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By B. Wasmund, K. Adham, K. O'Keefe, C. Lee

"Metal chlorides (e.g. iron and nickel) can be pyrohydrolysed at elevated temperatures to yield an HCl rich off-gas and a metal oxide product. Typically, the high energy requirement for pyrohydrolysis is provided by the combustion of a hydrocarbon fuel with air. Here, it is demonstrated that the use of oxygen-enriched combustion can result in lower fuel requirements and higher HCl concentrations. In addition, the oxygen enrichment can result in a smaller volume of off-gas and thus, smaller and less expensive process equipment. This new concept can be applied to both the spray roaster (SR) and the fluidized bed reactor (FBR). Similar to the aircombustion case, the oxygen-enriched process can use a direct contact venturi scrubber, to recover energy from the roaster off gas, but at a higher efficiency. The new process also uses an absorption tower for capturing HCl from the roaster off-gas, but generates a stronger HCl solution than is possible with pyrohydrolysis in air.BackgroundIn recent years, the metallurgical industry has become increasingly involved with developing methods for extracting metals, upgrading products or cleaning metallic products by using hydrochloric acid. These applications of chloride metallurgy often result in metal chloride solutions, which should be processed to regenerate HCl for reuse, and to recover the metal value as a product or by-product oxide [2, 3, 4].The pyrohydrolysis of metal chloride solutions has been done in two types of air roasters: spray and fluidized bed. The existing roasters burn a hydrocarbon fuel in air, to provide the required energy for evaporating the feed solution and to provide an elevated temperature for the chloride pyrohydrolysis to occur, according to the following reactions:"

Jan 1, 2011

By Isabela Leao Amaral da Silva, Felipe Perisse Duarte Lopes, Alice Barreto Bevitori, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Ruben Sanchez Rodriguez

"The fibers extracted from the stem of the ramie plant are among the strongest natural lignocellulosic fibers with a potential to be used as reinforcement of polymer matrix composites. Characterization of the ramie fiber has recently been conducted for its physical and mechanical properties. However, the effect of increasing temperature on the ramie fiber behavior has not yet been fully investigated. Therefore, the objective of this work was to perform a thermal analysis on ramie fibers with different diameters within the naturally found range of practical interest. The analysis was conducted by thermo-gravimetric, TGA and DTG, as well as differential scanning calorimetric, DSC, techniques. It was found that the ramie fibers present thermal stability up to 200°C and then suffer a sharp deterioration between 300 and 500°C, resulting in characteristic peaks.IntroductionSince the middle of last century, polymer composites have substituted many conventional monolithic materials in applications ranging from aerospace to sport [l]. The main advantages of these composites are the low density and flexible properties specially using fiber as reinforcement to suit the mechanical performance requirements [2]. These are usually high strength and stiffness requirements that could be reached with synthetic fibers such as glass, carbon and aramid fibers. In recent years, however, the use of synthetic fibers is being questioned in terms of problems caused to the environment. In fact, as non degradable material, synthetic fibers are associated with long term pollution when discarded. Moreover, the expended energy for fabrication and processing can be related to relatively large amounts of C02 emissions and represents a contribution to global warming [3]. Glass fiber, in addition, is toxic and cannot be incinerated as a waste in thermal power plants [ 4]. Possible substitutes for glass fiber are the natural fibers. Many natural fibers are today being considered as viable alternatives to replace glass fiber as reinforcement of polymer composites. In particular, some natural lignocellulosic fiber extracted from plants present a real potential for this replacement [2-8]. Their comparative advantages are lower density and reduced cost as well as renewability, biodegradability, recyclability and neutrality with respect to C02 emission [3]."

Jan 1, 2011

By G. A. Irons, G. S. Hanumanth

A three-dimensional mathematical model for the electric furnace of Cominco's Kivcet process was developed to compute the electric field intensity, power dissipation, temperature and velocity distributions in the furnace. A number of simulations of the electric furnace operation were carried out for various electrode immersion depths and electrode currents. The results showed that the current penetrated the bullion layer, generating high current densities in a layer approximately 0.3 m thick located in the slag/bullion interface region. An increase in the electrode immersion depth increased the furnace power as well as slag temperatures, and generated more vigorous bubble stirring and thermal homogeneity in the slag. For a given applied current, the computed power was in reasonable accord with the measured power input. The calculated temperatures were in rough agreement with the tapping temperatures of slag and bullion.

Jan 1, 2000

By Joël P. T. Kapusta

Although Peirce-Smith converting remains the workhorse in matte converting, the copper and nickel industries are still confronted with production hindrances such as tuyere blockage, excessive refractory wear and limits in the oxygen enrichment levels of the blast air. The knowledge acquired on high-pressure gas injection technology as well as the invention of the concentric tuyere for steelmaking led to the development of the Air Liquide Shrouded Injector (ALSI) technology for copper and nickel converting. Following a technology demonstration in 1997-98 with four shrouded injectors installed in a Peirce-Smith converter, Falconbridge Limited implemented ALSI Technology on a commercial scale in May 1999 as an integral part of its new Slag Make Converter at Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The paper presents the various aspects of commissioning ALSI Technology, as well as the operating changes and injector design modifications over the five years the shrouded injectors have been in operation.

Jan 1, 2005

By Daniel Kim, Justin McAllister, Shijie Wang

"At the Kennecott Utah Copper Refinery, impurities in the electrolyte are being precipitated in the circulation system and form a hard scale in the piping. This scale must be removed periodically for proper electrolyte flow. Distinct layers of differing composition form as the operating conditions of the tank house change. Scale samples from the inlet and outlet pipes were analyzed to discover the nature of the precipitates. Each sample was sectioned and examined under optical microscopy and SEM. The composition of the scale was analyzed using ICP, XRD, and SEM/EDX mapping. The rate of deposition was determined by measuring the amount deposited on new pipes after elapsed time intervals. In order to determine how to minimize the formation of the scale, the mechanism was studied and the results are presented in this paper.IntroductionIn copper electrorefining, impure copper anodes are refined into pure copper cathodes. The impurities from the anodes are either insoluble and report to the slimes or soluble and dissolve concentrating in the electrolyte. These impurities are controlled by bleeding electrolyte from the system. Over time, the impurities combine to precipitate a hard scale on the surfaces contacted by the electrolyte. The scale causes problems with tank house circulation systems. In order for the refinery to operate properly, the scale must be removed periodically from the walls of the pipes. The first step to control the buildup of scale on the pipes is to understand the composition and the phases that are present in the scale."

Jan 1, 2012

By Feng Liu

A thermal upgrading process by which nickel value can be concentrated in a ferronickel alloy is a possible alternative to treat Sudbury pyrrhotite (Po) tailings with nickel content of 0.5–1.5 wt%. The basis of this process is precipitation of Ni from Po at high temperature once Fe/S ratio in the iron-deficient Po is shifted towards stoichiometric or near stoichiometric FeS (troilite) either by the addition of iron and/or the removal of sulfur. For the iron addition route, the reaction between elemental iron and nickeliferous pyrrhotite to produce ferronickel alloy and Ni-depleted iron sulfide phase plays a critical rule. In this paper, the formation mechanism of ferronickel alloy was investigated using the diffusion couple technique to better understand the nickel diffusion behavior in the iron and sulfide phases.

By Zhi-yong Liu

A novel process, which includes hydrochloric acid leaching, iron powder cementation, sulphide precipitation and spray pyrolysis, was proposed to treat iron concentrate recovered from zinc kiln slag for comprehensive utilization. Treated by two-stage hydrochloric acid leaching, the leaching extents of Ag, Pb, Cu, Fe and Zn are 96.78%, 95.14%, 97.72%, 94.51% and 87.74%, respectively. More than 99% Cu and Ag are recovered from the leach liquor when iron powder is 25% higher than the stoichiometric requirement. More than 96% Pb and Zn is removed with three times of theoretical consumption of FeS, and the concentration of impurities of the final solution is less than 500 mg/L. Fe2O3 powder, which is spherical with a mean size of 12 μm and purity of 99%, is prepared with final solution at 700 °C. In this process, not only the metal values can be recovered effectively, but also the iron resources of zinc kiln slag can be converted into high purity Fe2O3, thus, the comprehensive utilization of iron concentrate recovered from zinc kiln slag can be realized.

By L. R. Verney

A number of interrelated factors influence the economics of the sulphide smelting of copper, lead, zinc and nickel. This paper discusses these factors, mainly from a US point of view, and shows how they affect the cost of construction and operation of new and existing plants. The paper shows how metallurgical plant construction costs and the consumer price index have increased at a much faster rate than metal prices thereby making some metal mining and production operations within the USA, Canada and the EEC less profitable than operations elsewhere. This in turn inhibits new "grass roots" metallurgical developments. It is explained how retrofit of existing pyrometallurgical plants can be a more viable development than the construction of "green field" plants, especially if such retrofit improves, energy efficiencies, overall operating costs and reduces emissions of sulphur and other toxic wastes. Some aspects of metallurgical plant operation are examined, especially for copper and nickel, to show how changes in operating practices may develop in order to improve overall smelting economies, especially when developed in conjunction with objective retrofit. The paper also examines some financial aspects, especially insofar as the disparity between terms for loans offered to third world countries and the USA and the EEC are concerned and also comments upon the need, especially within the USA, for legislation to permit rapid depreciation of capital. Specific comments are made about environmental aspects, including the lack of uniformity of pollution control legislation and how environmental considerations may have some bearing of the location of future smelting operations.

Jan 1, 1983

By M. A. Llavona

The study of the formation and components of copper patina and its conservation has assumed great importance. The changing environment has accelerated the processes of patinas degradation; thus, the exhaustive study of factors capable of affecting the patina formation, growth and durability has assumed great importance for the industrial activity of copper. The main components of the patina, oxides, chlorides, nitrates and sulfates, have been determined; the effect of physical, chemical and microbiological factors on patina formation, particularly the influence of acid rain, natural organic matter, particles and microorganisms have been defined. The effect of different electrolytic solutions that accelerate the formation of copper patinas has been determined, and a review of the state of knowledge of the formation and evolution of metal patinas has been made.

Jan 1, 1999

By Dan A. Mackie

Continuous leaching of precious metals ores in a vat is possible using a jigging technique. This patented method promises to be competitive with heap leaching, particularly in northern climates, difficult terrain, high precipiptation regions, and environmentally sensitive areas. The paper discusses test work to date, plans for pilot plant testing and basic economics

Jan 1, 1990

By P. C. A. Maia, J Alexandre, F. A. J. Saboya, A. R. G. Azevedo, G. C. Xavier

"This work shows the characterization of clay and the granite waste by-product from the sawing process of the granitic blocks, used as raw material for brick ceramic. Besides, shows the degradation of the ceramic material obtained with different by-product contents in the waste after lab test degradation, is investigated. The clay is obtained from mine use areas of ceramic industry in Campos-RI and the waste is originating from of the area of Cachoeiro-ES, an important center of decorative stone in Brazil. The mixes were made by the addition of 0% up to 10% of the waste in the raw material. After drying and firing up to 900°C, obtained prismatic pieces were considered intact. Physico-mechanical properties were obtained from wet and drying tests in laboratory considering 50 and 150 cycles. The results showed that the use of powder byproduct has a considerably influence on the weathering and strength of the material.IntroductionThe ornamental rocks and coating defines the most promising areas of business in the mineral sector [l]. In this context, the Espirito Santo appears as the main Brazilian state in production and export of ornamental rocks, representing 47% of national production [2] which in tum is one of the economic sectors most representative of this State, due of its transport logistics and port vocation that facilitates the export of such products.It is estimated that the state of Espirito Santo there are approximately 1,200 companies dedicated to the activities of ornamental rock by providing 20,000 direct jobs [ 1]. These mobilize support activities, such as companies that provide machinery, equipment and supplies for industries, including service providers for maintenance.However, the production of rocks produces about 15,000 tons of granite waste/month [3] only in the municipality of Cachoeiro ltapemirim-ES. This is justified by the presence of more than 500 extraction industries, cutting and processing of stone, with about 900 looms, waste generators.According to [4], there is great potential for the use of granite waste in red ceramics introduced for the manufacture of bricks, blocks structural ceramics. and other ceramic products, especially when evaluated on exposure to weathering."

Jan 1, 2014

By D. M. Dabbs

A static dew point technique has been used to evaluate the solubility of arsenic in ?slag and its dependency on P02 at temperatures of 1458 and 1523K. The ferrous-ferric ion ratio of the slags ranged from 3.9 to 23.8. These values correspond to partial pressures of 02 ranging from 10-8 to 10-12 atm. The solubility of arsenic in slag was found to be independent of? P02? The data indicate that elemental arsenic exists in silicate ?slags. This result was further substantiated by mass .spectrometric analysis of doped slag specimens.

Jan 1, 1983

By N. J. Tannyan

Laboratory bath smelting tests were conducted to determine the feasibility of smelting nickel- copper concentrate directly to a low iron matte in one step. Concentrate, air/oxygen and a silica flux were fed to a matte-slag bath kept in MgO crucibles at 1300°C. Various oxygen enrichments and smelting rates were used to maintain 0.5 to 2 wt"10 iron in the product matte. The slag losses are comparable to those obtained under similar industrial conditions. Due to the highly oxidizing conditions required to produce mattes with low iron contents, it is not recommended to target iron contents below about 2% in the matte. The specific bath smelting rates were equal to or higher than those in various industrial bath smelting processes.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. M. Hausen

The term "auriferous pyrite" relates to an association of gold with pyrite in a variety of textural forms that affect metallurgical treatment. Extraction of the gold depends not only on the grain size and distribution of the gold in the pyrite, but also on the crystal size and surface area of the pyrite. Occlusions of medium to coarse gold may be liberated by moderately fine grinding. The amenability of finely dispersed (submicroscopic) gold depends in part on the activity of the pyrite surface for oxidation. Two types of auriferous pyrite at Carlin, Nevada, have been examined by optical microscopy and SEM methods before and after aqueous oxidation test work to show how differences in morphological features can affect rates of oxidation and amenability to gold extractions by methods of chlorination and low temperature oxidation.

Jan 1, 1981

By Reza Rahimi, M. Nili Ahmadabadi

"Because of high cost and shortage of primary resources of Ni-base superalloys, revert alloys can be used as a part of charging materials for production of superalloys ingots. The current study is based on recycling of IN738LC, a Ni-base superalloy, using 30% and 50% reverted alloy and balanced amount of virgin raw materials. Therefore, it has been attempted to cast an alloy with references to standard chemical composition and mechanical properties. After charging and casting in vacuum melting furnaces, chemical composition verification and non-destructive tests (i.e. Penetration and Radiography Tests), quality of samples were evaluated at elevated temperature by stress-rupture test. Results acquired from chemical composition and mechanical test indicate that cast ingots using 30% and 50% reverted alloy is reliable and consistent with the quality control requirements.IntroductionIn recent years, there have been many fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials which are extremely determining in Ni-base superalloys production. Accessibility to the high purity metals such as Cobalt, Molybdenum, Tantalum, Niobium and etc. have been problematical during the past decades. Therefore, shortages of critical raw materials beside the economical considerations motivated the alloy suppliers and investigators to study and find alternate sources such as reclamation and recycling of scraps [1].There are a lot of reasons for the necessity of recycling; perhaps the most justifiable one is that consumers themselves produce scraps. For example, the weight of a finished superalloy product could be less than one-third of the cast alloy weight and in the case of complicated machined parts; this portion may reach to one-tenth [2]. High values of constituents, reduction of energy consumption and environmental concerns have all strengthened the obligation of recycling in Ni-base superalloys.Because of the high degree of risk in usage of improper materials for production of turbine blades, a delicately controlled program for recycling is needed. Depending on the type of scraps, this program can define the recycling procedure, required instruments, allowable percentage of scrap for usage and finally confidence level of the process."

Jan 1, 2012

By Xinli Wang, Matthew Andriese, Jiann-Yang Hwang, Zhiwei Peng, Byoung-Gon Kim

"The microwave reflection loss (RL) of ferric oxide is studied in the temperature range from 297 to approximately 1400 Kat frequencies of 915 and 2450 MHz. It is shown that the maximum microwave absorption with RL of -38.46 and -35.97 dB can be obtained for ferric oxide having thicknesses of 0.03 and 0.01 m at 915 and 2450 MHz, respectively. The maximum absorption peak with RL below -10 dB is in a 250 K temperature range from 723 to 973 Kat 915 MHz, which shifts to the range between 823 and 1073 K at 2450 MHz. This migration is in good agreement with the variation of the dielectric loss tangent of ferric oxide.IntroductionMicrowave irradiation has distinguishing characteristics such as volumetric and selective heating compared with conventional methods, leading to extremely broad applications in materials heating and processing [1-5].The efficiency of microwave heating was found to be dependent on various factors, such as microwave power [6], frequency [7,8], radiation time [8], applicator geometry [8], sample microwave absorption properties and position as well as dimension [9-11 ], etc. Among these parameters, sample dimension plays an important role but is usually neglected by researchers in microwave processing of materials. In fact, although numerous studies have been directed toward the utilization of microwave energy to assist materials heating and processing, few reports were released on the effect of sample dimension [12,13].This is because all aforementioned factors influencing microwave heating generally exert interactive effects to each other during the heating process, making clarification of the effect of sample dimension difficult. Therefore, it is necessary to propose a parameter or concept for quantifying the effect of absorber dimension on microwave heating, increasing heating efficiency."

Jan 1, 2013

By C. Isaac Garcia, Sihai Jiao, Anthony J. DeArdo

"A practical model based on the Hill analysis has been developed to calculate the Lankford value of interstitial free (IF) steels and its distribution in different rolling directions, by considering only a few selected texture components. The Texture Intensity Ratio (TIR), i.e. (111 ) /(100), was used in the model to describe texture. By using the new TIR parameter, the texture-based prediction models can be used more easily to predict the Lankford value in a rather straightforward way.IntroductionThe deep drawing capacity of sheet steels is generally indicated by the Lankford value, which is mainly determined by the texture in steels1. Traditionally, various models derived from the Taylor model are employed to calculate the Lankford value from the texture2-4. In such models, the plastic deformation of steel is assumed to be the result of the slip of dislocations in certain slip systems, i.e., by either pencil glide or restraint glide. The slip direction is the <111> direction. In the case of pencil glide, the slip is thought to be possible in all crystal planes with the <111> crystal direction. Assuming the material is elongated in the X1-direction by d n and compressed in the X2 and x3-direction by qd n and (l-q)d n, respectively, corresponding to a deformation tensor"

Jan 1, 2001

By Jagdish C. Agarwal

Although copper ranks very low in the order of abundance of elements in the crust of the earth, it has been one of the first metals utilized by mar, at his emergence from the Stone Age, about 10,000 years ago. Use of copper for weapons, tools, utensils and ornaments dates back to the twilight of history, 6,000-5,000 B.C. Native copper outcrops and the malleability of the metal explain its very early use by the cave-dwellers. The working, melting and extraction of copper from its minerals are among the oldest metallurgical achievements of the human race. The oldest complete smelting installations for the extraction of copper from its minerals, dated about the fourth millenium B.C., were recently discovered in the Timna Valley, Wadi Arabah, Israel. (1) The history of the developments of the extractive metallurgy of copper has been adequately reviewed recently. (2,3) The center of copper production migrated from the Eastern Mediterranean to Northern Europe (Mansfeld, Germany, Swansea, Wales) towards the end of the Middle Ages (1500 A.D.). The production of the metal was boosted tremendously in North America since the end of the nineteenth century (Fig. 1).

Jan 1, 1976

By Maria Margarida Lima, Maria Lucelinda Cunha, Dora Algarvio

"The main goal of the present work is the quality improvement of the recycled aggregates produced by a construction and demolition waste (C&DW) recycling facility located in Montemor-o-Novo, Portugal. The recycling process was developed on a pilot plant scale with 50 t/h of capacity. Process operations are the hammer mill comminution, magnetic separation and screening.In order to improve the knowledge on the C&DW, a characterization procedure was implemented by hand-sorting, magnetic and density separation on representative samples. On the other hand, to improve the quality of the produced aggregates, the bar screen size fractions were analysed, according to the Portuguese Standard (NP EN 933-1 2000).Wood was identified as the critical contaminant, representing 17% by weight of the total contaminants. Sieving results showed that about 97%, 76%, 56%, 98% and 57% were on the correct size range, which lower results are probably due to the type of screens and/or the material characteristics of the recycled aggregates.IntroductionThe construction and demolition waste problemConstruction and demolition waste (C&DW) is generated by the construction activity, resulting from both, buildings or other structures construction and old structures demolition. As a reference, it can be told that C&DW comprises about 40 to 50% of rubbish (concrete, asphalt, bricks, blocks and dirt), 20 to 30% of wood and related products and 20 to 30% of miscellaneous wastes [1]. In Portugal, C&DW is classified in the LER (Portuguese nick name for the European Waste List), Chapter 17, and includes a diversity of wastes, like concrete, bricks, ceramics, bricks, wood, glass, plaster, copper, zinc, lead, iron, steel, as well as insulation and roofing materials. C&DW stream has several characteristics which make it particularly difficult to deal with and are summarized in the following five items.(1) Lack of information on quantities generated: In Portugal, the C&DW sector has been neglected over the past years, which meant that there are not consistent information concerning the quantities and composition of these wastes yet. Several estimates, based in different assumptions, indicate different results, which may vary from 219 Mt to 10 931 Mt [2]."

Jan 1, 2008

By Shantanu Chakrabarti, Khursid Alam Khan

"Globally, the use of metallic coated steel sheets in the automobile industry is increasing. The sheet should have excellent formability, weldability, paintability and corrosion resistance. Since bare cold rolled steel sheets have certain limitations, application of galvanized steel sheets is steadily expending. Galvannealed steel sheet fulfills all requirements and has become of major interest in the automobile industry.The success of Galvannealed (GA) steels in the body-in-white depends upon material design and parameters of various processes involved, like cold rolling, continuous annealing, hot dipping and galvannealing. In the present work, powdering resistance, one of the important product characteristics of GA, has been studied and a relation is established between the process parameters and the powdering value. The product obtained through optimization of the process parameters have been successfully used by major automotive producers without any powdering problem, for internal as well as external automotive applications.IntroductionThe present automotive industry demands that steel for the auto components should have excellent formability, weldability, paintability, corrosion resistance etc. In addition to this there is specific requirement for some particular components like high surface quality for skin panels. Corrosion resistance of panels is important requirment which determines the life of the particular component and brand value of the automotive. Among all the zinc based steel coating used in the automotive industry coating produced by Galvannealing process has received most attention because of its excellent weldability along with superior corrosion resistance and better paintability."

Jan 1, 2012