Comparison of slag chemistry between teniente converter and flash smelting furnace

Flash smelting furnace (FSF) and Teniente Converter (TC) are used in Chuquicamata smelter for copper smelting which provides a good opportunity to compare these two copper smelting technologies. Quenched slag and matte samples were collected from both FSF and TC under normal operating conditions. The slag tapping temperatures were measured by thermocouple and compared with regular measurements. The samples have been analysed by X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), Electron Probe Micro-analysis (EPMA) and titration techniques. It was found that FSF and TC are significantly different in operating temperature, slag composition, matte grade and copper content in the slag. Thermodynamic and viscosity models will be used to analyse the sensitivities of the liquidus temperature and viscosity as function of slag composition, matte grade and temperature. The present study will be useful for the deep understanding of the differences between FSF and TC copper smelting technologies