JP4509689B2 - Method for managing metal anode or cast metal anode, method for managing quantity in metal smelting - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a smelting metal anode (used metal (eg, copper) anode) generated after electrolytic purification of a smelted metal (eg, copper (copper anode)) and a metal (eg, copper) anode in metal smelting. On how to manage. Specifically, an ID (Identification) tag that can withstand the high temperature, high humidity and acidic atmosphere in the electrolytic cell in the anode handling and electrolytic purification process is attached to the surface of the cast metal (for example, copper) anode with a dedicated device. The present invention relates to a method of managing a metal (for example, copper) anode and a cast metal (for example, copper) anode by reading the tag with a tag reader at any place before and after electrolytic purification. Furthermore, it is related with the method effective also in quantity control in metal (for example, copper) smelting.

  In general, for example, various processes are performed as a copper smelting process. As a typical process, a mat is made in a flash smelting furnace, and the mat is processed in a converter to have a copper content of about 98.5%. There is a process in which the crude copper is obtained, the crude copper is further refined to raise the copper content to about 99.3% to 99.5%, the anode is cast, and finally electrolytic purification is performed.

When the capacity of the refining furnace is 400 tons and the anode unit weight is about 350 kg, 1100 or more anodes are cast in one lot. As shown in FIG. 1, the cast anodes 1 are arranged and temporarily stored in a standing state on the anode yard, and are transported to an electrolytic plant as necessary.
In an electrolytic factory, after passing through a machine for aligning anodes (hereinafter referred to as “alignment machine”), it is often charged into an electrolytic cell with a dedicated crane. There is a similar method in lead smelting.

  A used anode (hereinafter referred to as a cast metal anode), which is a residue of a cathode (electrocopper) and an anode obtained by electrolytic purification, is lifted again by a crane. At that time, the lifted electrolytic copper and the cast iron are again passed through the aligning machine, separated and sorted, respectively, and then the copper is shipped as a product, and the cast copper is once placed in a container such as a boat as an intermediate product. , Transported and charged into converter or refining furnace.

  Since the copper anode is manufactured batch by batch in a refining furnace, it is usually assigned a unique batch (lot) number. In addition, lot numbers for copper anodes are often entered with paint, oil-based markers, or chalk. Similarly, the numbering of boats is often entered with paint, oil-based markers, chalk, and the like.

  Conventionally, as a method for pasting and managing a label on a copper anode, there is a disclosure of Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 1-136985 (Applicant: Mitsubishi Metals Corporation (currently Mitsubishi Materials)) (Patent Document 1). The contents are related to “using a barcode on a label” and “an idea that a copper anode can be managed by attaching a label”. This means that barcodes cannot be detected from all directions, the detection capability for dirt is extremely reduced, and no acid-proof measures have been taken despite being handled in an acidic atmosphere. Various difficulties are expected to implement the present invention, such as lack of countermeasures such as resistance to water and water resistance.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 1-136985

  As described above, it takes a lot of labor and time to write lot numbers on all the large numbers of anodes that are manufactured in 1100 or more lots. Considering the work load, conventionally, as shown in Fig. 1, the anode ear part 2 is mainly colored with paint, and the lot is identified by the color and position of the paint. A method of entering a lot number was used.

  However, when identifying only by color, it is necessary for the operator to visually confirm the lot number, so the color of the paint used is limited to several colors, and the thickness of the copper anode is about 30 to 60 mm. In many cases, if lot numbers are entered in this part with paint or markers, numbers that are difficult to read are generated, resulting in a problem of misreading and miscounting.

For the above reasons, it is conceivable to install a dedicated machine for entering the number when assigning numbers to the copper anode, but the surface properties of the copper anode are very rough and the size and shape are often slightly different depending on the individual. Therefore, the installation of the dedicated machine is often very difficult.
In addition, for boats with cast metal anodes, when the boats are stacked vertically or placed side by side, it may be difficult to visually read the numbers listed, and boat management by boat numbers may be difficult. there were.

The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances. As a method for accurately and easily assigning a lot number to a metal anode and managing the metal anode and the rolled metal anode, the surface shape of the metal anode, handling, etc. An ID tag that can withstand high-temperature and high-humidity and acidic atmosphere in an electrolytic cell in transportation and electrolytic refining is attached to a metal anode, and this ID tag is read by a tag reader anywhere before and after electrolytic refining. The purpose is to manage the anode.
Also, the purpose is to carry in and out the boat by attaching an ID tag to a boat such as a cast metal anode and installing an ID tag reader at an arbitrary location.

  As a result of diligent studies to achieve the above object, in the present invention, the metal anode ear part is indented, and a cylindrical or disc-shaped ID tag is attached to the ear part to manage the metal anode and the rolled metal anode. I found a technique.

That is, the present invention
(1) A management method for managing a metal anode or a rolled metal anode by attaching an ID (Identification) tag to the metal anode or the rolled metal anode and communicating with the ID tag.
(2) A method for managing a metal anode or a cast metal anode in which the metal anode described in (1) is a copper anode.

(3) A method for managing a metal anode or a rolled-up metal anode in which the ID tag described in (1) to (2) is connected to a handy reader and a terminal or a computer or printer via a wireless LAN via a communication line.
(4) A management method for managing the amount of material in metal smelting by attaching an ID tag to a boat or container containing a metal anode, a cast metal anode or a metal raw material, and a metal auxiliary material, and communicating with the ID tag.

  (5) The quantity management method in metal smelting of the said (1)-(4) description which reads an ID tag with a tag reader.

The effects produced by the implementation of the present invention are as follows.
(1) It is possible to manage in real time the stock quantity, work-in-process copper quantity, precious metal quantity, etc. of the metal anode and the cast metal anode in the copper electrolytic factory and each yard.

(2) A copper and by-product production plan based on the above (1) can be quickly made.
(3) A highly accurate production plan for precious metals based on the above (1) can be realized.

Details of the means will be described below.
The metal to be treated in the present invention is applied to metals such as lead in addition to copper. For example, a recess (see FIGS. 1 and 2) is provided in the ear portion of the copper anode, and the ID tag (2) is bonded thereto. Thereby, it can endure the high temperature, high humidity, and acidic atmosphere in a copper anode handling and an electrolytic cell. The reason for providing the depression is to arrange the ID tag so that it is not as susceptible to physical impact as possible. For the depression of the copper anode ear, it is necessary to design the mold in advance in consideration of the depression of the copper anode mold.

  Since the surface temperature of the copper anode is about 60 ° C. to 120 ° C. after casting, a tag that can withstand this temperature is preferable. However, since the ID tag is made of, for example, glass or plastic, it can naturally endure the above temperature. Moreover, in the electrolytic cell, there is an object contact with the ear part of the copper anode for operational management, and the ID tag is subjected to non-uniform stress.However, by providing a depression and placing the ID tag there, It can be durable enough.

  The ID tag can be read in all directions at 360 degrees with a tag reader of the ID tag. Predetermined data is stored in a dedicated terminal or printer, and is placed on the corresponding copper anode. The copper anode is arranged by an adhesive or the like. Examples of the adhesive include silicon rubber and resin.

  Before and after loading the copper anode into the electrolytic cell, using a fixed or handy ID tag reader, the number of metal anodes to be loaded into the electrolytic cell and the number of the rolled metal anodes to be removed from the electrolytic cell and the lot number are automatically set. Read. The inventors have confirmed that the distance between the ID tag reader and the ID tag surface can be grasped sufficiently if it is within 60 mm. The ID tag has various shapes, and may be a cylindrical shape or a disk shape, but the inventors have confirmed that the disk shape is easier to read. Furthermore, even if there is an ID tag in the submerged state, it has been confirmed that there is not much trouble in reading.

  Regarding the reading of the lot number of the metal anode and the cast metal anode, in addition to a fixed reader, a handy type wireless reader or a method of communicating with a computer via a wireless run may be used. For example, for a copper anode, component analysis is performed for each lot, and the quality of, for example, copper, lead, arsenic, antimony, gold, silver, platinum, cadmium, selenium, palladium, ruthenium, etc. is known. Coupled with this data, the quantity management is easily performed, and an appropriate production schedule can be created.

  Since the cast metal anode is placed in a dedicated container such as a boat and is often transported in units of boats, the boat is also assigned a lot number for management. The ID tag should be used for the label to be attached to the boat. When ID tags are used, it is possible to automatically carry in and out the boat for turning metal anodes by installing ID tag readers at the electrolytic plant and converter plant, or at each yard.

  In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each item will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(ID tag)
In the present invention, data is stored in an ID tag. An example of the “ID tag” is shown in FIG. The ID tag (2) can store predetermined information in a built-in memory, and is roughly classified into a cylindrical tag and a disk tag. The ID tag can be read in all directions at 360 degrees with a reader. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7, reading is possible even if the ID tag (2) is arranged obliquely or in a direction opposite to the normal direction.

  The surface of the ID tag (2) can be colored in several colors. The identification of a plurality of lots can be made clear by visual judgment by combining several colors colored on the ID tag (2) according to the lot number and component quality.

(Attaching ID tags to metal anodes and cast metal anodes)
When affixing an ID tag to a metal anode and a cast metal anode (if you want to check only the cast metal anode, etc.), for example, as shown in FIG. Affix the ID tag (2) with silicone rubber or resin. By this method, it is possible to protect the ID tag (2) against contact of an object with the copper anode ear.

  The adhesive can be bonded in the range of −40 ° C. to 120 ° C. because it is a silicone rubber or resin. The code number can be read in the state of being pasted with the resin as usual. Since the ID tag has high water resistance, the ID tag surface can be washed with water even when deposits such as electrolyte and dust are generated on the ID tag in the electrolytic bath.

  The ID tag can be attached to the copper anode at any place and at any time until it is loaded into the electrolytic cell at the electrolytic plant. However, as shown in FIG. ) Is the best work efficiency.

In consideration of the above, for example, it is possible to apply the paste at the anode yard near the casting machine immediately after casting. The copper anode is typically cooled through a cooling water bath, but is often still hot immediately after leaving the water bath. However, since the application temperature of the ID tag used in the present invention is −40 ° C. to 120 ° C., it is appropriate to apply it after the copper anode is cooled.
(Metal anode ear cooling rate confirmation test)

Usually, the metal anode is pulled up from the cooling water tank by a certain number and conveyed by a forklift or the like. Therefore, for example, in the case of a copper anode, when it is pulled up from the water tank every 20 sheets, the latest one that has entered the water tank among the 20 sheets is (1), and the numbers (1) to (20) are given. , it confirmed the cooling rate of the ear portions of the Doa nodes at the time of the natural cooling. The result is shown in FIG. According to FIG. 3, the highest temperature when leaving the water tank is about 270 ° C., and it takes about 30 minutes to cool down to 120 ° C. Moreover, what exceeded 120 degreeC just after the water tank delivery side is the copper anode of (1)-(4), and other than that has already been cooled to 100 degrees C or less . In addition , since the copper anode of (6)-(20) is 100 degrees C or less at the time of 0 minute, subsequent data are not recorded.

As described above, there are about 20% of copper anodes that exceed 120 ° C in the copper anode immediately after coming out of the water tank, but the cooling rate is relatively fast. Tags can be attached.
(Code reading)

There are a fixed type and a handy type of reader for reading the ID tag. A place where the copper anode and the wrought copper anode are transported in a line by a conveyor, etc., where a fixed reader is applied, and where the copper anode and the wrought copper anode are temporarily placed, such as other electrolytic cells and each place. Then, it is preferable to apply a handy reader.
In addition, the fixed reader can be attached to any location, but in managing the copper anode and the cast copper anode, before and after charging into the electrolytic cell, And it is effective to install around the converter or refining furnace.
(ID tag number for boats)

For example, a cast copper anode is usually carried in a boat or the like. Boats and the like are transported to the surroundings of furnaces that are loaded with reversals such as each place or converter or refining furnace by heavy machinery such as forklifts and cranes. Thus, the cast copper anode is often managed in units such as boats.
The position of the ID tag (2) to be attached to the boat may be arbitrary. For example, if it is set on the side wall of the boat as shown in FIG. 4, it can be read by the reader (3) set on the forklift. .

Further, as in the management in each process described in Paragraph 0033, by installing a fixed leader, automatic carry-in / out management of the wrought boat becomes possible.

(Reading performance test when attaching ID tag to copper plate)
The ID tag used in the present invention is a tag that can be read by a reader even if it is attached to a metal object, but depending on the type of tag, when attached to a copper material, the distance between the tag and the copper material is short. There are things that affect the reading with a reader. Therefore, the influence of the distance between the ID tag and the copper plate on the reading range by the reader was confirmed.
In the test, as shown in FIG. 5, the distance D between the copper plate (4) and the ID tag (2) and the distance L between the ID tag (2) and the reader (5) are changed, and the relationship of the readable range L to the distance D investigated. As the ID tag, a cylindrical tag A and a disk tag B were used.

  The test results are shown in FIG. For the cylindrical tag A (φ4.0 × 34.5 mm), the range L did not significantly affect the distance D in FIG. 5, and when D was 5 mm or more, the reading range was 50 mm or more. In addition, regarding the disc-type tag B (φ30 × 2.1 mm), the influence on the range L was somewhat seen with respect to the distance D, but when D was 10 mm or more, the reading range was 50 mm or more.

  Based on the above test results, when the ID tag is attached to the copper anode, if the thickness T of the silicon rubber or resin is secured to 5 mm or more as shown in FIG. 7, the reader is within a range of about 50 mm from the ID tag (2). Reading by (5) becomes possible.

(ID tag submergence test)
Assuming the case where the ID tag gets wet with water, the readable range L with the reader (5) was investigated with the ID tag (2) submerged as shown in FIG. The results are shown in FIG. In both of the cylindrical tag A and the disk tag B, the influence on the readable range L with respect to the submergence of the tag was hardly recognized. From the above results, the reader reading of the ID tag (2) has little influence on rain or water wetting by washing water, etc., and normal reading performance can be expected.

(Metal anode, reverse metal anode numbering, reading system)
FIG. 10 shows a configuration example of the ID tag numbering to the boat for moving the metal anode, the cast metal anode, the cast metal anode, and the like and the reading system when the above method is used. By installing a terminal, ID tag data input device, handy type and fixed automatic ID tag reader as shown in the figure in each step of the casting process, electrolysis process, repetitive process, and each place, and connecting them with a communication circuit, metal Entry / exit management of anodes, cast metal anodes and boats becomes possible.
The communication circuit can be applied wirelessly or LAN.

Furthermore, the metal anode over de are performed component analysis for each lot, for example, if copper anode, copper, lead, arsenic, antimony, gold, silver, platinum, cadmium, selenium, palladium, grade ruthenium Is quickly grasped. Combined with the above-described component quality data and the weight of each lot, the quantity management is easily performed, and an appropriate production schedule can be created.

As another identification method, there is a method that employs barcodes etc. that are already used in many fields, but since ID tags recognize information by sending and receiving radio waves with readers, dirt and dust on the surface etc. On the other hand, the reading rate is higher than that of the barcode. When barcodes are used in places where there are many factors that can contaminate the label surface, such as adhesion of electrolyte or dust, reading with a reader may be difficult.
In addition, the ID tag has a storage data amount that is not comparable to that of a barcode, and can write more information in a small area.
By using an ID tag, the electrolysis of the anode, like a cast-back anode, results in a state in which the base is lost or thinned and can only be placed horizontally, or from other smelters, Reading is possible even in situations where the return anode is transported and placed randomly.

It is a figure which shows the storage state of the copper anode in a copper anode storage place. It is a figure which shows the example of ID tag sticking to a copper anode ear | edge part. It is a cooling curve graph of a copper anode ear | edge part. It is a figure which shows the example of ID tag installation to a boat, and ID tag reader installation to a forklift. It is a test method schematic diagram of the influence on the ID tag reading range by the copper plate. 6 is a graph showing a relationship between a distance D between a copper plate and an ID tag and an ID tag reading range L. It is a schematic diagram which shows the favorable positional relationship of the ID tag of a copper anode ear | edge part, and a reader. It is a test method schematic diagram of the influence on the ID tag reading range due to submersion. 6 is a graph showing the influence of an ID tag reading range L due to submersion. It is a figure which shows the system structural example of a metal anode and a cast metal anode lot management.

Claims (4)

An ID (Identification) tag is affixed to a recess provided in the ear of a metal anode or a cast metal anode with a silicon rubber or resin having a thickness of 5 mm or more, and communicates with the ID tag to form the metal anode or casting. Management method to manage the return metal anode. 2. A management method according to claim 1, wherein said metal anode is a copper anode. 3. The management method according to claim 1, wherein the ID tag is connected to a handy reader and a terminal or a computer or a printer via a wireless LAN via a communication line. The ID tag, management method of any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that read by the tag reader.

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