Abstract
Nickel sulfide concentrates are important source for production of battery-grade nickel sulphate. They are commonly associated with cobalt, PGMs and may contain significant amount of copper. Recycling of electronics and batteries bring even more copper into the process. Sustainable operation of such processes requires accurate prediction of the thermochemistry fundamentals. Thermodynamic calculations are used to predict relationships and optimize key operational parameters such as oxygen partial pressure in the furnace, compositions of slag, matte and metal, as well as conditions of formation of solids, particularly spinels. These calculations must rely on self-consistent thermodynamic databases developed based on targeted experimental results. Present study reports recent experimental work undertaken as part of the integral study to assess and improve the thermodynamic database for the Ni-Cu-containing phases. Experimental methodology consisted of equilibration, quenching and electron-probe X-ray microanalysis. Measurements included the distribution of nickel among slag, matte and metal, as well as study of phase equilibria between slag and solid phases. The improved database is then used for calculations at industrially relevant conditions using FactSage software.