Method and system for injecting gas into a copper refining process

Abstract

A method for refining copper wherein a stream of oxygen containing gas is provided from a lance into the headspace of a refining vessel for passage to the molten copper bath within the refining vessel, and a flame envelope is provided around and along the oxygen containing gas stream for a portion of its length, wherein the flame envelope simultaneously serves to keep accretions from forming on the lance face and serves to maintain the oxygen-containing gas stream coherent.

1 . A method for injecting oxygen containing gas into a copper refining process comprising the steps of:
 injecting a gas stream from a lance at a prescribed velocity into a vessel having an interior wall with a refractory lining containing a molten copper bath, said molten copper bath having a top surface and defining a headspace in said vessel above said top surface and said lance having a distal end disposed proximate the interior wall of the refining vessel above the top surface;   providing a flame envelope from the lance to shroud the gas stream and form a coherent jet and direct the coherent jet from the lance through the headspace to the molten copper bath; and   reacting the coherent jet with constituents in the molten copper bath.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flame envelope is formed by providing fuel and an oxidant from the lance and combusting the fuel and oxidant in the vessel. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gas stream comprises a nitrogen gas. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gas stream comprises an oxygen containing gas. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the gas stream comprises an inert gas. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flame envelope further melts material proximate the lance. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1  wherein the flame envelope further forms a barrier around the oxygen containing gas stream preventing any gases within the headspace from entering the gas stream. 
     
     
         8 . A gas injection system for copper refining process comprising:
 a refining vessel having a refractory wall and containing a molten copper bath, said molten copper bath having a top surface and said refining vessel defining a headspace above said top surface of the molten copper bath; and   a lance having a distal end disposed proximate to the refractory wall of the refining vessel at a location above the top surface of the molten copper bath;   wherein said lance injects a stream of gas into the headspace toward the top surface of the molten copper bath and forms a flame envelope around said stream of gas to form a coherent jet.   
     
     
         9 . The gas injection system of  claim 8  wherein the gas stream comprises a nitrogen gas. 
     
     
         10 . The gas injection system of  claim 8  wherein the gas stream comprises an oxygen containing gas. 
     
     
         11 . The gas injection system of  claim 8  wherein the gas stream comprises an inert gas. 
     
     
         12 . The gas injection system of  claim 8  wherein the flame envelope is formed by providing fuel and an oxidant from the lance and combusting the fuel and oxidant in the vessel. 
     
     
         13 . The gas injection system of  claim 8  wherein the flame envelope further melts material proximate the lance. 
     
     
         14 . The gas injection system of  claim 8  wherein the flame envelope further forms a barrier around the oxygen containing gas stream preventing any gases within the headspace from entering the oxygen containing gas stream.