The Outokumpu HydroCopper? Process - Design, Implementation and Operation of a Demonstration Plant

摘要

Outokumpu, a leading metals and technology group, has carried out extensive R&D work for the past few years on the development of a new hydrometallurgical technology, called HydroCopper?, for processing various kinds of copper concentrates. HydroCopper? is a patented chloride-based process comprising leaching, solution purification and cuprous oxide precipitation. The oxide is reduced, melted and cast into a copper product, e.g. wire rod, The lixiviant, NaCl, is regenerated by chlor-alkali electrolysis. The process has been pilot-tested at the Outokumpu Research Center in Pori, Finland. To confirm the scale-up feasibility of the process, Outokumpu Technology designed and implemented a demonstration plant in Pori. The plant will produce 1 tonne of copper per day, and will be in operation during 2003. In this paper the design criteria and the selection of materials and equipment are reviewed.