Synopsis
The behavior of minor elements in bath and flash smelting processes for coppermaking has been investigated. Particular attention has been paid to the conditions of high oxygen enrichment in the case of bath smelting and converting. A computer simulation has been carried out to predict the distribution behavior of Pb, Zn, Bi, Sb, and As in recently proposed copper smelting and converting processes with submerged oxygen injection. The technique of stepwise equilibrium modeling was used. The predicted minorelement behavior under high oxygen enrichment was compared with that in the Noranda process (normally 42% oxygen enrichment in smelting and 24% in converting) and in the reverberatory process using air. The effects of various operating parameters such as temperature, the final matte grade in smelting, the initial matte grade in converting, and the O/Fe ratio in slag on the behavior of minor elements are discussed.
In the case of flash smelting, the minor-element behavior is calculated based on a comprehensive mathematical model incorporating the turbulent fluid dynamics of a particle-laden gas jet, heat and mass transfer, and chemical reactions. The volatilization of As, Sb, Bi, and Pb was computed, and experiments were carried out for Sb and Pb in a laboratory flash furnace. Satisfactory agreement between the predicted and measured results was obtained. The degrees of volatilization of minor elements were computed as functions of position and matte grade. With the comprehensive mathematical model developed in this work, a computer simulation can be readily performed to predict the minor-element behavior under various different operating conditions.
The submerged oxygen injection system1,2,3 developed for modern steelmaking has a potential for application to coppermaking. In this system, tonnage oxygen is injected with a shielding gas, such as nitrogen or natural gas, into a molten bath through submerged injectors extending through the refractory lining of the reactor. The injectors and refractories are protected by surrounding the central oxygen stream with a shielding gas. One aspect which should be addressed is the behavior of minor elements under submerged oxygen injection which involves a much higher oxygen potential and smaller gas volume. The important effect of oxygen enrichment has been reported in previous studies.4–7 The present study extends the calculation to predict the impact of oxygen technology on the behavior of minor elements in copper smelting and converting processes.
In a flash-smelting process, as particles travel down the reaction shaft within the turbulent jet, they exchange momentum, mass, and energy with the surrounding gas. During this exchange, the elimination of minor elements to the gas phase also takes place. This study extends the comprehensive mathematical model developed by Hahn and Sohn29,30 to the prediction of minor-element behavior inside the flash-furnace shaft during copper flash smelting incorporating the thermodynamic analysis of Chaubal.11 In this new model, the minor-element behavior is described in combination with turbulent transport phenomena, chemical reactions, and thermal radiation in a flash-furnace shaft.
This study, therefore, deals with the behavior of five of the most undesirable minor elements in coppermaking, i.e., Pb, Zn, Bi, Sb, and As. Three major volatile forms (M, MS, and MO) for Pb and Zn and four forms (M, M2, MS, and MO) for Bi, Sb, and As are taken into account.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Preview
Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.
References
Queneau P. E. and Schuhmann R. Jr. Metallurgical process using oxygen. U.S. Patent No. 3,941,587, March 2, 1976.
Queneau P. E. Oxygen technology and conservation. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 8B, 1977, pp. 357–369.
Eacott J. G. The role of oxygen potential and use of tonnage oxygen in copper smelting. In Advances in Sufide Smelting. Basic Principles, vol. 1, edited by H. Y. Sohn, D. B. George, and A. D. Zunkel, Warrendale, Pennsylvania: TMS-AIME, 1983, pp. 583–634.
Chaubal P. C., Sohn H. Y., George D. B. and Bailey L. K. Mathematical modeling of minor element behavior during flash smelting of copper concentrates and flash converting of copper mattes. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol 20B, 1989, pp. 39–51.
Itagaki K. and Yazawa A. Thermodynamic evaluation of distribution behavior of arsenic, antimony, and bismuth in copper smelting. In Advances in sulfide smelting, basic principles, vol. 1, edited by H. Y. Sohn, D. B. George, and A. D. Zunkel, Warrendale, Pennsylvania: TMS-AIME, 1983, pp. 119–142.
Chaubal P. C. Effect of oxygen enrichment on elimination of As, Sb, and Bi during copper converting. Transactions Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Section C, vol. 98, 1989, pp. C83–84.
Sohn H. Y., Kim H. G. and Iyer K. Minor element behavior in copper smelting with submerged oxygen injection. State Center of Excellence for Advanced Pyrometallurgical Technology, Technical Report, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, May 1990.
Nagamori M. and Chaubal P. C. Thermodynamics of copper matte converting: Part III and IV. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 13B, 1982, pp. 319–329, 331–338.
Nagamori M. and Chaubal P. C. Thermodynamics of copper matte converting: Part III and IV. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 13B, 1982, 331–338.
Chaubal P. C. and Nagamori M. Thermodynamics for arsenic and antimony in copper matte converting. Metallurgical Transactions B, 19B, 1988, pp. 547–556.
Nagamori M. and Mackey P. J. Thermodynamics of copper matte converting: Part II. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 19B, 1988, pp. 567–79.
Chaubal P. C. The reaction of chalcopyrite concentrate particles in a flash furnace shaft. Ph.D. Dissertation, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah, 1986.
Eriç H. and Timuçin M. Activities in Cu2S-FeS-PbS melts at 1200°C. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 12B, 1981, pp. 493–500.
Wahlbeck P. G., Myers D. L., and Truong V. V. Validity of the Ruff-MKW boiling point method. Journal of Chemical Physics, vol. 83, no. 5, 1985, pp. 2447–2456.
Nesterov V. N. and Ponomarev V. D. Izvest. Akad. Nauk. Kazakh. S. S. R., Ser. Met., Obogaschchen. i Ogneuporov, 1959, no. 1, pp. 80–84.
Bratanov V. and Kunchev K. Zinc Oxide Vapor Pressure Measurement at High Temperature. Rudodobiv Met., vol. 23, no. 3, 1968, pp. 38–41.
Arac S. and Geiger G. H. Thermodynamic behavior of bismuth in copper pyrometallurgy. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 12B, 1981, pp. 569–578.
Chaubal P. C. and Nagamori M. Volatilization of bismuth in copper matte converting — Computer simulation. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 13B, 1982, pp. 339–348.
Azuma K., Goto S. and Takebe N. Thermodynamic Study of ZnS in copper matte (2nd report). Nippon Kogyo Kaishi, vol. 85, 1969, pp. 935–939.
Petersson S., Eriksson S. and Fridfeldt C. Treatment of complex copper concentrates in TBRC at Boliden. CIM Bulletin, vol. 74, no. 832, 1981, pp. 123–127.
Minoura J. and Maeda Y. Current operation at KOSAKA Smelter and Refinery. Metallurgical Review of MMIJ, vol. 1, no. 2, 1984, pp. 138–156.
Lindkvist G., Nystedt P.-L., and Petersson S. Application of the KALDO Process at the copper smelter of the RONNSKAR works, Boliden Metall AB, Skelleftehamn, Sweden. In Copper Smelting — An Update, edited by D. B. George and J. C. Taylor, Warrendale, Pennsylvania: TMS-AIME, 1981, pp. 41–76.
Ohshima E. and Hayashi M. Impurity behavior in the Mitsubishi Continuous Process. Metallurgical Review of MMIJ, vol. 3, no. 3, 1986, pp. 113–129.
George D. B., Donaldson J. W. and Johnson R. E. Minor element behavior in copper smelting and converting. In World Mining and Metals Technology, vol. 1, Proceedings of the Joint MMIJ-AIME Meeting, Denver, Colorado, edited by A. Weiss, New York, New York: AIME, 1976, pp. 534–550.
Donaldson J. W., Kinneberg D. A., and Themelis N. J. Development of the Kennecott Converter Smelting Process. In World Mining and Metals Technology, vol. 2, Proceedings of the Joint MMIJ-AIME Meeting, Denver, Colorado, edited by A. Weiss, New York, New York: AIME, 1976, pp. 505–533.
Edlund S. and Lundquist S. Copper converter practice at the Roennskaer work. In Copper and Nickel Converters, edited by R. E. Johnson, New York, New York: AIME, 1976, pp. 239–256.
Johnson R. E., Themelis N. J. and Elterinham G. A. A survey of worldwide copper converter practices. In Copper and Nickel Converters, edited by R. E. Johnson, New York, New York: AIME, 1976, pp. 1–32.
Vogt J. A., Mackey P. J. and Balfour G. C. Current converter practice at the Horne Smelter. In Copper and Nickel Converters, edited by R. E. Johnson, New York, New York: AIME, 1976, pp. 357–390.
Asahina S., Hosokura K. and Hayashi T. Bismuth recovery from copper smelting dust. In World Mining and Metals Technology, vol. 2, Proceedings of the Joint MMIJ-AIME Meeting, Denver, Colorado, edited by A. Weiss, New York, New York: AIME, 1976, pp. 856–874.
Hahn Y. B. and Sohn H. Y. Mathematical modeling of sulfide flash smelting process: Part I. Model development and verification with laboratory and pilot plant measurements for chalcopyrite concentrate smelting. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 21B, 1990, pp. 945–958
Hahn Y. B. and Sohn H. Y. Mathematical modeling of sulfide flash smelting process: Part II. Quantitative analysis of radiative heat transfer. Metallurgical Transactions B, vol. 21B, 1990, pp. 959–966
Sohn H. Y., Seo K. W., Chaubal P. C. and Hahn Y. B. Laboratory studies on the flash smelting of copper concentrate. In Flash Reaction Processes, edited by D. G. C. Robertson, H. Y. Sohn and N. J. Themelis, Center for Pyrometallurgy, University of Missouri-Rolla, Missouri, 1988, pp. 145–166.
Bird R. B., Stewart W. E. and Lightfoot E. N. Transport Phenomena, John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York, New York, 1960, p. 510.
How M. E. The Influence of turbulence on the burning rates of fuel suspensions. Journal of the Institute of Fuel, vol. 39, 1966, pp. 150–158.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 1991 Institution of Mining and Metallurgy
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Sohn, H.Y., Kim, H.G., Seo, K.W. (1991). Minor-element behaviour in copper-making. In: EMC ’91: Non-Ferrous Metallurgy—Present and Future. Springer, Dordrecht. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3684-6_21
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-94-011-3684-6_21
Publisher Name: Springer, Dordrecht
Print ISBN: 978-1-85166-715-4
Online ISBN: 978-94-011-3684-6
eBook Packages: Springer Book Archive