New Technology for Copper Removal
from Lead by Application of Aluminium:
Practical Problems
Andrzej Cybulski
Abstract The widely known and used worldwide method for copper removal from
lead by application of sulfur cannot always be effective since a part of the sulfur
becomes oxidized. The process is often repeated which results in higher costs and
longer process duration. Application of sulfur in copper removal from lead and subsequent smelting of Cu dross has negative influence on environment because of
SO 2 emission to atmosphere. Łukasiewicz—Instytut Metali Nie˙ zelaznych in Gliwice—developed a new technology for copper removal from lead with application
of aluminum, which is used in industrial conditions with a good result. The advantages of this technology are elimination of sulfur compounds, low quantity of the
formed semi-finished products, reduction of Pb losses, process stability, guaranteed
removal of copper below 5 ppm in each case, and ease of fabrication. However, this
technology, in the case of lack of technological regime, may cause the loose Al–Cu
dross to burn and glow. The paper shows methods for copper removal from lead
with the use of aluminium, as well as problems resulting from application of this
technology in industrial conditions.
Keywords Refining · Lead · Decoppering · Aluminium
Introduction
A commonly known and used worldwide process of lead decoppering with sulfur
does not always provide the effective copper removal due to the partial oxidation
of the sulfur supplied to the process. Frequently, lead decoppering by dosing sulfur
requires repetition, what increases the costs and elongates the lead refining process.
The application of sulfur in lead decoppering and the following processing of the
produced Cu drosses requires the utilization of the process gases in order to avoid
their negative impact on the natural environment due to the SO 2 emission.
A. Cybulski (B)
Łukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals, Gliwice, Poland
e-mail: andrzejcy@imn.gliwice.pl
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_63
729
from Lead by Application of Aluminium:
Practical Problems
Andrzej Cybulski
Abstract The widely known and used worldwide method for copper removal from
lead by application of sulfur cannot always be effective since a part of the sulfur
becomes oxidized. The process is often repeated which results in higher costs and
longer process duration. Application of sulfur in copper removal from lead and subsequent smelting of Cu dross has negative influence on environment because of
SO 2 emission to atmosphere. Łukasiewicz—Instytut Metali Nie˙ zelaznych in Gliwice—developed a new technology for copper removal from lead with application
of aluminum, which is used in industrial conditions with a good result. The advantages of this technology are elimination of sulfur compounds, low quantity of the
formed semi-finished products, reduction of Pb losses, process stability, guaranteed
removal of copper below 5 ppm in each case, and ease of fabrication. However, this
technology, in the case of lack of technological regime, may cause the loose Al–Cu
dross to burn and glow. The paper shows methods for copper removal from lead
with the use of aluminium, as well as problems resulting from application of this
technology in industrial conditions.
Keywords Refining · Lead · Decoppering · Aluminium
Introduction
A commonly known and used worldwide process of lead decoppering with sulfur
does not always provide the effective copper removal due to the partial oxidation
of the sulfur supplied to the process. Frequently, lead decoppering by dosing sulfur
requires repetition, what increases the costs and elongates the lead refining process.
The application of sulfur in lead decoppering and the following processing of the
produced Cu drosses requires the utilization of the process gases in order to avoid
their negative impact on the natural environment due to the SO 2 emission.
A. Cybulski (B)
Łukasiewicz Research Network, Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals, Gliwice, Poland
e-mail: andrzejcy@imn.gliwice.pl
© The Minerals, Metals & Materials Society 2020
A. Siegmund et al. (eds.), PbZn 2020: 9th International Symposium
on Lead and Zinc Processing, The Minerals, Metals & Materials Series,
https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-37070-1_63
729