A New Era in Smelting Sustainability-Intensification of the Outotec? Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance (TSL) Process for Zinc Production

摘要

For almost 30 years, the Outotec? Ausmelt Top Submerged Lance (TSL) process has been applied for the processing of zinc-bearing leach residues, slags, EAF dust and sulphide concentrates. Continual development and evolution of the technology over this period has resulted in a more intense smelting process with higher energy efficiency, lower operating costs and reduced fossil fuel consumption. This paper covers a number of recent technology advances, highlighting their positive impacts on smelter operating costs, CO_2 emissions and metal recoveries for treatment of a range of zinc-bearing feed inputs. It also compares Ausmelt TSL technology against alternatives such as the Waelz kiln, box fumer, Chinese side-blowing process and plasma technology, demonstrating a range of operational and environmental advantages.