Occurrence and speciation of copper in slags obtained during the pyrometallurgical processing of chalcopyrite concentrates at the Huelva smelter (Spain)
Slags involved in smelting-converting-refining operations to produce blister copper at the Atlantic Copper smelter, in Huelva (Spain), have been investigated by quantitative electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction and digital imaging techniques. The results showed that mechanically entra...
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| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
University of Belgrade, Technical Faculty, Bor
2012-01-01
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| Series: | Journal of Mining and Metallurgy. Section B: Metallurgy |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://www.doiserbia.nb.rs/img/doi/1450-5339/2012/1450-53391200027F.pdf |
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| Summary: | Slags involved in smelting-converting-refining operations to produce blister copper at the Atlantic Copper smelter, in Huelva (Spain), have been investigated by quantitative electron microprobe analysis, X-ray diffraction and digital imaging techniques. The results showed that mechanically entrapped matte particles are the dominant copper losses in the slags. The largest proportion of Cubearing particles (2.0-3.5 vol %) is present in the magnetite-rich converter slags, due to the negative effect of viscosity on coalescence and precipitation of copper matte during conversion. They consist of high-grade matte particles with a core of copper metal rimmed by a copper sulfide phase (Cu2S). The mechanical entrainment of copper matte by slags from both the flash and electric furnaces resulted in copper losses accounting for less than 1.5 vol %, mostly occurring as tiny particles with a stoichiometric composition close to that of bornite (Cu5FeS4). Copper was not found to be enriched in fayalite and magnetite as solid solution. |
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| ISSN: | 1450-5339 |