Abstract
A major objective of the zinc industry for the 1990s will be to maintain high zinc recovery while eliminating the disposal of copious quantities of hazardous iron residues. The flame reactor process has demonstrated the potential of meeting this objective by either treating the residues or smelting zinc directly. The process has been proven commercially viable for treating flue dusts generated during electric arc furnace steelmaking. Zinc, lead and cadmium are recovered from the dust as a crude oxide for recycle while a nonhazardous slag is produced for sale. Similar products are efficiently produced from electrolytic zinc plant neutral leach and iron precipitation residues. In addition, the reactor shows promise of fulfilling its original objective of being a low-energy primary zinc smelter by fuming and condensing zinc from roasted concentrates.
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References
J.F. Pusateri, “Development of a Metal-Oxide Flash Smelting Reactor,” (Paper presented at the Reinhardt-Schuhmann International Symposium on Innovative Technology and Reactor Design in Extractive Metallurgy, TMS, Colorado Springs, Colorado, November 9–12,1986).
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Additional information
J.F. Pusateri received his M.S. in materials engineering from Drexel University in 1975. He is currently director—flame reactor operations and development for Horsehead Resource Development Company, Inc., MRR Division. Mr. Pusateri is also a member of TMS.
C.O. Bounds received his Ph.D. in metallurgy and materials science from Carnegie Mellon University in 1971. He is currently director—business development for Horsehead Resource Development Company, Inc., MRR Division. Dr. Bounds is also member of TMS.
L.W. Lherbier, Jr., received his B.S. in metallurgy and materials science from Carnegie Mellon University in 1980. Mr. Lherbier is currently a senior process engineer with Horsehead Resource Development Company, Inc., MRR Division. Mr. Lherbier is also a member of TMS.
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Pusateri, J.F., Bounds, C.O. & Lherbier, L.W. Zinc Recovery via the Flame Reactor Process. JOM 40, 31–35 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03258120
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF03258120