Studies on removal of lead and iron from Cu-Fe-Pb alloys through gravitational segregation

The present work discusses the possibilities of application of the gravitat ional segregation in the removal of lead and iron from liquid Cu-Fe-Pb allo ys. Such alloys are obtained in flash smelting of copper concentrates as a result of slag reduction in electric furnace. Iron and lead are then, accor ding to current technology, oxidised in the converter. The partial substitu tion of the stage of oxidation in the converter by segregation should impro ve the technology as well as reduce harmful environmental interactions. The examination of segregation process was based on the analysis of phase equi libria in the systems Cu-Pb and Cu-Fe-Pb, which were evaluated for this pur pose. The segregation experiments were carried out under various conditions on synthetic Cu-Pb and Cu-Fe-Pb alloys, as well as a Cu-Fe-Pb alloy produc ed in the electric furnace. The distribution of components and structure of obtained ingots were studied by means of chemical analysis, x-ray microana lysis as well as optical and scanning electron microscopy. In most favourab le cases the segregation degree was higher than 80% in laboratory condition s. The possible applications of results in industrial conditions were also discussed.