Metallurgical furnaces operation process

CIC metallurgical furnaces play a crucial role in the refining process of crude copper and copper mining. Among these metallurgical furnaces, the rotary refining furnace stands out as a key component in the operation process.

The primary purpose of the rotary refining furnace is to refine liquid crude copper and prepare it for copper electrolytic refining. This refining process consists of four major stages: feeding, oxidation, reduction, and casting. Each stage plays a vital role in ensuring the production of a qualified anode plate for subsequent electrolytic refining.

In the feeding stage, liquid crude copper is introduced into the rotary refining furnace. This continuous feeding process allows for a consistent and efficient refining operation. The furnace's large capacity enables it to handle significant quantities of crude copper, making it ideal for the pyrometallurgical refining of large or extra-large copper smelters.

Once the crude copper is inside the metallurgical furnaces, the oxidation stage begins. This stage involves the introduction of oxygen into the furnace atmosphere to promote the oxidation of impurities, such as sulfur and iron, present in the crude copper. The oxidation process enables the separation of these impurities from the copper, improving its overall purity and quality.

Following the oxidation stage, the reduction stage takes place. Here, reducing agents, such as coke or carbon, are added to the metallurgical furnaces to react with any remaining impurities and convert them into gaseous form or solid slag. This reduction process further enhances the purity of the copper, preparing it for the final casting stage.

The casting stage is the last step in the rotary refining furnace operation process. The refined copper is cast into anode plates, ensuring that they meet the necessary standards for subsequent electrolytic refining. These anode plates serve as critical components in the copper refining industry, providing a reliable source of high-quality copper for various applications.

One of the main advantages of rotary refining furnaces is their simple structure. This simplicity allows for easy operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting. Additionally, the furnaces boast high mechanical automation, contributing to a more efficient and streamlined refining process. The strong controllability of rotary refining furnaces enables precise regulation of factors such as temperature, oxygen input, and feed rate, ensuring consistent and uniform refining results.

Furthermore, the rotary refining furnace's sealing capabilities are essential for preventing the escape of harmful gases and dust during the refining process. This protects the environment and ensures the safety of the operating personnel. Additionally, the low energy consumption of these metallurgical furnaces makes them economically viable and environmentally friendly.

In conclusion, the operation of a CIC metallurgical rotary refining furnace involves the sequential stages of feeding, oxidation, reduction, and casting. This metallurgical furnaces is primarily employed in the pyrometallurgical refining of large or extra-large copper smelters, with the intention of producing high-quality anode plates for subsequent electrolytic refining. The furnace's simple structure, large capacity, high degree of mechanical automation, strong controllability, excellent sealing capabilities, and low energy consumption make it an indispensable component in the copper refining industry.