The theory and process of matte converting 

    The main ingredients of matte: Cu2S - FeS, a little other metal sulfides (such as Ni3S2, Co3S2, PbS, ZnS and so on), precious metals (Au, Ag), platinum group metal, trace amount of Se, Te, As, Sb, Bi and other elements. The basic principle of converting, simply, is to remove almost all iron and sulfur in liquid matte by using oxygen in the air, at the same time to remove some impurities and get blister copper. 

    The process of matte converting and its main chemical reaction: 

    First stage: Slag forming period is primarily a FeS oxidation, and then slagging with SiO2. Add flux--blow into air—output slag and SO2 flue gas. Product: White matte (White metal/matte), Cu2S. 

    Remove all iron and sulfur in liquid matte（Cu2S-FeS）,its main reaction is : 

               2FeS+3O2=2FeO+2SO2 

               2FeO+SiO2=2FeO?SiO2 

    Its total reaction is: 

               2FeS+3O2+SiO2=2FeO ?SiO2+2SO2+Q 

    The quantity of released heat of this reaction is twice as the quantity of FeS oxidation slagging reaction. According to this characteristic, if the molten pool temperature is not high enough, can temporarily not add quartz, air blow for a period of time, make FeO further oxidized to Fe3O4 and in order to improve furnace temperature. 

    Second stage: Blister copper stage Some Cu2S oxidized into Cu2O, Cu2O interacts with Cu2S.Only blow into air, output SO2 flue gas; without flux and no slag. Product: Blister copper, Cu. 

    Remove the rest S of Cu2S, its main reaction is: 

               2Cu2S+3O2=2Cu2O+2SO2+Q 

               Cu2S+2Cu2O=6Cu+SO2Q－Q 

    Its total reaction is: 

               Cu2S+O2=2Cu+SO2 

    Total reaction is still exothermic reaction, but released heat can't compensate the lost heat, then the second stage temperature has a downward trend, more serious after appearing the metal copper. So in the case of no damage to the lining, we try to make white matte overheating in the first stage, and do not stop blowing and do not add cold material, in order to maintain the temperature converting required. 

    Matte converting’s main equipment is converting furnace, its capacity depends on different materials and different corollary equipment. Generally we determine the specifications according to the charge (copper-sulfur) one time, the commonly used specifications are 10 t, 20 t, 30 t, 50 t, 80 t, 100 t, etc., Our company can design and produce different specification converting furnace based on customer’s actual demand.