Valuable metal recovery method

The method recovers valuable metals from neutralized leaching residue by mixing with a reducing agent and using a rotary hearth furnace, addressing the cost and environmental issues of hydrometallurgical processes and efficiently converting iron oxides to metals.

JP2025006356APending Publication Date: 2025-01-17SUMITOMO METAL MINING CO LTD
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023107098
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Applications
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-06-29
Publication Date
2025-01-17

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The hydrometallurgical process for recovering nickel and cobalt from nickel oxide ores generates large amounts of neutralized leaching residue, which is costly to dispose of due to the need for large amounts of sulfuric acid and neutralizing agents, and the construction of tailings dams is expensive, while the residue contains valuable metals like iron that are not efficiently recovered.

Method used

A method involving mixing neutralized leaching residue with a reducing agent and subjecting the mixture to reduction treatment in a rotary hearth furnace at specific temperature and time conditions to convert the residue into valuable metals, particularly iron, by separating slag from the reduced product.

Benefits of technology

Efficient recovery of valuable metals like iron from neutralized leaching residue is achieved without consuming large amounts of acids or neutralizing agents, reducing disposal costs and environmental impact.

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Abstract

To recover a valuable metal from a neutralization leach residue generated at a wet refining process of a nickel oxide ore.SOLUTION: A valuable metal recovery method is configured to recover a valuable metal including iron from a neutralization leach residue obtained through a wet refining process including: a leaching step of applying a leaching treatment to a nickel oxide ore under high temperature and high pressure by an acid to obtain a leached slurry including a leachate and a leach residue; a neutralization step of neutralizing a free acid included in the leached slurry by a neutralizer; a solid-liquid separation step of solid-liquid separating the neutralized slurry to obtain the leachate and the neutralization leach residue. The valuable metal recovery method includes: a mixing step S21 of mixing the neutralization leach residue and a reducer to obtain a mixture; a reduction step S23 of applying a reduction treatment to the mixture using a rotary hearth furnace at a prescribed temperature in a prescribed time to obtain a reduced product; and a recovery step S24 of separating a slag from the reduced product to recover a metal including a valuable metal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2
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Citation Information

Patent Citations

  • Wet-type smelting method of nickel oxide ore

    JP2022150719A