A Crucible Setup for Investigations of the Copper Converting Stage in the Peirce-Smith Converter

摘要

The batch-wise Peirce-Smith converter process at Aurubis AG Hamburg has been operating since 1972. Over the years the challenge to optimize copper production has led to modifications affecting process parameters, construction and handling details. The increase in oxygen enrichment in the blast wind and the temperature control for instance show the challenge to improve energy efficiency. Apart from these parameters, the distribution of minor elements is determined by the slag system and the matte grade, too. Although the conversion of copper matte is a well-known process, the literature offers no data for bench scale. At the Hamburg research and development department, parameters for converting copper from matte to white metal or blister copper in crucible scale were defined. In contrast with commonly used synthetic raw material, copper matte from the flash smelting furnace was applied. Various temperatures up to 1300°C and oxygen contents of the blast wind from 21 to 100 % can be realized. The injection of the oxygen/air mixture through more than one lance enables period times identical to commercial conversion. The copper content in the products of the slag blowing and copper blowing stage can be copied reliably by the mass of oxygen. Distribution ratios of minor elements (e.g., Sb, Bi, Se and Te) between white metal/slag were defined for the bench scale and compared with the Peirce-Smith converter process. Except for Bi, the other distribution coefficients are in a good range to the values from PSC.