Available online
Description
The programme, filmed at Elkington Copper Refiners, Walsall, examines the refining of copper from industrial scrap.
The programme, filmed at Elkington Copper Refiners, Walsall, examines the refining of copper from industrial scrap.
| Module code and title: | T352, Materials processing |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T352; 10 |
| First transmission date: | 15-05-1979 |
| Published: | 1979 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:23:25 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Colin Robinson |
| Contributors: | G. F. Hancock; Stanley Nelmes |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Anode; Blast furnace; Converter; Electrolysis; Fume treatment; Precious metals; Recycling; Scrap; Secondary metals; Smelting |
| Footage description: | Gerry Hancock and Stanley Nelmes, standing in the scrapyard at Elkington Copper Refiners, introduce the programme. They point out the various grades of scrap held there. They go on to discuss, briefly, the economics of the refining plant. Hancock lists the four major steps which the scrap undergoes on the road to the production of high grade copper. Shots of the interior of the smelter and of a copper anode being cast. Stan Nelmes, in the scrap yard, explains why the scrap is separated into various grades prior to being processed. He goes on to explain the method used by the refiners to determine the copper content of scrap. Shots of a sample being smelted, cast into ingots, and drilled for assay. Over film of scrap being tipped into the blast furnace, of slag being tapped, and of black copper being tapped, Hancock and Nelmes describe the first stage of smelting in which low grade scrap is used. They go on to examine the second stage of smelt in which the black copper and higher grade scrap are smelted. Film of the converter being loaded and shots of fumes rising from it. Hancock explains how zinc oxide is filtered from the fines, reduced and cast into tin ingots. Finally, shots of the slag residue being tapped and dumped for recycling. Over film shots of the anode furnace, Hancock describes the third and last smelting stage where copper suitable for casting into anodes for subsequent electrolysis is produced. Stan Nelmes describes the 'poling' method for reducing the copper oxide in the converter. Film of the 'poling' process taking place. Film of anodes being transported by an overhead track to the electrolysis tank house and being load into the bath. Shots of copper starter sheets also being introduced to the bath. Hancock and Nelmes describe the electrolysis process. Shots of worn anodes being removed and electrolyte being drained off. Shots of nickel sulphate impurities being centrifuged out and packaged for sale. Shots of the slim tank. Hancock points out valuable waste products from the electrolysis process which are recovered for sale. Nelmes ends the programme by explaining what the markets for the copper produced here are. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72817 |
| Production number: | 00525_5334 |
| Videofinder number: | 1437 |
| Available to public: | no |
