Distribution equilibria of Sn,Se and Te between FeO-Fe2O3-SiO2-AI2O3-CuO0.5 slag and metallic copper

The distribution of tin, selenium and tellurium between alumina-containing fayalitic slags and metallic copper was measured at 1200 and 1300°C under controlled CO-CO₂ atmosphere with oxygen partial pressure (pO₂) in the rangePO ₂ = 10_-6 to 10_-11 atm (1 atm = 1.013 x 10² kPa). The solubility of Sn in slag was observed to increase linearly with increasing P^1/2O₂. It was deduced that Sn is present in the slag in the form of SnO or Sn² and the activity coefficient of SnO in the slag was calculated to be 1.9 at 1200°C and 0.8 at 1300°C. The solubility of Se in the slag decreases with increasing oxygen partial pressure up topO ₂l = 4 x 10₋₈ atm, but above this oxygen partial pressure it becomes practically constant and the ratio (pet Se in slag/pet Se in copper) = 0.018 (at 1200°C) and 0.036 (at 1300°C). The solubility of Te shows a similar variation with oxygen partial pressure and the ratio (pet Te in slag/pet Te in copper) = 0.026 (at 1200°C) and 0.032 (at 1300°C) abovepol ₂ = 10⁶ atm. A concept of molecular dissolution of chalcogen elements in slag was developed on the basis of thermodynamic properties of slag, and the observed solubility of Se and Te was explained in terms of the chemical stability of the molecular cluster FeSe and FeTe iη the slag. M. Nagamori is with Centre de Recherche Industrielle du Québec, Ste-Foy, Quebec and P. J. Mackey is Smelter Technical Superintendent, Noranda Mines Limited, Noranda, Quebec, Canada. Both authors were Formerly with Noranda Research Centre, Pointe Claire, Quebec.