Effect of slag composition on the distribution and separation behavior of arsenic between CaO-based slag and liquid copper

To determine the effects of slag basicity and oxygen potential on the distribution of arsenic (As) between slag and liquid copper, high-temperature experiments were conducted using a Kanthal-Super electric furnace. The thermodynamic driving force of As removal from liquid copper was found to increase as the slag basicity increased because the excess free energy of As2O3 decreased with increasing basic oxide content in the slag. The addition of a small amount of Na2O improved As removal efficiency from the liquid copper. In the case of acidic (i.e., low basicity) slag, the As was minimally distributed to slag phase due to the low activity of CaO in the slag. As a result, the basicity of slag should be carefully controlled for the efficient removal of As. In addition, As was segregated and stabilized in the (Mg,Fe)O monoxide as well as in crystalline phases (magnesium arsenate, Mg3(AsO4)2 and ferric arsenate, FeAsO4) formed due to the high contents of MgO and FeO in the slag, from which it was concluded that As enrichment and separation can be achieved during cooling process.