Abstract
The pyrometallurgical processing of nonferrous minerals found in association with sulfur and arsenic generates arsenic-bearing SO2 gases. Effective process gas cleaning presents technical problems due to the high volatility of the As2O3 compound and the elevated dew point of the sulfur-trioxidecontaining SO2 gas. Critical factors for gascleaning technology selection pertaining to technical feasibility, economic acceptability, and environmental compatibility are the arsenic-to-sulfur ratio in the feed material, the operating parameters of the pyrometallurgical and gas cooling process, the admissible arsenic concentration of the SO2 gas after arsenic elimination, and the most suitable form of the arsenic-bearing output material. Depending on these factors, the bulk of the arsenic can be eliminated from the process gas in concentrated form according to either the dry or wet method, after which final arsenic removal from the process gas to below the required admissible level must take place in a wet electrostatic precipitator.
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For more information, contact F. Dalewski, Lurgi Bischoff GmbH, Ruhrallee 311, 46136 Essen, Germany; telephone 49-69-5808-1141; fax 49-69-5808-2763; e-mail frank_dalewski@lurgi.de.
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Dalewski, F. Removing arsenic from copper smelter gases. JOM 51, 24–26 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-999-0153-0
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11837-999-0153-0