A process for the segregation of copper, silver and nickel from oxidic ores

摘要

In the segregation process, the metal bearing material is fluidized under such conditions that the material is heated, the heated material is withdrawn from the fluidized mass and moved as a continuous plug sealed from the atmosphere whilst the segregation reaction proceeds, the reagents necessary for the reaction being added to the plug at the beginning of its movement. The reagents may be a carbonaceous reducing agent and a halogen or halogen compound Copper ore and pulverized coal is fed to fluidized bed reactor space 8 through inlet 9 and inlet 10 to level 7. The fluidized bed is brought to the required temperature and thereafter ore and coal are added continuously. Heated ore overflows into and accumulates in the standpipe 6 which is provided with a discharge control mechanism 12 regulating the flow of material from 6. Exhaust gases from the reactor pass through one or more cyclones provided outside or inside the reactor space, and entrained material is discharged into the top of standpipe 6. Sodium chloride and more coal are also fed to the top of 6 through 11. A packed bed or plug is thus formed in 6 which moves down gradually as mechanism 12 is operated continuously or intermittently and to which reagents have been added. The material discharged from 6 is cooled without undue oxidation, subjected to a light regrind and a flotation step to recover the copper.ALSO:In the segregation process, the metal bearing material is fluidized under such conditions that the material is heated, the heated material is withdrawn from the fluidized mass and caused to move as a continuous plug sealed from the atmosphere whilst the segregation reaction proceeds, the reagents necessary for the reaction being added to the plug at the beginning of its movement. The reagents may be a carbonaceous reducing agent and a halogen or halogen compound. Copper ore and pulverized coal is fed to fluidized bed reactor space 8 through inlet 9 and inlet 10 respectively to level 7. The fluidized bed is brought to the required temperature and thereafter ore and coal are added continuously. Heated ore overflows into and accumulates in the standpipe 6 which is provided with a discharge control mechanism 12 regulating the flow of material from 6. Exhaust gases from the reactor pass through one or more cyclones provided outside or inside the reactor space, and entrained material is discharged into the top of standpipe 6. Sodium chloride and more coal are also fed to the top of 6 through 11. A packed bed or plug is thus formed in 6 which moves down gradually as mechanism 12 is operated continuously or intermittently and to which reagents have been added. The material discharged from 6 is cooled without undue oxidation, subjected to a light regrind and a flotation step to recover the copper.