Umicore

Jean Scoyer

Stijn Put

Kris Driesen

Daniël Nelis

Michael Baltes

Michel Daniels

Margot Neven

Jan Leyssen

Lennart Scheunis

Bart Klaasen

Harald Oosterhof

Willem Callebaut

Mohamed Ati

A process is disclosed for the recovery of valuable metals from oxidic ores, in particular from polymetallic nodules. The process is suitable for the recovery of Cu, Co, Ni, Fe, and Mn, which are the main metals of interest in such polymetallic nodules. The present process is, among others, characterized by the handling of Fe, which is dissolved and kept in solution until the step of crystallization rather than removed at an earlier stage. A mixed Mn—Fe residue is obtained, which, after thermal treatment, provides a Mn—Fe oxide that is suitable for the steel or for the manganese industry. Excellent Cu, Co and Ni yields are obtained, while Fe is leached and valorized together with Mn.

Process for the recovery of metals from oxidic ores

The present disclosure concerns a process for the recovery of valuable metals from polymetallic nodules. A two-stage process using SOin an acidic aqueous media is disclosed. In a first step, performed in mildly acidic conditions, Mn, Ni, and Co are dissolved; in a second, more acidic step, Cu is dissolved. Under these conditions, the leachate of the first step contains most of the Mn, Ni, and Co, while being nearly Cu-free. The Ni and Co are precipitated as sulfides; the Mn can be recovered as sulfate by crystallization. Cu, which is leached in the second step, is selectively precipitated, also as sulfide.

Process for the recovery of metals from polymetallic nodules

The present disclosure concerns the production of precursor compounds for lithium battery cathodes. Batteries or their scrap are smelted in reducing conditions, thereby forming an alloy suitable for further hydrometallurgical refining, and a slag. The alloy is leached in acidic conditions, producing a Ni- and Co-bearing solution, which is refined. The refining steps are greatly simplified as most elements susceptible to interfere with the refining steps concentrate in the slag. Metals such as Co, Ni and Mn are then precipitated from the solution, forming a suitable starting product for the synthesis of new battery precursor compounds.

Process for the preparation of precursor compounds for lithium battery cathodes

A submicron sized Si based powder having an average primary particle size between 20 nm and 200 nm, wherein the powder has a surface layer comprising SiO, with 0&#x3c;x&#x3c;2, the surface layer having an average thickness between 0.5 nm and 10 nm, and wherein the powder has a total oxygen content equal or less than 3% by weight at room temperature. The method for making the powder comprises a step where a Si precursor is vaporized in a gas stream at high temperature, after which the gas stream is quenched to obtain Si particles, and the Si particles are quenched at low temperature in an oxygen containing gas.

Submicron sized silicon powder with low oxygen content

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Herentals, Belgium

Jean Scoyer