M. Nagamori et al., THERMODYNAMIC SIMULATION-MODEL OF THE ISASMELT PROCESS FOR COPPER MATTE, Metallurgical and materials transactions. B, Process metallurgy and materials processing science, 25(6), 1994, pp. 839-853
Citations number
33
Categorie Soggetti
Material Science","Metallurgy & Metallurigical Engineering
A computer model has been constructed to simulate thermodynamically th
e behavior of the minor elements Zn, Pb, As, Sb, and Bi as well as the
major elements Cu, Fe, Si, O, and S in the Isasmelt process, producin
g copper matte. The model is based on the new concept that there are t
wo independent reaction sites in a slag bath: one for fast oxidation a
nd the other for slow reduction. The oxidizing reaction at the first s
ite produces matte, magnetite-rich slag and gas from chalcopyritic con
centrate and siliceous flux. The slag is then partially reduced with l
ump coal at a site removed-from the first site. The oxidizing and redu
cing reactions are assumed to proceed under a separate set of equilibr
ium conditions. The process heat balance and thermodynamic distributio
n of the minor elements are united and expressed as functions of varyi
ng weights and compositions of concentrate, flux (silica, limestone),
coal, oil, and oxygen-enriched air. The process chemistry was analyzed
in terms of Fe3O4, FeO, and FeS activities, as well as SO2 partial pr
essure. The thermodynamic model explains well the minor element distri
butions observed in the 15 tons per hour pilot furnace, and it is used
to project the optimal smelting conditions; for the full-scale 100 to
ns per hour Isasmelt furnace.