Flash smelter shaft operations

Summary

Studies were made of the dispersion of solids entering the shaft and of the subsequent reactions among sulphide concentrate, added coal and combustion air in the flash smelting process at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter.

A model at 1:4 scale was employed to test alternative designs.  Concentrates from the different sources showed significant variations in ignition temperature.

Keywords: dispersion of solids, differential thermal analysis, thermogravimetry, nickel sulphide concentrate, flash smelting