Worcra process

Later developments which have had more impact on copper smelting relate to an approach which combines roasting, smelting and converting steps in one reactor, thereby making the copper production process continuous. The three unique continuous processes tried in operation are (i) the Worcra process, (ii) the Noranda process and (iii) the Mitsubishi process. The principles of the processes are respectively shown in Figures 4.5 to 4.7. 

WORCRA [Womer Conzinc Rio-Tinto of Australia] A family of continuous smelting and refining processes developed by Conzinc Riotinto of Australia in the 1960s. Invented by H. K. Womer. The copper smelting process was piloted in Port Kembla, New South Wales, in 1968, but later abandoned. 

Ideally, a continous process incorporating both smelting and converting steps can yield a single, steady flow of off-gas that is readily processed for sulfur recovery. Three such processes, the WORCRA, the Mitsubishi, and the Noranda, have been tested on a semicommercial scale (44, 53, 54), and a full-scale commercial plant of the Noranda process is under construction (55). All the processes produce gas streams rich enough for feed to a sulfuric acid plant, and the use of oxygen can produce still richer gases. Wide application of any of these processes awaits completion of commercial development. 

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