Author
King, Matthew JosephIssue Date
1999Advisor
Davenport, William G.
Metadata
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The University of Arizona.Rights
Copyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.Abstract
The pyrometallurgical processing of copper concentrates produces SO₂-bearing offgas. SO₂ in the offgas is catalytically oxidized to SO₃ and absorbed into a ∼98.5% H₂SO₄-H₂O mixture in a sulfuric acid plant. This research provides an analysis of a copper smelter sulfuric acid plant and discusses the control and optimization necessary to attain the following goals: (a) minimize smelter SO₂ emissions; (b) maximize acid plant capacity and availability. The objectives of this work are to: (a) prepare mathematical descriptions of sulfuric acid plant operations; compare the mathematical predictions with plant data; (c) use the mathematical descriptions to: (i) predict acid plant behavior with varying feed SO₂ strengths and gas flow rates; (ii) determine control strategies to minimize smelter SO₂ emissions; (iii) evaluate requirements for an existing acid plant to accommodate future increased feed gas flows and SO₂ strengths.Type
textDissertation-Reproduction (electronic)
Degree Name
Ph.D.Degree Level
doctoralDegree Program
Graduate CollegeMaterials Science and Engineering