Specialized metallurgical processes – compositions for use therei – Processes – Electrothermic processes
Patent
1978-07-17
1979-08-14
Rutledge, L. Dewayne
Specialized metallurgical processes, compositions for use therei
Processes
Electrothermic processes
75 77, 423DIG12, C22B 1300, C22B 1500
Patent
active
041644166
ABSTRACT:
A process for the recovery of copper or lead from a sulfide ore concentrate containing the same. The ore concentrate, a carbonaceous material, an alkali metal carbonate and gaseous oxygen are introduced into a reaction zone to form a reaction mixture. The amount of carbonaceous material introduced is sufficient to reduce all of the copper or lead constituent of the sulfide ore to its elemental state in a single stage. A sufficient excess of carbonaceous material is provided to react with the oxygen and generate heat in situ to maintain the reaction zone at a temperature of from about 600.degree. to 1350.degree. C. thereby causing reduction of the metal sulfide to substantially pure copper or lead for recovery. The sulfur constituents of the ore react with the alkali metal carbonate to form sulfides. The other metal constituents of the ore are retained in the molten reaction mixture.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention involving regeneration of the molten reaction mixture, at least a portion of the sulfide-containing molten reaction mixture is removed, quenched in an aqueous solution, and filtered to remove any insoluble reaction products. The aqueous filtrate is contacted with a CO.sub.2 -containing gas, preferably obtained from the reaction zone, to liberate the sulfur for recovery and reform carbonate for recycle to the reaction zone.
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APC, SN 292,742, Beck, et al., 07/13/1943.
DeLarvin Clark E.
Humphries L. Lee
Kolin Henry
Lewis Michael L.
Rockwell International Corporation
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