Copper Smelter Baghouse
During the production of copper in the smelt furnace, dust is normally captured in the baghouse as a means of air pollution control. The dust is generated as a result of the gas cleaning process, containing condensate matter and fine particles semi-melted of concentrate, which are transported with the gas. This dust generally contains Cu, Fe, and other minor elements such as Pb, As, Cd, Sb, Zn, and Bi. Due to the presence of arsenic in the dust, which is both toxic and carcinogenic, proper disposal at a hazardous waste site is required, hence increasing the cost of production. However, this cost could be reduced if arsenic can be removed from the dust through leaching.
Operating Conditions
Case Studies
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Dust To be handled: Hot gases exhaust from Primary & secondary smelter
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Nature of dust: Fine, free-flowing, mildly abrasive
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Cleaning Mode: Offline or Online
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Design Gas temperature: 120-220 degree Celsius
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Design Surge Temperature: 150-260 Degree Celsius
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Dust Load: gm/Nm3
The Copper industry is heavily regulated for particulate emissions. There are filter requirements from the mining, transportation, crushing, flotation, leaching, and smelting of copper. Due to the presence of sulfate and nitric acid, this industry requires filter media to be resistant to specific chemical/acid attacks. The primary process for baghouse particulate is smelting, also known as converting. Due to various smelting practices, the baghouse gas stream temperature can also vary.