic bauxite ore. The study is conducted in the Pedersen process framework, which is a method to produce alumina from low-grade resources. Parameters such as the effect of crucible type, lime addition, and atmospheric conditions are studied considering the characteristics of the product pig irons and calcium aluminate slags for further uses. The behavior of the bauxite and distribution of the species between slag and metal was assessed based on the applied analytical techniques and thermodynamic calculations. Iron was reduced and separated from the slags in the presence of carbon (graphite crucible) for both the reduced and calcined bauxite. Si and Ti were mainly concentrated in the slags. Iron was separated from the slag in the absence of carbon (alumina crucible) for the H2-reduced bauxite. The results show that slags with increased lime additions are composed mainly of 5CaO.Al2O3 and CaO.Al2O3, that are considered highly leachable compounds. An optimum CaO/Al2O3 mass ratio of 1.12 was suggested. The presence of O2 and/or OH- in the furnace atmosphere will result in the formation of 12CaO.7Al2O3.

High Temperature Treatment of Selected Iron Rich Bauxite Ores to Produce Calcium Aluminate Slags

The Pedersen process is a method to produce alumina from Al-containing sources, and it is a more material-efficient method than the current commercial Bayer process, since the formation of bauxite residue (red mud) is avoided, and the bauxite can be holistically consumed. The smelting reduction (SR) part of the Pedersen process yields pig iron and a calcium aluminate slag, and the latter is a feedstock material for alumina extraction via alkaline leaching. In the present study, three different bauxite ores (Greek, Turkish and Jamaican) were smelted with lime to ease the process and control the slag chemistry and coke for the carbothermic reduction of iron oxides. The slags produced were analyzed with XRD, XRF, and EPMA to identify the phases and chemical compositions. According to the results, the slags composed of Al-containing leachable phases. Moreover, it is shown that the amount and distribution of both the leachable and non-leachable phases in the slags depend on the ore chemical composition. The results are discussed regarding the characteristics and potential leachability of the slags. Standard leaching tests were performed to examine the actual leachability.

Hydrometallurgical Production of Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide (EMD) from Furnace Fines

The ferromanganese (FeMn) alloy is produced through the smelting-reduction of manganese ores in submerged arc furnaces. This process generates large amounts of furnace dust that is environmentally problematic for storage. Due to its fineness and high volatile content, this furnace dust cannot be recirculated through the process, either. Conventional MnO2 production requires the pre-reduction of low-grade ores at around 900 °C to convert the manganese oxides present in the ore into their respective acid-soluble forms; however, the furnace dust is a partly reduced by-product. In this study, a hydrometallurgical route is proposed to valorize the waste dust for the production of battery-grade MnO2. By using dextrin, a cheap organic reductant, the direct and complete dissolution of the manganese in the furnace dust is possible without any need for high-temperature pre-reduction. The leachate is then purified through pH adjustment followed by direct electrowinning for electrolytic manganese dioxide (EMD) production. An overall manganese recovery rate of >90% is achieved.

The Utilization of Bauxite Residue with a Calcite-Rich Bauxite Ore in the Pedersen Process for Iron and Alumina Extraction

Metallurgical grade alumina is produced worldwide through the well-known Bayer process, which unavoidably generates bauxite residue (BR, also known as red mud) in almost equal amounts to alumina. This study aims the valorization of BR through a smelting-reduction process to obtain calcium aluminate slags that can be a proper feed for alumina recovery via the Pedersen process. It investigates the thermodynamics and characteristics of the slags and pig iron produced from mixtures of BR, a bauxite beneficiation byproduct, and lime. In this context, the evolution of the different phases in the slags is studied with advanced analytical techniques and thermodynamic calculations. According to the results, a CaO/Al2O3 mass ratio within 1.3 to 1.4 in the slags can yield more Al2O3-containing leachable phases, such as CaO·Al2O3 and 12CaO·7Al2O3. The cooling dictates the amount and the characteristics of these phases, and the slower cooling rate yields improved slag characteristics. The distribution of the elements between the slag and metal phases shows that iron is separated, and the majority of the P, Cr, Ni, and V are distributed in the produced pig iron, while S, Ti, and Si are mostly concentrated in the slags.