Investigation of Kinetics of Oxidation of Molten Copper Sulfide by Oxygen.

As a result of an experimental investigation, the main kinetic regularities of interaction between molten copper sulfide and oxygen within the temperature range of 1200-1400 C, and the variation of the gas phase oxidation potential from 12 to 30 vol. % of oxygen content in it, are established. It is found that the two-stage course of the oxidation process is determined by the formation of oxysulfide phases in the melt at the first stage and by the separation of metallic copper as an independent liquation phase at the second stage. Judging by the character of the effect of temperature on the kinetics of the investigated interaction, it may be assumed that the desulfurization rate is determined by the intensity of the process of disproportioning of the sulfide melt, chemisorption of oxygen at the gas/melt interface, and decomposition of the intermediate oxysulfide phases formed during oxidation.