Authors: J. Sarvinis, S. de Vries, K. Joiner, C. van Mierlo and N. Voermann, Hatch Associates Ltd., Mississauga, Ontario,
F. Stober, C. Rule and P. Majoko, BHP Hartley Platinum
Copper 99 - Cobre 99; Fourth International Conference, Phoenix, AZ; October 1999
Abstract
BHP Hartley Platinum operates an electric smelting furnace to treat Cu-Ni-PGM concentrate at its plant in Selous, Zimbabwe. The furnace, originally built by others, has experienced problems including severe refractory erosion of the sidewall. Hatch Associates has designed several important improvements to the furnace, including: - water-cooled copper cooling elements in the slag zone; - air-cooled copper cooling fins at the metal level; - water-cooled copper tapholes; - binding system providing vertical refractory compression; - electrode seals; - new feed pipes. Novel construction techniques employed on this project to reduce shutdown duration are discussed.
