Almalyk Mining and Metallurgical Complex JSC, Almalyk, Uzbekistan

A. M. Saynazarov, Deputy Chief Engineer for Technology, Candidate of Technical Sciences

Tashkent State Technical University, Tashkent, Uzbekistan
S. T. Matkarimov, Professor, Department for Metallurgy, Doctor of Technical Sciences
Sh. A. Mukhametdzhanova, Аssociate Professor, Department for Metallurgy, Candidate of Technical Sciences, e-mail: shoira.muhamet@gmail.com
S. K. Nosirkhudzhaev, Head of the Department for Metallurgy, Candidate of Technical Sciences

The article presents the results of studies on determination of the optimal process conditions for the efficient operation of an oxygen-torch furnace for smelting sulphide copper concentrates, which includes continuous loading of the charge, supply of technical oxygen, oxidative smelting at a temperature in the proper of 1350–1450 ^oC, which is maintained by regulating the supply of natural gas (if necessary), with the production of matte, slag and gas phases. Based on the developed formula, the optimal parameters for smelting sulphide copper concentrates were calculated, which made it possible to stabilize the copper content in the matte within 40–45% and contributed to simplifying the control of the smelting process, reducing the loss of non-ferrous metals by reducing the copper content in the waste slag to less than 0.5%. The given values were achieved by optimizing the main patterns of change in the composition of the smelting products in accordance with the specific oxygen consumption, and the directly proportional dependence of the heat balance on the sulfur content, which is the main source of heat, was also studied. Based on practical data, the sulfur content in the charge was determined to be 24–29%, and when its content was reduced, thermal balance disturbances in the furnace were observed. In addition, the addition of quartz-containing materials before feeding technical oxygen to the charge was studied in an amount that ensured the silicon dioxide SiO₂ content in the resulting slag equal to 38% (wt.). As a result of using quartz-containing materials, the concentration of magnetite in the melt decreased, and this, in turn, contributed to a decrease in the copper content in slags and a decrease in its losses.

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