Method for producing blister copper

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing blister copper, according to which method copper concentrate ( 5 ), flux ( 6 ) and oxygen-enriched air ( 7 ) are fed together into a suspension smelting furnace ( 1 ), such as a flash smelting furnace, so that there are created at least two molten phases, such as a white metal phase ( 11 ) and a slag phase ( 10 ); and that the white metal is oxidized after the suspension smelting furnace in at least one oxidizing reactor ( 12 ).

1 . A method for producing blister copper, comprising feeding copper concentrate, flux and oxygen-enriched air together into a flash smelting furnace, to form at least two molten phases, white metal and slag and oxidizing the white metal after the flash smelting furnace in at least one oxidizing reactor, providing an oxygen potential is within the range of 10.E-10-6 and a sulfur dioxide partial pressure within the range of 0.2-1 in the flash smelting furnace, and installing the oxidizing reactor in connection with the flash smelting furnace.  
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing reactor is arranged to be installed in connection with the flash smelting furnace in a stationary fashion.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing reactor is connected to the flash smelting furnace by a melt launder.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing reactor is a surface blasting reactor.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the oxidizing reactor is an injection reactor.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein into the oxidizing reactor ( 12 ), there also is injected solid white metal.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the slag is treated after the suspension smelting furnace in an electric furnace in order to recover the copper content thereof.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein the slag is after the suspension smelting furnace treated in flotation in order to recover the copper content thereof.