Abstract: A process and apparatus are described for agglomerating metal-containing fine sized particles of metallurgical waste materials continuously by means of a combustible agglomerating agent. The process and apparatus may be adapted to dust and fine particles of different origins and having any particular particle size range and bulk specific gravity. The agglomerates are obtained by feeding the dust or fine sized particles and a combustible agglomerating agent to a continuous mixer, then to a heated rotatable kiln. The agglomerates are subsequently allowed to fall onto one or more conveyor belts, arranged in sequence. The agglomerates on the conveyor belts may be cooled, either by water or compressed air jets impinging upon them, or by cooling the belt surfaces on which the agglomerates are carried. The agglomerating agent may be a low melting point hydrocarbon such as wax, tar, pitch, or the hydrocarbon may be emulsified with water to form an emulsion and then mixed with the particles.

Abstract: A process is described for the agglomeration of fine particles utilizing a combustible agglomerating agent dispersed in an aqueous emulsion. The process is particularly directed to the handling of fine metal containing particles, originating as by-products or waste products of metallurgical processes, which are to be stored or recycled to metal extractive process steps. The amount of agglomerant added as aqueous emulsion to the particles, is calculated by correlating in an empirical formula the bulk density and the average particle size of the particles, with the emulsified combustible agglomerating agent to be added expressed as weight percent of the particles. The calculated amount of combustible agglomerating agent is emulsified in water, then mixed and blended with the particles, which usually comprise particles of non-uniform size distribution. The aqueous emulsion may also be formed in-situ on the surface of the particles, and the mixture is then blended to form agglomerates.

Abstract: A method is described for utilizing metal containing by-products or waste products of metallurgical processes. The metal containing particles, or dust originating in metallurgical processes are agglomerated with a combustible agglomerating agent, and are usually charged to smelters, converters, or similar high temperature installations for the recovery valuable metals present in such dust particles. The agglomerates are obtained by mixing the dust particles with an amount of combustible agglomerating agent. The amount of agglomerating agent used for producing the agglomerates is related to the bulk specific gravity and the particle size range of the dust particles. The combustible agglomerating agent of this method, such as hydrocarbon wax, tar, bitumen, distillation, residue and similar combustible material, is solid at ambient temperatures.