METHOD OF PROCESSING NICKEL-BEARING IRON ORE RAW MATERIAL Russian patent published in 2003 - IPC

FIELD: metallurgy; metallization processes and production of ferroalloys, particularly, ferronickel. SUBSTANCE: Method involves charging nickel-bearing iron ore raw material into metallization furnace, metallization owing to hot reducing gases generated in gasificator with liquid molten bath while gasifying coal and coal-containing materials with additional generation of semi-product and slag in gasificator which are used as additional charge in electric arc furnace, and melting in electric arc furnace. Hot reducing gases of 1100- 1400 C temperature are used in metallization furnace for processes of reduction and metallization of nickel-bearing iron ore raw material. This method allows cost of ferronickel production to be reduced owing to usage of inexpensive coals or coal-containing materials for partial replacement of electric power, as well as increased content of nickel in ferronickel because of additional reduction by means of gaseous reducing agent of 1100-1400 C temperature and usage of magnet separation of metallized raw material. Besides, length of reduction zone in metallization furnaces is sharply reduced, that leads to reduction of overall dimensions of units, particularly, length of rotary tube furnaces with reduction of thermal losses, capital and operational costs. EFFECT: reduced cost of ferronickel production. 8 cl, 1 dwg