Abstract <p>The sulfuric acid plant at an industrial copper/nickel smelter plays an essential role in ensuring operation with minimal environmental impact through capture of <InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> emitted from ore smelting. An industrial acid plant simulation model was developed with Matlab Simulink(R) and detailed process dynamics investigated. The results illustrate how outlet <InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> concentration from the <InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> to <InlineEquation ID="IEq6"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_{3}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>3</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> conversion reactor displays dual dynamics as the inlet <InlineEquation ID="IEq7"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> concentration changes. <InlineEquation ID="IEq8"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$\hbox {SO}_{2}$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <msub> <mtext>SO</mtext> <mn>2</mn> </msub> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> conversion reactors are interconnected with a series of heat exchangers that form closed energy loops. The effects of these closed energy loops were also investigated and compared with a single independent reactor. The results show that reactors in closed energy loops generate slower dynamics than the independent reactor and have different process gains for input–output pairs. The work in this paper enhances understanding of acid plant dynamics and can be used to improve the sustainability of smelter operation.</p> Graphical Abstract <p></p>

Reducing Copper/Nickel Smelter $\hbox {SO}_{2}$ Emissions Through Enhanced Modeling of an Associated Sulfuric Acid Plant’s Dynamics

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月9日

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Jacob Schmidt,
Helen Shang

摘要

Abstract

The sulfuric acid plant at an industrial copper/nickel smelter plays an essential role in ensuring operation with minimal environmental impact through capture of $\hbox {SO}_{2}$ ${SO}_{2}$ emitted from ore smelting. An industrial acid plant simulation model was developed with Matlab Simulink(R) and detailed process dynamics investigated. The results illustrate how outlet $\hbox {SO}_{2}$ ${SO}_{2}$ concentration from the $\hbox {SO}_{2}$ ${SO}_{2}$ to $\hbox {SO}_{3}$ ${SO}_{3}$ conversion reactor displays dual dynamics as the inlet $\hbox {SO}_{2}$ ${SO}_{2}$ concentration changes. $\hbox {SO}_{2}$ ${SO}_{2}$ conversion reactors are interconnected with a series of heat exchangers that form closed energy loops. The effects of these closed energy loops were also investigated and compared with a single independent reactor. The results show that reactors in closed energy loops generate slower dynamics than the independent reactor and have different process gains for input–output pairs. The work in this paper enhances understanding of acid plant dynamics and can be used to improve the sustainability of smelter operation.

Graphical Abstract

Reducing Copper/Nickel Smelter \(\hbox {SO}_{2}\) Emissions Through Enhanced Modeling of an Associated Sulfuric Acid Plant’s Dynamics

摘要