Processing of Polymetallic Materials Requires Flexible and …
753
Fig. 15 Period time for a whole batch of a charge crude lead
Table 4 Comparison of methods to extract Sb from lead phase within the refining process
Harris process (NA-Emicke
1970) [1]
Aurubis process (Sb-removal)
Initial Sb content (wt%) in
lead phase to compare both
processes
1.5 wt%
1.5 wt%
Equipment
Kettle with Harris cylinder
including a tank to granulate
the salt + filter +
regeneration of process
solution
Stirred kettle with an oxygen
lance and a launder system to
overflow the formed PbSb
litharge
Oxygen delivery/Additives
NaOH/NaNO 3
99.5% O 2 from lance
Process time
52 h
39 h
Product
White antimonite 77.5 wt%
Sb
Grey antimonite 19.3 wt% Sb
PbSb litharge with >30 wt%
Sb
from the lead smelter to the refinery was not further increased. The composition of the
bullion demanded more refining time which is the explanation for the performance
in year four and five.
Figure 17 demonstrates the large capacities for fine lead casting which were not
fully utilized during first years after commissioning. This plot is in-line with the
argumentation of growing complexity of raw materials at constant level of lead
volume as carrier originated at the lead smelter.
753
Fig. 15 Period time for a whole batch of a charge crude lead
Table 4 Comparison of methods to extract Sb from lead phase within the refining process
Harris process (NA-Emicke
1970) [1]
Aurubis process (Sb-removal)
Initial Sb content (wt%) in
lead phase to compare both
processes
1.5 wt%
1.5 wt%
Equipment
Kettle with Harris cylinder
including a tank to granulate
the salt + filter +
regeneration of process
solution
Stirred kettle with an oxygen
lance and a launder system to
overflow the formed PbSb
litharge
Oxygen delivery/Additives
NaOH/NaNO 3
99.5% O 2 from lance
Process time
52 h
39 h
Product
White antimonite 77.5 wt%
Sb
Grey antimonite 19.3 wt% Sb
PbSb litharge with >30 wt%
Sb
from the lead smelter to the refinery was not further increased. The composition of the
bullion demanded more refining time which is the explanation for the performance
in year four and five.
Figure 17 demonstrates the large capacities for fine lead casting which were not
fully utilized during first years after commissioning. This plot is in-line with the
argumentation of growing complexity of raw materials at constant level of lead
volume as carrier originated at the lead smelter.