The behavior of selenium and tellurium in metal-matte systems

The distribution of selenium and tellurium between molten metal and matte was determined at temperatures of 1100° to 1250°C. The experimental technique permitted separate sampling of each phase while at temperature. Partition coefficients (ratio of weight percent selenium or tellurium in the matte to weight percent selenium or tellurium in the metal) varied from 10.5 to 16.9 for selenium and 5.5 to 8.1 for tellurium. The coefficients decreased with increasing temperature but were essentially independent of impurity concentration, iron content and oxygen and SO₂ partial pressures over the ranges studied. Application of these results to actual operations is discussed. The similarities in the chemical behavior of S, Se, and Te during smelting are also considered.