Kola Mining and Metallurgical Company JSC, Monchegorsk, Russia:

D. P. Tyukin, Chief Specialist of Technical Department, Technical Administration, e-mail: TyukinDP@kolagmk.ru
D. A. Lebedev, Inspector Foreman of Technical Control Department, Control and Analytical Center
A. N. Igumnov, Production Leader of the Department
L. Sh. Tsemekhman, Editorial Board Member at Tsvetnye Metally, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor

This paper gives a historical overview of and describes the smelting facilities of Kola MMC (formerly, Pechenganikel Works). The paper outlines the main reasons why roasted pellets were replaced with briquettes of copper-nickel concentrate. They include a drastic reduction of SO₂ emissions at Zapolyarny site and a possibility to utilize more sulphur by converting it into commercial sulphuric acid. The paper gives an overview of the tests conducted together with Institut Gipronikel LLC when briquetted concentrate was smelted in smelting furnaces. The issues encountered during the tests are also outlined. The prerequisites for revamping Smelter 5 are described, which include building a smelter that can be functional in adverse weather conditions and eliminating the risk of underperformance with Smelter 4 undergoing an overhaul. The paper provides a comparison of key parameters between Smelter 3, Smelter 4 and Smelter 5. It also describes the new features of Smelter 5 which help maximise the process automation and make it more efficient, safer and environmentally friendlier. The introduction of an upgraded air-tight smelter helped achieve a significant reduction of “low-level” SO₂ emissions. Due to this, the smelter can operate even in adverse weather conditions without affecting the air in the residential area. Due to the automatic charging system and the electric smelting and gas flow control system the operations personnel was downsized by 2 operators a shift.

1. Chumakov Yu. A., Mazmanyan V. A., Rumyantsev D. V., Tsemekhman L. Sh., Egorov P. A. Analysis of ore-thermal furnace operation at “Pechenganickel” combine under conditions of changing of charge composition. Tsvetnye Metally. 2014. No. 1. pp. 35–40.
2. Ward N. P., DeNicola G. M. Sulfur metabolism and its contribution to malignancy. International Review of Cell and Molecular Biology. 2019. Vol. 347. pp. 39–103.
3. Amsalu E., Guo Y., Li H., Wang T., Liu Y., Wang A., Liu X., Tao L., Luo Y., Zhang F., Yang X., Li X., Wang W., Guo X. Short-term effect of ambient sulfur dioxide (SO₂) on cause-specific cardiovascular hospital admission in Beijing, China: A time series study. Atmospheric Environment. 2019. Vol. 208. pp. 74–81.
4. Blatov I. A., Nikishin V. I., Karasev Yu. A., Goncharov A. V., Milyaev V. B., Kostin A. M. New solutions for the problem of transboundary transport of sulphur compounds at Pechenganikel Works. Tsvetnye Metally. 2001. No. 2. pp. 76–79.
5. Wang Z., Dong K., Tian L., Zhan S., Wang X., Wang J., Tub J. Numerical analyses of sulfur dioxide transport by an atmospheric circulating drop. Atmospheric Pollution Research. 2019. Vol. 10, No. 3. pp. 759–767.
6. Wagenfeld J.-G., Al-Ali K., Almheiri S., Slavens A. F., Calvet N. Sustainable applications utilizing sulfur, a by-product from oil and gas industry: A state-of-the-art review. Waste Management. 2019. Vol. 95. pp. 78–89.
7. Tao L., Wang X., Ning P., Wang L., Fan W. Removing sulfur dioxide from smelting flue and increasing resource utilization of copper tailing through the liquid catalytic oxidation. Fuel Processing Technology. 2019. Vol. 192. pp. 36–44.
8. Vasilev Yu. V., Tsemekhman L. Sh., Severilov A. V., Tolstikova T. P., Chetverikov O. N. Technique of calculation of sulphuric acid discharge by pyrometallurgical devices of industrial enterprises of Polar Division of MMC Norilsk Nickel. Tsvetnye Metally. 2011. No. 8/9. pp. 171–180.
9. Mashyanov A. K., Golov A. N., Kozyrev V. F., Portov A. B., Tsemekhman L. Sh. Use of industrial roller-presses to prove out the briquetting process designed for copper-nickel concentrate. Tsvetnye Metally. 2007. No. 12. pp. 37–42.
10. Mashyanov A. K., Igumnov A. N., Portov A. B. The briquetting of ore copper–nickel concentrate with using as a bonding agent the water solutions of molasses. Tsvetnye Metally. 2011. No. 8/9. pp. 145–149.
11. Mashyanov A. K., Igumnov A. N., Lebedev D. A. Mastering of briquetting technology of Cu – Ni concentrate of concentration plant. Tsvetnye Metally. 2013. No. 10. pp. 46–48.
12. Yatsenko V. N., Blatov I. A., Zudin Yu. G., Klementiev V. V., Portov A. B., Tsemekhman L. Sh. On briquetting of high-grade copper-nickel concentrates. Tsvetnye Metally. 2001. No. 2. pp. 56–61.