In the early 90s, Inco Limited conducted preliminary pilot plant test work on oxygen flash conversion and oxygen bath conversion of solid nickel-copper primary smelting matte to low matte. The latter route is based on the Inco-developed oxygen top blowing-nitrogen bottom stirring technology. A key objective of this test work was to invetigate differences in the emtallurgy of the two converting technologies, in particular differences in the sulfur content of the low iron matte produced. Another important objective was to determine the fasibility of producing low iron matte in conjunction with fluid iron-silicate slag. This paper reviews this test work and discusses the key issues relating to the continuous conversion of copper-nickel mattes.
展开▼
