Introduction to antimony ore smelting process

Introduction to antimony ore smelting process

The antimony smelting process mainly includes two categories: pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy, among which pyrometallurgy (volatilization smelting reduction smelting) dominates and is suitable for different types of antimony ore.

 The core process and technical points are as follows:

 

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 1、 Mainstream process: pyrometallurgy (accounting for over 95%)

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Volatile roasting/melting

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Objective: To convert antimony sulfide (Sb ₂ S ∝) into volatile antimony trioxide (Sb ₂ O ∝) and achieve the separation of antimony and impurities.

Core equipment: Blast furnace (mainstream), rotary kiln or boiling furnace (for special minerals).

Process characteristics:

The blast furnace adopts the operation of "low material column, thin material layer, high processing capacity", and the consumption of coke reaches 20% to 25% of the furnace material;

Sulfide ore reaction: 2Sb ₂ S ∝+9O ₂ → 2Sb ₂ O ∝+6SO ₂, antimony evaporates and is collected in the form of gaseous Sb ₂ O ∝;

Strong adaptability, capable of handling sulfide ores, oxidized ores, and mixed ores.

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Reduction smelting and refining

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Process:

Antimony oxide powder (Sb ₂ O ∝) is mixed with a reducing agent (coke/coal) and reduced to crude antimony in a reverberatory furnace:

Sb₂O₃ + 3C → 2Sb + 3CO9；

During refining, add pure alkali (Na ₂ CO ∝) and blow in air to oxidize impurities (such as arsenic and iron) to improve the purity of antimony.

Product: The purity of refined antimony can reach over 99.65%.

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 2、 Wet metallurgy (emerging technology)

Alkaline leaching electrolysis method

Antimony sulfide concentrate is leached with sulfide alkali (such as Na ₂ S) to produce sodium thioantimonate, which is then electrolyzed to obtain metallic antimony.

Oxygen enriched bottom blowing reduction melting

Technical advantages: short process, low energy consumption, outstanding environmental performance (such as the self-developed process of Yuguang Gold Lead);

Suitable for the comprehensive recovery of antimony resources associated with lead copper mines.

 

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 3、 Special ore processing technology

Brittle sulfur lead antimony ore (Pb ₄ FeSb ₆ S ₁₄):

Boiling roasting desulfurization → sintering → blast furnace reduction melting → blowing and separation of lead and antimony.

Gold containing antimony ore:

Crude antimony is used as a gold capturing agent to enrich and extract gold.

Antimony oxide ore:

Direct reduction smelting or alkali leaching treatment, but with lower recovery rate.

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 4、 Environmental Protection and Resource Utilization

Smoke treatment:

The flue gas from the blast furnace has a low concentration of SO ₂ (usually<1%) and needs to be absorbed by lime to meet emission standards.

Waste residue utilization:

Slag can be used to extract valuable metals or as building materials, while antimony sulfide (antimony sulfide) needs to be returned to the smelting process.

Dust control:

High temperature flue gas (300-800 ℃) is treated with an electric bag composite dust collector, and the emission concentration can be reduced to below 10mg/m ³.

 

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 5、 Technological development trends

Short process technology: Developing direct reduction melting technology to reduce energy consumption in volatilization reduction stages;

Comprehensive utilization of resources: Strengthen the recovery efficiency of associated elements such as gold, silver, and lead;

Green smelting: Promote wet/oxygen enriched smelting technology to reduce carbon emissions and pollution.

Note: The pyrometallurgical process is still the mainstream of antimony smelting due to its high maturity and wide adaptability;

 Wet processes and innovative technologies have become the future upgrade direction due to their environmental advantages.