Search Documents

By V. Madhusudhan Rao

Fly ash is a finely divide non ? combustible material obtained as a by ? product of coal combustion. It is a major by ? product of coal based thermal power stations. Until recent past it was considered as a waste and highly polluting material. However its formation can only be minimized by using suitable technology in the boilers. In recent past it is found that Fly ash has many end uses and it has proven itself to be a potential construction material. But the suitability of fly ash for various applications largely depends on the amount of unburned carbon, which is turn depends on the firing method. Fly ash samples from various power plants existing in India using a fluidized bed method and pulverized bed were analyzed and a comparison of these two firing methods was carried. This paper deals with the compositional requirements for fly ash used for the fabrication of insulating doors using AAC (Aerated Autoclave Concrete) and the methods employed to make fly ash suitable for this purpose. It also includes the latest ?U? beam technology for effective fly ash recycle. If the by products of coal combustion from power plants like fly ash as the paper stresses are utilized properly, it is not an exaggeration to say that power generation is possible with absolutely zero cost.

Jan 1, 2006

By A. C. Wadhawan

In the present context of rapid industrialization, production of Lead-Zinc metals from low grade materials, residues and wastes can make substantial contribution to the supply of these metals in India. Recovery from secondary sources also plays an important role in conservation of mineral resources and lower power consumption. Conscious effort is therefore, required to increase the secondary metals which, besides saving in energy cost will also help in waste material management and keeping environment clean. The major thrust is, therefore, needed in this direction. During all these years, the Indian Lead- Zinc industry has made sustained efforts for recovery of metals from low grade ores and from metallurgical wastes and residues. The paper identifies the treatment of low grade ores by various technologies and techniques and the treatment of metallurgical residues and wastes generated during primary Lead and Zinc smelting in India. Some of the major achievements in past decade have also been elaborated in the paper. The strategies to be followed for continuing treatment of low grade ores and waste materials by adopting newer, environmental friendly technologies, in consonance with the rigid standards being adopted by most of the countries including India. have also been dealt with in the paper.

Jan 1, 1994

By M. S. Moats

Galvanic stripping, in conjunction with solvent extraction, has been proposed as a technical option to the challenging problem of iron removal in certain hydrometallurgical processes. The galvanic stripping process is based on the ability of a solid metal to directly reduce ferric ion to the ferrous state in an organic media. Stripping the iron into the aqueous phase is then easily accomplished. Previous work has shown the reaction kinetics and efficiency are affected by such operating parameters as water and oxygen contents, temperature, time and metal reductant. In this study, the optimum operating range for some of these variables was determined. Both zinc and iron metal were used in the separate stripping of iron from D2EHP A. Reasons for the differences in the extent of the reaction obtained using the various conditions are discussed.

Jan 1, 1996

By Ji-He Wei

The ESR of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy has been experimentally investigated. The remelting experiments have been carried out with different slag fluxes in the Cal, + Nal, CaF2 + ZrO2 and CaF2 + NaF + ZrO2 systems on an ESR furnace of 25kg capacity; using a water-cooled copper mould of 96.5 mm diameter, with the forged square bar electrodes of 50x50 mm2. The slag amount was taken to be 1.5 kg. The remelting current and voltage used were 1600-1800A and !5-25K, respectively. The influence of the slag composition on the stability of the remelting process and the losses of alloying elements (2r and Cr) has been considered and examined. The technologies of hot working and heat treatment of the ES ingot have been described and discussed. Some physical properties of the slag in a CuF2 + NaF + ZrO2 system and the remelted Cu-Cr-Zr alloy have been determined. The results indicated that with the slag flux of CaF2 + NaF + l0 mass % ZrO2 and the other operation parameters employed, a high quality ingot of Cu-Cr-Zr alloy may be obtained at the considerably high yields of Zr and Cr by means of ESR. For the remelted Cu-Cr-Zr alloy with a specified composition of 0.5 mass % Cr and 0.1 mass % Zr, the appropriate electrical conductivity, hardness and softening temperature are as high as 45-46S/m, HRB 82-84 and 550°C. respectively. The properties of the Cu-Cr-Zr alloy products are in accordance with and superior to the requirements and specifications of ISO5l82-l99l(E).

Jan 1, 2000

By Malti Goel

"Technology advancements in fossil fuel based energy generation and consumption are currently being aimed at minimization of CO2 emissions. To attain energy security, India must accelerate the pace of economic development, while achieving reduction in CO2 emissions per unit of energy consumed. It would need access to advanced coal utilization technologies to be demonstrated on indigenous coal characteristics. Of specific importance would be: improvement in coal quality, increasing energy efficiency and suitability of other CO2 sequestration technologies for reducing CO2 footprints. There is need to address related risks and financial burden through adoption of policies and regulations including the issue of open access in energy research. In this paper, seven important areas of strategic plan that need to be pursued for managing CO2 emissions in steel energy sector in India are discussed.IntroductionWorld is facing a crisis of climate change, which follows in the footsteps of global energy and environment crises. Accumulation of carbon dioxide from the generation and utilization of energy is leading to greenhouse warming and climate change. The global warming is causing the boundary between four seasons to be fuzzy and resulting in more spiky weather. Significance of its impact on environment is also determining the technology development needs in various sectors of economy for taking remedial measures.To respond to climate change concerns, the steel industry is undergoing a transition. It is at the threshold of a rapid change in technology as it targets innovation to achieve 50% reduction of CO2 emissions per ton of steel produced. Fossil fuel use is the main contributor of increasing concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. The control of air pollution and CO2 capture are thus relevant for a coal based industry, whether thermal power plant or a demand side energy intensive industry. World steel production has shown phenomenal increase in first eight years of 21st century increasing from 780 Mt in 2000 to 1343 Mt in 2008 [1]. It was merely 28 Mt in 1900. The global CO2 emissions from steel industry are also increasing and became 2550 Mt (3-4% of total GHG). Indian industry contribution was 161 Mt (15% of direct emissions from industry). It is likely to grow further to keep pace with the accelerated economic growth of 8-9% per annum."

Jan 1, 2010

By Toshiyuki Hashida, Victor M. Lopez-Hirata

"Small-punch tests and determination of fracture toughness JIC were conducted at 4 and 77 K on new cryogenic JN1, JJ1 and JK2 austenitic stainless steels, after isothermal aging. Equivalent fracture strain ?qf determined by measuring the reduction of thickness in the small-punch test specimen. A linear dependence of JIC on ?qf was found in these new materials. Regression analysis of experimental data produced the following linear relation JIC = 1304.1 ?qf + 8.09 [kJm-2]. An analysis of present work relation was pursued on the basis of material properties and evaluation method of he. Results showed that the slope value has a strong dependence on material yield strength and JIC evaluation method. This linear relation is useful for the evaluation of fracture toughness JIC, measuring the equivalent fracture strain ?qf by means of small-punch test. Thus it can be useful for assessing the degradation of fracture toughness in small areas such as, the heat-affected zone in welded components.IntroductionCryogenic structural materials for superconducting magnets of fusion nuclear reactor are required to possess a good combination of strength and toughness. The mechanical properties are required beyond the capability of conventional austenitic stainless steels [1]. New cryogenic JN1, JJ1 and JK2 austenitic stainless steels were developed by the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) [1]. The structure of superconducting magnets is constructed by welding of 200 = thick plates of these steels, which are solution treated at high temperatures and then water-quenched to avoid intergranular precipitation. However, the welding process involves heating and cooling [2], which cause microstructural changes in both base metal and weld. In this heterogeneous microstructure, it is important to estimate the fracture toughness of these materials at cryogenic temperatures. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate the effect of aging process on the fracture toughness behavior of these new steels. To determine the cryogenic fracture toughness, the elastic-plastic JIC value has been co=only used [2]; however, the specimen size is much larger than heat-affected zones in welded components. Small-punch (SP) testing method, employing miniature specimens, has permitted to evaluate the fracture toughness behavior at different temperatures in different nuclear reactor materials [3,4]. Mao et al. [5,6] and Misawa et al. [7] found a linear relation between JIC value and equivalent fracture strain ?qf, determined by SP method in non-ferrous alloys and ferritic steels at room temperature and austenitic stainless steels at 4 and 77 K, respectively. So that, this kind of correlation would be very useful to assess the fracture toughness JICe values by means of SP test in small zones of welded components."

Jan 1, 2012

"Depletion of known ore reserves and increased demand for precious metals have caused a revolution in biohydrometallurgical processing technology for gold recovery. Known ore deposits and future discoveries are most likely to be lower grade sulfide ores that can be difficult to recover with current leaching technology. Future metal recovery operations will increasingly use bio-oxidation techniques.Bacteria are an integral part of mineral cycling and mineral transformation in nature. Although biological processes are recognized as part of the mineralization and oxidation reactions in some ore deposits, they have only recently been applied to enhancing metal recovery in hydrometallurgical procedures. This paper explores the traditional metallurgical application of biological leaching and oxidation reactions and reviews the complete range of bacteria available for metal recovery systems. Pre-treatment of ores with bacteria improves metal recoveries in tank leaching systems and shows promise for heap leaching methods.IntroductionThere is no longer any question that bacteria playa natural role in the on-going transformation of some ore deposits (1,2). As applied to sulfide ores, a few strains have been specifically identified that exhibit a natural leaching potential (3). These bacteria can be isolated from waters and soils in old mining districts where they contribute to continuing leaching and pollution problems in acid drainage and heavy metal solubilization. Sulfur and iron bacteria as well as many heterotrophic strains have also been found in ore deposits and sedimentary rocks at depths up to 2000 meters (4). Their presence in both ore deposits and processed ores shows the microbial association with natural leaching and the potential role that bacteria can play in the development of new leaching technology."

Jan 1, 1988

By Florian Kongoli

"Lime ferrite" slag with limited silica content has proven to be a valuable choice in the modem processes of copper smelting and converting due to several advantages that this slag offers compared to classical silicate slags. Nevertheless the liquidus surface of this slag has been experimentally measured only at low oxygen potentials such as in equilibrium with iron or hear it and in air. Although most of the smelting and converting processes that use this slag occur at intermediate oxygen potentials, the liquidus surface of this slag is not known at these conditions and the effect of oxygen potential and silica has not been correctly understood. This has brought some confusion in literature as well as in the industrial practice. In this work the liquidus surface of the calcium ferrite slags has been quantified by the means of a new thermophysicochemical model and a new type of liquidus surface diagrams which are very convenient for any industrial process that uses calcium ferrite slags. These diagrams can be easily used to select the lowest liquidus temperature of calcium ferrite slags at a minimum cost and can help design several fluxing strategies in copper smelting and converting processes. The effect of the oxygen potential and silica is also quantified and important industrially related conclusions are drawn.

Jan 1, 2003

By Shufang Ding, Fukun Yan, Zhiqiang Shan, Wei Chen, Cuicui Ji

"To remove aluminum ion from chlorinated rare earth solution, this paper used hydrolysis method to explore the hydrolysis behavior of aluminum ion in aluminum chloride solution and confirm the optimum conditions of aluminum ion hydrolysis, which are pH value, temperature and initial concentration of Al203 and so on. The experimental results show that single treatment can make aluminum precipitation rates of chlorinated rare earth solution reach about 90% by hydrolysis precipitation; and then several recycle disposal can get precipitation rates of 89% for aluminum and 2.86% for rare earth.IntroductionIn China, rare earth resources are very rich and unique minerals, complete variety, and rare earth products are very large in the domestic reserves. Rare-earth and application products have been deep into all areas of our life, permanent magnet material of rare earth is one of the most popular application areas[11. Binary oxides such as praseodymium neodymium have been widely applied in the fields of glass, ceramics, magnetic materials, catalysts and so on. Especially, the advent of the Pr-Nd-Fe-B magnets which makes the world magnetic material into a new stage of development [2•3]With the development of science and technology, for industrial, physical and chemical indicators of raw materials Pr-Nd oxides (such as particle size, specific surface area and non rare earth impurities etc.) are also getting higher and higher. The oxide size has an important influence on sludge formation in the electrolytic process. If the size is too large, added oxides have settled on the bottom of slot before melting, and then generated sludge; if the particle is too small, it can cause dust dispersion, enlarge oxide unit consumption and increase the cost of production in the charging process. Some early processes use oxalic acid to make chloride neodymium praseodymium settle, and impurity can be removed cleanly, but the cost is high, it is not suitable for production. At present, most enterprises are using ammonium hydrogen carbonate to precipitate chlorinated neodymium praseodymium, but chlorinated neodymium praseodymium such as iron and aluminum and so on can easily form gel in the precipitation process, seriously affect the growth of neodymium praseodymium carbonate crystal and often leads to particle meticulous, even may also generate gel-like neodymium praseodymium sediments and cause centrifugal or suction filtration difficult. Now the actions and their removal of impurity such as iron and aluminum have done a lot of research in the production process of rare earth, removing aluminum craft with alkaline (sodium hydroxide) and acid (oxalic acid) has good effect, but the cost is higher[41; used adding complex agent to remove aluminum method which is simple and easy to operate, but aluminum removal rate is not high, and also changed the sediment of crystal type[51, and etc. This paper discusses the removal of chlorine from rare earth solution on the basis of the hydrolysis property differences betweenAJ3+ and rare earth ion."

Jan 1, 2013

By Raymond F. Dalton

Despite the ready availability of numerous zinc sources, the process of solvent extraction- electrowinning (SX-EW) has as yet found little favour in the zinc industry. It is suggested that this is largely due to the previous lack of availability of suitable selective reagents having the particular features required to enable them to fit in to a solvent extraction-electrowinning based process for zinc, particularly with regard to strength and selectivity for zinc over iron. This paper describes work on the development of new selective extractants for the recovery of zinc from both sulfate and chloride aqueous solutions and suggests how they might be integrated into new zinc processes.

Jan 1, 1994

By Makoto Suzuki

After hot rolling, stainless steel strip is processed by the Hot Rolled Annealing and Pickling line (HAP) , where H2SO4 or mixed acid of HNO3 and HF is normally used. In the pickling bath, metal oxide accumulates in the form of sludge, which should be removed from the bath regularly. A new automatic continuous sludge disposal system has been introduced at Chiba Works of Kawasaki Steel Corporation to increase sludge removal efficiency and improve the working environment. The elements of the equipment are as follows. a. Ejectors in pickling bath: to carry the mixed acid into the circulation tank through the piping system. b. Sedimentation bath : to sediment sludge out of the bath. c. Skip conveyer : to convey a specified volume of sludge into a kneading for device for neutralizing. The sludge removal efficiency of this system is very high. and the volume of sludge accumulation in the pickling bath has substantially decreased.

Jan 1, 1996

By Christopher R. Casias

A basic methodology is presented (employing both standard and theoretical assessment, analysis. and data interpretation techniques) for classifying waste containing trace levels of radionuclldes. Despite increased regulatory requirements for handling. transporting. and disposing of such waste: (I) no formal characterization methodology has yet been Implemented. and (2) no limits have been set to define the point at which a waste material is considered to be low-level and below which it Is "below regulatory concern" (BRC) or can be considered to contain no more than a diminimus level of radioactivity (i.e . is nonradioactive). 'I1le concept of diminimus limits specific to waste streams and waste forms is introduced. and a mechanism fur evaluating waste In relation to BRC and diminimus limits is outlined. This methodology can be used to perform a complete and adequate characterization of waste for classification according to its level of radioactivity.

Jan 1, 1992

By Courtney Young, Jerome Downey

"The various technologies developed for treating spent potlining (SPL) from primary aluminum smelters have been reviewed on several occasions. The technologies generally involve physical, chemical, and thermal processes, either individually or in combination, with the primary objective of total recycle, waste minimization, or complete disposal. In general, those technologies geared for recycling involve separations and are therefore subject to recovery inefficiencies that are attributed to several factors. However, the inefficiencies could be reduced or possibly eliminated if the pots were designed for recyclability. This concept is applied to SPLASH, a recently developed SPL management technology.IntroductionAluminum is produced by molten salt electrolysis via the Hall-Héroult process. The process is conducted in an electrolytic “pot,” which is comprised of a steel frame first lined with insulating refractory brick, and then conductive graphite blocks, which serves as the carbon cathode [1, 2]. These materials are collectively referred to as “potlining.” Anodes comprised of petroleum coke/pitch are suspended above the pot and extend down into the molten cryolite (Na3AlF6) electrolyte. The electrolyte temperature is maintained at approximately 980 °C by resistance heating as low voltage (4-5 volts) and high current (50,000-300,000 amps) are applied across the two electrodes.High purity alumina is added to the cryolite bath, where it dissolves and becomes amenable to aluminum reduction at the cathode:"

Jan 1, 2008

By Amy Nelson

In the electrolytic production of zinc, cobalt is removed from the zinc electrolyte by cementation with zinc dust prior to electrowinning. Although the thermodynamics for this reaction are favourable, kinetic barriers to cobalt reduction render the method almost useless in practice unless activators such as copper and antimony or arsenic are added. There is a large body of work studying the effect of these additives, yet the mechanism by which they act is still poorly understood. Even when the target conditions are met, zinc dust consumption is excessively high: satisfactory operation requires up to 300 times the stoichiometric amount of zinc dust. The objective of this work is three-fold: (1) to examine the effects of activators and elucidate the characteristics that make a good activator; (2) to identify new additives that could lead to a more efficient purification process; and (3) to test the new additives with synthetic and real electrolyte solutions. The present paper gives a status report on this project.

Jan 1, 1998

By Jiangtao Li, Zhongwei Zhao, Xingyu Chen, Xuheng Liu

In tungsten ion-exchange process, excessive sodium impurity enters into ammonium tungstate solution. However, the Na content of the final ammonium paratungstate (APT) product must be strictly controlled. Consequently, it is necessary to remove Na from the ammonium tungstate solution during processing in order to obtain the required purity of APT. In this study, porous Na specific absorbent, Na1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3, is used to remove Na from the ammonium tungstate solution. Through experiments, the effect of reagent concentration of Na1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3, reaction time, reaction temperature and Na concentration on the Na removal were investigated. The results showed that under optimal reaction conditions of reagent amount of NATP 1.0 times of theoretical amount, reaction temperature 25 °C and reaction time 15 min, the Na removal from commercial (NH4)2WO4 solution can reach 98%. Na1+xAlxTi2−x(PO4)3 has a good applicability to different Na+ concentrations. The obtained APT product reaches the national standard purity of zero level.

Jan 1, 2014

By C. Wieckert

Concentrated solar energy can be used as heat source for the production of metals. One of the most promising respective processes, the solar carbothermic production of Zn from ZnO, is investigated within the European research project SOLZINC, a cooperation of institutes and industries from France, Germany, Israel, Sweden and Switzerland. The solar produced Zn can be used as commodity or as an energy carrier for further processing on demand to electricity in Zn-air fuel cells/batteries or to generate hydrogen by reaction with steam. In both cases the Zn is oxidized to form ZnO, which can be recycled back to the solar plant. In these cyclic processes Zn acts as a means to store and eventually transport solar energy. Second product of the solar process step is a CO-rich offgas, which may e.g. drive a gas engine or may be shifted to hydrogen in a conventional reaction with steam. A pilot plant using 300kW concentrated solar power input has been constructed and operated successfully. 86mass-% of ZnO mixed with 14mass-% of charcoal are reacted to produce Zn and CO at a temperature of about 1200°C, yielding about 50 kg gaseous Zn per hour. Zn-dust with 95% purity is recovered from the offgas system that was designed to produce Zn for Zn-air fuel cells. Based on the results and findings from the pilot plant, a two tons Zn/h solar demonstration plant has been designed conceptually. Cost studies have been performed and scenarios for producing electricity or H2 via these ZnO/Zn-cyclic processes are evaluated.

Jan 1, 2006

By Liu Wei-feng

Base on the thermodynamic calculation of vapor pressure of lead, antimony and arsenic at high temperature, the possibility of separating lead, antimony and arsenic in different temperature was analyzed ,and the practice of producing qualified antimony white from lead-antimony alloy by direct blowing was introduced in detail in this paper. The blast furnace reduction smelting was brief introduced firstly, and then alkaline refining was applied to removing arsenic from lead-antimony alloy that contains As1%,Sb39%,Pb58%,the arsenic in the treated lead-antimony alloy could decrease to 0.009% by that method. The antimony white containing Sb2O3 99.5% could be produced by air blowing in the special furnace at 650? from the treated lead-antimony alloy. And the electrolytic lead could be achieved by electrolysis from the lead-rich alloy which contained 83% lead.With high-grade product being obtained the process was shortened. The technology has been applied successfully many years in Guangxi, China.

Jan 1, 2009

By Sarah Beutner Mavrogenes

The mineralogy of three slags from a domestic secondary copper refinery were studied by applied mineralogical techniques to determine the: 1) phases present, 2) phase chemistry, 3) phase abundance, 4) associations, 5) crystalline habit, 6) grain size, 7)microtextures, and 8) causes for certain metallurgical problems, such as metal losses to the slags. The slags were produced by skimming the bath prior to melt-down to allow heat from the flame to reach the bath. The first slag is highly viscous and all three slags contain a large amount of copper. The "first slag", which is skimmed prior to treatment of the bath with fluxes, contains metallic copper, cuprite, delafossite, magnetite, Mg-hercynite, common spinel-chromite solid solution, picrochromite-chromite solid solution, common spinel-picrochromite solid soiution, gahnite, cassiterite, silica-rich glass, and corundum. Its abundant solid refractory phases make the slag difficult to skim. The "soda-rich slag", skimmed after the treatment of the bath with sodium carbonate flux, contains cuprite, delafossite, magnetite, cassiterite, Na-Al-silicate, and Na-Al-Ca-silicate. It contains less metallic copper than the first slag and lacks the refractory minerals. The "phosphorus-rich slag", skimmed after treatment of the bath with a copper phosphide flUX, contains metallic copper, cuprite, delafossite, berlinite, cassiterite, silica, apatite, Cu-Fe-rich apatite, copper phosphate, Cu-Fe-phosphate, and a Pb-phosphate. In contrast to the above three copper-rich slags, recent charges have produced a silver-copper-rich slag. The "silver-rich slag", skimmed after the treatment of the bath with a copper phosphor ide-borax flux, contains, cassiterite, delafossite, cuprite, a Na-Al-silicate, magnetite, metallic copper, MgO, common spinel-chromite solid solution, and wollastonite. Silver ranging from 0.05 to 2.02% was found by atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry analyses in the metallic copper phase.

Jan 1, 1989

By John R. Turney

The success of the Mclaughlin acid pressure oxidatiun process has proved that a complex hydrometallurgical process can be an economically viable means of treating refractory gold ores. Homestake's Mclaughin acid pressure oxidation process was commissioned in August 1985 and ts currently operating at design tonnage of 3,000 tons per day. Mineralogical and process studies on the operating plant are discussed to show the improved understanding: of the process and its future applications. These studies are also compared with the initial process development work, thus illustrating the success of the initial scale up considerations.

Jan 1, 1989

By O. Ryosuke Suzuki

A new metallurgical process via sulfide is proposed: a sulfide is produced at a high temperature from its metallic oxide using gaseous CS2, and this sulfide is electrochemically reduced to its metallic state using molten salt. This combined process via sulfide is effective to obtain high purity of metallic powder, even if the metal in its oxide is strongly combined with oxygen. For example, it is not easy to reduce stable oxide TiO2, and only Ca can remove oxygen to form α-Ti. However, a fairly large amount of oxygen remains as Ti–O solid solution. Because the solubility of S in Ti is very small, this proposal was examined experimentally both on the conversion of TiO2 to TiS2 and on the successive reduction of TiS2 to Ti. TiO2 powder was exposed to CS2 gas flow at 1073 K, and the conversion to TiS2 was confirmed. TiS2 could be reduced to Ti powder either by calciothermic reduction or electrolysis in a CaCl2 melt. By Ca reduction at 1133 K in CaCl2 melt, sulfur concentration decreased to 0.03 mass%S when the amount greater than twice the stoichiometric calcium amount is added. By electrochemical reduction at 1173 K in CaCl2–CaS melt, S concentration significantly decreased to 0.01 mass% S when four times larger amount of electric charge was supplied.