Claims
- 1. A process for refining molten copper matte in a refractory-lined converter having at least one double tuyere located beneath the surface of the molten bath, which process comprises the steps of:
- oxidizing the iron component of said copper matte by injecting an oxidizing gas having an oxygen content of from 21% to pure oxygen into said matte through said tuyere at a pressure in the range of 6 to 20 bars to maintain the temperature of said matte in the range of 1280.degree. C to 1420.degree. C, while also injecting through said tuyere a cooling agent peripherally of said oxidizing gas; and thereafter
- oxidizing the sulfur component of said copper matte by injecting an oxidizing gas enriched with oxygen to the extent of being 40% oxygen or greater into said matte through said tuyere at a pressure in the range of 6 to 20 bars to maintain the temperature of said matte in the range of 1280.degree. C to 1420.degree. C, while also injecting through said tuyere a cooling agent peripherally of said oxidizing gas.
- 2. A process as recited in claim 1 wherein: said cooling agent is a carbon-containing material.
- 3. A process as recited in claim 2 wherein: said carbon-containing material is fuel oil.
- 4. A process as recited in claim 3 wherein: said oxidizing gas is injected at a pressure in the range of 6 to 10 bars.
- 5. A process as recited in claim 3 wherein:
- said temperature of said matte is maintained in the range of 1350.degree. C to 1400.degree. C during said steps of oxidizing said iron component and oxidizing said sulfur component.
- 6. A process as recited in claim 3 wherein:
- said step of oxidizing said iron component comprises a plurality of blowing periods each being interrupted for slag removal from said converter and additional charging operations.
- 7. A process as recited in claim 6 wherein:
- each of said blowing periods is commenced by an initial period of injecting pure oxygen as said oxidizing gas followed by a reduction in the oxygen content of said oxidizing gas for the balance of said blowing period.
- 8. A process as recited in claim 7 wherein:
- said oxidizing gas blown during said balance of said blowing period is highly enriched with oxygen.
Priority Claims (2)
Number |
Date |
Country |
Kind |
72.17620 |
May 1972 |
FR |
|
73.06685 |
Feb 1973 |
FR |
|
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 354,400, filed Apr. 25, 1973 and now abandoned.
US Referenced Citations (9)
Foreign Referenced Citations (1)
Number |
Date |
Country |
1,450,718 |
Jul 1966 |
FR |
Continuation in Parts (1)
|
Number |
Date |
Country |
Parent |
354400 |
Apr 1973 |
|