Silver loss during the oxidative refining of silver–copper alloys

The high temperature oxidative refining of molten silver–copper alloys is accompanied by silver losses to the slag. Typically, borosilicate slags are utilized as a flux and air or oxygen is injected into the molten alloy. The majority of the copper can be selectively oxidized to copper oxide, but some silver is also lost to the slag. In this research, the mechanism of silver loss has been investigated. Firstly, TGA and DTA studies of molten silver–copper alloys were performed, in order to elucidate the oxidation processes occurring at the gas–metal interface in the bubble. Secondly, the silver losses to the slag in the high temperature refining tests were quantified. Thirdly, the slag was characterized using XRD and the morphology of the silver in the slag was examined. Fourthly, a pseudo-equilibrium model of the refining process was developed and this was utilized to suggest methods for minimizing the silver loss to the slag. Finally, possible methods for recovering the silver from the slag are discussed.