Refractories for Copper Production

Author

Mark E. Schlesinger, Missouri University of Science and TechnologyFollow

Abstract

The furnaces used for producing molten copper from concentrates and scrap - flash smelters, converters, and anode and tire-refining furnaces - present a unique combination of challenges to refractory life. Highly aggressive slags mechanical stresses, batch operation, and increasingly higher operating temperature all combine to destroy most refractory materials. Over the past generation, copper producers have adopted refractory materials based on the MgO-Cr2O3 system to meet these challenges, to the point where mag-chrome brick is used almost exclusively in the industry. However, recent environment imperatives have created a need to develop chrome-free alternative refractories for copper smelters, converters and refining furnaces. Some possible alternative materials are introduced and speculation is made about the locations where they might be used most advantageously.

Recommended Citation

M. E. Schlesinger, "Refractories for Copper Production," Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy Review, Taylor & Francis, Jan 1996.

The definitive version is available at https://doi.org/10.1080/08827509608914131

Department(s)

Materials Science and Engineering

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

0882-7508

Document Type

Article - Journal

Document Version

Citation

File Type

text

Language(s)

English

Rights

© 1996 Taylor & Francis, All rights reserved.

Publication Date

01 Jan 1996