Abstract: A copper smelting apparatus for processing of copper concentrates to produce blister copper requiring relatively low capital cost and land area. The apparatus combines batch smelting processing to produce copper matte with continuous processing to produce blister copper, and all the components of the facility are built above ground level. The apparatus includes a batch operated smelting furnace, a transport facility for transporting molten matte, and a continuous converting furnace for continuous production of blister copper by continuously receiving and processing the matte received from the transport facility. A holding container may be provided for temporarily holding the molten matte transported by the transport facility. The matte is delivered by gravity from the transport facility or the holding container to the continuous converting furnace through a first launder.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for smelting copper which includes a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, and launders connecting these furnaces in series. In the smelting furnace, copper concentrate is melted and oxidized to produce matte and slag. In the separating furnace, the matte is separated from the slag. In the converting furnace, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. A plurality of anode furnaces are provided for refining the blister copper produced in the converting furnace into copper of higher quality. A blister copper launder assembly, which has a main launder and a plurality of branch launders branched off from the main launder, is provided to connect the converting furnace and the anode furnaces together. A selecting device may be attached to the launder assembly for selectively bringing the main launder into fluid communication with one of the branch launders.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for smelting copper which includes a blister copper-producing device. A plurality of anode furnaces are provided for refining the blister copper produced in the blister copper-producing device into copper of higher quality. A blister copper launder assembly, which has a main launder and a plurality of branch launders branched off from the main launder, is provided to connect the converting furnace and the anode furnaces together. A selecting device may be attached to the launder assembly for selectively bringing the main launder into fluid communication with one of the branch launders.

Abstract: There is disclosed a copper smelting process. At first, blister copper is produced in a blister copper-producing facility. Then, the blister copper is caused to flow through blister copper launders into one of anode furnaces, and refined into copper of higher quality in the anode furnace. In the refining operation at the anode furnace, the receiving step and the oxidizing step are carried out at least partly in an overlapping fashion.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for smelting copper which includes a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, and launders connecting these furnaces in series. In the smelting furnace, copper concentrate is melted and oxidized to produce matte and slag. In the separating furnace, the matte is separated from the slag. In the converting furnace, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. A plurality of anode furnaces are provided for refining the blister copper produced in the converting furnace into copper of higher quality. A blister copper launder assembly, which has a main launder and a plurality of branch launders branched off from the main launder, is provided to connect the converting furnace and the anode furnaces together. A selecting device may be attached to the launder assembly for selectively bringing the main launder into fluid communication with one of the branch launders.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for continuous copper smelting. At first, a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, melt launders for connecting the smelting furnace, the separating furnace and the converting furnace in series, a plurality of anode furnaces and blister copper launders for connecting the converting furnace and the anode furnaces are provided. Then, copper concentrate is introduced in the smelting furnace, and melted and oxidized into a mixture of matte and slag. The mixture is received in the separating furnace and the matte is separated from the slag. Subsequently, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. Subsequently, the blister copper is caused to flow through the blister copper launders into one of the anode furnaces, and refined into copper of higher quality in the anode furnace. In the refining operation at the anode furnace, the receiving step and the oxidizing step are carried out at least partly in an overlapping fashion.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for continuous copper smelting. At first, a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, melt launders for connecting the smelting furnace, the separating furnace and the converting furnace in series, a plurality of anode furnaces and blister copper launders for connecting the converting furnace and the anode furnaces are provided. Then, copper concentrate is introduced in the smelting furnace, and melted and oxidized into a mixture of matte and slag. The mixture is received in the separating furnace and the matte is separated from the slag. Subsequently, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. Subsequently, the blister copper is caused to flow through the blister copper launders into one of the anode furnaces, and refined into copper of higher quality in the anode furnace. In the refining operation at the anode furnace, the receiving step and the oxidizing step are carried out at least partly in an overlapping fashion.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus for smelting copper which includes a smelting furnace, a separating furnace, a converting furnace, and launders connecting these furnaces in series. In the smelting furnace, copper concentrate is melted and oxidized to produce matte and slag. In the separating furnace, the matte is separated from the slag. In the converting furnace, the matte separated from the slag is oxidized to produce blister copper. A plurality of anode furnaces are provided for refining the blister copper produced in the converting furnace into copper of higher quality. A blister copper launder assembly, which has a main launder and a plurality of branch launders branched off from the main launder, is provided to connect the converting furnace and the anode furnaces together. A selecting device may be attached to the launder assembly for selectively bringing the main launder into fluid communication with one of the branch launders.

Abstract: A copper smelting process is disclosed in which copper concentrate is smelted in a furnace to produce purified copper. Flue gas discharged from the furnace is treated to produce sulfuric acid. Furthermore, waste liquid discharged during the production of sulfuric acid is treated to produce gypsum, and the gypsum thus produced is recycled to the furnace as a flux. The flue gas may be exhausted from either or both of a smelting furnace and a converting furnace, and the gypsum may be preferably introduced into the converting furnace.