Abstract
The mechanism and dynamics of zinc transfer in molten slag are discussed. Studies were made of the kinetics of zinc voltailization from slags made by smelting copper-zinc ore to a white matte, and the kinetics of copper, nickel and cobalt extraction from slags formed during the conversion of copper-nickel ore to rich mattes. The important points in the present report concern the following experimentally established kinetic laws of slag stripping: a) the concentrations of dissolved metals and sulfur in the reducing and melting zones of the furnace coincide throughout the entire process (established by chemical and X-ray microprobe analyses); b) in both reduction methods of slag reduction, conditions are found in which the rate of zinc volatilization is independent of the amount present in the slag, over the range 10-12 down to 0. 5-1%; c) at zinc concentrations below 0. 5-1%, the volatilization rate under these conditions becomes possible to the residual zinc content of the slags.