Abstract: A continuous nickel matte converter and method for the efficient production of low iron nickel-rich mattes from high-iron nickel-rich mattes, with minimal environmental impact. The present invention processes high-iron, nickel-rich primary furnace mattes to produce low iron, nickel-rich mattes, low value metal-containing slag and sulfur dioxide rich-off gas, with improved cobalt recovery. It eliminates use of the Peirce-Smith converter, with its undesirable environmental, metallurgical and economic features.

Abstract: In a copper converting furnace, the (i) reduction of copper oxide in and the removal of copper metal from the slag, and (ii) conversion of copper sulfide in and the elimination of mineral waste from the blister copper is enhanced by introducing a gas, e.g. nitrogen, into at least one of the blister copper and slag such that the gas increases the turbulence or mixing at the blister copper/slag interface and promotes a lowering of the sulfur dioxide equilibrium pressure within the blister copper and slag phases. In one embodiment, the gas is introduced into both the molten blister copper and slag through a porous-wall injector.

Abstract: Copper matte is processed to anode copper without oxidizing blister copper in an anode furnace. Copper matte, in either molten or solid form, is fed to a continuous copper converting furnace in which it is converted to blister copper and slag. The blister copper and slag collect in the settler region of the furnace and separate into two phases, a blister copper phase and a slag phase (the latter floating upon the former). The converting furnace is equipped with means for stirring or agitating the interface of the blister copper and slag phases such that the sulfur content of the blister copper phase and the copper content of the slag phase are reduced.

Abstract: Solidified copper matte is used as a coolant to moderate or reduce the temperature of a bath of molten blister copper resident within a continuous, top-blown converter. In one embodiment, the addition of solidified copper matte to a bath of molten blister copper resident within a continuous, top-blown converter increases the throughput of the converter.

Abstract: A process for converting a copper sulphide matte and/or a copper sulphide concentrate to blister copper is described which comprises the steps of adding the matte and/or concentrate together with a suitable flux to an agitated molten bath containing molten slag phase and a molten metal phase; injecting by means of a submerged lance an oxidizing gas capable of reacting with the matte or concentrate to form a low sulphur blister copper phase, slag and sulphur dioxide; controlling the injection of the oxidizing gas such that a substantial portion of the gas contracts the blister copper phase; and separating blister copper from the bath. It is possible to obtain an amount of sulphur in the blister copper which is within a factor of two of the equilibrium value for a given percentage of copper in the slag.

Abstract: A process for refining high-impurity blister copper to anode quality copper is disclosed. In an oxidation step of a blister copper refining stage, soda ash fluxing removes antimony and arsenic while also removing sulfur and iron. In a deoxidation step of the blister copper refining stage, sulfur hexafluoride is injected at a controlled oxygen concentration to remove bismuth while reducing the oxygen content. Slag is continuously or periodically skimmed from the surface of the molten blister copper to prevent re-entry of impurities. The process may be carried out in batch operation or, in a preferred embodiment, in continuous flow-through operation.

Abstract: Fire-refined blister copper is produced from copper concentrate by a process comprising:A. melting and oxidizing the copper concentrate in a smelting furnace to produce molten matte and slag, and to separate one from the other;B. removing the molten matte from the smelting furnace;C. solidifying the molten matte;D. injecting the solidified matte into a converting furnace in which the matte is converted to blister copper and slag; andE. transferring the blister copper from the converting furnace to an anode furnace to produce fire-refined blister copper.After the fire-refined blister copper is produced in the anode furnace, it is typically transferred to an anode casting wheel on which it is converted to copper anodes suitable for subsequent electrolytic refining to cathode copper.

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.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring and control of smeltmetallurgical processes, endothermic as well as exothermic ones, preferably pyrometallurgical processes, by means of optical spectrometry, whereby one first determines for each endothermic and exothermic smeltmetallurgical process and/or process step characteristic emissions or absorptions and identifies the atomic or molecular origin of the emissions/absorptions, that one during a running process records changes in the characteristic emissions/absorptions and relates these changes to the condition of the process and with reference hereto controls the process.

Abstract: Fire-refined blister copper is produced from copper concentrate by a process comprising:A. melting and oxidizing the copper concentrate in a smelting furnace to produce molten matte and slag, and to separate one from the other;B. removing the molten matte from the smelting furnace;C. solidifying the molten matte;D. injecting the solidified matte into a converting furnace in which the matte is converted to blister copper and slag; andE. transfering the blister copper from the converting furnace to an anode furnace to produce fire-refined blister copper.After the fire-refined blister copper is produced in the anode furnace, it is typically transferred to an anode casting wheel on which it is converted to copper anodes suitable for subsequent electrolytic refining to cathode copper.