Search Documents

By Larry Southwick

This Peirce-Smith Converting Centennial symposium is celebrating the contributions of two men, William Peirce and E.A.C. Smith, in advancing technology allowing the copper industry to realize its full potential. However, theirs is representative of a larger story: New, simpler technology releasing the stranglehold of older, more complicated technology, new developments in vessel configuration and design finding alternate routes around dead ends in operability, advances in technique and concepts removing roadblocks of cycle time and capacity, and overall innovation opening up vast new reserves around the world to those companies willing to embrace those improvements. Our story is also one of personalities, stubborn smeltermen versus the innovators, those inside the industry versus those from outside. It is a story of an initial borrowing from the steel industry, but also Peirce and Smith, from the refining end of the copper business, taking the ideas of Baggaley from Pittsburgh’s steel and airbrake industry, who built on what Hollway, Manhès and David, Douglas, and others had done in smelter tests, further to compete with the previous primacy and closely held expertise of the copper smeltermen in Wales. These advances have been well recorded in photographs taken over the last 150 years. A number were submitted especially for this symposium. Many others were published in the mining and metallurgy press of the times. Several mining schools also retained copies of photos either taken during field trips, or donated to the school by alumni and operating companies. This presentation will provide a selection and discussion from these sources of “converters in action”, describing the various designs, operations and developments depicted. The focus here will be on the first roughly 60 years of copper converter development, from Bessemer’s days at the dawn of this new idea, up to and slightly past the time of initial adoption of Peirce and Smith’s designs.

Jan 1, 2009

By R. G. Reddy

Nickel solubilities in spent pickling solutions (i.e. HF-HNO3-H2O solutions ) were measured as a function of HF and HNO3 acid concentrations. The chemical analysis of the industrial pickling solutions and sludges were made. The stable phases observed in the sludges are FeF3?3H2O, and ( FeCr ) F3?3H2O. Pure Ni, and stainless steel type 316 were used in this study. The results showed that the solubility of Ni increased with increase in concentrations of HF in pickling solution at a fixed concentration of HNO3: An excellent agreement between the experimental solubility data and the theoretical data was obtained. X-ray diffraction analysis showed that the solid solubility product formed is mainly NiF2?4H2O compound.

Jan 1, 1992

By Zhuoqing An, Qi Li, Zhancheng Guo, Yanling Zhang

Fluidized bed is an important iron-making reactor, especially for the finely sized iron-bearing materials. However, defluidization caused by sticking between particles extremely limited its wide spread commercialization. In this paper, apparent viscosity was put forward to express the ability of particles to resist movement, which is reasonably considered as the comprehensive results of interaction between particles. Meanwhile, an experimental measuring method of apparent viscosity of particles was proposed, during which the torque exerted on the rotating blade in a particle layer is measured, and then the apparent viscosity is obtained based on the motion equations of powder particles. Further, the apparent viscosity of iron particles was measured by using of this method, and the effects of shape, size, and temperature were examined. The data can provide important information for understanding when and why defluidization happened.

Jan 1, 2015

By Sheng Dai, Yuan Lee, Haiming Xiao, J. P. Young

"There are numerous analytical applications of scatter-emission and/or absorption spectroscopy applied to liquids and solids in the temperature range of 0 to 350°C. In this paper an all-silica fiberoptic probe is described which is useful for spectral analyses from 0 to 1600 K and can be used in harsh chemical environments. The probe has been used for Raman spectral analyses of many molten salt and solid material systems to 1000°C. It has applications for such studies at higher temperature ranges. The instrumentation required along with the demonstrated and proposed applications of the all-silica probe are presented and discussed.IntroductionThere are many kinds of scatter-emission spectroscopies that are of value for analytical measurements. Fluorescence, reflectance, arc or spark emission are descriptors for some of these. Raman scatter spectroscopy is also quite a useful technique for analytical measurements.In Figure 1, we give a simplified explanation of the Raman effect. If one shines monochromatic light into a sample, light may be absorbed, exciting the sample to some virtual state. We know from experience that almost all of the light is re-emitted in the same wavelength range. This is called Rayleigh or Mei scattering and is designated in the figure by the arrows in both examples that point up and down from the same lower energy state. A very small percentage (the order of 10-4%) of the monochromatic light is re-emitted leaving the sample at a vibrationally-excited state. Thus, this light is at a distinctly lower energy compared to the exciting radiation. This is called a Stokes shift and is represented in the left-hand example by an arrow descending to a more energetic vibrational state. If the sample is not at a temperature of absolute zero, some of this vibrationally excited state will be thermally populated. That portion of the sample still absorbs and re-emits exciting radiation as Rayleigh scattered light, but a small percentage of the exciting light is re-emitted as the sample relaxes to the lower vibrational state. The energy of this light is of higher energy and is called an anti-Stokes shift, depicted in the example to the right. Notice that the energy separation of the Stokes or anti-Stokes shifted emission from that of the exciting radiation is the same, and expressed in ~cm-I. The intensity of either shifted emission is a function of the population of the vibrational energy states; therefore, the ratio of the intensity of Stokes to anti-Stokes signal varies with absolute temperature. We will come back to this point later."

Jan 1, 1997

By Klara Kodrikova, Vera Kasparkova, Michaela Uhlirova, Karel Kolomaznik

"Potentially hazardous wastes from leather industry (blue shavings) are processed into various biostimulators within two steps. The first step takes place at high pH (11-12) and hydrolyzation is implemented with potassium alkali, in the second step the pH is lowered to 9 with phosphoric acid after enzymatic dechromation occurs. The resulting hydrolyzates were analyzed in the sense of molecular weight distribution and tested as biostimulators on rape (Brassica napus). The hydrolyzates can be also directly used as universal NPK fertilizers. It has been proved that the nitrate content in the edible parts of tested vegetables (radish, lettuce, and cucumber) was approximately 200 times lower compared to the vegetables fertilized with an inorganic nitrogen fertilizer. The harvests of vegetables fertilized with the hydrolyzate and the inorganic nitrogen fertilizer were almost the same.IntroductionDuring processing raw hide into leather (tanning processes), only 20% of the collagen material is used for the final product. The remaining 80% ends up as waste, both tanned and non-tanned. Non-tanned waste such as calcimine can be used for production of artificial collagen casings for sausages, gelatine and also in pharmaceutical industry as collagen capsulates. Further processing and recycling of tanned leather waste (especially chrome shavings) is more complicated. Although many technologies producing various quality collagen hydrolyzates have been developed and tested in laboratories, few have been implemented on industrial scale. A promising turn came in the works of ERRC USDA [1,2]. They worked out an enzymatic dechromation technology (hydrolysis) and achieved a considerable decrease of the amount of relatively expensive proteolytic enzyme, which solved the difference between the quality and price of the final product. The American experience of enzymic hydrolysis were applied on industrial scale in the Czech Republic, where a plant was built with daily processing capacity of 3 tons of chrome shavings. The experience of real operation was published in [3] and the cooperation between the Czech Republic and USA partners resulted in a patent [4]. The main asset of the patent was the use of volatile organic bases in the hydrolysis process giving high quality and cheap hydrolyzates with low ash content."

Jan 1, 2008

By Cheng Yan, Yugang Li, Qian Wang, Lizhi Zhang

In continuous casting process, mold powder has lots of metallurgical effects, such as covering the molten steel to prevent liquid steel from oxidation by air, preserving heat for top layer liquid steel, lubricating initial shell and so on. However, mold powder also can deteriorate the quality of final products obviously after the entrapment of mold powder in steel. In the present work, based on the similarity theory the effect of technological parameters on mold powder entrainment was investigated by water model. Experiment was carried out in the water mold using oil and water to simulate slag and steel, respectively. The results showed that increasing casting speed increased the water-oil interfacial fluctuation and entrainment frequency; viscosity of oil also had a great impact on the interface fluctuation and entrainment; water-oil interfacial tension effect the entrainment while not changing the interfacial fluctuation; submergence depth had little impact on entrainment and interfacial fluctuation.

Jan 1, 2015

By C. Y. Tang, Z. H. Chen, T. C. Lee

"In sheet metal forming process, the forming limit and strain distribution are governed by plastic instability and fracture following strain localization. It has been proved that the temperature gradient caused by plastic deformation as well as friction is one of the crucial factors to induce the strain localization in high-speed metal forming processes. In this paper, a numerical simulation of the sheet metal extrusion process has been conducted by using thermal-mechanical coupling finite element method. An improved mixed finite element method has been used to solve the large deformation elasto-plastic problem. In thermal phase, the transient heat transfer finite element method together with the Crank-Nicholson algorithm has been employed to determine the temperature field. Both the numerical results and the experimental observations reveal that the temperature gradient plays an important role in inducing the strain localization, which eventually leads to fracture failure in the sheet metal extrusion process.IntroductionSheet metal extrusion is such a process where the extrusion punch penetrates into one surface of the sheet metal material to let it extrude and flow towards the outlet of the die. This process can be used to produce protruding parts on a strip material. In engineering applications, the quality of the product is affected by many factors such as stress state, loading speed, material properties and lubrication condition. The research on failure mechanisms and improvement of formability in sheet metal forming processes by exploitation of differential thermal conditions has been of great interest recently [1-3]. It has been proved that the temperature gradient caused by plastic deformation, heat transfer, and friction between sheet and tools is one of crucial factors to affect 'the formability in high speed sheet metal forming processes [4]. In our previous study of sheet metal extrusion, it has been observed that plastic deformation is highly localized and some specimens are subjected to fracture failure in the form of crack propagation [5]. To understand this failure phenomenon, the effects of temperature gradients must not be ignored."

Jan 1, 2001

By Mamoru Kuwahara, Tomohito Taki, Masamichi Sano

"Theoretical basis and experimental results on ultrasonic separation of dispersed inclusions from molten metal are outlined. Transitional formation of an ultrasonic standing ·wave field in a liquid bath is numerically predicted based .on the wave equations. Numerical solution of the equation of motion of a fine particle in a standing wave field indicates that the inertia term can be neglected during conventional ultrasonic separation of fine particles: Analytical solutions for the position at which particles are coagulated the minimum power for separation, and the ultrasonic separation time are derived to incorporate such key process parameters as the density difference and the acoustic energy density exerted. Cold model experiments have been carried out to observe ·transitional coagulation of polystyrene particles in an aqueous sugar solution with the incidence of standing ultrasonic plane wave. Experimental results agree well with the theoretical predictions.IntroductionDespite of recent progress of fundamental and applied researches in metallurgical systems, advanced materials· with less inclusions and better properties may demand more innovative processing in a: molten state. It may be realized by applying electromagnetic and/or ultrasonic external fields to the systems. The present authors1)·2) have been proposing : new methods of ultrasonic processing of materials based on such phenomena as acoustic streaming, acoustic radiation pressure on dispersed phase in a standing wave field, and the cavitation in liquid associated with use of high-intensity ultrasound and so on. Taking account of common physical natures between ultrasound and sound wave, we call such · a processing assisted by acoustic wave as ""sonoprocessing"". This report ·deals with some theoretical and technological aspects on the ultrasonic separation of fine particles from liquid, which could become an important operation to produce clean materials. Fundamental theory and ·supporting experimental results will be given below to give an insight into the liquid metal sonoprocessing."

Jan 1, 2000

By Renxing Li, Yongyong Gong, Yufeng Cheng, Zhenxing Yin, Xin Cao, Qijie Zhai

"This paper investigated the refinement effect of pulse magneto-oscillation (PMO) on the solidification structures of medium carbon steel S45C in metal mould. The induction coil was positioned at the middle of ingot. The results showed that solidification structure of the treated ingots was remarkably modified with a transformation from well-developed dendritic structures to small dendritic structures or globular structures compared to the untreated ingot. The area fraction of modified microstructure regions reached more than 80 percent. A further experimental investigation had been done to understand the influence of refinement effect on the solidification structure under different mould size. Theoretical analysis demonstrated that the mechanism for the refinement of solidification structure was that PMO promoted nucleation near the mould walls and changed the interface temperature gradient and concentration gradient in liquid, eventually leading to a transition from the columnar crystals to the equiaxed crystals.IntroductionIn recent two decades, the electromagnetic processing of materials (EPM) has been widely used in many fields such as ironmaking, steelmaking, and solidification processing [1-6], where EPM can control melt flow, modify melt shape, reduce macro-segregation and refine microstructure. Pulse magneto-oscillation [7-9] (PMO), as a novel technique of EPM, has a remarkable effect on grain refinement and high potentiality to be used in industrial production. Compared with ultrasound refinement technique, PMO can be easily employed to metal solidification processing for long time in no contact with hot metal liquid by using a water-cooled coil. Another important advantage is that PMO needs smaller energy compared to pulsed magnetic field which needs a very high current to obtain a strong magnetic field to get a satisfactory effect. These advantages mentioned above are beneficial for industrial application, which make it potential to be widely used in future. Gong et al. [7] have studied the refinement effect of PMO on pure aluminum and find that PMO can significantly modify the solidification structure of pure aluminum. Li et al. [9] have reported the effect of temperature field on solidification structure under the influence of PMO. On the basis of these works, this paper has studied the effect of PMO on solidification process of medium carbon steel S45C in a metal mould, which can also provide some information for industrial application of this new technique."

Jan 1, 2012

By Zhuo Sheng

We have designed a high-temperature Raman micro-furnace and cell that is suited for the electrochemical process study of the NO3 − in molten NaNO3– KNO3 (fraction of NaNO3 50 wt%) salt. During the cycle voltammetry and constant potential electrolysis process, the Raman laser beam was focused near the electrode; subsequently, the Raman spectra are obtained and the reduction process of NO3 − is analyzed. In the CV cathodic scan process, the new peak attributed to the ν1 mode of NO2 − emerges, and the peaks assigned to superoxide ions (O2 −) and peroxide ions (O2 2−) are not found. In the constant electrolysis process, the peaks at 1130 and 800 cm−1 appear when the potentials are between −2.0 V and −3.2 V (vs. Pt). The results show that when the NO3 − is reduced in molten the NaNO3–KNO3 mixtures, the reduction product O2− cannot stably exist, and O2− will react with NO3 − to form of superoxide ions (O2 −) and peroxide ions (O2 2−).

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 Nils Eivind Kamfjord, Roar Jensen, Ingeborg Solheim

"SINTEF has carried out several pilot scale silicon process experiments in the past, but always with an open off gas system. In order to test the possibilities in running a semi closed furnace operation, a new off gas hood has been designed and tested. The off gas hood is designed to collect all off gases to gain insight into the phase compositions in the off gas and at the same time have the opportunity to monitor and maintain the charging/stoking of the furnace. The furnace hood has regulation and control of the air inlet into the combustion zone in two different heights. The off gas temperature and composition was continuously monitored and analyzed during the experiment. In order to expand the knowledge on NOx- formation in silicon metal production, such information is vital.IntroductionBecause of the negative environmental impact, the attention towards all kinds of NOX emissions increases in Norway. The authorities’ demand towards better surveillance and control of emissions increases as well.Earlier and new industrial measurements in FeSi- and Si-metal furnaces reveal quite high NOX-emission. The measurements also show that the NOX formation (mainly as thermal NOX) is distinct connected to the formation of dust (SiO?SiO2) in the combustion chamber above the furnace surface, when the temperature is high and the access to N2/O2 is good. This means that stoking, charging and temperature straight above the furnace surface is important factors for the NOX formation."

Jan 1, 2012

By Zenjiro Asaki, Teruo Tanabe

"To clarify the formation of light rare earth (R =Ce, Pr, Nd or Sm) -Fe compounds in the reduction-diffusion (RD) process, two kinds of experiments were carried out: (a) RD experiment in which briquettes composed of R oxide powder, Fe (particles or wire) and CaH2 were reacted, and (b) immersion experiment, where an Fe plate was immersed into R-Fe melt having the composition of Fe-side liquidus line in Fe crucible. The compound formation was examined by using XRD, SEM and EPMA. The formation rates of RzFe17 measured by the RD experiment were compared with those obtained by the immersion experiment. The growth rates of compounds obtained in the RD experiment for Pr-Fe and Nd-Fe systems were much lower than those obtained in the immersion experiment. This result was explained by the difference of the reduction rates of R oxides by Ca. The parabolic rate constants for the formation of RzFe17 were separated in two groups of (a) Pr-Fe and Nd-Fe systems and (b) Ce-Fe and Sm-Fe systems. This was discussed in connection with the difference of their crystal structures and the driving force of diffusion. The parabolic rate constants for the formation of compounds in Ce-Fe and Sm-Fe systems decreased in the order of RFez, RFe3 and RzFe17.IntroductionTo understand reaction behaviors in the production of rare earth (R) -iron intermetallic compounds, which have excellent magnetic properties, is very important from engineering point of view. And the reduction-diffusion (RD) process<O has recently attracted attention as one of the promising processes to economically produce R-related materials. A few fundamental studies on the compounds formation in the RD process have previously been reported. Qi, Hino and Yazawa(2) observed the formation of R(Nd, Sm)-Fe and R-Co compounds in the process from various view points. Song and Ogawa(3) measured the growth rates of Nd-Fe and Sm-Fe compounds by using Nd or Sm vapor supplied from Nd-Ca or Sm-Ca melts. The authors have also carried out fundamental studies (4)-(8) to clarify the rate and mechanism in the production of R-Fe intermetallic compounds."

Jan 1, 1998

By D. M. Fermino, C. G. Bastos Andrade, V. F. Justo, F. R. Valenzuela-Diaz, M. G. S. Valenzuela, C. Volzone

The present paper presents the study of light green smectite clay, from Paraiba, Brazil, submitted to mild acid attack under moderated conditions. Usually, clays are subjected to treatment with strong inorganic acids at temperatures near the boiling point and at high acid concentrations and then, widely used as bleaching agents. The treatment occurred under bellow boiling temperature and at short times of reaction (90°C, reaction times of 1, 6, 12, 18 and 24 hours in close reactor, concentration of the aqueous solution of hydrochloric acid 1.5 M, clay/acid solution ratio of 1g/10mL). The purpose of these attacks is to reduce the concentration of impurities providing color, with minimal change in the clay minerals structure, aiming at use in products of high value such as cosmetics and polymer/clay nanocomposites. The raw clay and the attacked samples were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), cation exchange capacity (CEC), stereomicroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray detector (EDS).

Jan 1, 2015

By Lucas Barbosa de Souza Martins, Felipe Perissé Duarte Lopes, Nathalia Carneiro Garcia Rosa, Lucas Lopes da Costa, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Rubén Jesus Sanchez Rodriguez

"The fibers extracted from the stem of the banana plant are relatively stronger and have been used as reinforcement of polymer matrix composites. In addition to quasi-static mechanical properties, there is a need to characterize the dynamic behavior of banana fiber composites subjected to thermal and mechanical constraints. In this work, the temperature variation of the dynamicmechanical parameters of polyester composites incorporated with up 30% in volume of banana fibers were investigated by DMA tests. The storage and loss moduli as well as the tangent delta were measured from 20 to 200°C in a TA Instrument operated with the flexural mode at 1 Hz. The results showed that the incorporation of banana fibers tends to increase the viscoelastic stiffness of the polyester matrix. It was also observed changes in the T g and the structure dumping capacity of the composites with increasing fraction of banana fibers.IntroductionNatural fibers with high amount of cellulose, also known as lignocellulosic fibers, have been used from primeval times by our civilization. In the last century, synthetic fibers such as nylon, carbon, aramid and glass fibers gained interest owing to superior strength and precise dimensional control. Natural fibers were then replaced by synthetics in many fields such as textiles and appliances. In the past decades, however, environmental issues drawn, once again, the attention to lignocellulosic fibers as possible substitute for intensive energy-consuming and long term polluting synthetics, specially the glass fiber [1]. In particular, research works have disclosed the potential advantages associated with the use of lignocellulosic fibers as the reinforcing phase in polymer composites [2-7]. Among the advantages it is worth mentioning the renewability, recyclability, biodegradability and the fact that natural fibers are neutral with respect to C02 emissions responsible for global warming. Moreover, as compared to synthetics, lignocellulosic fibers present lower density and cost as well as reduced wear caused to the processing equipment. On the other hand, in terms of composite reinforcement, hydrophilic lignocellulosic fibers present drawbacks such as weak adhesion to hydrophobic polymeric matrices in addition to dimensional limitations and non-uniform properties."

Jan 1, 2011

By Ailton S. Ferreira, Rubén J. Sanchez Rodriguez, Sergio N. Monteiro, Felipe Perissé D. Lopes, Teresa E. Castillo

"Polyester composites reinforced with natural lignocellulosic fibers have, in recent times, been gaining attention in engineering areas as lighter and cheaper alternatives for traditional composites such as the ""fiberglass"". One of the strongest, the curaua fiber, is today being considered as reinforcement of composites for automobile interior parts. In fact, several research works are currently being dedicated to curaua fiber composites since physical and mechanical properties are required for practical uses. In this work, the thermal behavior of polyester composites reinforced with up to 30 % in volume of curaua fibers was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry, DSC. The results showed endothermic and exothermic events associated with water release and possible molecular chain amorphous transformation. Comparison with similar composites permitted to propose mechanism that explains this DSC thermal behavior.IntroductionThe modem composite materials, especially those reinforced with synthetic fibers such as glass and carbon, have been used since last century to attend the demands required by most technological fields, from home appliances to aerospace [1]. In fact, fiber composites offer significant advantages over monolitic materials, such as common metallic alloys, plastic and ceramics. One of the most important is the ratio between the ultimate stress and the density, known as the specific strength. For example, in common glass fiber polymer composites, the so called ""fiberglass'', the specific strength of around 400 MPa.cm3/g is higher than any conventional monolitic material. However, drawbacks exist. The energy required to fabricate ""fiberglass"" generates large emissions of C02, which are responsible for global warming. Moreover, ""fiberglass"" is not recyclable and cannot be incinerated [2]. As a result, most synthetic fiber composites end up in landfills or contribute to rivers and oceans pollution."

Jan 1, 2011

By Aline Maria dos Santos Teixeira, Francisco Manoel dos Santos Garrido, Joao Alves Sampaio, Marta Eloisa Medeiros

"Rocks for crops is a natural practice for soils fertilization which consists on adding rocks to the soil while water decomposes the rock, through chemical weathering, and gradually releases nutrients to the soil solution. This practice can be considered an alternative to the low production of potassium fertilizers in Brazil. In this context, the phonolite rock was characterized in order to evaluate its application as an alternative source of nutrients to the Brazilian agriculture. The phonolite studied is an igneous, volcanic rock with alkaline character that is chemically composed of a high grade of potassium due to the presence of feldspar minerals. In order to quantify the minerals present in the sample, characterization was carried out using several techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence and scanning electron microscopy.IntroductionBrazilian soils are generally acidic and nutrient poor due to the tropical climate in which high temperatures and intense rainfall favor a rapid decomposition of the rocks that from the soil. And as agriculture is one of the main bases of the country's economy, large amounts of fertilizer are used to make the soil productive.Although Brazil has large reserves of potassium, the demand for potash fertilizer is higher than the national supply, which makes the country dependent on fertilizer imports, especially in the form of potassium chloride. Thus, we must look for economic alternatives to traditional fertilizer [1].Stonemeal is a natural practice for soil fertilization that consists in adding basic or ultrabasic rocks to the soil so that water, through chemical weathering, decomposes the rock while it gradually releases nutrients."

Jan 1, 2011

By Vladimir Mindin

This paper presents results of thermodynamic investigations and experimental&apos; studies of some essential for pyrometallurgy of sulfide concentrates topics. Among them: 1. Thermodynamic simulation and experimental investigations of roasting process, 2. Thermodynamic investigations of sulfur dioxide off-gases treatment technologies. 3. Investigations on "Mind in -Kiknadze" effect of suppression of sulfur dioxide formation during sulfide concentrates roasting in the vapor containing atmosphere. 4. Thermodynamic simulation and experimental investigations of sulfide concentrates and manganese containing materials co-roasting processes. Some essential aspects of thermodynamic simulation techniques are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By L. Katgerman, E. N. Straatsma, Suyitno

"Single-roll strip casting process is studied using computational fluid dynamics which takes into account fluid flow, heat transfer and solidification. The computational model is based on the conservation Jaws of momentum, energy and continuity. Correlation of strip thickness, solidification zone length, and puddle shape on single-roll strip casting of Al-1 %Mn is explored. Feeding pressure and roll speed are investigated. The results show that the··strip thickness slightly increases with pressure, similarly the length of solidification zone. The variations of strip thickness and solidification zone length with roll speed show a sharp decline for strip thickness and slight decline for the length of solidification zone with increasing roll speed. The constraint and free-jet flow have different feature in term of flow field. Severe turbulence is observed on the free-jet flow.IntroductionThe near-net shape casting of strip metals is a demand nowadays. The demand is particularly stimulated by the challenge to become more competitive through enhanced performance. The improvement in the existing processes and new innovative technologies are introduced by the metal industry to gain better product quality, more efficiency in energy consumption, low throughput, yield and operating costs [1-3].There are many advantages that can be obtained by the direct casting of strip. The most prominence is the elimination of hot rolling. Beside that the high rate of heat extraction associated with strip casting offers the possibility of a finer, Jess segregated cast structure. The microstructure will result in the improvement of mechanical properties compared to conventional material, or alternatively the opportunity of using grades of metal outside the normal range for continuous casting.The concept of single-roll strip casting has been difficult to commercialize, because of the complex interactions between fluid flow, solidification, shrinkage, and stress, which lead to serious quality problems. Besides that, the quality and the thickness of the strip are affected by the thermal properties of the strip, roll cooling conditions, roll geometry, and other process parameters. To understand how these parameters affect the strip formation, some researchers have modeled the process [4]."

Jan 1, 2004

By Hani Henein

"Heat transfer between droplets/particles and a gas phase plays an important role in the transport of numerous materials processing operations. These include rapid solidification operations such as gas atomization and spray forming, as well as chemical systems such flash furnaces. Chemical reaction rates and solidification are dependent on the rate of gas-particle or gasdroplet heat transport. Using a heat transport model validated using single fluid atomization of molten droplets; the effect of process variables on heat losses from droplets was examined. In this work, the effect of type of gas, droplet size, gas temperature, gas-droplet relative velocity on the heat transport from AA606 l droplets was examined. The most critical of these process variables to heat transfer is identified and will be presented.IntroductionIn materials processing, droplets are often encountered and used in processing a wide range of liquids and slurries. The small size of the droplet enables high reaction rates or high solidification rates in many systems. In order to capitalize on these high rates of transport processes, sprays are· also developed to maximize throughput. The design of these sprays, however, does not account for the transport steps and rate limiting mechanisms at the droplet surface. Rather, spray design focuses on maximizing the break-up of a stream or slurry into small size droplets or controlling the spread of the spray. Spray systems in industrial use typically generate droplets of wide size distribution leading to a wide range of reaction times for each of the droplets. Often the generation of a spray involves a number of coupled phenomena such as stream break-up, droplet-gas transport, droplet size distribution and spray geometry. Using gas generated sprays, it is not possible to identify how individual process variables contribute and control each of these coupled phenomena. While many mathematical models have been developed of sprays and they attempt to simulate coupled droplet transport, they do not provide insight into the contributions of different mechanisms in heat transfer. This is primarily because the basic fundamental heat transport between droplet and gas cannot be isolated from other gas spray phenomena experimentally such as two-way thermal coupling [l]. Thus, experimental validation of heart transfer of large and complex industrial spray models is not carried out. Hence, the validity of spray models remains in question and the approach required to optimize spray processes cannot be clearly identified"

Jan 1, 2004