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 flash smelting furnace has an outer metallic shell from which portions are cut out to expose the outer surface of the refractory lining at a depth corresponding to the location of the matte-slag interface, and gaseous cooling jets are directed onto the exposed refractory lining.