Authors: N. Voermann, T. Gerritsen, I. Candy, F. Stober and A. Matyas
10th Annual International Ferroalloys Congress, Infacon X - Inter Laterite Ni Symposium; Cape Town, South Africa; February 2004
Abstract
This paper describes developments in ferro-nickel furnace technology, specifically
improvements to cooling methods, furnace controls, and high voltage furnace operating regime.
The evolution of these technologies is briefly presented, as context for describing the current
state of the art that has enabled ferro-nickel furnace operation at over 75 MW and specific
energy consumption of less than 400 kWh/t dry ore. Examples from existing operations are
used to illustrate present best practices, and potential future trends are discussed.
The paper begins with an overview of the fundamental aspects of pyrometallurgical treatment
of lateritic ores that drive ferro-nickel furnace design. Furnace wall cooling methods are related
to the requirements resulting from specific furnace process conditions, including slag and metal
compositions, as well as arc and bath power. The benefits of high productivity and low specific
energy consumption resulting from high voltage (shielded-arc) operating practice are discussed,
along with the furnace controls and electrical power train that enable such operation even with
captive power generation. This paper is an update to that which the authors prepared for the
Infacon X ferro-alloys conference.
