Modelling and optimization of the sulphuric acid plant in an industrial smelter

在铜、镍或其他金属矿石的冶炼过程中，会产生二氧化硫气体，如不加以处理，会造成严重的环境破坏和社区健康问题。高效的硫酸装置对冶炼厂的运营至关重要，因为它将有害的二氧化硫气体转化为硫酸，硫酸在化学工业中有广泛的应用。近年来，安大略已大幅收紧二氧化硫排放要求，主要冶金公司正采取一切必要措施，确保冶炼厂的运作符合收紧的规定。随着越来越严格的环境法规，硫酸厂必须运行，以使其将二氧化硫气体减少到所需的排放水平。冶炼厂制酸车间的建模对于为所需的增强工艺理解、工艺控制和优化提供坚实的基础至关重要。在该项目中，将使用基本原理和工业数据对一家工业冶炼厂的硫酸厂进行建模。基于所开发的模型，将调查冶炼厂操作变化对制酸厂和二氧化硫排放的影响。该项目将产生有用和及时的结果，因为所涉工业公司目前正在采取广泛措施，以大幅减少二氧化硫排放。

In the smelting of copper, nickel or other metal ores, sulphur dioxide gas is generated, which, without treatment, can cause serious environmental damages and community health issues. An efficient sulphuric acid plant is vital for smelter operations as it converts harmful sulphur dioxide gas to sulphuric acid, which has extensive applications in the chemical industry. In recent years, Ontario has significantly tightened sulphur dioxide emission requirements and major metallurgical companies are taking all necessary measures to ensure smelter operations satisfy the tightened regulations. With increasingly stringent environmental regulations, a sulphuric acid plant has to be operated such that it reduces the sulphur dioxide gas to the required emission level. Modelling of acid plants in smelters is essential in providing a sound foundation for the needed enhanced process understanding, process control and optimizations. In this project, a sulphuric acid plant at an industrial smelter will be modelled using both fundamental principles and industrial data. Based on the developed model, the impact of smelter operational changes on the acid plant and sulphur dioxide emission will be investigated. This project will generate useful and timely results, as the involved industrial company is currently taking extensive measures to achieve significant reduction in sulphur dioxide emissions.