Inventors:
Michael H. Blenk - Youngstown NY
Assignee:
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company - Wilmington DE
International Classification:
C22B 1306
Abstract:
A method for processing crude lead bullion using a reactive metal mixture intermediate by-product having sodium and calcium includes the steps of pouring molten crude lead bullion from a blast furnace into a casting vessel, cooling the crude lead bullion so that a crust forms on top thereof, punching a hole in the crust, injecting a reactive metal mixture intermediate by-product comprising sodium and calcium below the crust and into the crude lead bullion, and allowing the contents of the casting vessel to cool to form three equilibrium phases, including a bottom phase of refined lead bulletin, a speiss phase formed on top of the lead bullion phase and including Cu. sub. 3 As and Fe. sub. 2 As, and a matte phase formed on top of the speiss phase and including copper, sodium, calcium and sulfur. A method for processing a previously-produced lead dross containing entrained lead using a reactive metal mixture intermediate by-product includes adding molten lead to a kettle, agitating the lead, adding a reactive metal mixture intermediate by-product comprising sodium and calcium to the lead to form an alloy of lead, sodium and calcium, adding a lead dross comprisingy Cu. sub.