Estudio termodinámico y cinético del proceso de conversión en la metalurgia extractiva del cobre

Abstract

The research study presented is intended to give access to obtain a doctorate degree from the University of Huelva, with a special industrial mention for the collaboration with the company Atlantic Copper S.L.U. The purpose of this research work has been to develop a computational model based mainly on the thermodynamic study of the complete conversion process for a Peirce-Smith furnace and to provide new knowledge on the kinetic processes of the materials involved in the pyrometallurgical process of copper conversion. This work is divided into two main lines: a first line dedicated to thermodynamic studies and a second line dedicated to kinetic studies of the materials involved in the conversion process. The first line of research is described in Chapter IV under the title "Description of the computational model, based on thermodynamics, for the copper conversion process in a Peirce-Smith converter (CPS Model)". This chapter details thoroughly the physico-chemical processes, the engineering and the description of the materials involved in the copper conversion process. In addition, the algorithm used for the thermodynamic computational model developed for the Peirce Smith converter is described. This model aims to predict the behaviour of a Peirce-Smith converter using real compositional and operational data to predict the quantities and compositions of all the phases formed during the copper conversion process. To this end, the CPS model has been applied to real cases to obtain results comparable with empirical data and thus demonstrate its reliability. It has also been used to demonstrate its usefulness in copper conversion process engineering through its use in the study of anomalous situations in the process. The second line of research is described in chapters V, VI and VII under the titles "Kinetic study of the main mineral components of copper concentrates", "Kinetic study of the generation of white metal and modelling of thermogravimetry for the determination of chemical phases" and "Kinetic study of the generation of copper blister and modelling of thermogravimetry for the determination of chemical phases". These chapters detail the kinetic studies carried out on the main materials at the heart of the pyrometallurgical process, such as the minerals chalcopyrite and pyrite (as raw material for the copper pyrometallurgical process), the copper matte from which the white metal will be obtained, and the white metal that gives rise to blister. The main experimental studies carried out in this line of research have been carried out using the thermogravimetric technique using equipment from the University of Huelva and the University of Concepción (Chile) thanks to the collaboration and academic stay carried out at this University.