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:
Jun. 01, 1993
Filed:
Oct. 14, 1992
Inco Limited, Toronto, CA;
Abstract
A non-ferrous matte conversion process is disclosed in which molten non-ferrous matte, essentially nickel and/or copper sulfide and iron sulfide, is provided in a suitable vessel, such as a modified Pierce-Smith converter. The bath is stirred from below with a non-reactive sparging gas, such as nitrogen, and surfaceblown from above with an oxygen-containing gas. A flux is added to the melt to raise a fluid slag. In addition, cold crushed matte is added to the bath. The cold matte acts to maintain the temperature of the bath, so as to prevent overheating which can damage the converter lining. The matte addition also serves as a source for additional converter feed. As the reaction progresses, the slag layer is periodically skimmed, and additions of flux and cold matte are made when necessary. When it is no longer possible to raise a slag, a non-ferrous sulfide matte is obtained having a greatly reduced iron content.