Distribution and Control of Arsenic during Copper Converting and Refining
Arsenic content in copper concentrates is continuously increasing worldwide. It is desirable to remove arsenic from copper in the earlier stages of copper making due to the deposition of arsenic to cathode copper during the electrorefining process. Effects of temperature, flux, and oxygen on the dis...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Metals |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4701/13/1/85 |
| Summary: | Arsenic content in copper concentrates is continuously increasing worldwide. It is desirable to remove arsenic from copper in the earlier stages of copper making due to the deposition of arsenic to cathode copper during the electrorefining process. Effects of temperature, flux, and oxygen on the distribution of arsenic during copper converting and fire refining processes were studied using FactSage 8.2. The results showed that arsenic can be effectively removed by proper selection of converting and refining slags. The decrease in Fe/SiO<sub>2</sub> or Fe/CaO ratio in the converting slag is favorable for arsenic distributed to slag. CaO is more effective than SiO<sub>2</sub> in decreasing the liquidus temperature of the slag and arsenic content in the blister copper during the converting process. Na<sub>2</sub>O or CaO as a flux is effective to remove arsenic in the fire refining process. |
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| ISSN: | 2075-4701 |