Measurement of non-isothermal oxygen potentials in a Cu–Fe–Ca–S–O liquid during reduction of chalcopyrite in lime and carbon mixtures. (March 2014)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Jha, Animesh; Srikanth, S.
• Is Part Of: Transactions. Volume 123:Number 1(2014)
• Page Start: 21
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2014-03
• Subjects: Ore-dressing -- Periodicals; Metallurgy -- Periodicals; Mineral industries -- Periodicals; 622.7
• DOI: 10.1179/0371955313Z.00000000067
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0371-9553

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x content-type="archive" xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>The reduction of Indian chalcopyrite concentrates from the Ghatshila mines with carbon was studied in the presence of lime in the temperature range of 1123–1573 K. An attempt was made to determine the oxygen potential corresponding to the selective separation of two metals, copper and iron, during the reduction of chalcopyrite by carrying out electro-motive force (emf) measurements under isochronal heating rate conditions using an yttria-stabilised zirconia solid electrolyte cell with Cu/Cu<sub>2</sub>O as the reference electrode. The isochronal rate data for oxygen potential measurements were analysed by comparing them with the data from isothermal kinetics studies on the reduction of natural and synthetic chalcopyrite minerals in the above temperature range. The analyses of phases formed were carried out using the X-ray powder diffraction and scanning electron microscopic techniques, which showed the presence of a new quinary solid solution C<sub>III</sub> phase. The solid solution phase C<sub>III</sub> [Cu<sub>2</sub>S-C<sub>II</sub>(FeS⋅CaO)] forms as a result of mixing between the two rhombohedral lattices: high-temperature form of Cu<sub>2</sub>S and C<sub>II</sub> (FeO⋅CaS) compounds. The mechanism of reduction of chalcopyrite with carbon in the presence of lime is illustrated by the explanation of the role of the intermediate phases, C<sub>II</sub>, C<sub>III</sub> and matte phases.</p> </abstract>