Structure and properties of the slags of continuous converting of copper nickel-containing mattes and concentrates: I. Effect of the consumption of fluxing components on the structure and liquidus temperature of the slags

The structure and liquidus temperature of the SiO2-CaO-Al2O3-FeOx-Cu2O-NiO slags that form during continuous converting of copper mattes and concentrates into blister copper in a Vanyukov furnace used as a melting unit are studied. The slag melt compositions are varied over wide limits of the total (Fe + Ni) and (SiO2 + CaO) concentrations by changing the consumption of fluxing components. The slags are investigated by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and electron-probe microanalysis. The liquidus temperatures of the slags are determined by differential thermal analysis. It is found that, as the consumption of fluxing components changes, the concentration of iron-nickel spinels based on trevorite NiFe2O4 changes substantially and the forms of copper change in the slags. The results obtained are used to recommend the optimum consumption of fluxing components for the process of continuous converting. © 2011 Pleiades Publishing, Ltd.