Formation of arsenic−copper-containing particles and their sulfation decomposition mechanism in copper smelting flue gas

Abstract The heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) of copper smelting generates a large number of arsenic−copper- containing particles, and the in-situ separation of arsenic and copper is of importance for cutting off environmental risk and realizing resource recovery. The formation of arsenic−copper-containing particles was simulated, the method of in-situ decomposition of arsenic−copper-containing particles by pyrite was proposed, and the decomposition mechanism was confirmed. It was found that particles with high arsenic content were formed in the simulated HRSG, and copper arsenate was liable for the high arsenic content. Pyrite promoted the sulfation of copper, leading to the in-situ decomposition of copper arsenate. In this process, gaseous arsenic was released, and thus the separation of arsenic and copper was realized.