Converting stage

In most copper smelters the primaery smelting process produced a low to medium grade matte

The converter carries bulk of the oxidation where between 30-80% of the sulfur originally in the
concentrate is eliminated

Disadvantages of Noranda processing

High sulfur content of blister copper

If blister copper concentrates are charged impurities in high amounts of As,Sb and Bi are found as
impurities are found.

Harmful impurities report mainly to slag and off gas

The Noranda converting stage is a two stage batch process consists of thermal cycling and bath
composition cycling refractory life

Advantages

Tuyere blast stirring in the noranda furnace rapidly melts Cu and precious metals in the scrap and causes
them to be rapidly absorbed in the matte

The high temperature and intensity of smelting cause potentially harmful organic compounds to be
oxidized completely to CO2 and H2O

High recover grade about 72-74% Cu in the product matte

Extensive sulfur oxidation rate which can be then used in the sulfuric acid production industry

The intensive stirring in the tuyere dissolves and suspends magnetite in slag preventing deposition on
the furnace refractoryed