Abstract

Disclosed is a process for recovering copper from secondary raw materials including in a feed batch smelting in a furnace a feedstock including copper oxide and elemental iron for forming a concentrated copper intermediate, whereby heat is generated by the redox reactions converting iron to oxide and copper oxide to copper, whereby copper collects in a molten liquid metal phase and iron oxides collect in a supernatant liquid slag phase, whereby at the end of the batch the liquid phases separate and may be removed from the furnace as smelter slag and as the concentrated copper intermediate, wherein during the smelting step an excess of elemental iron is maintained in the furnace relative to the amount required for completing the redox reactions, and further heat input is provided by the injection of an oxygen containing gas for oxidizing the excess iron.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 15/00 - Obtaining copper
• C22B 7/00 - Working-up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals or compounds thereof

Abstract

Disclosed is a single-chamber furnace for fuming an evaporable metal or metal compound from a metallurgical charge including a bath furnace for containing a molten charge up to a determined level, the furnace being equipped with a non-transferred plasma torch for the generation of plasma and a first submerged injector for injecting the plasma below the determined level, the furnace further including an afterburning zone to form an oxidized form of the at least one evaporable metal or metal compound, and a recovery zone for recovering the oxidized form from the gas formed in the afterburning zone, whereby the furnace is further equipped with a second submerged injector for injecting extra gas into the furnace below the determined level. Further disclosed is the use of the furnace and a process for fuming an evaporable metal or metal compound from a metallurgical charge.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 4/00 - Electrothermal treatment of ores or metallurgical products for obtaining metals or alloys
• C21B 13/00 - Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes
• C21B 13/12 - Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes in electric furnaces
• C21B 3/06 - Treatment of liquid slag
• C22B 5/16 - Dry processes with volatilisation or condensation of the metal being produced
• C22B 7/04 - Working-up slag
• F27B 3/20 - Arrangements of heating devices
• F27B 3/22 - Arrangements of air or gas supply devices
• F27D 99/00 - Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass

Abstract

Disclosed is a process for recovering copper from secondary raw materials comprising in a feed batch smelting (100) in a furnace a feedstock (1, 2) comprising copper oxide and elemental iron for forming a concentrated copper intermediate (3), whereby heat is generated by the redox reactions converting iron to oxide and copper oxide to copper, whereby copper collects in a molten liquid metal phase and iron oxides collect in a supernatant liquid slag phase, whereby at the end of the batch the liquid phases separate and may be removed from the furnace as smelter slag (5) and as the concentrated copper intermediate (3), characterized in that, during the smelting step an excess of elemental iron is maintained in the furnace relative to the amount required for completing the redox reactions, and further heat input is provided by the injection of an oxygen containing gas for oxidizing the excess iron.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 5/02 - Dry processes
• C22B 7/00 - Working-up raw materials other than ores, e.g. scrap, to produce non-ferrous metals or compounds thereof
• C22B 15/06 - Obtaining copper in converters

Abstract

Disclosed is a single-chamber furnace for fuming an evaporable metal or metal compound from a metallurgical charge comprising a bath furnace for containing a molten charge up to a determined level, the furnace being equipped with a non-transferred plasma torch for the generation of plasma and a first submerged injector for injecting the plasma below the determined level, the furnace further comprising an afterburning zone to form an oxidized form of the at least one evaporable metal or metal compound, and a recovery zone for recovering the oxidized form from the gas formed in the afterburning zone, whereby the furnace is further equipped with a second submerged injector for injecting extra gas into the furnace below the determined level. Further disclosed is the use of the furnace and a process for fuming an evaporable metal or metal compound from a metallurgical charge.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 5/16 - Dry processes with volatilisation or condensation of the metal being produced
• F27B 3/22 - Arrangements of air or gas supply devices
• F27D 3/16 - Introducing a fluid jet or current into the charge
• F27D 7/02 - Supplying steam, vapour, gases or liquids
• F27D 17/00 - Arrangements for using waste heatArrangements for using, or disposing of, waste gases