The Physical Chemistry of Copper Smelting Slags and Copper Losses at the Paipote SmelterPart 2 – Characterisation of industrial slags

Cardona, N; Coursol, P.; Vargas, Josimar; Parra, Roberto

doi:10.1179/000844311x13112418194806

Cited by 37 publications

(14 citation statements)

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“…The composition, mineralogy and morphology of copper slags can be different due to various types of original ore, previous pyrometallurgical processes and cooling procedures. Extensive research has been performed to characterize the chemical, phase and granulometric composition of copper slag in view of metal recovery through various techniques, such as inductively coupled plasma (ICP) [11], scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) [1,7], micro Raman spectroscopy [9], atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), electron probe micro-analyzer (EPMA) [12], and thermodynamic modelling [13], sieving and laser diffraction [5]. However, most of these studies investigated the composition and mineralogy of the slags without associating this information with the subsequent recovery process of valuable metal, such as leaching and flotation.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Copper Slag

et al. 2013

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Copper slag can be treated as a secondary resource since it usually contains a substantial amount of copper and other valuable metals. Characterization of the slags to determine the expected metal recovery is essential for the design of separation flow sheets. In this study, the chemical and mineralogical composition of a copper slag from El Teniente, Chile were characterized. The copper content of the fayalite based slag is around 0.87 wt% which is higher than for certain copper ores. Copper exists as sulfides in the form of droplets in the slag. The content and particle size distribution of the major sulfide phases (bornite, chalcopyrite and chalcocite) were quantified using analytical scanning electron microscopy (QEMSCAN). The copper bearing particles have a wide particle size distribution from a few microns up to mm level. Large copper bearing particles (> 100 μm) are composed mainly of bornite and chalcocite and tend to accumulate in the lower part of the slag layer. As characterized with X-ray computed tomography (CT), around 70 volume% of copper value exist in these large copper bearing particles.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Characterization of Copper Slag

et al. 2013

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“…Then the Fe 3 + migrated to the liquid-gas interface through the liquid film while the reducing gases migrated to the interface through the gas film by means of molecular diffusion. 17,18) And the reduction reactions occurred in the gas-liquid interface. After the reduction, the Fe 2 + diffused to the molten slag and gaseous products diffused to the mixed gas bubble.…”

Section: Analysis Of Copper Smelting Slag Reduction Processmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reduction of Magnetite from Copper Smelting Slag using Petro-diesel and Biodiesel

Wei

Wang

et al. 2018

ISIJ International

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Experiments were carried out in a slag cleaning electric furnace to reduce magnetite in copper smelting slag using petro-diesel or biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil, and the reduction effects using the two reducing agents were compared. The pyrolysis experiments of petro-diesel and biodiesel were carried out in a fixed bed reactor to study their pyrolysis characteristics and explore the reduction mechanism of magnetite in copper smelting slag. The experimental results showed that the primary crystalline phases in copper smelting slag were magnetite [Fe 3 O 4 ] and silicate. And the content of fayalite [Fe 2 SiO 4 ] increased while the magnetite [Fe 3 O 4 ] decreased after reduction by petro-diesel and biodiesel. In the process of copper smelting slag reduction, the petro-diesel and biodiesel firstly cracked into coke, H 2 , CO and CH 4 , and then reacted with the magnetite in the slag. The reduction effect of biodiesel was better than petrodiesel because more reducing gases can be generated through pyrolysis of biodiesel, and its price should be much lower than petro-diesel. Therefore, magnetite reduction in copper smelting slag using biodiesel produced from waste cooking oil should be recognized as an economical and environment-friendly process for waste management and application.

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“…5,6,[10][11][12][13][14] Hence, further lowering the matte grade would not necessarily lower copper levels and may even adversely impact the copper loss in slag. The current data for the relationship between %Fe in matte and %S in slag are presented in Fig.…”

Section: Dissolved Sulfur In Slagmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This trend is in good agreement with previous work indicating that, as is known, FeS also dissolves in the slag. 7,10,[12][13][14] At sulfur levels over 1 wt.% in slag (matte over 10 wt.% Fe), the level of soluble copper in the slag is expected to rise. In the current case, with a metallic phase present, solid metallic Fe can form if the matte contains over 12 wt.% Fe (see Fig.…”

Section: Dissolved Sulfur In Slagmentioning

confidence: 99%

Minimization of Copper Losses in Copper Smelting Slag During Electric Furnace Treatment

Coursol

Valencia

Mackey

et al. 2012

JOM

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In the quest to achieve the highest metal recovery during the smelting of copper concentrates, this study has evaluated the minimum level of soluble copper in iron-silicate slags. The experimental work was performed under slag-cleaning conditions for different levels of Fe in the matte and for a range of Fe/SiO 2 ratios in the slag. All experiments were carried out under conditions where three phases were present (copper-matte-slag), which is the condition typically prevailing in many slag-cleaning electric furnaces. The %Fe in the electric furnace matte was varied between 0.5 wt.% and 11 wt.%, and two different Fe/SiO 2 ratios in the slag were used (targeted values were 1.4 and 1.6). All experiments were performed at 1200°C. From thermodynamic considerations, from industrial experience, and from the results obtained in this study, the minimum soluble copper content in the electric furnace slag is expected to be near 0.55 wt.% Cu. This level does not account for a portion of the copper present as mechanically entrained matte/metal droplets. Taking this into account, the current authors believe an overall copper level in discard slag between 0.7 wt.% and 0.8 wt.% can be obtained with optimal operating conditions. For these conditions, the copper losses in the slag are roughly 75% as dissolved copper and 25% as entrained matte and copper. Such conditions include operating the electric furnace at metallic copper saturation, maintaining the %Fe in the electric furnace matte between 6 wt.% and 9 wt.%, not exceeding a slag temperature of 1250°C, and controlling the Fe/SiO 2 ratio in the smelting furnace slag at £1.5. In addition, magnetite reduction needs to be performed efficiently during the slag-cleaning cycle so as to maintain a total magnetite content of £7 wt.% in the discard slag. The authors further consider that under exceptionally well-controlled conditions, a copper content in electric furnace discard slag between 0.55 wt.% and 0.7 wt.% can be obtained, by minimizing entrained matte and copper solubility in the discard slag.

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The Physical Chemistry of Copper Smelting Slags and Copper Losses at the Paipote SmelterPart 2 – Characterisation of industrial slags

Cited by 37 publications

References 14 publications

Characterization of Copper Slag

Characterization of Copper Slag

Reduction of Magnetite from Copper Smelting Slag using Petro-diesel and Biodiesel

Minimization of Copper Losses in Copper Smelting Slag During Electric Furnace Treatment

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