IMPROVED COPPER MELTING PROCESS Russian patent published in 2025 - IPC C22B15/00 C22B15/06 C22B7/00 C22B9/02 

FIELD: performing operations.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to extraction of copper from secondary raw materials. Method involves melting (100) in a furnace of secondary raw material (1, 2) containing copper oxide and elemental iron to obtain concentrated intermediate copper product (3). Heat generation is ensured as a result of redox reactions converting iron into oxide and copper oxide into copper. Copper is collected in molten liquid metal phase, and iron oxides are collected in floating phase of liquid slag. At the end of melting, at least one of the liquid phases is at least partially removed from the furnace in the form of melting slag (5) and/or in the form of concentrated copper intermediate product (3). During the melting stage, excess elementary iron is maintained in the furnace in relation to the amount required for completion of redox reactions, and additional heat supply is provided due to supply of oxygen-containing gas for oxidation of excess iron.

EFFECT: stable and reliable stage of melting, direct, accurate dosing of introduced oxygen to obtain part of reaction heat, at the same time additional stage of heat transfer is not required.

42 cl, 1 dwg, 2 tbl, 1 ex