Ural Federal University (Ekaterinburg, Russia):

N. G. Ageev, Prof., Chair of Metallurgy of Heavy Non-ferrous Metals, e-mail: ageevng@k96.ru
V. A. Menshikov, Post-graduate

Sredneuralsky Copper Smelter (Revda, Russia):
S. N. Gotenko, Head of Technical Department
A. V. Ladeishchikov, Chief Metallurgist

The aim of this work was to evaluate the real heat balance and simulation of converter operation with varying of the following parameters: matte composition, blasting characteristics, flux composition and quality, in order to determine the maximum possible amount of processed cold materials and scrap. To assess utilization of the converter under blasting conditions, timing of the production department operation and imitating simulation were conducted; these results allowed to determine the converter utilization under blasting conditions. Тhe approach based on the methods of simulation of discrete-continuous systems was used. The converter production department was considered as a multi-channel system with queues. Determination of the maximum throughput capacity of this department, queue length and waiting time for matte ladles was the purpose of this simulation. It is shown that maximum productivity of the melting furnace for matte is equal to 13 ladles per shift (8 hours) provides the corresponding productivity of the whole converter production. Thermal imaging survey helped to determine the heat losses in calculation of the heat balance. Surface temperatures of converter shell in different lining areas were defined. The average surface temperature was accepted to be equal to 134 ^oC, while the heat balance was calculated as the balance of the enthalpies. The calculations are based on the software module Heat and Material Balances, as a part of the package of applied programs HSC Chemistry developed by Outotec company. It is shown that processing of rich matte without additives of cold materials in the first period stipulates sufficient heat amount for processing of the full volume of circulating materials and some amount of scrap.

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