Outotec's Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance (TSL) technology for the Nickel Industry

摘要

Beginning with early lab studies in the 1970's examining recovery of nickel from slags through to currently operating furnaces treating over 1 million tonnes annually of nickel concentrate, Outotec's Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance technology has developed to become a viable and proven method of treating nickel bearing materials. This paper covers the technology over the two decades since the first implementation of Outotec's Ausmelt TSL technology on a commercial furnace. Over this time period, the scale and capabilities of the technology have been greatly expanded. With an increasing focus on the sustainable use of metals with particular interest focusing on utilizing secondary sources, including metal bearing residues, this efficient and flexible technology is ideally suited to increasingly complex and changing feed materials.