Abstract: This invention provides a novel and an improved hydrometallurgical method for recovering copper values from copper concentrates. The method essentially comprises the following steps:A. forming an aqueous leach solution containing chloride or bromide ions in a predetermined concentration;B. dispersing copper concentrates in such leach solution to form a slurry;C. carrying out the leaching operation of the slurry at an elevated temperature and under an overpressure of oxygen so as to transform a major proportion of the copper values present in the concentrates into a solid basic copper sulphate;D. separating the resulting leach residue containing the basic copper sulphate from the leach solution; andE. recovering the copper values from the obtained leach residue.The process is simple and efficient and can be carried out either batchwise or continuously.

Abstract: A method for the operation of a fluidized bed electrochemical reactor at a substantially constant current density for a prolonged period of time is disclosed. The method consists of electrowinning semi-continuously or continuously for a number of periods of predetermined duration. During each period the electrowon weight plus some fraction of the weight of powder is withdrawn from the bed and a predetermined amount of the starting powder is added to maintain the total surface area of the fluidized bed electrode approximately constant.

Abstract: A gas seal and silencer is provided for attachment to a tuyere body to minimize the gas volume and pressure loss during the insertion of a punch bar through a tuyere valve closing the tuyere and so reduce the noise created by the blast of gas leaking out during opening of the tuyere valve. The gas seal and silencer comprises a housing adapted to be secured to the tuyere body with its longitudinal axis substantially in alignment with the longitudinal axis of the tuyere, and closure means mounted within the housing for forming a seal about the punch bar when inserted in the housing. Such closure means may consist of a plurality of closure members mounted for movement toward and away from the punch bar and include means for forcing the closure members against the periphery of the punch bar so as to form a seal between the closure members and the punch bar when the punch bar is inserted in the housing.

Abstract: A method of joining a copper contact button to the aluminum headbar of an electrode plate used in the electrolytic industry for the recovery of nonferrous metals. The method consists in the steps of coating the copper contact button with a thin layer of silver, mechanically threading the copper contact button into the aluminum headbar, preheating the assembled copper contact button and aluminum headbar to a temperature ranging from 200.degree. to 900.degree. F, and welding the coated copper contact button to the preheated aluminum headbar. When arc welding, preheating in the temperature range 375.degree. to 475.degree. F prevents oxygen from the copper diffusing into the weld.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous smelting and converting of copper containing concentrates to copper or matte involves charging concentrates into a reactor which is maintained at a temperature at which a molten bath of slag, matte and metallic copper is formed. An oxidizing gas is injected into the molten bath and the charge of the concentrates is controlled in balanced relationship to an injection control rate of the gas such that the gas is sufficient to oxidize substantially all significant iron and sulphur in the concentrate so that smelting and converting is effected in the same zone of the reactor. The injection of the gas is such as to maintain a turbulent state of the molten bath and produce metallic copper. Slag and metallic copper are withdrawn from the reactor. The apparatus used for carrying out the process embodies a charging port, injection means, a copper settling area and a sump in the base thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous measurement of the oxygen content of molten copper and alloys thereof is disclosed. The apparatus comprises an austenitic stainless steel tube possessing a large heat capacity and capable of withstanding the operative conditions of molten copper and alloys thereof, a closed end tube of solid electrolyte inserted inside the stainless steel tube and projecting from the end of the stainless steel tube a distance at least equal to the diameter of the solid electrolyte tube, a relatively thick layer of fine grained alumina cement inserted between the stainless steel tube and the solid electrolyte tube for cementing the stainless steel tube to the solid electrolyte tube, and threads on the inside of the stainless steel tube for permitting the alumina cement to stick to the stainless steel tube.

Abstract: An improved hydrometallurgical method is provided for producing technical grade molybdic oxide from molybdenite concentrates. According to this method, the molybdenite concentrates are leached in an acid medium having a nitric acid concentration between about 25 gpl and about 50 gpl and an initial sulphuric acid concentration of nil to about 750 gpl, under oxygen pressure of about 100 - 250 psig and at a temperature above 115.degree. C so as to produce technical grade molybdic oxide having not more than 0.1% sulphur. Then a liquid-solid separation of the reaction mixture is effected and the obtained leach liquor is recycled back to the leaching stage optionally after partial neutralization with a basic reagent. The solid is washed and recovered as technical grade molybdic oxide.This invention relates to a novel method of producing hydrometallurgically technical grade molybdic oxide from molybdenite concentrates.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for stopping the flow of metal from the taphole of a furnace. The method comprises the step of blowing air into the taphole with sufficient pressure to reverse the flow of the molten metal, and then reducing the pressure to a value sufficient to hold the metal in the furnace. The apparatus comprises a pipe adapted to be inserted into the taphole and of sufficient dimension to seal the taphole, and means for blowing air into the pipe initially at a predetermined pressure so as to reverse the flow of the molten metal in the taphole and then at a reduced pressure sufficient to hold the metal in the furnace.

Abstract: A novel device is disclosed for taking samples of slurries of ground ore or minerals in water, or any suspension of particulate materials in liquid with no restriction on the particulate material content of the sample. The device comprises a container provided with movable end closures, such container being attached to a holder of suitable length to enable it to be immersed to the required depth into a body of slurry or liquid. Means are associated with the holder for tightly closing the end closures and for opening at least one of such end closures. The device may further be provided with an apparatus for measuring in situ desired chemical or physical properties of such sample.

Abstract: An auxiliary electrode for direct introduction into a static-or fluidized bed main electrode comprises a conductive base material selected from the group consisting of lead or lead alloys, and a non conductive screen material preferably made of a synthetic, organic fiber screen cloth partially embedded into the conductive base material so as to insulate the auxiliary electrode from the static-or fluidized-bed main electrode.

Abstract: A fluidized bed electrode system comprises an electrode chamber having a porous base, a main electrode consisting of a bed of fine solid particles contained in such chamber and selected from the group consisting of metals, metal coated glass beads and metal coated plastic beads, a current feeder extending into the bed, means for leading air or inert gas through the porous base at a predetermined velocity and pressure to fluidize the bed, and means for introducing a solution to be treated into the electrode chamber at a point above the porous base and for circulating such solution through the bed at a predetermined flow rate.