Converter

Process description

The copper matte retrieved during the initial melt is converted to blister copper by blowing an oxygen-containing gas into the converter. Both continuous and discontinuous processes are used here. Nearly 75 % of copper producers work with the discontinuous “Peirce-Smith"-converter where an oxygen/air mixture is introduced to the melt in two stages. The oxygen content is between 21 Vol.-% and 28 Vol.-%.

Lances inside a „Peirce-Smith“-converter

Gas Application

Oxygen enrichment

Oxygen-enriched air is fed into the melt using lances in order to firstly oxidise iron which deposits in the slag, and then sulphur which is separated from the exhaust gas as SO₂.

Furthermore, burners are used for regulating the temperature and for heating; the use of Oxyfuel-burners is particularly advantageous.  

Messer Solution

In addition to the gases required for your process, Messer offers a variety of equipment for its optimisation under the brand names Oxipyr and Oxijet. 

In order to select the optimum system, experts from Messer first carry out a comprehensive process analysis. Following calculations and basic engineering, suggestions are made for optimisation and further procedures.

Oxipyr – Burner Technology

The characteristics of the burner types are versatile and range from low to high momentum burners, oxyfuel to oxygen/air mixing burners and burners for different fuels or fuel combinations. The systems are controlled manually, semi- or fully automatically following recipes or temperature.