Development of Experimental Techniques for the Phase Equilibrium Study in the Pb-Fe-O-S-Si System Involving Gas, Slag, Matte, Lead Metal and Tridymite Phases

Present society challenges, including metal scarcity, recycling, and environmental restrictions, resulted in the increased complexity variability of metallurgical feed streams. Metallurgical processes involving complex lead copper-containing slag matte phases are now commonly used response. Optimization existing development new require fundamental information on slag–matte phase equilibrium. Development experimental methodology for characterization equilibrium is presented paper. Following a detailed analysis potential reaction pathways, techniques have been developed that enable accurate measurement Pb-Fe-O-S-Si system. The application has demonstrated two important sets conditions: (i) Condensed slag–matte–metal–tridymite subsystem; (ii) Gas–slag–matte–tridymite at fixed oxygen sulfur partial pressures. involves high-temperature equilibration synthetic samples, fast quenching, microanalysis compositions using electron probe X-ray (EPMA). results not affected by changes bulk composition samples during equilibration; this helps to overcome significant barriers previously encountered undertaking these systems.