The flash smelting process for lead production has been developed. A flash smelting process for lead production has been developed that combines the separate roasting and smelting operations of conventional technology.
Heat generated by the exothermic reactions is used for smelting the charge.
Heat and dust are recovered from the exhaust gas, which is then used in production of H2SO4 and liquid SO2. The flue dust is returned to the smelting furnace. Slag with low lead content, produced from incomplete settling, and waste gas from the reactor. In spite of many technological improvements, the lead blast furnace smelting is thermally inefficient and causes great environmental problems. The direct smelting method eliminates lead emissions, reduces fuel consumption, and lowers the volume of gaseous emissions.