METAMORPHOSIS OF THE COPPER REVERBERATORY FURNACE: OXYGEN SPRINKLE SMELTING.

A new process, called ″oxygen sprinkle smelting″ , which transforms existing reverberatory furnaces into oxygen flash smelting units, is described. The thrify concept can greatly improve the performance of old-fashioned smelters in respect to productivity, operating costs, energy conservation, and environmental protection. This novel oxygen technology requires substantial capital outlay - mainly for concentrate drying and oxygen generation - but resulting major enhancement of plant metallurgy and economy makes it attractive in view of alternatives reportedly involving much greater expenditures, e. g. , billions of dollars.