Matte (metallurgy)Matte is a term used in the field of pyrometallurgy given to the molten metal sulfide phases typically formed during smelting of copper, nickel, and other base metals. Typically, a matte is the phase in which the principal metal being extracted is recovered prior to a final reduction process (usually converting) to produce blister copper. The matte may also collect some valuable minor constituents such as noble metals, minor base metals, selenium or tellurium.
SmeltingSmelting is a process of applying heat and a chemical reducing agent to an ore to extract a desired base metal product. It is a form of extractive metallurgy that is used to obtain many metals such as iron, copper, silver, tin, lead, and zinc. Smelting uses heat and a chemical reducing agent to decompose the ore, driving off other elements as gases or slag and leaving the metal behind.Non-ferrous metalIn metallurgy, non-ferrous metals are metals or alloys that do not contain iron (allotropes of iron, ferrite, and so on) in appreciable amounts. Generally more costly than ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals are used because of desirable properties such as low weight (e.g. aluminium), higher conductivity (e.g. copper), non-magnetic properties or resistance to corrosion (e.g. zinc). Some non-ferrous materials are also used in the iron and steel industries.
Sulfur trioxideSulfur trioxide (alternative spelling sulphur trioxide) is the chemical compound with the formula SO3. It has been described as "unquestionably the most [economically] important sulfur oxide". It is produced industrially on a vast scale as a precursor to sulfuric acid (Contact process) and sulfonate-based surfactants; however, it is not isolated in its own right due to the difficulties in safely storing and handling it.
SulfideNames Systematic IUPAC nameSulfide(2−) (additive), recommended nameSulfanediide (substitutive), not common, rarely used, sometimes generated by automated nomenclature software in organic chemistryIdentifiers CAS Number18496-25-83D model (JSmol)Interactive imageChEBICHEBI:15138ChemSpider27079PubChemCID29109UNIIG15I91XETIInChIInChI=1S/S/q-2Key: UCKMPCXJQFINFW-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILES[S--]Properties Chemical formulaSMolar mass32.06 g·mol Conjugate acidBisulfideRelated compounds Other anionsoxideselenidetellurideExcept where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).Sulfide (also sulphide in British English) is an inorganicanion of sulfur with the chemical formula S or a compound containing one or more S ions.
Roasting (metallurgy)Roasting is a process of heating an ore under flowing air. It is a step in the processing of certain ores. More specifically, roasting is often a metallurgical process involving gas–solid reactions at elevated temperatures with the goal of purifying the metal component(s). Often before roasting, the ore has already been concentrated, e.g. by froth flotation. The concentrate is mixed with other materials to facilitate the process.
Arsenic trioxideArsenic trioxide is the inorganic compound with the formulaAs4O6. As an industrial chemical, its major uses include the manufacture of wood preservatives, pesticides, and glass. For medical purposes, it is sold under the brand name Trisenox among others when used as a medication to treat a type of cancer known as acute promyelocytic leukemia. For this use it is given by injection into a vein. Arsenic trioxide was approved for medical use in the United States in 2000.
MetallurgyMetallurgy is a domain of material science and engineering that studies the physical and chemical behavior of metallic elements, their inter-metallic compounds, and their mixtures, which are known as alloys. Metallurgy encompasses both the science and the technology of metals, including their production and the engineering of metal components used in products for both consumers and manufacturers.
SlagSlag is a by-product or co-product of smelting (pyrometallurgical) ores and recycled metals depending on the type of material being produced. Slag is mainly a mixture of metal oxides and silicon dioxide. Broadly, it can be classified as ferrous (co-products of processing iron and steel), ferroalloy (a by-product of ferroalloy production) or non-ferrous/base metals (by-products of recovering non-ferrous materials like copper, nickel, zinc and phosphorus).
Manhès–David processThe Manhès–David process is a refining process of the copper mattes, invented in 1880 by the French industrialist Pierre Manhès and his engineer Paul David. Inspired by the Bessemer process, it consists of the use of a converter to oxidise with air the undesirable chemical elements (mainly iron and sulfur) contained in the matte, to transform it into copper.
Basic oxygen steelmakingBasic oxygen steelmaking (BOS, BOP, BOF, or OSM), also known as Linz-Donawitz steelmaking or the oxygen converter process, is a method of primary steelmaking in which carbon-rich molten pig iron is made into steel. Blowing oxygen through molten pig iron lowers the carbon content of the alloy and changes it into low-carbon steel.
TuyereA tuyere, or tuyère (French pronunciation:; English: ), is a tube, nozzle or pipe allowing the blowing of air into a furnace or hearth. Air or oxygen is injected into a hearth under pressure from bellows or a blowing engine or other devices. This causes the fire to become hotter in front of the blast than it would otherwise have been, enabling metals to be smelted or melted or made hot enough to be worked in a forge, though these are blown only with air.*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.