State-of-the-art recycling of Ni, Co, Cu and V.

Nickelhutte Aue, Germany, specialises in the recycling of waste materials containing non-ferrous metals, including Ni-, Cu- and Co-bearing electroplating sludge, filter dust and ash, Ni, Cu and Co salts and solutions, Ni- and V-containing residues from oil combustion or gasification operations, spent Ni, Co, Ni-Mo, Co-Mo, Cu and V- and W-containing catalysts. Li-ion batteries, CuCl2 corrosive solutions, non-ferrous metal scrap and platinum group metal residues. Low metal-bearing material containing less than 5 wt% Ni, Cu and Co are treated in the smelting department, where valuable components such as Ni, Cu, Co and platinum group metals are concentrated in a matte while lighter elements such as Al, Si Mg and Ca form a slag. The sulphur-based smelting technology allows several types of sulphur-containing Ni, Cu and Co materials to be treated. In the treatment of platinum group metal-containing materials, the precious metals are collected in the matte together with Cu and Ni. More highly concentrated materials are subjected to calcining and roasting to burn off any organics and to remove impurities such as sulphur, halogens and traces of ammonia. Material produced by roasting and smelting is crushed and milled subjected to direct acid leaching or pressure leaching at 6-8 bar. Initial purification involves the precipitation of Fe. A combination of mixer settler and columns enables the handling of extremely polluted feed streams. After purification to remove undesired elements, Cu, Zn and Co are separated from Ni. Various solvent extraction circuits are used to produce cobalt sulphate, nickel carbonate, nickel chloride, nickel sulphate and copper sulphate. V-bearing slag is treated using purification stages including precipitation and ion-exchange to produce almost sulphur-free sodium vanadate solution. Corrosive CuCl2 solution from the production of printed circuit boards is converted into CuSO4 and Cu oxychloride and the extracted hydrochloric acid is used for the fur
Nickelhutte Aue, Germany, specialises in the recycling of waste materials containing non-ferrous metals, including Ni-, Cu- and Co-bearing electroplating sludge, filter dust and ash, Ni, Cu and Co salts and solutions, Ni- and V-containing residues from oil combustion or gasification operations, spent Ni, Co, Ni-Mo, Co-Mo, Cu and V- and W-containing catalysts. Li-ion batteries, CuCl2 corrosive solutions, non-ferrous metal scrap and platinum group metal residues. Low metal-bearing material containing less than 5 wt% Ni, Cu and Co are treated in the smelting department, where valuable components such as Ni, Cu, Co and platinum group metals are concentrated in a matte while lighter elements such as Al, Si Mg and Ca form a slag. The sulphur-based smelting technology allows several types of sulphur-containing Ni, Cu and Co materials to be treated. In the treatment of platinum group metal-containing materials, the precious metals are collected in the matte together with Cu and Ni. More highly concentrated materials are subjected to calcining and roasting to burn off any organics and to remove impurities such as sulphur, halogens and traces of ammonia. Material produced by roasting and smelting is crushed and milled subjected to direct acid leaching or pressure leaching at 6-8 bar. Initial purification involves the precipitation of Fe. A combination of mixer settler and columns enables the handling of extremely polluted feed streams. After purification to remove undesired elements, Cu, Zn and Co are separated from Ni. Various solvent extraction circuits are used to produce cobalt sulphate, nickel carbonate, nickel chloride, nickel sulphate and copper sulphate. V-bearing slag is treated using purification stages including precipitation and ion-exchange to produce almost sulphur-free sodium vanadate solution. Corrosive CuCl2 solution from the production of printed circuit boards is converted into CuSO4 and Cu oxychloride and the extracted hydrochloric acid is used for the fur