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By Adriana de Aquino Soeiro da Silva, Joao Alves Sampaioa, Luiz Carlos Bertolino, Francisco Manoel Garrido, Marta Eloisa Medeiros

"Brazil has a large agricultural potential and its production success is related to the chemicaland physical soil characteristics. Therefore, the demand in the use of a great quantity offertilizers to compensate the low amount of nutrients in the soil includes about 40% of foodproduction costs. In order to develop economical alternatives to traditional fertilizers, rockswith potential use in agriculture will be studied. In this work the potassium rock, a greensandslate, will be chemically and structurally characterized for the development of a potassiumthermophosphate. This alternative fertilizer will be obtained based on a fusion of a ponderedmixture of potassium, magnesium and phosphate rocks to be applied in the Brazilianagriculture. Preliminary characterization results indicate that the greensand slate presents ahigh percentage of glauconite, quartz and micas.Keywords: Potassium thermophosphate, alternative fertilizers, greensand slate.IntroductionBrazil has a great agricultural potential and its production success is closely related to thesoil's chemical and physical characteristics. However, the country's soils present lownutrients content and high acidity due to weather conditions. Thus, the use of a high amountof fertilizers makes up for the soils' lack of nutrients and accounts for 40% of food productioncosts. Therefore, research on obtaining new alternative fertilizers is a constant worry due tothe increase on food demand [ 1].The lack of raw material for the preparation of NPK fertilizers in Brazil is a concern and theissue of potassium fertilizers a priority. Such a fact is because in 2008 only 608.000 tons ofKCl were produced, corresponding to just 10% of the Brazilian necessity. Thus, the use ofrocks as agricultural nutrients can contribute to reduce the need for industrial fertilizers.This way, the development of a new agricultural raw material originated from a rock thatalready exists in the country's soil is of great importance for the mineral and agriculturalsectors."

Jan 1, 2011

By Richard B. Diver, Mark D. Allendorf, Daniel E. Dedrick, James E. Miller, Roy E. Hogan, Andrea Ambrosini, Eric N. Coker, Anthony H. McDaniel, Nathan P. Siegel, Gary L. Kellogg

"Converting carbon dioxide and water to hydrocarbons is an attractive option for storing solar energy and, coupled with appropriate CO2 capture technology, for recycling carbon and impacting atmospheric CO2 concentrations. For any process, high solar-to-fuel efficiency is necessary for large scale viability and favorable economics. Thermochemical approaches for solar-to-fuel conversion are potentially highly efficient as they avoid the inherent limitations of photosynthesis and also sidestep the solar-to-electric conversion necessary to drive electrolytic reactions. Solar-driven two-step metal-oxide-based thermochemical cycles for producing the components of syngas, CO and H2, from CO2 and H2O are the basis of the “Sunshine to Petrol” project. Multi-cycle production of both H2 and CO has been demonstrated over several iron- and cerium-based compositions fabricated into monolithic pieces both in the laboratory and at the National Solar Thermal Test Facility. These compositions are being developed for deployment in a unique and continuous solar-driven reactor prototype, the counter-rotating-ring receiver reactor recuperator or CR5.IntroductionThe interconnected challenges posed by increasing global competition for petroleum and the increasing concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide are now widely recognized. Meeting these challenges requires recognition that although hydrocarbon fuels are ideal energy carriers, they can no longer be thought of as primary energy sources. It is necessary to take the realistic view that our conventional fossil fuels are in fact “stored sunlight” in the form of “sequestered carbon.” This view leads to a search for options to use and store sunlight more directly.Sunshine to PetrolIn combusting hydrocarbons we unlock the energy for utilization, but we also release the carbon to the atmosphere. However, nature teaches us that with an appropriate persistent energy source, e.g. solar irradiation, it is possible to effectively reverse the combustion process and “reenergize” CO2 and H2O back into hydrocarbon form."

Jan 1, 2010

By Do-Hyeong Kim, Tae-Jung Kim, Seung-Yeon Won, Jong-Jin Pak, Min-Kyu Paek

Liquid iron alloys containing V, Mo, and Ni can be produced by the carbothermic reduction of spent catalysts used in petrochemical industry. Thermodynamics of carbon in these alloy melts is important for refining these alloys. In the present study, the carbon solubility in Fe-V, Fe-Mo, Fe-Ni, Fe-V-Mo, Fe-V-Ni, Fe-Mo-Ni and Fe-V-Mo-Ni alloy melts of various compositions was measured at 1873 K. The temperature dependency of vanadium effect on carbon solubility in liquid iron was also measured in the temperature range from 1823K to 1923K. The additions of vanadium and molybdenum significantly increased the carbon solubility in liquid iron alloys while nickel decreased the solubility. The experimental results were thermodynamically analyzed using Lupis’ relation at constant activity to determine the first- and the second-order interaction parameters of vanadium, nickel and molybdenum on carbon at carbon saturated condition. Using thermodynamic parameters determined in the present study, the carbon solubility in Fe-V-Mo-Ni alloy melts of various composition were accurately predicted and verified experimentally at 1873 K.

Jan 1, 2014

By Balladares V. Eduardo

Most of the arsenic contained in copper concentrates is removed in the gas phase during the smelting and converting processes and, according to recent environmental regulations, it is required to fix it in a solid stable form. In this regards, ferric arsenate has been reported as thermal and aqueous stable compound. Therefore, various alternatives for treating gas containing arsenic were considered in this work. From data obtained at laboratory scale on fixation of arsenic using iron oxide, a new process to treat copper concentrates containing arsenic was evaluated. The effect of temperature, oxygen potential and the sample porosity on the fixation of arsenic contained in a gaseous stream was studied, and the iron oxide converted into ferric arsenate was up to 10%. The obtained results suggest a new alternative for gas treatment with an interesting and attractive technical development. The arsenic was retained as ferric arsenate with thermal and aqueous stability, and it allows a safe disposal keeping the environmental restrictions. The kinetics parameters are used to scale up laboratory results to higher processing rates.

Jan 1, 2005

By Shengli Wu, Laixin Wang, Minyin Kou, Xinliang Liu, Weidong Zhuang, Yujue Wang

COREX process has obvious advantages in environment protection but still has some disadvantages, for example, it has a higher sulfur content of hot metal than blast furnace. In this paper, the thermodynamics and dynamics of desulfurization have been investigated to obtain the main operation parameters related to the mass fraction of sulfur in the hot metal. In addition, statistical analyses have been carried out to study the relationship between operating parameters and sulfur content of COREX hot metal based on actual plant data. It has been found that the mass fraction of sulfur in hot metal is significantly influenced by the C content in hot metal, MgO/Al2O3 in slag, the concentration of MgO in slag, the temperature of hot metal and binary basicity (R2).A linear model has been developed and subsequently used for reducing the mass fraction of sulfur in hot metal, improve the quality of hot metal and contribute to low carbon ironmaking.

Jan 1, 2016

By Claudio Toro, Alex Moyano, Jonkion Font, Carlos Caballero, Pedro Morales

"Codelco-Chile in the last decade has carried out industrially-oriented research as an alternative to the traditional batch-type converting process. In a first stage carried out preliminary evaluations in a rearranged Peirce Smith (PS) converter, and then an exploratory test in a “Convertidor Teniente” (Teniente converter, TC) for the Codelco-Chile Continuous Converting Process. However, the validation test for this process in the TC was delayed up to the second quarter of 2007 where the validation studies were done satisfactorily.Thus, the objective of this paper is to present the results of the campaign tests validating the Codelco-Chile Continuous Converting Process in the TC1 of the Codelco Norte smelter.The results of charging the solid or liquid matte or high grade matte (“white metal”) by Garrgun, or by mouth of the 22 m x 5 m TC1 are presented. Some features of the industrially validated process are discussed, and the pilot test results of the matte injection are also presented."

Jan 1, 2009

By Varadarajan Seshadri

A physical model based on similarity principles was constructed for simulating the RH degasser of CST (Companhia Siderurgica Tubarao, Vitoria, ES, Brazil) to evaluate the circulation rate of the metal which essentially defines the degree of exposure of the metal to vacuum in the chamber and thus of the refining rate. The circulation rate on the other hand will influence the decarburization rate and removal of dissolved gases like nitrogen and hence it is essential to optimise this parameter to get maximum refining efficiency with minimum refming times, thus improving the productivity of the secondary refining process. Mixing characteristics in the ladle is evaluated by pulse tracer addition using conductivity-meters located at the down leg as well as at several locations in the ladle. The influence of gas injection through nozzles in the upleg with simultaneous bottom injection of gas as well as nozzle blockage on the circulation rates were investigated. Also simulation experiments of kinetics of decarburization were carried out using C02 adsorption-desorption process in sodium hydroxide solution as circulating fluid and the effect of, bottom gas flow rate in this case was also evaluated. The results were carried over to prototype and to optimize the process.

Jan 1, 2003

By Baozhong Zhao

Experimental results have shown that fluxing with soda ash (Na:zC03) can remove As and Sb from molten copper at the rate of As>Sb, but is relatively ineffective in removing Hi. The rate of impurity removal is controlled by impurity mass transfer in the metal phase. In this paper, a mathematical model was developed to describe the impurity removal phenomena. The model incorporates the effects of molten bath mixing intensity, soda ash feeding rate, oxygen content in the molten copper and soda ash fluxing by surface addition and injection. The model predictions are in good agreement with experimental results and may be used in designing large scale tests.

Jan 1, 1996

By Xuerong Wen

The oxidation behavior of TiAl3 intermetallics was investigated as a hnction of time at 1273K in pure dry oxygen. The oxidation experiments were carried out using TGA method. The oxidation scales were analyzed using SEM, EDS and X-ray diffraction methods. The structures of oxides formed at the different oxidation times were analyzed. The mechanism of oxidation of TiAl3 intermetallics was discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By F. Ajersch, P: Tsantrizos, K: Shanker

"TiN films have been deposited on various substrates by a novel reactive plasma technology. In this process, a nitrogen source (NH3 or N2) and TiCl4 are reacted in the jet of a plasma torch, and are deposited onto a substrate forming TiN films at a high growth rate ( > 2µm/min). It was found that the process parameters strongly affect the microstructure, thickness, density, and growth rate of the TiN films. These parameters include source of nitrogen (NH3 or N2, N/Ti ratio, temperature of substrate, and spray distance. In general, it was found that thick and dense coatings were deposited when the N:Ti ratio was kept low, and the substrate temperature was high. Also, for the series of conditions investigated, NH3 was found to give much better results than N2•. The limitations and advantages of this technique are also discussed in this paper.IntroductionTiN is an extremely hard material and is used in many wear applications, particularly as a protective coating on cutting tools to extend their Iife(1.2). Owing to its excellent chemical stability, TiN is also frequently used as a diffusion barrier in the electronics industry for sub-micron Al/TiN/Si ohmic contact systems (3) or as a coating on high-temperature resistant alloys in gas turbine applications (4), based on its good resistance to oxidation. Other applications include decorative coatings in the jewelry industry, and specialized applications such as solar energy absorbers and transparent heat mirrors(5).TiN films can be deposited/formed using various techniques. The main techniques of deposition are CVD (Chemical Vapour Deposition) and PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition). Each of these techniques can have many variations in equipment characteristics, reactants as well as a range of process parameters (pressure and temperature). In the CVD process, TiN is generally deposited onto a heated substrate where a chemical reaction takes place. The reaction can be one of reduction(6) (e.g.: TiCI4 + 0.5N2 + 2H2 --> TiN + 4HCI), of thermal decomposition(7) (e.g. decomposition of titanium dialkylamide), or of displacement (e.g. TiCI4 + NH3 --> TiN + 3HCI + 0.5CI2)' The displacement and reduction reactions are the most common."

Jan 1, 1994

By H. Y. Sohn

The purpose of this article is to analyze critically and quantitatively the effect of chemical equilibrium on the overall rates of fluid-solid reactions. It is shown through a mathematical analysis that a reaction with a small equilibrium constant (a positive standard free energy of reaction) is more likely to be rate-controlled by pore diffusion or mass transfer than a reaction with a large equilibrium constant. The overall reaction rate of the former also tends to be slow. Furthermore, the apparent activation energy of such a reaction approaches the standard enthalpy of reaction (Mf'), rather than the true activation energy of the chemical reaction. The Law of Additive Reaction Times developed by the author is shown to apply to equilibrium-limited fluid-solid reactions and to be useful in quantitatively analyzing the behavior of such reactions.

Jan 1, 2003

By Esperidiana A. B. Moura, Célio H. Wataya, Roberta A. Lima, Rene R. Oliveira

The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanical, morphological and thermal properties of biodegradable composites based on aliphatic-aromatic copolyester/polylatic acid blends (PBAT/PLA blends) reinforced by açaí seed fibers, an abundant byproduct of the açaí fruit agro industry. The biodegradable polymeric composites were prepared by melting extrusion process using a twin-screw extruder machine. The fibers removed from the açaí seed were used as the reinforcement and PBAT/PLA blends as the matrix. The influence of the açaí seed fibers addition on properties of composites was investigated by tensile and impact tests, SEM, DSC, and XRD analysis. Correlation between properties was discussed. In addition, açaí seed fibers characterization by SEM, XRD and WDXRF have also been carried out. The addition of açaí seed fibers on biodegradable PBAT/PLA blends showed that it is possible to get interesting property gains in biodegradable polymer by using waste from renewable sources.

Jan 1, 2015

By Patrick R. Taylor

Ilmenite concentrate and methane are fed to a non-transferred arc thermal plasma reactor to produce a powder that is primarily TiC and Fe. This material has promising characteristics for powder metallurgy applications. Free energy minimization plots were used to predict the feasibility of the reaction. An estimate of the optimum molar ratio between the ilmenite concentrate and methane was made based on the mineral composition. Argon-helium mixtures were used as plasma gases. The effects of power input level, carrier gas flow rate, powder feeding rate, and methane-ilmenite molar ratio were studied and the behavior of the system characterized. Two different powder injection angles were tried. A mathematical model to describe the temperature profiles in the reactor was formulated and solved. The product has been characterized by x-ray diffraction and atomic absorption. A conversion of 97 % of Ti to TiC was achieved. It was found that minor amounts of titanium oxides, iron carbide and free carbon are also present. TEM and SEM were used to study the morphology.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. Nilmani, H. Pham

"A mathematical model was developed for the dissolution of particles in gas-stirred liquid baths, linking the hydrodynamic flow field of the bath, the average particle trajectory and liquid-side mass transfer controlled dissolution kinetics. The model was validated by comparison with experimental data for the dissolution rates of urea particles in gas-stirred aqueous CaCl2 solutions measured during this study. The dissolution rates of urea. particles were measured using an image analysis system.The effects of operating conditions on the dissolution rates of urea particles were investigated. It was found that the key operating parameters influencing the utilisation efficiency of particles were the gas flowrate, particle diameter and lance submergence. An optimisation of the operating conditions for the model urea-aqueous CaCl2 system indicated that the utilisation efficiency increased with decreasing gas flowrate and decreasing particle size for a given lance submergence.IntroductionThe utilisation solid reagents in molten baths varies from one process to another, depending upon the rates and mechanisms of the reactions between the particles and melts, as well as the trajectory and residence time of the particles in the melts. Previous studies have not attempted to predict the utilisation efficiency of injected solids by coupling the motion of the particle with its dissolution rate. Instead, the particles have usually been assumed to remain suspended in the bath until completely dissolved, and the mass transfer coefficients were based on the average specific mechanical energy dissipation rates in the bath. Investigations of this nature relevant to the present study have been undertaken by Apelian et al. [1], Brucato et al. [2] and Langberg and Nilmani[3]. The objective of the present study was to develop a mathematical model, incorporating both the reaction kinetics between the particles and liquid and the particle motion simultaneously, to predict the dissolution rates and times of the particles. The mathematical model was validated by comparison with experimental dissolution rates of a cold model analogue system measured using an image analysis technique, and then applied to optimise the operating conditions in the model system."

Jan 1, 1996

By Esher Hsu

On July 5, 1997, Environmental Protection Administration of Taiwan publicized the recycling regulation of waste home appliances that include four items, namely, television, refrigerator, washing machine, and air conditioner. It is believed that this regulation pioneers the law enforcement of waste home appliances in the world. The objective of this study is to provide helpful base for amending recycling rates of waste home appliances. This study investigates the collection and recycling costs of waste home appliances in accordance with these newly established routes and facilities, respectively. Cost survey was conducted among collectors and recycling plants of waste home appliances; consequently, the collection and recycling costs were analyzed, correspondingly. Results provide some suggestions regarding recycling route, recycling system, recycling rates paid by manufactures and importers, recycling subsidies to collectors and recyclers. Those suggestions may provide useful policy implications to EPA for the future decision-making regarding the recycling of waste home appliances.

Jan 1, 2003

By Ajay K. Singh

The surface quality demands for galvanized and galvannealed steel sheets by the automotive and appliance industries have been getting increasingly stringent over the past few years. Intensive efforts by Hot-Dip-Galvanizers to meet these demands have resulted in substantial improvement to the hot dip coating process. However, elimination of zinc bath contaminants which directly affect the coated strip surface quality continues to remain a tough challenge. As part of our effort to improve the zinc bath cleanliness, Inland Steel Company has developed a test method to quantitatively measure the contaminants in incoming zinc spelters and establish a specification for incoming zinc quality. The test is currently being used for auditing the incoming zinc quality. The zinc suppliers are also using this test for quality control purposes. The purpose of this paper is to describe the test method and how it has improved the galvanizing operation at Inland.

Jan 1, 1992

By Adelana Adetunji

Ilmenite ore samples obtained from Dankoli in Zamfara, North Western Nigeria has been characterized using Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique, X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. The major constituents in the ore were quantitatively found to be TiO2 and Fe2O3 in concentrations of about 60wt% and 31wt% respectively. These occur in the forms of magnesian ilmenite (Fe, Mg)(Ti, Fe)O3, pure ilmenite (FeTiO3), and barium copper yttrium oxide (Ba2Cu3YO6.56) minerals. Other constituents/impurities in minor or trace quantities include MnO, Ta2O5, Nb2O5, Wo, SnO2, Hf, Zn, V, Zr, Co, Pb, Br, Al, Rb, Y, Th and U.

Jan 1, 2006

By Zhijing Zhang, Ramana G. Reddy

"The viscosity of molten oxides is one of the important physical properties since viscosity has a decisive influence on fluid flow. The knowledge of the viscosity of molten oxides is essential for modeling and controlling of metallurgical process. In the present study, viscosities of high basic Na2O-B2O3 and Na2O-SiO2 binary melts and viscosities of Na2O-SiO2-B2O3 ternary melts were measured as a function of temperature and composition. Experiments were carried out using rotary viscometer and graphite components. Our experimental results were compared with those in literature. Based on the current experimental data, the previously developed viscosity model was modified. The characteristic features of viscosities of these melts have been discussed. The predicted viscosity results are in excellent agreement with the present experimental data in the temperature range with molten state samples. IntroductionThe viscosity of molten oxides is one of the important physical properties since this property has a decisive influence on fluid flow, and is one of key factors to be taken into consideration in process modeling. The manufacturing operations require the viscosity of molten oxides to be within certain ranges. Although, some viscosity measurements on borosilicate systems have been carried out [1-4], the viscosity data in literature are available only for a few temperatures and cover small composition ranges. The agreement between the results of these works is not satisfactory [I-4]. Even the viscosities of binary systems Na2O-B2O 3 and Na2O-SiO2 generally are well studied, the available viscosity data in literature are only found in the composition range of O to 0.333 mole fraction ofNa2O. The aim of the present study is to provide a base with accurate experimental data for reliable model extrapolation."

Jan 1, 1999

By ZhiLong ZHAO, Lin Lin, Zhancheng Guo, Jingtao GAO, Huiqing Tang

Grain sticking often occurs in the fluidized bed reduction of f ine iron ore, which is closely related to the precipitation morphology of metallic iron on the surface of ore particles. In this work, simulating the gas-solid reduction process of iron ore, in situ observations were carried out to investigate effects of doping mineral oxides on the precipitation morphology evolution of metallic iron during reduction of iron oxides with CO. Results indicate that the precipitation morphology of metallic iron is related to the quantity of doped mineral oxides. The minimum mole fraction of doped oxide ( xyOA N ) that can inhibit the growth of iron whiskers is related to its cation radius ( Ax r ), extranuclear electronic layers ( Ax n ) and valence electrons ( Ax q ). Their relation can be expressed as:

Jan 1, 2016

By J. Priede, G. Gerbeth

"Two different instability mechanisms of electromagnetically levitated bodies are analyzed. The first is due to the virtual coupling between the electric current passing through the magnetic system and the variation of position of the body. This mechanism can result in unstable mass center oscillations of a levitated solid body. Another type of instabilities may occur because of the coupling between the motion and the electric currents induced in the body. This effect can cause a spontaneous rotation of the body setting in as the frequency of the alternating magnetic field exceeds certain critical threshold depending on the configuration of the field. This instability can be suppressed by an axial steady magnetic field of strength comparable to that of the levitating field. 1 IntroductionAn alternating magnetic field interacting with eddy currents induced in a conducting body causes repulsion between the body and the coil generating the field. Besides, the eddy currents provide a contactless heating of the body. In such a way metallic samples can be levitated and melted without a contacting crucible. This technique allows to avoid contamination of the melt with container material and so to achieve a considerable super-cooling of the melt before it solidifies. Nowadays electromagnetic levitation is widely used in material research for measuring of the thermophysical properties of molten metals (2) .It has been observed since early fifties when the first experiments on the electromagnetic levitation were done that under certain circumstances solid levitated samples start to rotate or oscillate [l]. Surface oscillations can appear in addition when the sample is melted. Such phenomena are undesirable because they often result in failure of the levitation. Recently we showed that rotational as well as oscillatory instabilities can have electrodynamic origin related to additional eddy currents induced by motion of the body in an alternating magnetic field [3] , [4].In the first part of the present paper we analyze another possible cause of oscillatory instability due to the coupling between the electric current passing trough the magnetic system with variation of the position of the levitated body. The second part of the paper deals with the origin and suppression of rotational instability in a uniform alternating magnetic field."

Jan 1, 1999