METHOD OF MANUFACTURING NICKEL ANODES Russian patent published in 1998 - IPC

FIELD: pyrometallurgical nickel production. SUBSTANCE: in a method including blending initial nickel-containing material with reducing agent, loading prepared charge, melting, forming molten pool, separating melt into metal and slag, supplementing pool with charge, adjusting metal to graded content of carbon, pouring out slag, and tapping metal for anodes, distinguishing features are: (i) supplementary portions of charge represent 10 to 50% of weight of slag in the pool and are added after preceding portions are completely melted; and (ii) slag layer is formed and maintained 5 to 20 cm high over the nickel anode melt. EFFECT: ensured high quality of anode when using low-grade (elevated iron content) raw material, reduced losses of nonferrous metals, operational expenses, power, auxiliary materials and equipment wear. 2 tbl, 9 ex