The air blast furnace can be used for matte smelting of copper, nickel, cobalt, etc., and reduction smelting of lead, zinc, etc. The furnace burden of air blast furnace usually is in lump shape, the fuel is coke. The furnace burden is charged inside from top in batches, then form stock column. The air is blown in from bottom tuyere, and coke is burnt at tuyere area and form high temperature melting zone, the furnace burden are reduced at this area and keep melting. The melt is purified in furnace hearth during reduction process and tap metal and slag, If it is matte smelting, the melt flow from furnace proper to front bed and separate blister and furnace slag out. The advantages of air blast furnace include good condition of heat transfer, high thermal efficiency, high capacity per unit area.
Copper smelting furnace