EP0199441A1 - Reductive smelting of sulfides and a burner therefor - Google Patents
Reductive smelting of sulfides and a burner therefor Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0199441A1 EP0199441A1 EP86301519A EP86301519A EP0199441A1 EP 0199441 A1 EP0199441 A1 EP 0199441A1 EP 86301519 A EP86301519 A EP 86301519A EP 86301519 A EP86301519 A EP 86301519A EP 0199441 A1 EP0199441 A1 EP 0199441A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- concentrate
- fuel
- burner
- conduit
- bore
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
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Classifications
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B5/00—General methods of reducing to metals
- C22B5/02—Dry methods smelting of sulfides or formation of mattes
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B15/00—Obtaining copper
- C22B15/0026—Pyrometallurgy
- C22B15/0028—Smelting or converting
- C22B15/003—Bath smelting or converting
- C22B15/0036—Bath smelting or converting in reverberatory furnaces
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B15/00—Obtaining copper
- C22B15/0026—Pyrometallurgy
- C22B15/0028—Smelting or converting
- C22B15/0052—Reduction smelting or converting
-
- C—CHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
- C22—METALLURGY; FERROUS OR NON-FERROUS ALLOYS; TREATMENT OF ALLOYS OR NON-FERROUS METALS
- C22B—PRODUCTION AND REFINING OF METALS; PRETREATMENT OF RAW MATERIALS
- C22B23/00—Obtaining nickel or cobalt
- C22B23/02—Obtaining nickel or cobalt by dry processes
- C22B23/025—Obtaining nickel or cobalt by dry processes with formation of a matte or by matte refining or converting into nickel or cobalt, e.g. by the Oxford process
Definitions
- the instant invention relates to the pyrometallurgical processing of metal sulfide ores or concentrates in general and, more particularly, to a more efficient method and burner apparatus that minimize the generation of sulfur dioxide (S0 2 ) in a reverberatory smelting vessel.
- the first pyrometallurgical step is the oxidation of iron which ultimately leads to its extraction via slag removal. This process results in a matte rich in nickel, copper and other desired metallic values.
- One such smelting method that accomplishes this end. utilizes a reverberatory furnance.
- a fossil fuel coal, oil or gas
- the furnace is a long rectangular structure with burners arranged at one end. Flames from the burners are played over the bottom of the furnace (hearth) wherein a large portion of the heat in the combustion gas radiates directly to the charge lying on the hearth below. Simultaneously, a remainder of the heat from the burners is radiated from and reflected off the roof and walls - hence it "reverberates" in the furnance.
- reverberatory smelting requires large quantities of fuel and results in the formation of nitrous oxides ( NOx ) .
- the charge fed into the furnace is the sulfide containing calcine feed eminating from a roaster.
- the charge is fed through a series of vertical fettling pipes that pass through the roof and dropped along the sides of the furnace. As it melts, the charge flows into the hearth and forms the characteristic slag and matte.
- a silicious flux to bind up the iron oxide (formed in the roaster) is added as necessary.
- the slag (rich in undesirable iron containing compounds) floats above the matte (rich in desirable nickel, copper and other metallic compounds).
- the slag and matte are separated by appropriate tapping procedures for further treatment in convertors.
- An improved variation on this theme is the oxy-fuel reverb furnace.
- a plurality of burners essentially parallel to inner walls are mounted in the roof. Pure oxygen is mixed with-the fuel to cause combustion. The resultant flame impinges directly on the charge below. This configuration increases furnace throughput and decreases fuel consumption. The feed is independent of the burners.
- a process and a burner adapted therefor wherein a nickel and/or copper sulfide concentrate is passed through the central bore of a burner extending into a oxy-fuel reverberatory furnace and is contacted with a gaseous fuel rather than oxygen prior to combustion.
- the sulfide concentrate may be a mixture of nickel or copper sulfide concentrate and roasted nickel or copper concentrate (calcines) or it may be partially roasted nickel or copper concentrate.
- This flame smelting technique minimizes the oxidation of sulfidic sulfur to S0 2 in the smelting vessel and improves fuel efficiencies and throughput without being deleterious to the refractories lining the vessel walls. In addition, NO x formation is reduced.
- FIG. 1 and 2 there is shown a burner 10 adapted for installation into a reverberatory furnace (not shown).
- the burner 10 includes feed inlet 12.
- the inlet 12 intersects central bore 14 which extends through the burner 10 to combustion zone 16.
- Fuel conduit 18 circumscribes the bore 14 and includes inlet 20.
- Oxygen conduit 22 circumscribes the fuel conduit 18 and includes inlet 24.
- Cooling jacket 26 circumscribes the oxygen conduit 22. Cooling fluid (usually water) is introduced through inlet 28 wherein it courses through the jacket 26 before exiting from outlet 30.
- Mounting plate 32 serves as a mounting surface to affix the burner 10 to the furnace. Inspection port 34 permits visual observation of the burner and flame.
- the burner 10 is ignited in a usual fashion.
- flame smelting that is, feeding the sulfide containing calcine material through the burner 10 into the flame increases the smelting efficiency of a reverberatory vessel. In this fashion, the individual particles are more fully exposed to the high temperature of the flame. The much impraved heat transfer conditions permit increased throughput without any detriment to refractory life. Moreover, the fuel itself partially acts as a temperature depressant by decreasing the flame temperature and thus reducing the formation of NO . x
- the burner 10 initially reduces the exposure of the feed to the oxygen by channeling the fuel between the oxygen and the feed.
- the fuel shields and insulates the feed from the oxygen thus minimizing the oxidation of sulfudic sulfur to S0 2 in the furnace.
- the velocity of the feed and gas are on the order of 20-25 meters/second. This results in somewhat of a three ring concentric laminar flow as the various components emerge from the burner 10 into the combustion zone 16.
- the oxygen, shielded from the feed by the fuel sees the fuel and is consumed during the resulting combustion reaction before it has the opportunity to oxidize the feed.
- the close proximity of the feed to the heat generated by the combustion reaction greatly increases the efficiency of the process while reducing the need for fuel.
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Materials Engineering (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Metallurgy (AREA)
- Organic Chemistry (AREA)
- Manufacture And Refinement Of Metals (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The instant invention relates to the pyrometallurgical processing of metal sulfide ores or concentrates in general and, more particularly, to a more efficient method and burner apparatus that minimize the generation of sulfur dioxide (S02) in a reverberatory smelting vessel.
- In the course of recovering nickel and/or copper from sulfidic materials such as concentrates containing chalcopyrite, pyrrhotite, pentlandite, etc. the first pyrometallurgical step is the oxidation of iron which ultimately leads to its extraction via slag removal. This process results in a matte rich in nickel, copper and other desired metallic values. One such smelting method that accomplishes this end. utilizes a reverberatory furnance.
- Briefly, in current reverberatory furnaces, a fossil fuel (coal, oil or gas) is burned separately from the material being smelted. The furnace is a long rectangular structure with burners arranged at one end. Flames from the burners are played over the bottom of the furnace (hearth) wherein a large portion of the heat in the combustion gas radiates directly to the charge lying on the hearth below. Simultaneously, a remainder of the heat from the burners is radiated from and reflected off the roof and walls - hence it "reverberates" in the furnance. Although quite versatile, reverberatory smelting requires large quantities of fuel and results in the formation of nitrous oxides (NOx). x
- The charge fed into the furnace is the sulfide containing calcine feed eminating from a roaster. The charge is fed through a series of vertical fettling pipes that pass through the roof and dropped along the sides of the furnace. As it melts, the charge flows into the hearth and forms the characteristic slag and matte. A silicious flux to bind up the iron oxide (formed in the roaster) is added as necessary. The slag (rich in undesirable iron containing compounds) floats above the matte (rich in desirable nickel, copper and other metallic compounds). The slag and matte are separated by appropriate tapping procedures for further treatment in convertors.
- An improved variation on this theme is the oxy-fuel reverb furnace. In this embodiment, a plurality of burners, essentially parallel to inner walls are mounted in the roof. Pure oxygen is mixed with-the fuel to cause combustion. The resultant flame impinges directly on the charge below. This configuration increases furnace throughput and decreases fuel consumption. The feed is independent of the burners.
- A great difficulty posed by the pyrometallurgy of sulfide ores is that substantial quantities of sulfur dioxide are liberated as a by-product. In view of a heightened awareness concerning the release of sulfur dioxide, it has become imperative that sulfur dioxide emissions be subtantially reduced whenever and wherever possible. Accordingly, it is often desirable to produce sulfuric acid as a by-product. In any event, it is always desirable to improve furnace throughput, decrease expensive fuel consumption and reduce 8°2 emissions.
- Accordingly, there is provided a process and a burner adapted therefor wherein a nickel and/or copper sulfide concentrate is passed through the central bore of a burner extending into a oxy-fuel reverberatory furnace and is contacted with a gaseous fuel rather than oxygen prior to combustion. More specifically, the sulfide concentrate may be a mixture of nickel or copper sulfide concentrate and roasted nickel or copper concentrate (calcines) or it may be partially roasted nickel or copper concentrate. This flame smelting technique minimizes the oxidation of sulfidic sulfur to S02 in the smelting vessel and improves fuel efficiencies and throughput without being deleterious to the refractories lining the vessel walls. In addition, NOx formation is reduced.
-
- Figure 1 is a cross sectional elevation of an embodiment of the invention.
- Figure 2 is a partial cross sectional view taken along line 2-2 in Figure 1.
- Referring to Figures 1 and 2 there is shown a
burner 10 adapted for installation into a reverberatory furnace (not shown). Theburner 10 includesfeed inlet 12. Theinlet 12 intersectscentral bore 14 which extends through theburner 10 tocombustion zone 16.Fuel conduit 18 circumscribes thebore 14 and includesinlet 20.Oxygen conduit 22 circumscribes thefuel conduit 18 and includesinlet 24.Cooling jacket 26 circumscribes theoxygen conduit 22. Cooling fluid (usually water) is introduced throughinlet 28 wherein it courses through thejacket 26 before exiting fromoutlet 30.Mounting plate 32 serves as a mounting surface to affix theburner 10 to the furnace.Inspection port 34 permits visual observation of the burner and flame. Theburner 10 is ignited in a usual fashion. - It is proposed that flame smelting, that is, feeding the sulfide containing calcine material through the
burner 10 into the flame increases the smelting efficiency of a reverberatory vessel. In this fashion, the individual particles are more fully exposed to the high temperature of the flame. The much impraved heat transfer conditions permit increased throughput without any detriment to refractory life. Moreover, the fuel itself partially acts as a temperature depressant by decreasing the flame temperature and thus reducing the formation of NO . x - It should be noted that by simply introducing the feed through the
central bore 14 of theburner 10, excessive sulfur elimination as S02 would occur because the feed is not protected from the oxidizing ___ (oxygen) stream used for combusting the fuel. Therefore, theburner 10 initially reduces the exposure of the feed to the oxygen by channeling the fuel between the oxygen and the feed. The fuel shields and insulates the feed from the oxygen thus minimizing the oxidation of sulfudic sulfur to S02 in the furnace. - Protection of the sulfide containing calcine feed is particularly important in those cases in which smelting is preceeded by fluid bed roasting with the objective of capturing part of the sulfur of the metal concentrate in a continuous, strong gas stream which can be fed to an acid plant. Minimization of sulfur evolution as S02 in the smelting vessel permits maximizing sulfur elimination in the roaster. Optimum operating conditions towards this objective are proposed in the roast reduction smelting process described in Canadian Patent 1151430. In this process, the nickel concentrate is partially roasted and the calcine with a reductant are fed to an electric furnace. A sulfur deficient matte (all of the Fe and part of the Ni, Cu and Co in the matte are metallized) is produced, thus making sulfur elimination during the succeeding converting operation very small.
- In view of the teaching in the aforesaid Canadian patent partial reduction smelting (mattes with only partial metallization of Fe) can also be practiced in a reverberatory furnace. Feeding of the partially roasted calcine and reductant through the
burner 10 protects both the sulfide feed from excessive sulfur elimination as S02 and the solid reductant. - A small pilot plant electrical furnace 5 ft. (1.5 m) I.D. X 5 ft. (1.5 m) high was modified by removing the electrodes and inserting the
burner 10. The feed was projected down thecentral bore 14 in both tests described hereafter. The results are given in Table I'below. In Run 1 the oxygen and fuel were dispatched throughconduits Run 2 the fuel was injected intoconduit 18 and the oxygen was fed intoconduit 22. - The velocity of the feed and gas are on the order of 20-25 meters/second. This results in somewhat of a three ring concentric laminar flow as the various components emerge from the
burner 10 into thecombustion zone 16. The oxygen, shielded from the feed by the fuel, sees the fuel and is consumed during the resulting combustion reaction before it has the opportunity to oxidize the feed. The close proximity of the feed to the heat generated by the combustion reaction greatly increases the efficiency of the process while reducing the need for fuel. ' -
- It should be noted in
Run 2 more of the sulfur was fixed into the furnace matte. This shows that injecting the gas or other fuel next to the partially roasted concentrate helped prevent the oxidation of the sulfides by the oxygen used for the combustion and is a superior arrangement to achieve the desired objective. Note also that the combination of increased coke in the feed through the burner plus the natural gas injection next to it give a superior reduction of the slag, i.e. the nickel in the slag is substanially lower. Thus both the sulfuric sulfur and the coke were protected by theburner 10.
Claims (10)
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
CA475663 | 1985-03-04 | ||
CA475663 | 1985-03-04 |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0199441A1 true EP0199441A1 (en) | 1986-10-29 |
Family
ID=4129951
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP86301519A Withdrawn EP0199441A1 (en) | 1985-03-04 | 1986-03-04 | Reductive smelting of sulfides and a burner therefor |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0199441A1 (en) |
JP (1) | JPS62124236A (en) |
Cited By (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0478322A1 (en) * | 1990-09-26 | 1992-04-01 | Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company Limited | Pyrometallurgical process for treating a feed material |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2025600A1 (en) * | 1968-12-07 | 1970-09-11 | Mitsubishi Metal Mining Co Ltd | |
DE2203227A1 (en) * | 1972-01-24 | 1973-10-11 | Inst De Proiectari Si Cercetar | Lead, zinc and copper sepn - for sulphide concentrates by fluidized bed smelting |
US3796568A (en) * | 1971-12-27 | 1974-03-12 | Union Carbide Corp | Flame smelting and refining of copper |
US3932170A (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1976-01-13 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Interior | Use of scavenger in recovery of metal values |
US4260364A (en) * | 1978-04-17 | 1981-04-07 | The International Nickel Company Inc. | Burner for flash smelting furnace |
EP0028968A1 (en) * | 1979-10-31 | 1981-05-20 | Canadian Liquid Air Ltd Air Liquide Canada Ltee | Process for treating a metal in a melting bath |
Family Cites Families (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JPS4920444A (en) * | 1972-06-19 | 1974-02-22 |
-
1986
- 1986-03-04 JP JP4714486A patent/JPS62124236A/en active Pending
- 1986-03-04 EP EP86301519A patent/EP0199441A1/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
FR2025600A1 (en) * | 1968-12-07 | 1970-09-11 | Mitsubishi Metal Mining Co Ltd | |
US3796568A (en) * | 1971-12-27 | 1974-03-12 | Union Carbide Corp | Flame smelting and refining of copper |
DE2203227A1 (en) * | 1972-01-24 | 1973-10-11 | Inst De Proiectari Si Cercetar | Lead, zinc and copper sepn - for sulphide concentrates by fluidized bed smelting |
US3932170A (en) * | 1974-08-19 | 1976-01-13 | The United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Interior | Use of scavenger in recovery of metal values |
US4260364A (en) * | 1978-04-17 | 1981-04-07 | The International Nickel Company Inc. | Burner for flash smelting furnace |
EP0028968A1 (en) * | 1979-10-31 | 1981-05-20 | Canadian Liquid Air Ltd Air Liquide Canada Ltee | Process for treating a metal in a melting bath |
Cited By (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0478322A1 (en) * | 1990-09-26 | 1992-04-01 | Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company Limited | Pyrometallurgical process for treating a feed material |
US5374299A (en) * | 1990-09-26 | 1994-12-20 | Johannesburg Consolidated Investment Company Limited | Pyrometallurgical process for treating a feed material |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
JPS62124236A (en) | 1987-06-05 |
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17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 19881027 |
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STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
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18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 19890307 |
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RIN1 | Information on inventor provided before grant (corrected) |
Inventor name: BELL, MALCOLM CHARLES EVERT Inventor name: DIAZ, CARLOS MANUEL Inventor name: DAVIES, HAYDEN |