Assessment of slag and copper equilibrium in Vaniukov two-zone converter

A brand new process of blister copper production from copper matte and concentrates in the two-zone Vaniukov converter has been developed at the Gipronickel Institute facility. Thermodynamic analysis of exchange interaction has been performed for the ‘slag melt-metal phase formed in the over-the-lance area of the Vaniukov converter reduction zone’ system and for ‘slag melt-bottom phase of blister copper located in the bottom (under-the-lance) area of the Vaniukov converter’ system. Based on the thermodynamic analysis data, the original design of the two-zone Vaniukov converter has been proven to be able to create conditions ensuring production of blister copper of higher quality, as compared to the one-zone Vaniukov converter process, copper concentration in slag being substantially lower.