REMOVAL OF COPPER FROM IRON-BASED SCRAPS BY O-2-CL-2 GAS-MIXTURES

A new technique for removing copper from iron-based scrap has been pro posed. When iron-based scraps containing copper were placed in atmosph ere controlled by O-2-Cl-2 gas mixtures, copper was chloridized to eva porate, whereas iron was oxidized to remain in the form of solid. The evaporation rate oi copper chlorides was determined by the transport o f chlorides across the boundary layer. Thermodynamic and kinetic consi deration gave the optimal condition for removing copper, that is, the temperature oi 1100K and the gas composition of O-2-10%Cl-2.