PT Journal
AU Borkovcova, K
   Novak, P
   Chmelikova, E
TI Processing of Deep-sea Nodules by Silicothermic Reduction
SO Manufacturing Technology Journal
PY 2023
BP 655
EP 659
VL 22
IS 6
DI 10.21062/mft.2022.080
DE Deep-sea nodules; Silicothermic reduction; Microstructure
AB Deep-sea nodules are ores formed on the sea floor at depths of 3000 to 6000 m as a result of sedimen-tation. They range in size from 1 cm to 15 cm and contain mainly manganese and iron and other ele-ments that are collected from the nodules by complex pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical pro-cesses. These other elements of interest are bound in the nodules mainly in the form of manganese and iron oxides. In order to achieve a high yield of metals bound in nodules in the form of oxides, it is necessary to disintegrate this arrangement in the lattice. This can be achieved by exposing the deep-sea nodules to a reducing condition. This paper deals with the one-step recovery of metals of interest from nodules using silicothermic reduction with 10% excess silicon over stoichiometry. The phase composition, microstructure and mechanical properties of the obtained reduced material were determined.
ER