SO3 Formation in Copper Smelting Process: Thermodynamic Consideration

• Published in: 7th International Symposium on High-Temperature Metallurgical Processing pp. 229 - 236
• Main Authors: Chen, Mao, Cui, Zhixiang, Contreras, Leonel, Wei, Chuanbing, Zhao, Baojun
• Format: Book Chapter
• Language: English
• Published: Cham Springer International Publishing
• Subjects: Copper smelting; formation; Temperature
• ISBN: 9783319486178; 3319486179
• DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-48093-0_29

Bottom blown oxygen copper smelting process developed at Dongying Fangyuan Nonferrous Metals shows many advantages such as flexible feed requirement, high productivity, low energy consumption and high direct copper recovery. However, the weak acid generated during the process is not stable which influences the waste management and continuous operation. The amount of the weak acid is determined by SO3 formed in copper smelting process. SO3 can be formed inside copper smelting furnace and boiler at different conditions. Effects of temperature and oxygen partial pressure on the formation of SO3 during copper smelting process have been discussed thermodynamically. Understanding of the mechanisms for SO3 formation will enable the operation of bottom blown copper smelting furnace to be optimized and generation of the weak acid in the process can be managed. The fundamentals developed in this study can also be applied to other copper smelting processes.