METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR LEAD SMELTING

摘要

A method for producing lead involves feeding lead concentrate, flux and solid fuel passing to a feed preparation unit (10). The prepared, mixed feed is then passed to a lead smelting furnace (14), such as an ISASMELT furnace or other top entry, submerged lance furnace. Air or oxygen (16), is injected into the molten charge in the ISASMELT furnace (14) via the submerged lance. In furnace (14), the feed mixture is converted into lead bullion and a lead-containing slag. The lead bullion is removed via a taphole or weir (18). The slag is removed via a taphole or weir (20). The slag (20) removed from the furnace (14) is formed into lumps having a desirable size range. The slag lumps (20), together with coke and flux (26) are fed into a blast furnace (28). In the blast furnace (28), the slag is converted into lead bullion that is removed via a taphole or weir (30) and discard slag that is removed via a taphole (32). The lead bullion removed at (18 and 30) may be subsequently fed to a lead refinery (34) for further treatment.