Method and apparatus for acid granulation of matte
AssigneeOutotec (Finland) Oy
InventorsKari Hietala, Tiina Ranki
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method is provided for leaching the metals while granulating molten matte, comprising the steps of feeding a molten matte as a falling stream into a granulation chamber, spraying a liquid jet on the stream of molten matte to atomize the matte, and cooling the matte particles thus formed. The liquid jet comprises an acid solution containing water and sulfuric acid so that the acid solution starts leaching metals from the molten matte when the liquid jet contacts the molten matte. Part of product solution from granulation can be circulated to liquid jets to increase the metal content in the solution and to reduce its acid con-tent.
Claims17
A method for granulating molten matte, comprising the steps of feeding molten matte as a falling stream into a granulation chamber, spraying one or more liquid jets on the stream of molten matte to atomize the matte to form matte particles, and cooling the matte particles thus formed, wherein the liquid jet(s) comprise(s) acid solution containing water and sulfuric acid so that the acid solution starts leaching metals from the matte when the liquid jet contacts the molten matte.
An apparatus for granulating molten matte, comprising a granulation chamber, an inlet feeding a stream of molten matte into the granulation chamber, at least one atomizing nozzle for spraying a liquid jet on the stream of molten matte to atomize the matte, wherein the liquid jet comprises an acid solution containing water and sulfuric acid so that the acid solution is able to start leaching metals from the matte as soon as the liquid jet contacts the molten matte and a gas recirculation line that circulates hot gas in the granulation chamber to extend the area of optimal reaction temperature.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.