摘要 |
An improved continuous process for the conversion of a non-ferrous metal sulfide to form (A) a slag phase and (B) a non-ferrous metal phase of greater non-ferrous metal than the unconverted non-ferrous metal sulfide, by heating the non-ferrous metal sulfide in the form of a molten bath in a horizontal reactor provided with an oxidizing zone to which an oxidizing gas is added wherein in the oxidizing zone oxidation conditions predominate and a reducing zone to which a reducing gas is added and wherein in said reducing zone reducing conditions predominate is described. In the process, the slag is withdrawn from one end of the horizontal reactor while the non-ferrous metal phase is withdrawn from the other. In accordance with the invention, the gas atmosphere which develops in the horizontal reactor passes in counter-current flow to the flow of the slag phase and exhaust gas is withdrawn from the reactor at the same end of the reactor as is withdrawn the non-ferrous metal phase. |