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By Kazuki Morita

A new route to produce solar grade silicon (SOG-Si 6N) from metallurgical grade (MG-Si 98%) has been developed in Japan, which may satisfy the increasing demand for solar cells in the near future. Since some elements such as P and B have very large segregation coefficients, solidification refining is not effective for their removal and costly processes, such as electron beam vacuum melting and oxidation plasma refining, are required. According to our previous results which showed the effectiveness of leaching procedure with Ca addition for Fe and Ti removal, possibility of P and B removal by acid leaching was focused expecting that their affinities for Ca in molten silicon might be considerable. Hence, the effects of Ca addition on the thennodynamic properties of P and B in molten silicon alloys have been investigated for overall control and optimization of the SOG-Si production process in the present study. The interaction parameters between Ca and P, and Ca and B were determined by chemical equilibration techniques at 1723 K. Although the interaction parameter between Ca and B was slightly negative, that between Ca and P showed a large negative value. Also, the results for the leaching test with various amount of Ca addition revealed that the removal fractions of both elements, especially P, drastically increased with increase in the Ca content, which showed very good agreement with the prediction from the interaction parameters derived in the present work. The present results suggest that the preliminary leaching procedure can reduce the processing time and energy for SOG-Si refining. Keywords: Silicon, Solar Cell, Refining, Acid Leaching, Thennodynamics. Interaction, Phosphorus, Boron, Calcium

Jan 1, 2003

By Chen-Ming Kuo, Esher Hsu

"Under the 4-in-1 recycling system, Taiwan producers and importers who using packaging containers have responsibility to pay the recycling fees for recycling the waste packaging containers they produced or imported; while the collectors/recycling plants who collect/sort/recover waste packaging containers receive subsidy for conducting recycling. A reasonable pricing for recycling charge and subsidy is a way for sustainability of the recycling. The objective of this study is to provide an amending mechanism for product charge and recycling subsidy in response to the social economic changes. This study employs a regression analysis and cost adjusting model to link the factors used for calculating product charge and recycling subsidy on recycling waste packaging containers with socio-economic indicators, raw material prices, wholesale prices, and secondary material prices. Study results provide estimated models to EPA in Taiwan for amending product charge and recycling subsidy in response to the social economic changes.IntroductionUnder ""4-in-1"" recycling system in Taiwan, waste packaging containers are officially announced to be recycled. The waste packaging containers announced to be recycled include iron cans, aluminum cans, glass bottles, plastic containers, paper containers, aluminum foiled paper packs. In order to compensate the recycling system, EPA charges associated manufacturers and importers for recycling fee and subsidies recyclers to create the economic incentive for raising recycling performance. Basically, the budget for subsidy recyclers is from the recycling charge. That means if we want to increase recycling efficiency by increasing subsidy to recyclers then the manufacturers and importers have to pay more for reaching financial balance of recycling foundation. The benefit of recyclers and fee payers are always conflicted. The recycling charge and subsidy is thus argued by fee payers and subsidy receivers all the time. A reasonable pricing for recycling charge and subsidy is the only way to keep the recycling system sustainable. Moreover, a suitable mechanism has to be changed along with the changing social economic condition. The recycling performances and effectiveness of this recycling system is also highly dependent on the pricing mechanism. This study intends to provide an amending mechanism for product charge and recycling subsidy in response to the social economic change. Related previous studies about recycling system in Taiwan with its performance include Hsu and Kuo (2002, 2005), Bor, Chien, and Hsu (2004) and Hsu (1999). Hsu and Kuo [1] estimated total production values of recycling and evaluated the performance of recycling performance based upon the estimated production values."

Jan 1, 2011

By Brian P. Atkin

The NISOMI-81 opaque mineral searcil and identification system uses quantitative color values (Pe, dA, y) and VHN as its determinative para-meters. The system is designed to operate on a Radio-Shack TRS-80 micro-computer which is interfaced to a motorised diffraction grating mono-chromator (WILSCAN). Using an interfaced monochromator/photometer combination a typical identification including the measurement of the photometer data on both specimen and standard, calculation of color values and a computer search takes about 6 minutes. The data file contains 240 minerals at present but can easily be expanded as reliable new data become available.

Jan 1, 1982

By R. Hammen

Processes are needed to rapidly and cost-effectively produce highly pure lithium salts for the rechargeable battery sector. Lithium purification is a chemical engineering challenge, due to the low concentration of lithium compared to sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, and transition metal ions commonly occurring in lithium brine resources. We describe a Solid Phase Extraction (SPE) process that rejects sodium and potassium, while binding lithium and other higher valent ions. Lithium is then harvested by selective displacement from the SPE column. The rapid equilibration kinetics of SPE composites enables these ion separations to occur in a small SPE column and in one column stage. The chemical parameters of the process are described.

By Kenneth N. Ham

Hydrometallurgy covers a wide spectrum of areas and its knowledge base is enlarged and enhanced by contributions from many other fields. Dissolution of metals and alloys in aqueous media will be used to illustrate how rich the field of metal extraction can be. Comprehensive understanding of the fundamentals of metal and alloy dissolution in aqueous systems requires creative application of thermodynamic principles, solutions chemistry, ligand complexation theory, electrochemistry, transport phenomena and heterogeneous kinetics. In addition, recent developments in instrumentation in the fields of interfacial phenomena and corrosion have tremendously advanced the field of metal extraction in aqueous system. The close relationship between metal extraction in aqueous systems and various physicochemical phenomena occurring in corrosion and interfacial systems will be discussed and illustrated with examples.

Jan 1, 2002

By P. Peczak

A Monte Carlo simulation technique has been used to study dynamic recrystallization in polycrystals. A continuum microstructure of the polycrystal is modeled employing a discrete lattice. The response of the material to hot deformation is simulated by adding stored energy and recrystallization nuclei continuously with time. The experimentally observed nonuniform character of deformation substructures is modeled by employing a phenomenological expression for inhomogeneous distribution of the stored energy. All simulations were performed on HP-Apollo 9000 Series 700 workstations. A program written in FORTRAN with use of PHIGS graphics library calls was used to interactively monitor the current state of the matrix and all relevant parameters: deformation stress, average grain size and effective nucleation rate. Visual analysis of the simulated microstructure allows a better understanding of the data developed by averaging over a number of very long Monte Carlo runs. Since the essential features of dynamic recrystallization are accurately reproduced by the model, it is used to discuss the role of the controlling mechanisms of the dynamic recrystallization in real polycrystal.

Jan 1, 1993

By D. F. Suarez

Spontaneous nodulation leading to growth of well developed glossy spheroids (generally hemispheres) of up to 0.06 cm width in 120 min has been observed during copper electrodeposition with certain levels of glue, thiourea and C1-. Thiourea alone can produce spontaneous nodulation but addition of glue and/or Cl- is required for rapid and sustained growth. In most cases once the glossy nodules develop they consume the majority of the copper deposited; thus, the specific current densities (and hence copper electrodeposition rates) on the glossy nodules are about an order of magnitude or, more greater than on the adjacent planar surfaces. The texture of the adjaoent planar surfaces is not glossy in appearance but is well faceted showing the usual deposition grain structure for such additives. Cathode potentials when spontaneous nodulation occurs are about TOO my more negative than with usual copper electroplating. This fact associated with evidence of extremely high levels of cathode surface passivation based on cyclic voltammograms indicates that the conditions which lead to spontaneous nodulation result from a very tightly adsorbed additive surface film. This film breaks down in specific points initiating the glossy nodules which then grow at extremely rapid rates. Current density is also important in spontaneous nodulation. At equal deposition times a current density of 21.5 mA/cm produced much larger glossy nodules than at 48 mA/cm2. The surface concentration of the glossy nodules was much greater in the latter case, however. The role of current density is still not well understood. The role of it as well as the relative roles of the three additives, thiourea, glue and Cl- in spontaneous nodulation is presented. Preliminary results and some possible correlations of these to help explain spontaneous nodulation are presented. It is believed that tankhouse upsets where cathode nodulation occurs may be related to this phenomenon.

Jan 1, 1987

By W. Song, C. Richards, B. Q. Li

"This paper presents a two-phase flow numerical model for spouting gas-particle flow reactors used in chemical vapor deposition processes for manufacturing heart valves and other biomedical implants. The model is developed based on the Eulerian-Eulerian formulation of gas-particle flows, with the k-e engineering model modified with the presence of particles for the description of turbulent gas flows. In parallel with the numerical model development, physical models are set up, where the particle image velocimetry is used for visualizing the particle flows and spout shapes and heights and optical probes are used to measure the particle velocities. The numerical model predictions are compared reasonably well with the experimental measurements.IntroductionVarious biomedical implant components, such as bone joints, dental components and heart valves, are coated with bio-compatible thin films by chemical vapor deposition in particle-laden chemical reactors [l-5]. In these reactors fine particles are used as packing and supporting media. During the coating operation, these packed particles are fluidized by an upward gas jet from the nozzle, reach a certain height and fall back on the top of an annulus region. These recirculating particles are mainly for levitating the implant components (usually one or two in a reactor at one time) so that every portion of them is equally exposed to the gaseous atmosphere. An equal exposure is critical for forming a uniform, mechanically strong and corrosion-resistant coating on implants. Plant experience shows that the quality of the coating is directly related to a stream of operating parameters such as temperature, particle size and loading, and gas flow rates [6]. Optimization of these operating parameters for improved reactor performance depends crucially upon our fundamental understanding of the physics governing the gas-particle flow, heat, and mass transfer phenomena taking place in these reactors."

Jan 1, 2004

By S. Niyomwas, R. G. Reddy

"A mathematical model was developed to describe the plasma gas and particle dynamics and conversion yields. The velocity and temperature fields in the plasma were calculated by solving 1 the Navier-Stokes equations and the thermal energy balance equations. Conservation equations for the system species consider the multi-component diffusion and chemical reactions. Through the application of this model, temperature distribution, flow fields, and production rates were computed. The model was used to study the thermal decomposition of ilmenite in the non-transferred arc plasma reactor. The computed production rates of TiN from ilmenite using nitrogen and methane gas mixtures, are in the range of 5 to 100 x 104 kg/m3/s at 2500 KIntroductionThe widespread interest in thermal plasma processing has stimulated a great deal of research effort into the various aspects of this process, including plasma' spraying, thermal plasma chemical vapor deposition, plasma synthesis of fine powders, thermal plasma decomposition, plasma melting, and plasma extractive metallurgy.In the plasma synthesis of fine powders, the earlier experimental and theoretical studies aimed at predicting the final products1-5. Then it was followed by more recent investigation concerning the profile of plasma gas velocity, plasma temperature and concentration. In this regard, useful plasma processing models have been reported by numerous investigation6 -11 which were increased by both theoretical analysis and measurement.As a result of this work a reasonable plasma-processing model is proposed. It is to be noted that all the thermal analysis that has been made neglected the fluid -flow effects. Also, in the analysis aimed at the quantitative description of the fluid-flow field, the effect of heat transfer was not taken into account."

Jan 1, 2000

By Yuanbo Zhang, Mingjun Rao, Guanghui Li, Chongzhong Ouyang, Shuhui Zhang

Oolitic hematite ore with high-phosphorus content is currently recognized as one of the most refractory iron ore resources in the world. The high-phosphorus content and unique structure of the oolitic hematite ore make it difficult to be beneficiated. The process of direct reduction followed by magnetic separation has significance to the utilization of oolitic hematite ore, and sodium salts can improve the dephosphorization. However, the behavior of phosphorus during reduction roasting, and the intensified dephosphorization mechanism of sodium salts are not clear. In this study, by using chemical analysis, chemical phase analysis, XRD analysis, optical microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy analyses, the behavior of phosphorus during reduction roasting of high-phosphorus content oolitic hematite ore and the effect of sodium salts on behavior of phosphorus were studied.

Jan 1, 2015

By Niloy K. Nath

Two layer sintering by charging green sinter mix with normal coke rate in the upper layer and reduced coke rate in the lower layer, can substantially reduce the coke rate and also improve the sinter quality by producing more uniform thermal profile through out the bed height. The two-layer sintering process have been analyzed by numerical simulation of the process by a detailed CFD based model, considering all the important phenomena like gas-solid reaction, melting and solidification, flow through porous bed, heat and mass transfer etc. Optimization techniques like genetic algorithm, differential evolution is then applied to evaluate the optimum coke rate in the two layers of the bed to produce the ideal thermal profile and melting fraction in the sinter bed for optimum sinter quality. Through this optimization method both high quality sinter with minimum return fines can be achieved along with reduced coke rate. Application of a genetic algorithm for this type of process optimization has several advantages over the traditional optimization techniques since it can identify global optimum condition and perform multi-objective optimization much easily for complex industrial process like iron ore sintering. Keywords: Two-layer Sintering, Iron Ore Sinter Quality, Ergun's Equation, Gas-solid reaction, Melting Fraction, Multi Objective Optimization, Pareto Set, Genetic Algorithm

Jan 1, 2003

By Hongli Wen, Guangkun Shen, Qiong Deng, Shoujian Huang, Min Gan, Xiaohui Fan

"Due to the low iron grade and high sulfur content, pyrite cinder is difficult to be directly used for iron-making. In this paper, technology of magnetic roasting -grinding and magnetic separation -acid leaching was put forward for reclamation of pyrite cinder. For pyrite cinder of TFe53.51%, S2.20 %, studies showed that good magnetic effect can be achieved at roasting temperature 650~7000, reducing atmosphere CO/(CO + C02) 10~20% and roasting time 10~30 minutes. In separation conditions of grinding size -0.045mm accounting for 96.09% and magnetic field intensity of 1240 GS, iron concentrate of TFe64.81 %, S0.18% and iron recovery rate 91.44% was achieved. Acid leaching was studied to strengthen desulfurization. Results showed that high-quality iron ore concentrate of TFe66.3 l %, S0.10% was obtained under the conditions of hydrochloric acid mass fraction of 5%, pulp density of30%, leaching temperature of70? and leaching time of2 hours.IntroductionPyrite cinder is produced as a by-product of sulfuric acid industry [1] Domestic production is more than 12 million tons every year and occupied area is over 10 million square meters [2,3]. The pyrite cinder outdoor not only pollutes air but also damages surrounding surface [4] It after treatment used for iron-making is an ideal reclamation approach for its rich iron which is commonly 40-60% [5]. But pyrite cinder gets low utilization for its low iron grade and high sulfur content in China [6]. Therefore, comprehensive utilization of pyrite cinder has profound significance to environmental protection and the development of domestic iron and steel industry."

Jan 1, 2013

By Jose R. Parga

In mining operations, cyanidation is the ,predominant method by which gold and silver are recovered from their ores and it is recognized that cyanide consumption can be a major factor that contributes to the operating costs for such operations. Also after extraction and recovery of precious metals a certain amount of cyanide is delivered to the tailings pond and must be considered with respect is environmental problems due to the toxicity of cyanides. In this regard, the Air-Sparged Hydrocyclone (ASH) has been used as a reactor for the treatment of cyanide solutions in two ways; first for cyanide recovery by acidulation using the Mexican modification of the Mills-Crowe process and second for cyanide destruction by oxidation with the use of chlorine dioxide (ClO2). In both cases, excellent performance can be achieved using the high capacity ASH system.

Jan 1, 1998

By Anna Franzkowiak, Dean Gregurek, Alfred Spanring, Angelika Ressler

In order to determine the most suitable refractory products and improve the lining lifetime for the diverse furnaces used in the nonferrous metal industry, corrosion tests are performed at RHI’s Technology Center. The practical facilities include the cup test, induction furnace, rotary kiln, and drip slag test described in this paper, which enable a comprehensive understanding of the chemo-thermal brick wear on a pilot scale. The corrosion trials are performed with actual slags generated during operations at a customer’s plant. To determine the highest influencing wear parameter, every single test is combined with a detailed mineralogical investigation and thermochemical calculations performed using FactSage. Based on the results, tailored refractory solutions for the nonferrous metal industry can be provided in combination with trials conducted at the customer’s site.

Jan 1, 2014

By C. S. Ek

As a continuation of previous work, further tests have been carried out to recover silver from the residues obtained in a zinc jarosite process. Selective flotation has been performed with different reagents, and ?cleaning steps have been introduced to upgrade the silver concentrate. Leaching of crude residues, as well as flotation tailings, has been carried out with cyanide and thiourea. Finally, the different beneficiation methods are compared, and the industrial aspects? of their application are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1990

By Pedro A. Netto, Giulio R. Altoé, Sergio N. Monteiro, Ygor M. Moraes, Frederico M. Margem, Gabriel O. Glória

Since environmental issues are becoming more and more important Worldwide. Nowadays, Natural fibers are been used to substitute the synthetic ones. Although PALF fiber is an important natural fiber and its mechanical Properties surpass in various aspects some other lignocelluloses fibers, such few studies have been conducted with the fiber obtained from leaf of PALF plant. In order to better evaluate the mechanical properties and possible applications, this paper aims to improve the elastic modulus of the PALF fiber by Weibull statistics, by evaluating their mechanicals properties and possible applications. The fibers were divided in diameter intervals and the tensile strength and elasticity modulus were measured in each range. The fractured surface was examined using scanning electron microscopy. The results, interpreted by the Weibull statistical method, showed a correlation between the fiber elastic modulus and its diameter.

Jan 1, 2015

By R. D. Brittain

In order to analyze and control the transport of harmful trace-element impurities in various smelting processes, it is necessary to have fundamental information about the chemical thermodynamic properties of the pertinent condensed and vapor phases. This paper describes recent thermodynamic studies of the gaseous arsenic sulfides and of the activity of arsenic in a copper-iron sulfide matte phase. These studies were carried out by high temperature mass spectrometry and by effusion vaporization techniques, which permitted clear identification of the molecular species involved, a decided advantage in such complex systems. The nature of the results obtained and comparisons with previous interpretations will be described.

Jan 1, 1983

By Teixeira

An experimental investigation on the kinetics of oxidation of As(III) with H202 in synthetic effluent solutions followed by precipitation of Fe/As (V) compounds was carried out. The variables investigated were: As concentration (200 -3000 mg/l) , oxidation pH (2.0 -11.0), oxidation temperature (25 -800C) , H202 stoichiometric excess (50% -100%), precipitation pH (5.0 -7.0), precipitation agent (Fe2+ -Fe3+). Fixed conditions were, Fe/As molar ratio (6:1) and stirring speed (560 rpm). The results were empirically modelled. The precipitates obtained were amorphous. The precipitates were checked upon their environmental stability according to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S.E.P.A.) Toxicity Test, and were considered to be adequate for deposition in impermeable waste dumps. The combined Fe/H202 detoxification process, in selected conditions, was able to reduce the As contents of effluents containing 1600 mg/l As to 0.1 mg/l, in about 2 1/2 hours of total processing time.

Jan 1, 1990

By Osamu Takai, Yoshiki Sato, Nobuhiro Tajima, Hiroyuki Sugimura

"Amorphous carbon thin films doped with nitrogen ( a-C:N) have been synthesized by means of shielded arc ion plating (SAIP). Their electron field emission properties, that is, threshold field strengths for electron emission and maximum emission current densities, were evaluated and compared with those of pure amorphous carbon (a-C) films prepared by the same SAIP apparatus. Among all of the fabricated a-C:N films, the a-C:N films with a N concentration of 23 %, which prepared using Nz arc plasm at a pressure of 1 Pa with applying a sample bias voltage of -100 V, showed the lowest threshold filed of 13.4 V/µm and the highest emission current density of 1.87 µAfcm2 at a field of20 V/µm. These field emission properties of the a-C:N film were much better than those of the a-C films. The best results obtained on the a-C film in this study were the lowest threshold filed of 15.5 V/µm and the highest emission current density of 0.052 µA/cm2 at a field of 20 V /µm. Nitrogen doping to aC was found to be effective for lowering threshold voltage for field emission and for increasing emission current density. The electron field emission characteristics of the a-C:N films depended not only on N concentration but also on chemical bonding state of nitrogen in the a-C:N films. The presence of the ~-C3N4-like phase, which contributes to improve wear resistance of a-C:N as well, distinguished by the NlsXPS peak at 400.5 eV is proved to be crucial in order to enhance field emission properties of a-C:N.IntroductionThere has been much interest in electron field emission from a cold cathode due to its potential applications in vacuum microelectronic devices including field emission displays which are expected as flat panel displays in next generation [l]. It is well known that efficient emission can be rather readily realized using tip-like shape cathodes, e.g., microfabricated three-dimensional electrodes [2], carbon nanotubes [3-5], etc. However, electron emission from planar surfaces is of particular importance since such a type of cathode is· simply fabricated and assembled into microelectronic circuits. Currently, amorphous carbon thin films doped with nitrogen (a-C:N) prepared by plasma processes have attracted attention because their threshold voltages of field emission are relatively low [6]. Among various methods for preparing a-C:N films, the process using arc plasma is of special interest since, in arc plasma, nitrogen is highly activated and new types of carbon nitride phase are expected to be synthesized. However, field emission properties of a-C:N prepared by arc plasma have been studied in less detail compared with that prepared by the other methods such as sputtering."

Jan 1, 2000

By Kumar M. Lyer

Residence time distribution (RTD) of light and heavy liquids in a pyrometallurgical channel reactor was mathematically modeled by representing the reactor as a combination of ideal reactors. Cold model studies simulated the counter-current flow of slag and matte (or metal) with high-strength bottom gas injection. The experimental variables include flow rates, heights, density and viscosity of the two liquids; gas flow rate; injector diameter; and distance between injectors. The experiments covered a wide range, of the appropriate dimensionless parameter, including conditions in ferrous and nonferrous extractive metallurgy. Dispersion modeling studies were also carried out to determine the degree of backmixing. Results indicate that the degree of backmixing in the channel reactor for various operating conditions corresponds to that for 3-20 perfectly mixed reactors in series.

Jan 1, 1993