Abstract
A mixture of iron, copper and carbon was melted in a carbon crucible at 1453K. The top layer which was rich in iron and the bottom layer which was rich in copper were clearly separated in the crucible. We could thus make fundamental experiment to carry out a phase separation for copper recovery from iron scrap containing copper. One of the focuses is how an extra element to the Fe-Cu-C ternary system affects the phase separation. We added Cr, Mn, Al, Si or S to Fe-Cu-C ternary system, and determined the compositions of miscibility gap at 1453K under carbon saturation. In some cases scrap contains precious metal. On this account the recovery distribution ratios of precious metal were also measured The alloy compositions on the miscibility gap in the Fe-Cu-C system are 91.1%Fe-4.7%Cu-4.2%C and 96.7%Cu-3.3%Fe. Addition of aluminum, Silicon or sulfur causes the gap to narrow. An increase in carbon solubility in the phase rich in iron reduces copper solubility, which affects recovery of copper from scrap. The relation between copper and carbon solubility in the phase rich in iron is (%Cu)=0.68(%C)2-7.26(%C)+22.77. Gold, silver and palladium are enriched in the phase rich in iron. Platinum distributes both phases equally. The activity coefficients of Ag, Au, Pd and Pt were estimated from the distribution ratios.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 26-37 |
| Number of pages | 12 |
| Journal | Metallurgical Review of MMIJ (Mining and Metallurgical Institute of Japan) |
| Volume | 15 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Publication status | Published - 1998 Jul 1 |
| Externally published | Yes |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Metals and Alloys