Process for the volatilization of zinc and/or lead from metallurgical material

A method of operating a plant for the production of zinc, comprising the steps of:

• (a) reacting a zinc-containing oxide metallurgical material, a carbonaceous substance, and a high-oxygen gas in a cyclone chamber having a substantially horizontal axis at a temperature above 1300.degree. C., thereby evaporating zinc and producing an exhaust gas stream containing carbon monoxide in said exhaust gas stream;
• (b) condensing zinc from said exhaust gas by treating said exhaust gas with molten zinc or lead in a condenser and discharging at least most of the condensed zinc from the process;
• (c) removing carbon dioxide from said exhaust gas after the condensation of the zinc therefrom by scrubbing said exhaust gas, thereby producing a high carbon monoxide gas;
• (d) recycling most of said high carbon monoxide gas to steps (a) and (b);
• (e) regenerating the scrubbing liquid used in step (d);
• (f) burning a minor part of said high carbon monoxide gas to produce heat for use in the process.

A process for the production of zinc, comprising the steps of:

• (a) reacting a zinc-containing oxide metallurgical material, a carbonaceous subtance, and a high-oxygen gas in a cyclone chamber having an axis including an angle of 0.degree. to 15.degree. with the horizontal, at a temperature above 1300.degree. C., thereby evaporating zinc and producing an exhaust gas stream containing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, the vaporized zinc being entrained in said exhaust gas stream,
• said material, caid carbonaceous substance and said high-oxygen gas being mixed at a temperature below the reaction temperature of the mixture to form a first suspension, said first suspension being initially reacted along a combustion path ahead of said cyclone chamber at substantially right angles to the axis thereof to produce a second suspension which consists predominantly of molten particles in addition to gas, said second suspension being introduced into said cyclone chamber for further processing therein;
• (b) condensing zinc from said exhaust gas and discharging at least most of the condensed zinc from the process;
• (c) removing carbon dioxide from said exhaust gas after the condensation of the zinc therefrom, thereby producing a high carbon monoxide gas;
• (d) recycling most of said high carbon monoxide gas to steps (a) and (b);
• and
• (e) burning a minor part of said high carbon monoxide gas to produce heat for use in the process.