METHOD OF REPROCESSING ACCUMULATOR LEAD SCRAP Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: scrap utilization. SUBSTANCE: method involving creation of ore-thermal smelting conditions in reaction space of electric furnace, containing consumable carbon bottom and restoring charge fusion consisting of accumulator lead scrap/carbon reduction agent mixture, and removal of lead from reaction space is distinguished by that (i) reaction space of furnace is formed by nonconsumable slag based on alkali and/or alkali-earth metal halides, preferably cryolite; (ii) disintegrated crushed graphite electrodes of aluminum electrolyzers are used as carbon reduction agent; (iii) smelting is carried out at 500-1500 C; and (iv) consumable carbon bottom is used as electrode. EFFECT: increased lead recovery due to elimination of slag loss, reduced power consumption due to lowered temperature, and increased productivity of process. 3 cl, 1 tbl, 2 ex