Study of Reaction Mechanisms for Copper-Cobalt-Iron Sulfide Concentrates in the Presence of Lime and Carbon

作者：Hara Yotamu Stephen Rainford^*

来源：JOM, 2013, 65(11): 1597-1607.

DOI：10.1007/s11837-013-0740-y

The reaction mechanisms for the carbothermic reduction of complex mineral sulfide concentrates in the presence of lime were studied between 1073 K and 1323 K. The reaction mechanisms were studied by stopping the reduction experiments at different times and analyzing the reaction products by x-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy techniques. Magnetite (Fe3O4) and digenite (Cu1.8S) were the initial phases formed during reduction of Cu-FeS2 and Cu5FeS4 mineral particles, such that metallization of iron occurred before copper above 1173 K and at an equal stoichiometric ratio of CaO and C. The metallization of iron was found to take place via reduction of intermediate oxide phase (Fe3O4/FeO), whereas metallization of copper occurred via diffusion of S2- ions away from the mineral particles or via formation of Cu-O-S liquid phase. Metallic iron and cobalt were embedded in the copper matrix due to a preferential reduction of iron and cobalt from the Cu-Fe-S and Cu-Co-S type of mineral particles. The effects of CaO/C ratio were analyzed and the rate of reactions was increasing with an increase in the CaO/C ratio. The formation of liquid phase has been discussed. The experimental results were found to be in good agreement with the thermodynamic predictions.

• 出版日期2013-11