Criteria for optimization of recycling processes of primary and secondary copper

Conference · Sun Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1995

OSTI ID:197246

Dusts, S; Piret, N L ^[1]

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1. Piret and Stolberg Partners, Duisburg (Germany)

Primary and secondary copper smelting dusts are being generated in varying quantities with very dissimilar characteristics due to the different compositions of feed materials and the type of process utilized. After categorizing the multitude of dust types, the criteria for on-site and off-site recycling of smelter dust in terms of type and concentrations of the accompanying elements are established. Thereby, consideration is given to the important aspects of: optimization of copper recovery; quality of copper product; valorization of accompanying elements; elimination and disposal of deleterious impurities; minimization of impact on operation; effects on operating costs; and environmental impacts of dust treatment on overall process. Existing commercial, emerging and proposed copper smelting dusts, pyrometallurgical as well as hydrometallurgical, treatment schemes are reviewed and evaluated technically, economically and environmentally in an attempt to streamline the vast number of proposed options. Thereby, the high selectivity achievable in hydrometallurgical dust processing due to it being complementary to the smelting process, is expected to be given increased consideration. 81 refs., 11 figs., 11 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 197246
• Report Number(s): CONF-951105--; ISBN 0-87339-318-X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
COPPER
DATA
INDUSTRIAL WASTES
MATERIALS RECOVERY
OPERATING COST
OPTIMIZATION
RECYCLING
WASTE PROCESSING