Gipronikel Institute LLC, Saint Petersburg, Russia:

S. S. Ozerov, Lead Researcher at the Pyrometallurgy Laboratory, Doctor of Technical Sciences, e-mail: OzerovSS@nornik.ru
L. B. Tsymbulov, Director of the Research and Development Department, Сorrespondent Member of the Russian Academy of Natural Sciences, Doctor of Technical Sciences, Professor, e-mail: tsymbulovlb@nornik.ru

PJSC MMC Norilsk Nickel, Moscow, Russia:

S. Yu. Eroshevich, Supervisor at the Department of Strategic Project Management
V. B. Gritskikh, Principal Manager at the Department of Strategic Project Management

Conventional converting of nickel-bearing copper mattes in horizontal Peirce – Smith converters does not conform with the current environmental regulations. A general global trend includes a transition from conventional batch converting to a continuous converting process producing running slags. The main purpose of the continuous matte converting process is to obtain commercial blister copper that would not require oxidation during further anode refining. To achieve this, rational process parameters should be strictly maintained. The existing method of monitoring the Vanyukov furnace process that is based on the product analysis is a prerequisite but cannot ensure real-time process control. The blister copper obtained through continuous converting differs from the one obtained through the conventional technology in terms of oxygen and nickel concentrations. That’s why its composition should be constantly monitored. The authors looked at how the composition of blister copper obtained through continuous converting of matte tends to change. Samples of blister copper of different compositions were synthesized that are typical of the start-up mode. When the process temperature rises, the required product characteristics can only be obtained if the oxidation potential is higher. This results in a higher concentration of oxygen in blister copper. Mathematical dependencies were derived between the concentrations of nickel and sulphur in the product at various temperatures and the concentration of oxygen. A technique is proposed that enables a real-time monitoring of impurities in blister copper.

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