METHOD OF PROCESSING OXIDIZED HYDROCARBON-CONTAINING AND SULFUR- CONTAINING COBALT POWDER CONCENTRATES Russian patent published in 2000 - IPC

FIELD: nonferrous metallurgy. SUBSTANCE: cobalt powder concentrates and lime, prior to be used, are subjected to oxidative refining firing at 900-1000 C in air flow for 3-5 h to remove sulfur and carbon. Aluminothermic reduction of cobalt is carried out in reaction vessels preheated with reaction mixture loaded therein to temperature 300-400 C with periodical replenishment of vessel with new portions of reaction mixture until vessel is full with reaction products. Oxidative refining process is carried out in two steps, in the interval between which ingredients are ground to fraction no greater than 300 mcm. The first step duration is 1-2 h and the second 1-3 h. Aluminothermic reduction of cobalt and subsequent settling-mediated separation of resulting metal and slag are carried out under slag melt vibration conditions, which promotes reduction in levels of carbon and sulfur in cobalt metal reduced from their oxides. EFFECT: increased yield of metal from slag in reduction process and efficiency of utilization of reaction vessels. 3 cl, 4 tbl, 3 ex