submerged smelting
Quick Summary
Submerged smelting is a direct smelting process in extractive metallurgy where refining reactions occur within a liquid medium, such as molten metal, matte, or slag. This method, exemplified by the QSL and Isasmelt processes, avoids the need for sintering feed materials or using metallurgical coke, and it generates less gas and dust compared to older methods.1
In the QSL process, oxygen and natural gas are injected into a refractory-lined reactor, oxidizing the lead concentrates in a molten bath. The resulting flue gas contains lead and zinc oxides, and the slag captures a significant portion of the zinc. Reduction of metal oxides occurs as they interact with carbon monoxide produced by the natural gas.1
The Isasmelt process utilizes a lance submerged in sulfide concentrate within a furnace. A blast from the lance creates a turbulent bath, oxidizing the concentrates into a high-lead slag. This slag is then transferred to a second furnace for reduction with coal, yielding crude lead and slag.1
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