Electrochemical Co-Desulfurization-Deoxidation of Low-Grade Nickel-Copper Matte in Molten Salts. Issue 11 (1st January 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Xie, Hongwei; Qu, Jiakang; Ning, Zhiqiang; Li, Bin; Song, Qiushi; Zhao, Haijia; Yin, Huayi
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Electrochemical Society. Volume 165:Issue 11(2018)
• Page Start: E578
• Page End: E583
• Publication Date: 2018-01-01
• Subjects: electrochemical reduction -- molten salt -- Nickel matte; Electrochemistry -- Periodicals; 541.3705
• DOI: 10.1149/2.1221811jes
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0013-4651

Abstract

Abstract : An electrochemical approach is able to convert low-grade nickel-copper matte (LNCM) to copper-, nickel-, and iron-alloys in both molten NaCl-KCl and MgCl2 -NaCl-KCl without sulfur dioxide emissions. Since the LNCM contains the mixture of sulfides and oxides, the electrochemical deoxidation and desulfurization are taking place together, producing alloys in a one-step process. Thermodynamic properties of several sulfides/oxides were analyzed, and the electrochemical reduction behaviors of LNCM were investigated in by cyclic voltammetry (CV) using a powder modified working electrode. The morphologies of the electrolytic products could be tailored by adjusting both operating temperature and cell voltage of the electrolysis. Overall, this paper provides an environment-friendly pathway to comprehensively utilize minerals in molten salts.