NEW TECHNOLOGY OF COMPLEX PROCESSING OF PYRITE CONCENTRATE

Abstract

The paper discusses the benefits of processing pyrite concentrates using a new technology that uses roasting in an atmosphere of water vapor. There are various technologies for the processing of pyrite concentrates containing precious and non-ferrous metals, Au, Ag, Cu and other elements. These technologies often have such disadvantages as undesirable release of sulfur dioxide into the environment, incomplete extraction of useful metals. The optimal modes of technological processes, such as firing temperature, the ratio of steam and solid phases, the duration of the process, the size of the particles, etc. are given. Special attention was paid to the desulfurization of pyrite concentrate with the prevention of the release of sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere, and its transfer into the phase of solid elemental sulfur or sodium sulfide. The developed technology makes it possible to obtain an iron cinder, and with subsequent magnetic separation and reduction in a hydrogen atmosphere to obtain iron in the form of a sponge–a high-quality product for smelting steel or cast iron. The proposed technology provides a closed loop cycle and waste-free with minimal environmental pollution. The technology was tested in a pilot laboratory setup using concentrates from the Kajaran deposit inArmenia.