Implementation of flame optical emission spectroscopy system for converter Fe end-point control associated with Ni-Cu-S-PGM converter mattes

Converter processing of platinum group metals

“…1988; Warner and Díaz 2003; Bezuidenhout et al. 2017 – Figure 9). A ‘dry finish’, or ‘stiffening blow’ permits the final matte pour from under the resulting ‘dry-up’ slag, that then remains in the converter to start the next cycle.…”

“…Broadly the producers can be categorised according to their means of PGM collection process downstream, as:. Converter 'whole matte leach' With one exception, primary producers convert primary furnace matte to 0.5-1.5% Fe content (Table 2) (Coetzee 2006;Mabiza 2006;Warner et al 2007;Bezuidenhout et al 2017). The converter matte they produce is granulated and refined to separate base metals (Ni, Cu and Co) into a variety of products (from chemicals, to oxides to pure metals), and further polishing leaching yields a >65% PGM concentrate suitable for a downstream PMR.…”

“…The converter flame is spectroscopically analysed to help detect remotely the conditions inside the converter bath. Some application is reported for secondary producers, but one primary producer indicated a challenge to relate intensities of trace gaseous species, specifically PbS relative to PbO and to CuOH, to reliably determine an endpoint near 1% Fe content in converter matte, with a resulting high standard deviation of 0.91% (Bezuidenhout et al 2017).…”

“…2007; Bezuidenhout et al. 2017). The converter matte they produce is granulated and refined to separate base metals (Ni, Cu and Co) into a variety of products (from chemicals, to oxides to pure metals), and further polishing leaching yields a >65% PGM concentrate suitable for a downstream PMR.…”