Energy Efficient System for Galena Concentrate Processing

Abstract

A new system of processing galena concentrates has been developed using the non-blast method of lead reduction from its sulphides by metallic iron. Excavated slag was used as flux agents to generate the stackable sulfur-containing products, instead of sulfuric acid. Based on this relatively modern technical concept of extreme energy saving, the new system of concentrate processing has been developed. The system includes an iron reduction and zinc sublimation system from excavated slag by soot-hydrogenic mixture, products of pyrolysis of natural gases, lead ousting in crude metal from its sulphides by metallic iron in the autogenous conditions of the rotary mixer, regenerative utilization of thermic wastes of the system, and neutralization of SO 2 gases by reagents obtained aboard (ZnO, Fe). The new system will reduce the effective specific equivalent fuel consumption by a factor of 3.77, and it will also expand the utilization factor of material waste products by a factor of 2.5-3 in comparison with the traditional methods of concentrate processing. INDEX TERMS Inversion phase-rotary kiln, galena concentrate, excavated slag, mineral processing, soothydrogenic mixture.