Fabric Compensators for the Production of Copper

Manufacture of copper using fabric compensators

High specific productivity (the highest of existing autogenous technologies) is 80-100 t / (m2 day). The latest data of the Norilsk plant's works shows that this figure can reach 100 t / (m2 day) and even more.

Low requirements to the moisture content and size of the charge (the material can be processed by humidity up to 6-8%, grinding of the charge is not required).

Low dust - no more than 1% of the mass of the charge.

The process is completely continuous, which makes it easy to automate it.

Low fuel consumption - no more than 2% when processing standard copper sulphide concentrates for ordinary matte. When melting on rich matte with high enrichment of the blast, the process can take place in a completely autogenous regime.

A small volume of waste gases with a high concentration of sulfurous anhydride (30-50%), which reduces the size of gas-utilization equipment. Fabric expansion joints are installed on gas ducts and gas pipelines. The exhaust gases can be completely recycled to produce sulfuric acid, liquid SO2, or elemental sulfur (with appropriate efficient gas processing);

Relatively small capital and operating costs.

The charge is fed into the unit without preliminary preparation (fine grinding, deep drying, etc.). It enters the working space from above through the loading devices located on the roof of the furnace, equipped with fabric compensators Compens Elastik. Once on the surface of the bath, the material moves to the depth of the melt, vigorously mixes with it and under the influence of high temperatures passes into the liquid state. In the subfund zone, the smelting products are separated into matte and slag, which, as they accumulate, are removed from the furnace. Combustion products and process gases are emitted through the surface of the melt, promoting intensive mixing of the melt bath. Gases are removed through a vertical flue installed near the slag wall.

The main dimensions of the furnace and the operating parameters of the melting are determined experimentally. Its melting chamber is made in the form of a rectangular shaft, the length of which varies from 10 to 30 m depending on the capacity of the unit. The distance between the furnace side walls is chosen so that the bubbling (gas-saturated) layer is as uniformly distributed in the cross-sectional plane Bath. The width of the furnace is of the order of 2 - 3 m. The total height of the shaft is approximately 6 - 6.5 m. The execution of furnaces of various lengths makes it possible to obtain melting units of various capacities.

The foundation and construction of the bottom of the PV furnace are similar to the similar structural elements of many furnaces for autogenous melting. The mine shaft is laid out of refractory (chromium-magnesite) brick and has fabric compensators. To protect the masonry in the walls, starting from a level remote from the filing of 0.9 - 1 m, and to the tuyere belt, insert caissons from copper seamless-drawn glazing pipes of the square outer section.

The fence of the furnace at the place of interaction with the slag melt is made in the form of a cassoned belt about 4 m in height. It consists of three rows of caissons. The waist belt is located in the lower row of caissons. The lobster is 1.5 to 2 m away from the hearth.

Caissons are made of electrolytic copper in the form of rectangular slabs ELATEKSizokeram (600h1300 mm), which are connected in sections, fastened with a common frame. The lower row of caissons has openings for locating tuyeres. They are installed in such a way that, with full use of the blast, it is easier to facilitate the service of the garment lining covering the inner surface of the caissons. The required effect is reached by penetrating the nozzle (branch pipe) of the lance into the melt by approximately 50 mm. This makes it possible to reduce the melt circulation velocity near the wall surface, but leads to a sharp deterioration in the operating conditions of the lance.

Some tuyeres are equipped to supply fuel to the furnace. It is introduced through a tube installed inside the tuyere, so that in the gap that forms between them, it is possible to supply the blast necessary for the oxidation of sulphides and fuel. Above the upper edge of the caisson belt to the roof of the furnace wall are lined with refractory (chromium-magnesite) bricks. Finishes the laying of a flat pendent vault with holes for batch loading. Near the end wall to the vault is a vertical flue of rectangular cross section.

The subfurtain zone of the bath through the flow channels located in the lower part of the end walls of the melting chamber is connected to the fabric compensators for the release of the smelting products. The entrance to the matte overflow is located 100-150 mm below its level in the melting chamber. On it, the melt gets into the siphon, laid out of the chromium-magnesite brick, closed on top by a spacer-hanging vault. From it, over the heated chute, matte is continuously poured into an external copier (mixer). The design of the siphon for slag is the same as for matte. The upper edge of its flow is located at a distance of 0.9 - 1 m from the level of the tuyeres. To remove slag from the siphon, a heated trough is used, through which it flows into a small intermediate settler, reminiscent of the device of an external heated furnace shaft furnace. Outside, the furnace is enclosed in a movable rack-type frame. In the area of the tuyere belt, it functions as a supporting structure rigidly fastened to water-cooled caissons.