Rapid removal of copper impurity from bismuth-copper alloy melts via super-gravity separation

Abstract

A green method of super-gravity separation, which can enhance the filtration process of bismuth and copper phases, was investigated and discussed for the rapid removal of copper impurity from bismuth-copper alloy melts. After separation by the super-gravity field, the bismuth-rich liquid phases were mainly filtered from the alloy melt along the super-gravity direction, whereas most of the fine copper phases were retained in the opposite direction. With optimized conditions of separation temperature at 280°C, gravity coefficient at 450, and separation time at 200 s, the mass proportion of the separated bismuth from the Bi-2wt%Cu and Bi-10wt%Cu alloys respectively reached 96% and 85%, which indicated the minimal loss of bismuth in the residual. Simultaneously, the removal ratio of impurity copper from the Bi-2wt%Cu and Bi-10wt%Cu alloys reached 88% and 98%, respectively. Furthermore, the separation process could be completed rapidly and is environmentally friendly and efficient.

Keywords

rapid removal / copper impurity / bismuth-copper alloys / filtration / super-gravity field

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