Processing of Polymetallic Materials Requires Flexible and Capable Downstream Refining Technology: Aurubis Lead Refinery as Economic, Modern, and Well Integrated Plant at the Site Hamburg

摘要

Synergies between copper and lead metallurgy are essential to ensure efficient processing of polymetallic complex materials. The required process efficiencies along with environmental demands have been common elements behind technological transformations in the non-ferrous industry. In case of Aurubis, firstly modernization of its copper plant in 1972 followed by the lead plant in 1992, are clear examples of drastic transformations implemented to achieve. Continuing with these goals, Aurubis commissioned a new lead refinery in 2014 in order to achieve a more efficient refining process that could deal with the increasing complexity of materials and improve emission control. This was achieved by the implementation of a smart ventilation system instead of common ridge turret systems. This paper describes Aurubis's lead refinery operation adaptation to meet the challenges imposed by the increasing complexity of raw materials and the environmental aspects required to operate a sustainable urban metallurgical facility.