METHOD OF EXTRACTION OF GERMANIUM FROM IRON-CARBON MELTS CONTAINING SULFUR Russian patent published in 2001 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy of rare metals; production of germanium from iron-based melts extracted in processing germanium-containing raw materials (mainly, iron-ore materials). SUBSTANCE: proposed method includes vacuum treatment of directed flow of melt moving from receiver to vacuum treatment chamber at rate of 5 to 500 t/h; specific surface of melt is maintained in chamber between 7 and 140 sq.m/h. Removal of evaporating germanium monosulfide from vacuum treatment chamber is effected at angle of 90 to 180 deg, relative to axis of motion of melt in vacuum treatment chamber and is directed to condensation chamber where temperature of 300 to 600 C is maintained; germanium0entiched condensate is unloaded and converted to germanium concentrate. Gaseous oxidizer, mainly oxygen or air, is introduced in sulfide vapors evacuated from vacuum treatment chamber; mass ratio of oxygen in oxidizer to sulfide flow is maintained between 0.8 and 2.0 of amount stoichiometrically required for oxidation of germanium and silicon sulfides to respective dioxides - to Fe₂O₃; gas flow formed at this cooled down, after which germanium-enriched dust is separated from it. Content of silicon in melt directed for vacuum treatment is maintained between 1.0 and 3.5%. EFFECT: possibility of ensuring continuous process at high productivity; enhanced efficiency of extraction of germanium-enriched product from gaseous phase evacuated from melt. 5 cl, 5 tbl, 5 ex