Distribution behavior of minor elements has important implications for copper making processes. In this article, the experimental results of the distribution of silver, nickel, cobalt, lead, antimony and arsenic among the three melts of copper, white metal and silica-saturated iron silicate slag are described.
The melting experiments were carried out at 1300°C under controlled SO
2 partial pressures varying from 0.7 to 20 kPa which are approximately proportional to the O
2 pressures.
The distribution ratios for an element X, defined as,
Lxc⁄s=%X in metal/%X in slag
Lxc⁄w=%X in metal/%X in white metal
Lxw⁄s=%X in white metal/%X in slag
can be arranged in the following orders:
Lc⁄s: As, (Ag)>Sb>Ni>Pb>Co
Lc⁄w: As>Sb>Pb, Ni, (Ag)>Co
Lw⁄s: (Ag)>As>Sb>Ni>Pb>Co.
Thus, the impurity elements in this study can be grouped into three classes according to distribution tendencies: As and Sb are highly concentrated in the metal, Co is highly concentrated in the slag, and Ni and Pb are distributed among all three melts in rather similar concentrations. The distribution ratios of the present study generally agree with previous experimental data obtained for simplified two-melt systems. An oxidic dissolution of such forms as NiO, PbO and CoO in the slag is reasonably acceptable, while the possibility of metallic dissolution of Ag, As, Sb and Ni in the slag cannot be denied.
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