The Journal of
the Korean Journal of Metals and Materials

The Journal of
the Korean Journal of Metals and Materials

Monthly
  • pISSN : 1738-8228
  • eISSN : 2288-8241

Editorial Office

Title Kinetic Study on Bismuth Removal from Molten Copper Matte by Ar+O2 Gas Bubbling
Authors 손호상(Son Ho Sang); 이승훈(Lee Seung Hun)
Page pp.723-728
ISSN 1738-8228(ISSN), 2288-8241(eISSN)
Keywords Copper; Matte; Mass transfer; Bubbling; Volatilization; Bismuth
Abstract A kinetic study on Bi removal during copper matte oxidation was designed under the presumptions of low FeO activity and of no fayalite slag formation. Copper matte with 59 wt% Cu was oxidized by bubbling Ar+O₂mixture gas through a submerged nozzle. The effects of melt temperature, gas flow rate and oxygen partial pressure on the volatilization rate of Bi in copper matte are discussed. Bi was significantly removed during Ar gas blowing, and the volatilization rate of Bi was markedly increasing with the melt temperature. However, the dependence of the volatilization rates on the oxygen partial pressure was affected in a complicated way by the effects of the melt temperature and the reduced amount of exhausted gas. The volatilization of Bi in copper matte was primarily controlled by the mass transfer rate through the gas film boundary layer around rising gas bubbles.