Investigation on Direct-to-Blister Smelting of Chalcocite via Thermodynamics and Experiment

Abstract

Direct-to-blister copper smelting is an important smelting process due to its short process, low energy consumption and environmental protection. This study attempts to use high-grade chalcocite as the raw material for direct-to-blister smelting to realize the production of blister in a single furnace. The issues and required conditions of the process are analyzed from the thermodynamics viewpoint. By adjusting the ratio of iron to silica, the flux content and other raw material components, the direct-to-blister smelting is finally realized in a lab-scale. The copper recovery is over 82%, and the copper loss in the slag is analyzed in detail. This work offers a theoretical guidance for the short-process smelting of high-grade copper concentrate.