Integrated experimental study and thermodynamic modelling of the distribution of arsenic between phases in the Cu-Fe-O-S-Si system. (August 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Shishin, Denis; Hidayat, Taufiq; Chen, Jiang; Hayes, Peter C.; Jak, Evgueni
• Is Part Of: Journal of chemical thermodynamics. Volume 135(2019)
• Page Start: 175
• Page End: 182
• Publication Date: 2019-08
• Subjects: Arsenic -- Copper smelting -- EPMA -- FactSage; Thermodynamics -- Periodicals; Thermochemistry -- Periodicals; Thermodynamique -- Périodiques; Thermochimie -- Périodiques; Thermochemistry; Thermodynamics; Periodicals; 541.369
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jct.2019.02.029
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0021-9614

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: The knowledge about the distribution of As in copper production is important because copper sources contain higher and higher concentrations of this detrimental element. The distribution of arsenic between molten slag and matte are measured using Electron Probe Microanalysis, as well as concentrations of all elements. The data of the present study together with other sources are described simultaneously to obtain multicomponent thermodynamic model for all distribution of all elements in the As-Cu-Fe-O-S-Si chemical system. Abstract: An integrated experimental study and thermodynamic modelling approach has been used in the investigation of the distribution of As between slag and matte in equilibrium with tridymite in the Cu-Fe-O-S-Si system. The experimental technique involves high-temperature equilibration in sealed quartz ampoule, rapid quenching, and direct measurements of phase compositions using microanalysis techniques. Electron Probe X-ray Microanalysis (EPMA) was used to measure major and minor element concentrations in the matte, slag, and solid phases. The experimentally-determined distribution coefficient of As between slag and matte was found to decrease with decreasing P (SO2 ) from log L = 0.5 at P (SO2 ) = 25 kPa to approximately log L = −4.0 at lowest P (SO2 ), corresponding to metal saturation. Thermodynamic model parameters describing As distribution have been derived based on the present and previous data on the slag/matte, slag/metal, and slag/matte/metal equilibria. The thermodynamic model can be used for the evaluation of distribution of As between phases in the high-temperature pyrometallurgical production and refining of copper.