New Laboratory and Pilot Techniques Applied at Mintek in Aid of Furnace Containment System Designs.

The Pyrometallurgy Division at Mintek is known internationally for the development of applications of direct current (DC) arc furnace technology in smelting applications, more specifically in the smelting of primary resources, i.e., chromite, ilmenite, titanomagnetite, nickel laterite and ores containing precious group metals, and secondary resources, i.e., furnace slag or dust. From a furnace containment perspective, either an insulating or a conductive design philosophy can be applied, irrespective of the raw material being processed. In the initial stages of a project, desktop studies are typically conducted which include the selection of a furnace containment design philosophy, specific to the application. To lower the risk associated with incorrect selection of a design philosophy and/or furnace containment system components, it is prudent to conduct tests on laboratory and pilot scale and to transfer the knowledge gained to industrial applications. The paper presents examples of the laboratory and pilot techniques utilized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]