Process and apparatus for continuous converting of copper and non-ferrous mattes
AssigneeNoranda Inc.
InventorsPhillip J. Mackey, J. Barry W. Bailey
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A continuous process and apparatus for converting non-ferrous mattes is disclosed. The process comprises feeding continuously or intermittently a liquid matte into a furnace while continuously blowing air, oxygen or oxygen-enriched air into the melt contained in the furnace at a rate in balance with the rate of liquid feed matte and the desired degree of oxidation, introducing flux into the furnace at a rate in balance with the feed matte and air, oxygen or oxygen-enriched air, and removing slag from the top of the melt and a refined product from beneath the melt while continuously blowing air, oxygen or oxygen-enriched air through the melt.
Claims9
Apparatus for the continuous converting of non-ferrous matte comprising a horizontal generally elongated furnace which is stationary during normal operation, having:
- (a) means for at least intermittently introducing a liquid feed matte into the furnace throughout the converting;
- (b) a set of tuyeres along one side of the furnace for continuously blowing an oxidizing gas into the melt at a rate in balance with the rate of liquid feed matte and the desired degree of oxidation;
- (c) means for introducing flux into the furnace at a rate in balance with the feed matte and said oxidizing gas;
- (d) an off-gas port;
- (e) a first discharge port at the end away from the tuyeres for removing slag from the top of the melt while said oxidizing gas is continuously blown into the melt;
- and
- (f) a second discharge port for removing a refined product from beneath the melt while said oxidizing air is continuously blown through the melt.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.