Energy Criteria for Selecting a Sulfide Concentrate Melting Method in Copper Production

Abstract

Comparative analysis is provided for contemporary pyrometallurgical copper smelting processes used most extensively in world practice (Flash Smelting Outokumpu, Top Submerged Lance Technology (TSL) – Isasmelt and Ausmelt, El Teniente Converter, Mitsubishi Continuous Smelting, smelting in a Vanyukov furnace, Flash Smelting + Flash Converting) with ageing methods (reverberatory and shaft melting). Results are provided for calculating the energy expended for these processes. The most energy economic and ecologically secure technologies for copper smelting are revealed.