How to deal with scrap copper

In China, the smelting of scrap copper mainly adopts two methods: direct utilization method and pyrometallurgical treatment combined with electrolytic refining method.

2. Direct utilization method refers to the direct smelting of scrap copper into different grades of copper alloys or refined copper.

3. The combination of pyrometallurgical treatment and electrolytic refining method first processes impurity copper through pyrometallurgical treatment to produce anode copper, and then obtains electrolytic copper through electrolytic refining, and recovers other valuable elements in this process.

4. Fire treatment includes three processes: one-stage method, two-stage method, and three-stage method.

5. One method is to directly add classified yellow or purple impurities into a reflector furnace and refine them into anode copper. This method has a short process, simple equipment, fast factory construction, and relatively low investment. But its disadvantage is that when dealing with complex copper impurities, the smoke and dust components are complex and difficult to handle. In addition, the refining operation takes a long time, has high labor intensity, low production efficiency, and low metal recovery rate.

6. The two-stage method involves first reducing and melting miscellaneous copper through a blast furnace to obtain red copper metal, which is then refined into anode copper in a reverberatory furnace; Alternatively, the mixed copper can be first blown and refined into coarse copper in a converter, and then refined into anode copper in a reverberatory furnace. Because it requires two processes, it is called the two-stage method.

7. The three-stage method involves first reducing and melting miscellaneous copper into black copper through a blast furnace. The black copper is then blown and refined into sub coarse copper in a converter, which is then refined into anode copper in a reverberatory furnace. This method requires three steps, hence it is called the three-stage method. The three-stage method has the advantages of high comprehensive utilization rate of raw materials, simple composition of produced smoke and dust, easy processing, high grade of crude copper, easy operation of refining furnace, and high equipment productivity. But the process is complex, with multiple equipment, high investment, and high fuel consumption.

Therefore, in China, when dealing with scrap copper, most enterprises adopt two-stage and one-stage methods, unless they are large enterprises or need to deal with certain special waste residues.