METHOD FOR EXTRACTION OF GERMANIUM Russian patent published in 2009 - IPC C22B41/00 C22B7/02 

FIELD: technological processes.

SUBSTANCE: invention is related to method for extraction of germanium from germanium-containing material. Method includes preparation of charge by mixing of germanium-containing material, sulphidiser and reducer, moistening of produced mixture, sintering and melting in electric furnace with maintenance of charge layer on melt surface with thickness of 0.1÷0.3 m. At the same time preparation of charge is carried out with application of mixture of flue ash and carry-overs from combustion of germanium-containing carbonaceous raw materials as germanium-containing material. Prior to moistening, charge is crushed down to size of not more than 0.4 mm. Sintering is done by briquetting to the moisture of 12÷18%, and sintered charge prior to melting is maintained for 7÷8 hr. Sintered charge prior to melting is dried at the temperature of 70÷120°C and disseminated with extraction of fraction minus 5 mm with its return for crushing.

EFFECT: increased extraction of germanium with improved efficiency of electric furnace and reduced electric energy consumption.

3 cl, 2 tbl, 4 ex