The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 26, 1976
Filed:
Sep. 29, 1975
Paul E Queneau, Cornish, NH (US);
Reinhardt Schuhmann, Jr, West Lafayette, IN (US);
Q-S Oxygen Processes, Inc., Portland, ME (US);
Abstract
A continuous autogenous multi-stage process for converting non-ferrous metal sulfides, in an oscillating, elongated, gently sloped, sealed, tiltable, rounded cross-section furnace, discharging crude metal or low-iron matte at one end, and silicate slag and sulfur dioxide-rich gas at the other end. The concentrates, fluxes, commercial oxygen, sulfur dioxide, a carbonaceous reducing agent and optionally other materials are introduced into the furnace in stages to provide a molten bath of slag and matte flowing countercurrently. Slag scavenging is accomplished by deconverting to produce low grade, cleansing matte in situ in the slag layer, followed by settling. At least a substantial proportion of the commercial oxygen is continuously blown in through injectors extending through the refractory lining of the vessel and communicating with its interior below the bath surface, where necessary with a protective fluid, desirably surrounding the oxygen. Oscillation of the converter causes the injected gases to sweep back and forth through the bath, and distributes the solids over its surface to provide bath turbulence and interphase contact. Off-gases are desirably recycled. Flexible control means and special apparatus are disclosed.