Abstract
A new technique for removing copper from iron-based scrap has been proposed. When iron-based scraps containing copper were placed in atmosphere controlled by O2-Cl2 gas mixtures, copper was chloridized to evaporate, whereas iron was oxidized to remain in the form of solid. The evaporation rate of copper chlorides was determined by the transport of chlorides across the boundary layer. Thermodynamic and kinetic consideration gave the optimal condition for removing copper, that is, the temperature of 1100K and the gas composition of O2-10%Cl2.
