Rate of removal of lead from copper matte by submerged gas injection

New lead volatilisation rate and activity data in copper mattes containing low levels of Pb were determined through high-temperature experiments. Measurements on volatilisation rate of lead from mattes (Cu-Fe-S) were carried out at temperatures from 1200 to 1570 degrees C by injection of nitrogen into shallow baths. The concentration of lead in the melts covered a range of 200-6 mg.kg(-1). The rate data exhibited first order behaviour with respect to concentration of Pb. The deduced vapour pressure of Pb in the gas was found to be dependent on the concentration of the Pb in melts and in accord with the equilibrium data on mattes at similar temperatures. Increasing temperature had a strong influence on volatilisation rate and total partial pressure of Pb in the gas phase. Matte grade (45-83 wt%) does not have a strong influence on volatilisation rate, but increasing sulphur potential does have a marked impact in supressing the volatilisation rate.

Automated summary

New lead volatilisation rate and activity data in low-Pb copper mattes were determined through high-temperature experiments. Lead volatilisation rate measurements were carried out at temperatures from 1200 to 1570 degrees C. The concentration of lead in the melts covered a range of 200-6 mg.kg(-1). The rate data exhibited first order behavior with respect to concentration of Pb, with the vapour pressure of Pb in the gas being dependent on its concentration in melts and in accord with equilibrium data on mattes at similar temperatures.