Formation and phase separation during the smelting of sulfide raw materials

This paper discusses the most recent developments made at the Gintsvetmet Institute in technologies and equipment for single-stage autogenous smelting of copper sulfide raw materials to produce white metal and blister copper. In particular, the oxygen-flame smelting process and separation of highly basic calcium-containing slags are considered. This technology includes the oxygen-flame smelting process (KFP Process) to produce highly basic self-disintegrating ferrite-calcium slags with their subsequent flotation to recover copper. Also included is a sparging smelting process (FBP Process) to produce combined slags subjected to decopperizing inside the same furnace. Results of special investigations of the slag structure obtained in the KFP and FBP processes and substantiating selection of their chemical and phase composition are presented. These processes meet stringent requirements for advanced technologies with respect to energy conservation and environmental safety with different scales of production and within a wide range of specific conditions of particular operations.