Evaluation and operation methods

By evaluating and controlling reactor conditions based on temperature and gas partial pressures, the method enhances the conversion of metallic copper into matte in copper smelting flash furnaces, addressing the inefficiencies in existing technologies.

JP7754871B2Active Publication Date: 2025-10-15JX NIPPON MINING & METALS CORP
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Patent Information

Application Number
JP2023054105
Authority / Receiving Office
JP · JP
Patent Type
Patents
Current Assignee / Owner
Filing Date
2023-03-29
Publication Date
2025-10-15
Estimated Expiration
2043-03-29

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

The behavior of metallic copper in the reaction shaft of a copper smelting flash furnace is not fully understood, making it difficult to efficiently convert metallic copper into matte.

Method used

An evaluation method that involves acquiring temperature distribution, partial pressure of sulfur gas, and trajectory and flow velocity of metallic copper particles, dividing the reactor into regions, calculating reaction rates per unit time for each region, and integrating these rates to determine the final reaction rate of metallic copper particles, followed by an operating method to control reactor conditions for enhanced matte formation.

Benefits of technology

Enables accurate evaluation and control of the sulfidation reaction of metallic copper, increasing the efficiency of matte formation in the reaction shaft and settler.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

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Abstract

To provide an evaluation method enabling evaluation of sulfurization reaction of metallic copper, and an operation method.SOLUTION: An evaluation method has the following steps: acquiring temperature distribution, partial pressure of sulfur gas, and a trajectory and flow velocity of metallic copper particles inside a reactor in which metallic copper is sulfurized by reacting the sulfur gas with the metallic copper; dividing the reactor into a plurality of regions on the basis of the temperature distribution and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and acquiring a reaction rate per unit time, of sulfurization of the metallic copper for each of the plurality of regions; calculating, on the basis of a trajectory and flow velocity of each of the metallic copper particles, a reaction rate of the metallic copper particles for each region which the metallic copper particles pass through, and then calculating, by accumulating reaction rates of the metallic copper particles, a final reaction rate of each of the metallic copper particles after passing through the reactor; and calculating, according to a final reaction rate result of the plurality of metallic copper particles introduced to the reactor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4
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Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an evaluation method and an operating method. [Background technology]

[0002] In the reaction shaft of a copper smelting flash furnace, starting materials such as copper concentrate, recycled materials, and solvents are fed from a concentrate burner along with a reaction gas. The reaction gas causes an oxidation reaction of the starting materials, producing matte and slag at the bottom of the reaction shaft. It is necessary to understand the reactions occurring in the starting materials within this reaction shaft (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-075228 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In recent years, the proportion of recycled materials in raw materials has been increasing. Copper exists mainly as metallic copper in recycled materials. It is preferable that metallic copper is sulfided in the reaction shaft and becomes matte. However, the behavior of metallic copper in the reaction shaft has not been fully elucidated in terms of thermodynamics and reaction kinetics. For this reason, it has been difficult to efficiently convert metallic copper into matte.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and has as its object to provide an evaluation method and an operating method that are capable of evaluating the sulfidation reaction of metallic copper. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The evaluation method according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the steps of: acquiring the temperature distribution inside a reactor that sulfurizes metallic copper by reacting the metallic copper with sulfur gas, the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and the trajectory and flow velocity of metallic copper particles; dividing the reactor into multiple regions based on the temperature distribution and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and acquiring the reaction rate per unit time of sulfurization of the metallic copper for each of the multiple regions; calculating the reaction rate of the metallic copper particle for each region through which the metallic copper particle passes based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each metallic copper particle, and integrating the reaction rates of the metallic copper particles to calculate the final reaction rate of each metallic copper particle after passing through the reactor; and calculating the final reaction rate of the entire reactor from the results of the final reaction rates of the multiple metallic copper particles charged into the reactor.

[0007] In the above evaluation method, the step of acquiring the reaction rate for each of the plurality of regions may include a step of acquiring the reaction rate per unit time for each of the plurality of regions and for each particle size of the metallic copper, and the step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle may include a step of calculating the reaction rate of the metallic copper particle according to the particle size of the metallic copper particle when calculating the reaction rate for each region through which the metallic copper particle passes based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each metallic copper particle, and a step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle by integrating the reaction rates of the metallic copper particles.

[0008] In the above evaluation method, the step of acquiring the reaction rates for each of the plurality of regions includes a step of acquiring a particle size distribution of the metallic copper to be charged into the reactor, and the step of calculating the final reaction rate for each of the metallic copper particles includes a step of determining a plurality of representative particles representative of the metallic copper particles to be charged into the reactor, a step of calculating the reaction rate of each of the representative particles in accordance with the ratio of the particle size distribution when calculating the reaction rate for each region through which each of the representative particles passes based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each of the representative particles, and a step of calculating the final reaction rate of each of the representative particles after passing through the reactor by integrating the reaction rates of each of the representative particles, and the step of calculating the final reaction rate of the entire reactor may be a step of determining the final reaction rate of the entire reactor from the result of the final reaction rates of each of the plurality of representative particles to be charged into the reactor.

[0009] In the above evaluation method, the step of acquiring the temperature distribution, the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and the trajectory and flow velocity of the metallic copper particles may be a step of acquiring the temperature distribution, the partial pressure, and the trajectory and flow velocity by simulation.

[0010] In the evaluation method, the step of obtaining the response rate for each of the plurality of regions may include the step of obtaining the response rate for each of the plurality of regions by a test.

[0011] In the above evaluation method, the step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor may be a step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor from the results of the final reaction rates of all the metallic copper particles charged into the reactor.

[0012] In the above evaluation method, the reaction device may be a reaction shaft of a flash smelting furnace, the metallic copper is matted in the reaction shaft by sulfiding, the step of acquiring the reaction rate for each of the plurality of regions may be a step of acquiring a reaction rate at which the metallic copper mattes per unit time for each of the plurality of regions of the reaction shaft, the step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle may be a step of calculating a matte rate for each metallic copper particle, and the step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reaction device may be a step of calculating the matte rate in the entire reaction device.

[0013] The operating method according to the present invention is characterized by comprising the steps of: acquiring the temperature distribution inside a reactor that sulfurizes metallic copper by reacting the metallic copper with sulfur gas, the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and the trajectory and flow velocity of metallic copper particles; dividing the reactor into multiple zones based on the temperature distribution and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and acquiring the reaction rate per unit time of sulfurization of the metallic copper for each of the multiple zones; calculating the final reaction rate of each metallic copper particle after passing through the reactor by calculating and integrating the reaction rate for each zone through which the metallic copper particle passes based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each metallic copper particle; calculating the final reaction rate of the entire reactor from the final reaction rates of the multiple metallic copper particles charged into the reactor; and controlling the operating conditions of the reactor based on the final reaction rate of the entire reactor.

[0014] In the above operating method, the step of controlling the operating conditions may include the step of controlling the partial pressure of the sulfur gas in the reaction apparatus.

[0015] In the above operating method, the step of controlling the operating conditions may include a step of controlling the particle size of the raw material to be charged into the reactor based on a final reaction rate in the entire reactor.

[0016] In the above-described operating method, the reactor may be a reaction shaft of a flash smelting furnace, and the step of controlling the operating conditions may be a step of controlling the operating conditions of the flash smelting furnace. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an evaluation method and an operating method that are capable of evaluating the sulfidation reaction of metallic copper. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a flash furnace for copper smelting according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the details of the concentrate burner. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the process according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] 4(a) and 4(b) are flowcharts illustrating the processing in the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the results of the simulation. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the results of the simulation. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the results of the simulation. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the results of the simulation. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the results of the simulation. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] (Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a flash smelting furnace 100 for copper smelting according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the flash smelting furnace 100 includes a reaction shaft 1 in which concentrate and reaction gas are mixed, a settler 2, and an uptake 3. A concentrate burner 4 is provided on the ceiling of the reaction shaft 1. The concentrate burner 4 supplies copper concentrate, solvent, recycled materials, etc. (hereinafter, these solid materials will be referred to as starting materials) into the reaction shaft 1, as well as a reaction main blast gas, a reaction auxiliary gas, and a dispersion gas (which also contributes to the reaction). For example, the reaction main blast gas and the reaction auxiliary gas are oxygen-enriched air, and the dispersion gas is air or oxygen-enriched air.

[0020] When the starting material is fed into the reaction shaft 1 from the concentrate burner 4, the copper concentrate containing sulfides undergoes an oxidation reaction according to the following reaction formula (1), and separates into matte 5 and slag 6 at the bottom of the reaction shaft 1. In the following reaction formula (1), Cu2S·FeS corresponds to the main component of matte 5, and FeO·SiO2 corresponds to the main component of slag 6. Silica ore is used as the solvent. CuFeS2+SiO2+O2→Cu2S·FeS+FeO·SiO2+SO2+ Reaction heat (1) The matte 5 is processed, for example in a converter, to produce metallic copper.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the details of the concentrate burner 4, and is an explanatory diagram showing the input section 10 through which the starting material, the main reaction gas, the auxiliary reaction gas, and the dispersion gas are input to the reaction shaft 1 side.

[0022] The input section 10 of the concentrate burner 4 is equipped with a lance 16, which is provided with a first passage 11 through which a dispersion gas passes and a fourth passage 14 through which a reaction auxiliary gas passes. The fourth passage 14 is provided in the center of the lance 16, and the first passage 11 is provided around the fourth passage 14. The input section 10 also has a second passage 12 as a raw material flow path provided outside the lance 16, more specifically, on the outer periphery of the lance 16. The input section 10 further has a third passage 13 provided outside the second passage 12, more specifically, on the outer periphery of the second passage 12, through which a reaction main blast gas passes. The third passage 13 is formed by a tubular portion provided to surround the second passage 12 and communicates with a funnel-shaped air chamber 17 provided above it. The second passage 12 and the third passage 13 are separated by a cylindrical partition wall 21.

[0023] The first passage 11 supplies dispersion gas into the reaction shaft 1. The second passage 12 supplies concentrate into the reaction shaft 1. The third passage 13 supplies main reaction gas from the air chamber 17 into the reaction shaft 1. The fourth passage 14 supplies auxiliary reaction gas into the reaction shaft 1.

[0024] A hollow truncated cone-shaped dispersion cone 15 is formed at the tip (lower end) of the lance 16. A plurality of supply holes 152 are formed in a lower part 151 of the side surface of the dispersion cone 15 to discharge the dispersion gas that has passed through the first passage 11 into the reaction shaft 1. The supply holes 152 are arranged so that the gas is discharged in the normal direction to the bottom circle of the dispersion cone 15.

[0025] The raw materials fed into the flash smelting furnace 100 include copper concentrate and recycled raw materials. The main component of copper concentrate is sulfide (e.g., CuFeS2). On the other hand, recycled raw materials contain a large amount of metallic copper (elemental Cu). In recent years, the proportion of recycled raw materials among raw materials has been increasing. As a result, a large amount of metallic copper is fed into the flash smelting furnace 100.

[0026] Sulfur is generated by the oxidation reaction of copper concentrate in reaction shaft 1. Metallic copper reacts with sulfur and is sulfided. Part of the metallic copper is sulfided in reaction shaft 1 and becomes matte 5 (mattification). The remaining metallic copper is matted in settler 2. It is preferable to matte a large amount of metallic copper in reaction shaft 1. In order to promote matte formation, it is effective to increase the reaction rate of metallic copper matte in reaction shaft 1.

[0027] 3 to 4(b) are flow charts illustrating processing in an embodiment, including steps of an evaluation method and an operating method. As shown in FIG. 3, the reaction rate of the reaction in which metallic copper mattes in the reaction shaft 1 is evaluated (step S10). Based on the evaluation results, the operating conditions of the flash smelting furnace 100 are controlled (step S12). By controlling the operating conditions, the reaction rate is increased, and metallic copper is efficiently matted. The reaction rate represents the proportion of metallic copper that mattes in a certain period of time.

[0028] FIG. 4(a) is a flowchart showing the process of evaluating the reaction rate, which corresponds to step S10 in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4(a), a simulation is performed to obtain the partial pressure of sulfur gas (S2), the partial pressure of oxygen (O2), and the partial pressure of sulfur dioxide (SO2), the temperature distribution, and particle trajectories within the reaction shaft 1 (step S20). The simulation parameters are adjusted so that the simulated temperature distribution matches the temperature distribution within the reaction shaft 1 during operation. The partial pressures and trajectories are calculated using these parameters. As described below, the reaction shaft 1 is divided into multiple regions based on the temperature distribution and partial pressure of sulfur gas.

[0029] A test is conducted using an experimental furnace (step S22). From the test, the reaction rate per unit time for each of multiple regions in the reaction shaft 1 is obtained (step S24). Based on the reaction rate for each region and the trajectory and speed of the metallic copper particles being charged into the reaction shaft, the matte reaction rate for the entire reaction shaft 1 is obtained (step S26). Specifically, based on the trajectory and flow rate of each metallic copper particle, the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle is calculated from the regions it has passed through and the time it has been in each region. The reaction rate for the entire reaction shaft 1 can be calculated based on the final reaction rates of all metallic copper particles.

[0030] FIG. 4(b) is a flowchart showing the process of controlling the operating conditions, and corresponds to step S12 in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 4(b), the recycled material is pre-treated before being charged into the flash smelting furnace 100 (step S30). For example, the pre-treatment converts the recycled material into powder, and the particle size of the powder is adjusted to a desired size. The partial pressure of sulfur gas in the reaction shaft 1 of the flash smelting furnace 100 is controlled (step S32). For example, the partial pressure of sulfur gas can be increased by reducing the concentration of oxygen blown. The partial pressure of sulfur gas is adjusted to a desired value. Controlling the operating conditions increases the reaction rate and promotes matting of the recycled material.

[0031] 5 to 9 are diagrams illustrating the results of the simulation, showing the inside of the reaction shaft 1 of the flash smelting furnace 100.

[0032] Figure 5 shows the partial pressure of sulfur gas. As the temperature of the copper concentrate rises, sulfur volatilizes from the copper concentrate, generating sulfur gas. The partial pressure on the side of reaction shaft 1 farther from settler 2 is higher than the partial pressure on the side closer to settler 2.

[0033] Figure 6 shows the partial pressure of oxygen. Oxygen is supplied into the reaction shaft 1 from the concentrate burner 4 at an initial velocity of, for example, 120 m / s. The oxygen reacts with sulfur on the outer periphery of the reaction shaft 1 and is consumed. The partial pressure near the concentrate burner 4 is high, and the partial pressure at a position away from the concentrate burner 4 is low. Figure 7 shows the partial pressure of sulfur dioxide. Sulfur dioxide is generated when sulfur is oxidized.

[0034] Figure 8 shows the temperature distribution. The temperature rises as sulfur reacts with oxygen. There is a lot of unreacted oxygen near the concentrate burner 4, so the temperature is low. The temperature rises at locations farther from the concentrate burner 4. In particular, in the center of the reaction shaft 1, oxygen is blown in from the concentrate burner 4, and the mass of copper concentrate is large, making it easy for sulfur to be generated. Therefore, a reaction between sulfur and oxygen is more likely to occur, and the temperature rises. Figure 9 shows the trajectories of particles. Trajectories for each particle size are shown. The specific gravity of the particles is assumed to be constant. The volume of the region is obtained based on the simulation.

[0035] Based on the results of the simulation, the reaction shaft 1 is divided into multiple regions. Specifically, the multiple regions are determined based on the temperature distribution and the partial pressure of sulfur gas. For example, the regions may have a temperature of 1100°C or higher but lower than 1200°C and a partial pressure of 0.04 Pa or higher but lower than 0.05 Pa. Tests are conducted to determine the reaction rate per unit time for each region (steps S22 and S24 in Figure 4(b)).

[0036] Tables 1 and 2 show examples of reaction rates per unit time. Table 1 shows an example where the temperature is T1. Table 2 shows an example where the temperature is T2, which is different from T1. [Table 1] [Table 2]

[0037] In Table 1, reaction shaft 1 is divided into region R1 where the partial pressure of sulfur gas (S2 partial pressure) is equal to or greater than X1 (X1~), region R2 where it is equal to or greater than X2 but less than X1 (X2~X1), region R3 where it is equal to or greater than X3 but less than X2 (X3~X2), region R4 where it is equal to or greater than X4 but less than X3 (X4~X3), and region R5 where it is less than X4 (~X4).

[0038] In region R1, the reaction rate per unit time for metallic copper with a particle size of less than 50 μm (up to 50 μm) is A11, the reaction rate per unit time for metallic copper with a particle size of 50 μm to 100 μm (50 μm to 100 μm) is A12, and the reaction rate per unit time for metallic copper with a particle size of 100 μm or more (100 μm or more) is A13. The volume of region R1 is B1. In region R2, the reaction rate per unit time for metallic copper with a particle size of less than 50 μm is A21, the reaction rate per unit time for metallic copper with a particle size of 50 μm to 100 μm is A22, and the reaction rate per unit time for metallic copper with a particle size of 100 μm or more is A23. The volume of region R1 is B2. Similarly to the above, the reaction rates A31, A32, and A33 per unit time in region R3, the volume B3 of region R3, the reaction rates A41, A42, and A43 per unit time in region R4, the volume B4 of region R4, the reaction rates A51, A52, and A53 per unit time in region R5, and the volume B5 of region R5 are obtained.

[0039] In Table 2, reaction shaft 1 is divided into region R6 where the partial pressure of sulfur gas is equal to or greater than X1, region R7 where the partial pressure is equal to or greater than X2 but less than X1, region R8 where the partial pressure is equal to or greater than X3 but less than X2, region R9 where the partial pressure is equal to or greater than X4 but less than X3, and region R10 where the partial pressure is less than X4.

[0040] In region R6, the reaction rate per unit time for particle diameters less than 50 μm is A61, the reaction rate per unit time for particle diameters between 50 μm and 100 μm is A62, and the reaction rate per unit time for particle diameters of 100 μm or more is A63. The volume of region R6 is B6. In region R7, the reaction rate per unit time for particle diameters less than 50 μm is A71, the reaction rate per unit time for particle diameters between 50 μm and 100 μm is A72, and the reaction rate per unit time for particle diameters of 100 μm or more is A73. The volume of region R7 is B7. Reaction rates per unit time A81 to A103 and volumes B8 to B10 in regions R8 to R10 are also obtained.

[0041] Next, based on the trajectory and speed of the metallic copper particles being charged into reaction shaft 1, the region through which each metallic copper particle passes and the time it remains in that region are determined. For example, suppose a metallic copper particle with a particle size of less than 50 μm remains in region R1 at temperature T1 for time t1, then remains in region R6 at temperature T2 for time t2, where it completes its reaction. In this case, the final reaction rate Y1 (%) after the metallic copper particle passes through the reaction shaft can be calculated using the following method. First, calculate the reaction rate Y1' in region R1. Y1'=A11×t1 Next, calculate the reaction rate Y1" in region R6. Since the calculation for region R6 requires calculation of the unreacted portion of the particle, it is calculated using the following formula. Y1" = (1-Y1') x A61 x t2 From the above calculations, the reaction rate for each region is calculated. The final reaction rate for one metallic copper particle is calculated by integrating the reaction rates for each region. In other words, the final reaction rate Y1 (%) is as follows: Y1=Y1'+Y1“ In this way, calculations are performed for each metallic copper particle to determine the final reaction rate of each metallic copper particle. Then, the reaction rate of the entire reaction shaft 1 can be calculated based on the final reaction rates of all metallic copper particles.

[0042] In the examples of Tables 1 and 2, the number of regions is 10, but it may be less than 10 or more than 10. The number of particle size classifications is 3, but it may be less than 3 or more than 3. Tables 1 and 2 show examples of two temperatures, but regions may be defined based on two or more temperatures.

[0043] The above calculation can be performed for all metallic copper particles charged into the reaction shaft 1 to calculate the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle. The final reaction rate for the entire reaction shaft 1 can be calculated by accumulating the final reaction rates for all metallic copper particles. The final reaction rate for the entire reaction shaft 1 can also be calculated by calculating the final reactions of multiple metallic copper particles, rather than all of the charged metallic copper particles, and accumulating the results for those particles.

[0044] The reaction rate may be calculated, for example, using the following method. When performing a simulation, a representative particle is defined to represent multiple particles. Multiple representative particles are determined to correspond to all particles to be charged into reaction shaft 1, and their trajectories and velocities are determined by simulation. The particle size distribution of the metallic copper particles to be charged into reaction shaft 1 is also determined. From the trajectory and velocity of each representative particle, the area through which each representative particle passes and the time spent in that area are determined. Representative particles can also be determined randomly without using any particular systematic selection method. Alternatively, to prevent bias in the reaction rate per unit time and trajectories due to particle size, they can be determined so as to match as closely as possible to the particle size distribution of the metallic copper particles to be charged into the reactor.

[0045] For example, suppose the particle size distribution of the metallic copper particles charged into the reaction shaft 1 is such that α% are less than 50 μm in particle size, β% are between 50 μm and 100 μm in particle size, and γ% are 100 μm or more. A representative particle is in region R1 at temperature T1 for time t1, and then in region R6 at temperature T2 for time t2, completing the reaction. In this case, the reaction rate Y2 (%) of this representative particle can be calculated using the following formula: First, calculate the reaction rate Y2' in region R1. Y2'={A11×(α / 100)+A12×(β / 100)+A13×(γ / 100}×t1 Next, calculate the reaction rate Y1" in region R6. Since the calculation for region R6 requires calculation of the unreacted portion, it is found using the following formula. Y2“=(1-Y2')×[{A61×(α / 100)+A62×(β / 100)+A63×(γ / 100)}×t2] From the above results, the final reaction rate Y2 (%) is as follows: Y2=Y2'+Y2“

[0046] In this way, calculations are performed for each representative particle, and the final reaction rate of each metallic copper particle is determined.Then, the reaction rate of the entire reaction shaft 1 can be calculated based on the final reaction rates of all metallic copper particles.

[0047] According to this embodiment, since the reaction rate in the reaction shaft 1 is known, it is possible to estimate the amount of metallic copper that will be matted in the reaction shaft 1. The metallic copper that has not been matted in the reaction shaft 1 is matted in the settler 2. By operating the flash smelting furnace 100 so that the metallic copper is matted in the reaction shaft 1 and the settler 2, the efficiency of matting metallic copper can be increased.

[0048] For example, the partial pressure of sulfur gas in the reaction shaft 1 is controlled by adjusting the amount of gas such as oxygen injected into the reaction shaft 1. In pre-treatment of the recycled material before feeding it into the flash smelting furnace 100, the recycled material is pulverized into powder. The particle size of the powder is controlled. By setting the partial pressure and particle size to the desired size, the reaction rate of matte formation can be increased. Among the operating conditions of the flash smelting furnace 100, conditions other than the partial pressure and particle size of the gas may also be controlled.

[0049] As shown in Figures 5 to 9, the simulation allows us to obtain the temperature distribution, partial pressure of sulfur gas, partial pressure of oxygen gas, partial pressure of sulfur dioxide, and particle trajectories. Heat is generated by the reaction between sulfur gas and oxygen gas. The temperature distribution can be estimated from the partial pressures of sulfur gas and oxygen gas. In locations where the partial pressure of sulfur gas is high and the temperature is high, metallic copper is prone to sulfidation. Regions are defined based on the distribution of partial pressure and temperature gases.

[0050] The reaction rate for each region can be obtained by testing, for example, or calculated using software such as Fact Sage. Simulations are suitable for calculating reaction rates in equilibrium states, but are difficult to calculate reaction rates in non-equilibrium states. Metallic copper is thought to pass through reaction shaft 1 in a matter of seconds, and it is assumed that the reaction is not in equilibrium. Testing particles in a non-equilibrium state using an experimental furnace allows for highly accurate reaction rates to be obtained.

[0051] The above embodiment can be applied to a reactor in which metallic copper reacts with sulfur gas and is sulfurized. The reaction shaft 1 of the flash smelting furnace 100 is an example of a reactor. Matte formation is an example of sulfurization of metallic copper.

[0052] The above-described embodiment is a preferred example of the present invention, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Reaction Shaft 2 Setra 3 Uptake 4 Concentrate burner 5. Matt 6. Slug 10 Input section 11 1st aisle 12 2nd aisle 13 3rd aisle 14 4th aisle 16 Lance 100 Flash furnace

Claims

1. 1. A method for evaluating a reactor for producing matte by reacting metallic copper with sulfur gas to sulfurize the metallic copper, comprising: Obtaining the temperature distribution inside the reactor, the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, the partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of sulfur dioxide, and the trajectory and flow velocity of metallic copper particles through simulation; dividing the reactor into a plurality of regions based on the temperature distribution and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and acquiring a matte reaction rate per unit time of sulfurization of the metallic copper for each of the plurality of regions; calculating a reaction rate of the metallic copper particles for each of the plurality of regions through which the metallic copper particles pass based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each of the metallic copper particles, and integrating the reaction rates of the metallic copper particles to calculate a final reaction rate of matte formation for each of the metallic copper particles after passing through the reactor; Calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor from the final reaction rate of the plurality of metallic copper particles charged into the reactor, In the step of acquiring the trajectory and the flow velocity, the simulation parameters are adjusted so that the simulated temperature distribution matches the temperature distribution of the reactor during operation, and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, the partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of sulfur dioxide, and the trajectory and flow velocity of the metallic copper particles are acquired based on the parameters.

2. the step of acquiring the reaction rate for each of the plurality of regions includes a step of acquiring the reaction rate per unit time for each of the plurality of regions and for each particle size of the metallic copper, 2. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle includes: a step of calculating the reaction rate of the metallic copper particle according to the particle size of the metallic copper particle when calculating the reaction rate for each region through which the metallic copper particle passes based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each metallic copper particle; and a step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle by integrating the reaction rates of the metallic copper particles.

3. the step of acquiring the reaction rate for each of the plurality of regions includes a step of acquiring a particle size distribution of metallic copper to be charged into the reactor, The step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle includes: a step of determining a plurality of representative particles that represent the metallic copper particles to be charged into the reactor; a step of calculating the reaction rate of each representative particle in accordance with the ratio of the particle size distribution when calculating the reaction rate for each region through which each representative particle passes based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each representative particle; and a step of calculating the final reaction rate of each representative particle after passing through the reactor by integrating the reaction rates of each representative particle, 2. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor is a step of determining the final reaction rate in the entire reactor from the results of the final reaction rates of each of the plurality of representative particles charged into the reactor.

4. 3. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of acquiring the response rate for each of the plurality of regions includes the step of acquiring the response rate for each of the plurality of regions through a test.

5. 3. The evaluation method according to claim 1, wherein the step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor is a step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor from the results of the final reaction rates of all the metallic copper particles charged into the reactor.

6. the reactor is a reaction shaft of a flash smelting furnace; In the reaction shaft, the metallic copper is sulfurized to form a matte. The step of acquiring the reaction rate for each of the plurality of regions is a step of acquiring a reaction rate at which the metallic copper turns into matte per unit time for each of the plurality of regions of the reaction shaft, the step of calculating the final reaction rate for each metallic copper particle is a step of calculating a matte rate for each metallic copper particle, The evaluation method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the step of calculating the final reaction rate in the entire reactor is a step of calculating a matte rate in the entire reactor.

7. a step of obtaining, by simulation, the temperature distribution inside a reactor that sulfurizes metallic copper by reacting the metallic copper with sulfur gas to produce matte, the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, the partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of sulfur dioxide, and the trajectories and flow velocities of metallic copper particles; dividing the reactor into a plurality of regions based on the temperature distribution and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, and acquiring a matte reaction rate per unit time of sulfurization of the metallic copper for each of the plurality of regions; a step of calculating a final matte reaction rate for each metallic copper particle after passing through the reactor by calculating and integrating the reaction rate of the metallic copper particle for each region through which the metallic copper particle passes, based on the trajectory and flow velocity of each metallic copper particle; Calculating the final reaction rate of the entire reactor from the final reaction rate of the plurality of metallic copper particles charged into the reactor; and controlling the operating conditions of the reactor based on the final reaction rate in the entire reactor; In the step of acquiring the trajectory and the flow velocity, parameters of the simulation are adjusted so that the simulated temperature distribution matches the temperature distribution of the reactor during operation, and the partial pressure of the sulfur gas, the partial pressure of oxygen, the partial pressure of sulfur dioxide, and the trajectory and flow velocity of the metallic copper particles are acquired based on the parameters.

8. 8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the step of controlling the operating conditions includes the step of controlling the partial pressure of the sulfur gas in the reactor.

9. 9. The operating method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the step of controlling the operating conditions includes a step of controlling the particle size of the raw material to be charged into the reactor based on the final reaction rate in the entire reactor.

10. the reactor is a reaction shaft of a flash smelting furnace; 9. The operating method according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the step of controlling the operating conditions is a step of controlling the operating conditions of the flash smelting furnace.

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