Condensation of metal vapors in a fluidized bed and apparatus

摘要

PCT No. PCT/AU90/00535 Sec. 371 Date Jun. 29, 1991 Sec. 102(e) Date Jun. 29, 1991 PCT Filed Nov. 7, 1990 PCT Pub. No. WO91/07225 PCT Pub. Date May 30, 1991.Metal vapor, for example zinc fume in the offgas of a smelting furnace, is captured by bringing the stream into direct contact with a fluidized bed of solid particles having a particulate loading of greater than 10 kg/m3 and preferably greater than 400 kg/m3. The thermal mass and temperature of the bed is such as to rapidly quench the vapor in the case of zinc from above 960 DEG C. to below 419 DEG C. in less than 100 milliseconds, whereby the vapor condenses in the bed and is recovered as zinc metal in acceptable yield.