Abstract

The industrial practice of converting copper matte comprises the oxidation of iron sulphide and subsequent oxidation of copper sulphide with the formation of copper blister, which is carried out discontinuously in Pierce-Smith or Hoboken converters. The present invention resolves said difficulty by making the industrial process a continuous operation. The method consists in the use of a continuous gravitational flow of copper matte to two reactors connected in series by a channel, in which oxidation and slagging of the iron in the copper matte is performed in the first reactor, followed by oxidation of the copper sulphide and formation of copper blister in the second reactor. Said intensive operation for converting liquid or liquid and solid copper matte is continuous and uses packed beds with a view to increasing the oxidation rate, in each reactor, with shorter operating times.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 15/06 - Obtaining copper in converters

Abstract

The invention relates to a pyrometallurgical method for continuously reducing oxidised copper using combustion gases flowing counter-current to the continuous gravitational flow of liquid copper dispersed through a packed-bed reactor of ceramic grains.

IPC Classes  ?

• C22B 15/14 - Refining