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By Kenji Morinaga, Hiromichi Takebe

"Ge-S binary glasses in the range 57 to 90 at %S at 0.5 to 3 at %S intervals were prepared by a conventional melting technique using fused quartz ampoules as melting containers. Impurities contaminated during preparation process are evaluated by IR spectroscopy. The causes of impurity contaminations are discussed. Density data in a systematic series of Ge-S glasses is demonstrated. IntroductionSulfide glasses are of particular interest for new laser and nonlinear optical materials in the near-infrared and infrared regions [1]. Sulfide glasses have the features of low-phonon-energy and high refractive index with moderate rare-earth ion solubility. The low-phonon-energy is favorable for the reduction of nonradiative rate for the emission of rare-earth ions. The high refractive index results in a high radiative-rate and in a high third-order nonlinearity. However, impurities may degrade the superior optical properties of sulfide glasses.In this work Ge-S glasses were prepared by a conventional melting technique. Impurities contaminated during the preparation process are evaluated and their causes are discussed for future improvements. The measured densities of Ge-S glass samples were compared with the results of previous studies [2], [3]. Ge-S glasses have some favorable properties for practical .applications including non-toxicity, good thermal and chemical stabilities."

Jan 1, 2000

By Norihiko Fukatsu

In order to use effectively the previously reported new sensing system for hydrogen and oxygen potentials in molten copper, the criteria of the potentials for getting sound castings have been determined in the laboratory experiment. The copper melt equilibrated with a given hydrogen and an oxygen potential was rapidly quenched in the crucible. The relations between the holding potentials and the gas porosity in the solidified sample were investigated by measuring the density of the sample and microscopic observations. It was found that the defects of the gas porosity became the maximum at the potentials where the dissolved amount of hydrogen and oxygen was in the mole ratio 2:1. The samples having the density more than 99% of the theoretieal value were obtained in the higher oxygen and lower hydrogen potential region or in the lower oxygen and higher hydrogen potential region. The criteria thus determined were examined by comparing with the measured potentials in the practical casting machine. In tough-pitch copper casting, the problem due to gas porosity was found to be serious when the hydrogen potential increased. In the. oxygen-free copper casting, the evolution of hydrogen was found not avoided. The gas porosity in the casting, however, was found eliminated when the oxygen potential was kept at a low value.

Jan 1, 2003

By Toru H. Okabe

As part of a systematic study on the thermodynamic properties of complex nitrides, phase equilibria of the system Li-M-N (M Mg, AI, Ga) at 900 K were investigated. An attempt to determine the thermodynamic properties of complex nitrides was made by using the galvanic cell method, which utilizes LiMgN as an electrolyte under nitrogen atmosphere. The electromotive force (Emf) of ilie cell at temperatures between 800 and 1100 K was measured. Whilc the Emf of the cell at 900 K was measured to be 0.137 V, data discrepancies of ±0.03V were found. It was difficult to determine temperature dependence of ilie Emf. The Gibbs energy change for the reaction, 113 LbN (s) + 1/3 Mg3N2 (s) = LiMgN (s), at 900 K was determined to be tJ.Gor (LiMgN) -13.2 (±2.9) kJ/mol. Using thermodynamic information on ilie binary nitride from literature, the standard Gibbs energy of LiMgN was derived to be AGO f (LiMgN)= - 121 kJ at 900 K. The thermodynamic stability range of nitride was discussed by constructing isothermal chemical potential diagrams that provide a better understanding of ilie stability region of the LiMgN phase. The diagram was found to be in good agreement with the isoiliermal phase diagram determined by ilie alloy equilibration meiliod. Although the obtained data includes large uncertainties, the results provide a better understanding of the iliermodynamic stability of nitrides. The potential application of this complex nitride to nitrogen chemical sensors or a medium for controlling nitrogen potential is also shown.

Jan 1, 2003

By Norihiko Fukatsu

In order to use effectively the previously reported new sensing system for hydrogen and oxygen potentials in molten copper, the criteria of the potentials for getting sound castings have been determined in the laboratory experiment. The copper melt equilibrated with a given hydrogen and an oxygen potential was rapidly quenched in the crucible. The relations between the holding potentials and the gas porosity in the solidified sample were investigated by measuring the density of the sample and microscopic observations. It was found that the defects of the gas porosity became the maximum at the potentials where the dissolved amount of hydrogen and oxygen was in the mole ratio 2: I. The samples having the density more than 99% of the theoretical value were obtained in the higher oxygen and lower hydrogen potential region or in the lower oxygen and higher hydrogen potential region. The criteria thus determined were examined by comparing with the measured potentials in the practical easting machine. In tough-pitch copper casting, the problem due to gas porosity was found to be serious when the hydrogen potential increased. In the oxygen-free copper casting, the evolution of hydrogen was found not avoided. The gas porosity in the casting, however, was found eliminated when the oxygen potential was kept at a low value.

Jan 1, 2003

By Uday B. Pal

In the electrochemical vapor deposition (EVD) process, gaseous cation precursors are passed over one side of a porous substrate, and oxygen is passed on the other side of the substrate. The gases diffuse and react within the porous substrate, and the pores get filled with the desired solid oxide. Subsequent solid state electrochemical transport through the solid oxide in the pores continues the reaction, and the film grows over the porous substrate. The EVD process has been used to deposit lanthanum chromite interconnection films and yttria stabilized zirconia electrolyte films over porous air electrodes. The EVD growth of these solid oxide films is found to be parabolic in nature, which indicates that the solid state transport (diffusion) of ions through the film controls the growth. This solid state transport can be analyzed using Wagner's treatment of the electrochemical transport. Conductivity measurements and the information on the defect structure of the oxide can be combined with the EVD growth rate measurements to calculate the solid state transport properties (transport numbers and partial conductivities) of the rate-controlling minority species in the oxide. Using this approach, the EVD growth of other electronic, mixed conducting and ionic solid oxide films can also be analyzed.

Jan 1, 1992

By G. Upadhya

Considerable success has been achieved recently in modeling microstructural evolution during solidification of castings bthrough the coupling of macroscopic heat transfer with microscopic solidification kinetics models. However, a complete model for simulation of solidification in complex shaped castings involves: (i) the description of fluid flow, during and after mold filling, coupled with (ii) heat transfer to the mold and surroundings by use of a macro model, followed by (iii) a description of subsequent solidification of liquid metal by use of a micro model for solidification of the alloy under consideration. This paper describes the coupling of solidification kinetics model to a 3D, transient, fully coupled fluid flow and heat transfer model. Coupling between the macremicro models is achieved by using the latent heat method. Micro models for the eutectics of gray, white and ductile iron are discussed. This coupled code has been used for predicting the thermal history and microstructural data for shaped castings. Various applications of the model, including prediction of shrinkage defects, grain density contours, and graylwhite transition region in the casting, are presented for a relatively complex casting geometry.

Jan 1, 1992

By Toshiro Kuji, Masakazu Fujita, Tetsuji Saito

"The magnetic properties of the magnetic materials were deeply dependent on the microstructures. In this study, the novel technique to produce the desired microstructures in a controlled manner was proposed. The technique consisted of the production of the amorphous alloys and the control of the crystallization process. The technique was applied to improve the magnetic properties of Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets. The microstructural control of the magnets exhibited the excellently high energy-products of higher than 430 kJm-1. The relationship between the magnetic properties and the microstructures of the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets was discussed.IntroductionThe intrinsic properties of the materials are basically determined by the properties of the constituent elements or the compounds. However, it is often noticed the difference between the observed properties and the theoretical values expected from the intrinsic properties of the materials. This indicates that the observed properties of the materials are determined not only by the properties of the constituent elements. In other words, the observed properties of the materials are also strongly dependent on the morphology of materials. This means that the microstructural control may creates a great improvement of the properties of materials.In Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets, the superiority arises from the uniaxial intermetallic Nd2Fe14B compound which has a large saturation magnetization and a high anisotropy field [1,2]. The magnetic properties of the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets are dependent on the microstructure, that is, the size, shape and degree of the crystallographic alignment of the Nd2Fe14B phase. Currently, the Nd-Fe-B permanent magnets have been produced by either sintering or melt-spinning [3,4]. In the sintered magnets, alignment of the Nd2Fe14B phase is achieved by the prior green compaction of the crushed ingot powders in an applied magnetic field [3]. In the melt-spinning approach, alignment of the Nd2Fe14B phase is achieved by hot deformation [5]. Amorphous melt-spun ribbons are comminuted and then are consolidated into bulk form by hot pressing before hot deformation. As-hot-pressed magnets have randomly oriented Nd2Fe1~ grains [6]. Subsequent die upsetting of as-hot-pressed magnets gives rise to the crystallographic alignment of the Nd2Fe14B phase."

Jan 1, 1998

By Marcelo B. Mourão

An experimental investigation was carried out to -study the rates of reduction of pellets containing iron oxides by carbon dissolved in liquid iron, at temperatures ranging from 1720 K to 1973 K. Several different pellet types were employed; the materials used in the pellet's manufacture were pure hematite, two kinds of commercial iron ores, and mixtures hematite/silica and hematite/lime: Reaction times were determined employing the constant volume pressure increase technique (CVPI). It has been observed that the reaction rate increases as the temperature and the pellet's specific surface area increases. The reaction rate is also affected by the oxide type: pellets made from commercial ores or from mixtures hematite/silica or hematite/lime show reaction rates lower than those made from pure hematite.

Jan 1, 1996

By Katsuyoshi Kondoh

The synthesis processing of Mg2Si or Mg2Si/MgO at lower temperature from the elemental magnesium alloy powder/chips and Si or SiO2 powder mixture was established via the repeated plastic working (RPW) based on Powder Metallurgy (P/M) process. RPW is much effective on the mechanical breakage of MgO surface films, which prevent from the solid-state reaction between Mg and Si powder. The solid-state synthesized Mg2Si particle of 200nm-2JIm is extremely fine, compared to that via the conventional casting process, causing the coarse one of 50-100um. This is because of not coarsening during the solid-state synthesis of Mg2Si. By using in-situ forming process of Mg2Si via RPW and pre-heating before hot working such as extrusion and forging, the magnesium composite material with Mg2Si or Mg2Si/MgO dispersions was developed in employing Si or SiO2 particles, respectively. For example, when employing AZ31 chips as raw materials of the matrix, it has low density of 1.85g/cm) and extremely superior mechanical properties, such as tensile strength over 350MPa with 5-10% elongation and Young's modulus of 47-50GPa, to the conventional Mg-Al-Zn alloys. The Mg composite alloy wires and pipes were produced via the hot extrusion process in the manufacturing plant, and also showed excellent mechanical properties.

Jan 1, 2003

By Nagahiro Saito, Takahiro Ishizaki, Mituhito Hirota, Akio Fuwa

"Owing to their extremely high toxicity in the environment, the dioxins have been attracting social, technical and scientific attention in recent years. The authors theoretically had predicted the thermodynamic properties of all the dioxins via quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics and elucidated the generation-decomposition behavior of dioxins in the equilibrium calculation· of C-H-0-Cl system. In actual combustion processes, it is said that metallic compounds have much influences on the dioxins behavior. The aim of this study is to reveal the roles of metallic compounds the generation-decomposition behavior of dioxins is revealed from the viewpoints of quantum chemistry. Especially, the catalytic effect of copper has been investigated for the reaction, 2HCl(g)--H2(g}+Cl2(g) and for the etherification reaction from precursors, which is Phenol(g) here, to dioxins. The catalytic role of Cu is shown to have much influence on the generation -decomposition of dioxins.1. IntroductionIt is well known that dioxins are very harmful not only for our health but also for that of our children and grandchildren because they are very stable substance and their reaction rates of decomposition are considerably low. On the other hands, it is not well know how dioxins are generated and decomposed; the generation-decomposition conditions and paths as well as the catalysts to decompose them'1l. The authors believe that the thermodynamic and kinetic study of dioxins is useful to find a solution to these issuers. The authors have been investigating the following problems to reveal the generation-decomposition behavior of dioxins; (a) the prediction of the thermodynamic parameters of dioxins (2), (3), (b) the generation -decomposition behavior of non-chlorinated dioxins by the thermodynamic equilibrium calculations in C-H-O system(4) and (c) the generation-decomposition behavior of dioxins by the thermodynamic equilibrium calculations in C-H-O-CI system(5). Summaries of these thermodynamic researches are as follows.(I) The thermodynamic parameters for dioxins, which had been unknown and/or inaccurate'6 l, could be predicted and are available within the scientific accuracy."

Jan 1, 2000

By H. H. Law

Large amounts of waste material in the form of flue dust are generated in the operation of copper smelter furnaces. As a result of increasingly stringent disposal, it has become important to develop methods for treating such metallurgical wastes to extract metals and convert them into salable products. A two-step closed-loop hydrometallurgical process, has been developed: (1) extraction with sulfuric acid removes about 90% of zinc and decreases the dust volume by 50%; (2) extraction with hydrochloric acid dissolves the lead and further decrease the dust volume by 75%. A process scheme for generating salable products is proposed.

Jan 1, 1992

By Damien Wagner

To reduce the emission of greenhouse gases by the steel industry, particularly for ironmaking, the production of DRI (Direct Reduced Iron) using hydrogen as the reducing gas instead of carbon monoxide is being considered. In this context, the reduction of pure hematite by hydrogen was studied at the laboratory scale, varying the experimental conditions and observing the rate and the course of the reaction. All the reduction experiments were performed in a thermobalance and supplementary characterization methods were used like scanning and transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Mössbauer spectrometry. The influence of rising temperature in the range 550-900°C is to accelerate the reaction; no slowing down was observed, contrary to some literature conclusions. A series of experiments consisted in interrupting the runs before complete conversion, thus enabling the characterization of partially reduced samples. Interpretation confirms the occurrence of three successive and rather separate reduction steps, through magnetite and wustite to iron, and illustrates a clear structural evolution of the samples. Finally, the influence of the sample type was revealed comparing a regular powder, a nanopowder and a sintered sample. The regular powder proved to be the most reactive despite its larger grain size, due to a more porous final structure.

Jan 1, 2006

By Takashi Fujii

In the OG (Osaka Gas) process which includes a fusion process of sewage disposal sludge in coke bed knowledge of molten and fluid properties of the sludge are most important to controll the process in good condition. Thus, the softening and melting temperatures and viscosity were measured by the sessile drop technique and a rotating viscometer. Obtained results are summarized as follows: Melting character of sludge slag is varied according to their composition, but closely related to CaO/SiO2 ratio in ordinary sludge and to CaO/(Cr2O3,+Al2O3+P2O5) ratio in Cr2O3 containing sludge. Fluid property of sludge slag has a correlation with optical basicity or Riboud parameter, However, the correlation is poorer than that of metallurgical slags. Especially, chromium oxide containing sludge shows high viscosity and behaves somewhat different manner from ordinary sludge.

Jan 1, 1992

By Antonio Martin, Jesus Hurtado, Francisco Jimenez

"Atlantic Copper is one of the largest copper producers in Europe. Its production facilities, including a primary copper smelter and an electrolytic refinery, are located in Huelva, on the southwest coast of Spain. These installations enable the smelting of over 1 million tpy concentrates to produce up to 260,000 tons per year of cathodes and 900 ktpy of sulphuric acid.Since 1970, several improvements have been made at the Converters Area such as modifications of primary hoods, operations with an OPC system, installation of scrap chargers, the recent installation of the secondary hoods and other environmental projects. All these modifications have been aimed at increasing the capacity of our smelter while keeping our continuous environmental commitment.This paper describes the modifications and improvements carried out at the converters area and our proposals for future developments."

Jan 1, 2012

By Klaus-Markus Peters, Robert M. Cravens, James G. Hemrick

"Degradation of refractories in molten aluminum applications leads to energy inefficiencies, both in terms of increased energy consumption during use as well as due to frequent and premature production shutdowns. Therefore, the ability to enhance and extend the performance of refractory systems will improve the energy efficiency through out the service life. TCON_ ceramic composite materials are being produced via a collaboration between Fireline TCON, Inc. and Rex Materials Group. These materials were found to be extremely resistant to erosion and corrosion by molten aluminum alloys during an evaluation funded by the U.S. Department of Energy and it was concluded that they positively impact the performance of refractory systems. These findings were subsequently verified by field tests. Data will be presented on how TCON shapes are used to significantly improve the thermal management of molten aluminum contact applications and extend the performance of such refractory systems.IntroductionThe production of molten aluminum creates aggressive environments for processing equipment, thereby requiring refractory materials to contain the aluminum during melting, transfer, treatment, and casting operations. Degradation of these refractories not only causes issues with reduced product quality and production yields, but also increases heat losses as the insulative properties of the refractories are compromised. Furthermore, in addition to disrupting production output, refractory failures lead to further impacts upon energy efficiency as large amounts of energy are lost during the cooling and subsequent reheating of the equipment as the refractory linings are repaired or replaced.The need for improved refractory materials is recognized throughout the industry. A joint U.S. Department of Energy and industrial workshop held in 2000 on applications for advanced ceramics in aluminum production [1] noted that refractory materials used in melt processing equipment have many limitations. The workshop report noted that these issues may be addressed by using advanced ceramics, but new materials must be cost effective when compared to current refractory materials. Also, in 2005 the Canadian aluminum industry produced a technology roadmap [2] having the goal of identifying and bridging gaps between current technological resources in the industry and future requirements. One of the areas identified as being crucial to the future of the industry was the need for improved molten aluminum-resistant materials."

Jan 1, 2009

By H. Virtanen

Outokumpu copper refining operations have a long history of expansions and application of new technologies. Outokumpu is a name known around the world for technological excellence in the field of base metals, and part of the policy of operations is continuous investment and investigation in new technologies. The results of this hard work sometimes are immediate and sometimes take years. The work done during the last years at the Outokumpu Harjavalta Metals copper refinery, together with a sister technology group Outokumpu Wenmec, has started to bear fruit in terms of the following radical developments and advances that are and will be applied to assure Outokumpu's position as the technology leader and a low cost and safe producer. Some of the developments discussed include the new anode and cathode design, mechanised electrode handling, cell design incorporating features facilitating full automation, automated short circuit detection and removal, automated on line anode slime removal, and high efficiency and intensity refining.

Jan 1, 1999

By Bing Hu, Zhu-Cheng Huang, Guang-Bin Xia, Hu Peng, Hua Wang

"The temperature rising characteristics and reaction of the reduction of iron oxide pellets with anthracite fines were studied using a MW-L0316V microwave oven and Leica-DM-RXP polarizing microscope. The results show that iron oxide pellets and anthracite fines have good microwave absorbing properties, and high temperature and reducing atmosphere in a relatively short time for reduction of iron oxide pellets can be achieved. The reduction reaction, which follows the unreacted core model, is rapid and the metallization increases from 13.41% to 56.57% as the reduction end point temperature increases from 850oC to 950oC. The iron is formed, fine grain crystals of iron are transferred and the contraction of metal phase occurs firstly at the surface of pellets, which hinders the reduction reaction at the center of pellets. The rate of reduction reaction increases slowly as the reduction end point temperature increases from 950oC to 1050oC.IntroductionIron ore direct reduction can be divided into gas-based reduction and coal-based reduction. Owing to the effect of the resource and the related economic benefits [1, 2, 3, and 4], the development of gas-based direct reduction technology is restricted, but the development of coal-based direct reduction supported by the relevant industrial policy has very good prospects for application.As a source of clean energy, in China microwaves have been applied in many fields [5, 6, and 7]. Chen Jin studied the reduction of carbon pellets under microwaves, and has made some progress on reduction kinetics and reaction mechanisms. Other countries also have related research in this field [8 - 15], for example, Kotaro Ishizaki and Kazuhiro Nagata have done research on the reduction reaction of carbon magnetite heated by microwaves. The research shows that Fe3O4 is deoxidized to FeO at about 800oC, and FeO is deoxidized to Fe at 1000oC-1025oC. Due to the very good heat absorbing properties of iron oxide pellets and anthracite fines, the selective and rapid heating of microwaves can rapidly raise the temperature of pellets and anthracite, and the iron oxide pellets can be rapidly reduced. In order to provide enough theoretical basis for direct reduction by microwave heating, this paper studies the temperature rising characteristics, behavior of the reduction reaction and the changes of the iron oxide pellets and anthracite in the microwave field."

Jan 1, 2011

By Donna M. Noel

Bacterial strains have been cultivated from solids previously exposed to cyanide that will tolerate 300 ppm sodium cyanide under anaerobic conditions. In selected solid samples, these bacteria have been shown to reduce the level of cyanide from approximately 300 ppm to essentially zero in about 50 days under anaerobic conditions. Various media were investigated, and the nutrients providing maximal growth were ?established .. Degradation of cyanide in sterilized solids was determined for comparison with degradation obtained in bioactive solids. All experiments were conducted at ambient temperature and initial pH of approximately 10.5.

Jan 1, 1991

By P. Schloth, H. van Swygenhoven, N. Chobaut, J-M. Drezet

"In the current trend toward thicker aluminium plates, a major concern is the stress build-up during quenching which causes distortions during machining. Indeed, cooling rates are not high enough, especially at the core of such thick plates, to prevent any precipitation and quench induced precipitates lower the hardening potential. Multi-scale modelling is required when predicting macro-scale stresses after quenching for thick heat treatable aluminium components. The reason is the instantaneous strong coupling between phase precipitation at the nano-scale and material hardening due to precipitation or softening owing to solute depletion at the microscale. For thick parts, quenching intensities decrease when going from the skin to the core of the component, thus introducing a gradient of nanostructure and consequently a gradient of mechanical properties. In addition, large thermally induced deformations lead to high macroscale residual stresses although part of them is relaxed by plastic deformation. These stresses have been measured in water quenched thick plates of 7040 and 7449 aluminium alloys using neutron diffraction and layer removal techniques and the results when compared with a thermomechanical finite element model of quenching highlight the influence of precipitation.IntroductionIn the processing route of heat-treatable aluminium alloys (AA), a critical step is quenching from the solutionizing temperature. High cooling rates are desired, as they avoid formation of coarse precipitates, which reduce mechanical properties. Fast quenching, however, cannot be achieved in the centre of thick components, where the quenching rate can be more than one order of magnitude lower than at the surface. The existence of a thermal gradient between core and surface leads to a differential thermal deformation which is accommodated by elastic and plastic deformation to comply with the compatibility of deformation. Whenever the material yields, especially at high temperature when the yield strength is low, residual stress remains after quenching due to the irreversibility of plastic deformation. After quenching, the plates are in a state of residual stress that causes unacceptable distortions during machining and may reduce service life drastically. Since stress relaxation is negligible during ageing treatments [1 ], agehardened aluminium parts are usually stress relieved prior to ageing. This is typically achieved by applying plastic deformation: stretching from 1.5 to 3 % in the rolling direction (L) can reduce the internal stresses by a factor of approximately 10 [2, 3]. However, complex geometries or thicker components like thick sheets require other approaches. Reducing the quenching rate by using boiling water for instance leads to lower residual stresses [1, 4]."

Jan 1, 2013

By John M. Rogers

Risk management has rapidly developed to become an integrated, holistic approach that now encompasses the main risk elements such as product quality control, occupational health and safety, security, environmental liability, social issues and related management information systems. Given the obvious economic benefits, a seamless blend of risk management components has become essential to allowing organisations to sustain a competitive advantage, and is also looked upon as an important attribute in organisational growth. Juxtaposed with this management philosophy is the global trend towards outsourcing, which has seen the emergence of independent, and specialist risk management organisations. The New Millennium will undoubtedly see a shift away from "in-house" risk management practices, and consequently, the selection of a suitable risk management partner - a major vehicle for improving shareholder value - will become an important strategic management decision.

Jan 1, 1999