Outokumpu Engineering Contractors Oy

Outokumpu Oyj

Pekka Hanniala

Risto Saarinen

Ilkka Veikko Kojo

Erkki Krogerus

Iikka Kojo

Olli Saarinen

The present invention relates to a method, whereby the non-ferrous metal content of the slag generated in the production of non-ferrous metals such as copper or nickel in a suspension smelting furnace is reduced by charging metallurgical coke, with a size ranging from 1-25 mm, into the furnace. Baffles can be positioned from the roof of the furnace downwards, by means of which small particles containing copper and nickel are prevented from drifting to the back of the furnace and being tapped with the slag. The baffles force the small particles to settle in the reduction zone of the furnace.

Method for reducing non-ferrous metal content in slag in the production of non-ferrous metals occurring in suspension smelting furnace

The invention relates to an apparatus for the suspension smelting of sulfidic, finely divided raw materials containing metals, such as copper, nickel and lead, by using oxygen enrichment. In this method into the suspension smelting furnace (1) there is fed the raw material (4,5) to be smelted together with flux (6) and oxidizing gas (7) and the walls (18) of the reaction space of the suspension smelting furnace are cooled and at least two molten phases created (16,17). According to the invention the degree of oxygen enrichment of the oxidizing gas is at least 40% in order to raise the temperature of the particles in suspension to at least 200.degree. C. higher than the temperature of the gas phase of the suspension, in order to improve the reaction kinetics of the reactions taking place in the reaction space, and that the thickness of the reaction space wall lining is adjusted, according to the production quantity of the suspension smelting furnace, by means of cooling elements (20) manufactured by draw casting and installed in the wall of the reaction space.

Apparatus for suspension smelting

The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for the suspension smelting of suifidic, finely divided raw materials containing metals, such as copper, nickel and lead, by using oxygen enrichment. In this method into the suspension smelting furnace (1) there is fed the raw material (4,5) to be smelted together with flux (6) and oxidizing gas (7) and the walls (18) of the reaction space of the suspension smelting furnace are cooled and at least two molten phases created (16,17). According to the invention the degree of oxygen enrichment of the oxidizing gas is at least 40% in order to raise the temperature of the particles in suspension to at least 200.degree. C. higher than the temperature of the gas phase of the suspension, in order to improve the reaction kinetics of the reactions taking place in the reaction space, and that the thickness of the reaction space wall lining is adjusted, according to the production quantity of the suspension smelting furnace, by means of cooling elements (20) manufactured by draw casting and installed in the wall of the reaction space.

Method for suspension smelting

The invention relates to a method for producing high-grade nickel matte and slag in a combination of a suspension smelting furnace and some other furnace without charge-type converting, so that at least part of the concentrate and/or ore fed into the process is first refined pyrometallurgically into nickel matte, which then is fed into the suspension smelting furnace, where the high-grade nickel matte proper is produced.

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Espoo, Finland

Pekka Hanniala