Reuse of furnace fines of ferro alloy in the electrolytic manganese production

The use of ferro-alloy fines, especially the (Fe–Mn) alloy, to replace Rhodocrosite in the production of electrolytic manganese was studied. This approach helped to solve the environmental problem of the disposal of furnace fines and showed further advantages: the concentrations of some undesirable impurities such as Ni, Cu and Mo are smaller in the fines than in the Rhodocrosite ore; the K and Na contents are significantly higher in the fines than they are in the ore, but these elements do not affect the manganese electrodeposition; the presence of Pb in the fines is beneficial to the manganese deposition, improving the current efficiency. No size reduction is needed, in contrast with several stages of ore size reduction. The manganese content of the fines dissolves readily at room temperature. On the other hand, the ore contains manganese as carbonate requiring heating in order to dissolve in sulfuric acid solution. Fines do not generate CO2, which is formed by the reaction of carbonate present in the ore.