Copper smelting and refining process - Strategic application technology
Oil and Gas Refining
By definition, crude oil and natural gas are the raw materials of the petrochemical industry, with inert gases such as N2 and CO2 already used on a large-scale during their extraction. The processing of crude oil to the desired end products involves several steps. Again, gases from Messer are used in many of these process steps.
Copper smelting and refining process
Copper production is carried out over several stages. Copper is either produced from copper ore (primary copper) or copper scrap (secondary copper). During primary copper manufacture, copper concentrate is used and reduced to blister copper after roasting. For secondary copper production copper scrap, slag, dross, dust or slurries are melted together with coke and slag-forming additives.
Various smelting processes are used. The resulting liquid copper matte (Cu 60 to 65%) is processed to blister copper (Cu approx. 98%) in a convertor. After fire-refining in anode furnaces the Cu purity is over 99%.
Single-origin scrap of a high purity is used for the production of wire and pipes using a direct smelting process with special shaft furnaces and immediately cast.
Heat treatment can modify the material structure and other properties of copper and adapt it for its intended use. Various furnaces such as batch type or continuous type furnaces are available for these processes. Bell furnaces are used for the final treatment.
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