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By Y. H. Hatzor

ABSTRACT: A fully dynamic, two dimensional, stability analysis of a highly discontinuous rock slope is demonstrated in this paper. The studied rock slope is the upper terrace of King Herod’s Palace in Masada, situated on the western margins of the seismically active Dead Sea Rift. The dynamic deformation of the slope is calculated using a fully dynamic version of DDA in which time dependent acceleration is used as input. The analytically determined failure modes of critical keyblocks in the jointed rock slope are clearly predicted by DDA at the end of the dynamic calculation. It is found however that for realistic displacement estimates some amount of energy dissipation must be introduced into the otherwise fully elastic, un-damped, DDA formulation. Comparison of predicted damage with actual slope performance over historic time span window of 2000 years allows us to conclude that introduction of 2% kinetic damping should suffice for realistic damage predictions. This conclusion is in agreement with recent results of Tsesarsky, Hatzor and Sitar (2002) who compared displacements of a single block on an inclined plane subjected to dynamic loading obtained by DDA and by shaking table experiments. Using dynamic DDA it is shown that introduction of a simple rock bolting pattern completely stabilizes the slope. RÉSUMÉ : On présente dans cet article une analyse bidimensionnelle complète de la stabilité d’une pente rocheuse très fracturée. La pente rocheuse étudiée est la terrasse supérieure du Palais du roi Hérode à Massada, située sur la rive Ouest du Rift sismiquement actif de la Mer Morte. La pente est constituée de blocs de dolomite raide présentant une stratification sub-horizontale et des joints sub-verticaux. La déformation dynamique de la pente est calculée en utilisant une version entièrement dynamique de l’Analyse de Déformation Discontinue (DDA) où l’accélération dépendant du temps est utilisée comme donnée. Les modes de rupture déterminés analytiquement des blocs clés dans la pente rocheuse fracturée sont clairement prévus par l’approche DDA à la fin du calcul dynamique. On trouve cependant, que pour obtenir des estimations réalistes du déplacement, il faut introduire un facteur de dissipation énergétique sans lequel la formulation DDA serait totalement élastique et sans amortissement. En comparant l’endommagement prévu avec les caractéristiques de la pente sur une période historique de 2000 ans, nous pouvons conclure que l’introduction d’un amortissement cinématique de 2% suffit pour obtenir de prévisions réalistes. Cette conclusion est conforme aux résultats récents de Tsesarsky, Hatzor and Sitar (2002) qui ont comparé les déplacements d’un bloc isolé sur un plan incliné sous chargement dynamique obtenus avec l’analyse DDA et à partir d’essais sur table vibrante. ZUSAMMENFASSUNG: En utilisant une modélisation DDA dynamique on montre que l’introduction d’un système simple de boulonnage stabilise la pente.In dieser Veroeffentlichung wird eine vollstaendig dynamische, zweidimensionale Stabilitaetsanalyse eines hoechst diskontinuierlichen Steinhangs dargestellt. Der untersuchte Hang ist die obere Terrasse des Herodespalastes in Massada, welche in den westlichen Randgebieten des seismisch aktiven Toten Meer Grabens liegt.Die dynamische Deformation des Berghangs wird mit Hilfe einer vollstaendig dynamischen DDA-Version berechnet, in welcher als Input die zeitabhaengige Beschleunigung eingegeben wird. Die analytisch bestimmten Versagensarten kritischer Schluesselbloecke in diesem zerkluefteten Steinhang werden durch Anwendung von DDA am Ende der dynamischen Berechnung klar vorausgesagt. Es zeigt sich jedoch, dass fuer realistische Dislozierungs-Abschaetzungen ein gewisses Mass an Energieverlust in der sonst vollstaendig elastischen, ungedaempften DDA-Fassung einbezogen werden muss. Der Vergleich des vorhergesagten Schadens mit dem aktuellen Verhalten des Berghangs waehrend einer historischen Zeitspanne von 2000 Jahren erlaubt uns zu schliessen, dass ein Zusatz von 2% kinetischer Daempfung fuer eine realistische Vorhersage des Schadens ausreichen sollte. Diese Schlussfolgerung steht im Einvernehmen mit neuen Ergebnissen von Tsesarsky, Hatzor und Sitar (2002), welche die Dislozierung eines einzelnen Blocks auf geneigter Ebene unter dynamischer Belastung – unter Anwendung von DDA und “shaking table”-Versuchen – verglichen. Mit Hilfe der dynamischen DDA wird gezeigt, dass der Steinhang durch Anwendung einer einfachen Steinschraubenstruktur vollkommen stabilisiert werden kann.

Jan 1, 2003

By I. Satola, J. Aromaa

In this work we have reviewed methods to classify corrosivity of ground waters. Weight loss and stress corrosion cracking (SCC) corrosion tests have been done for rebar and steel strand. No clear indication of SCC was found. The application of tensile stress to 85 % of yield strength increased general corrosion rate significantly in very corrosive waters. The effect of corrosion protection on the axial behavior of steel strands was determined by double pipe axial tests with different embedment lengths. The results showed a significant difference on behavior between epoxy-coated steel strands, galvanized steel strands and plain steel strand. Dans la présente étude, nous avons passé en revue des méthodes permettant de classifier la corrosivité des eaux souterraines. Des tests portant sur les pertes de poids et sur la corrosion FCC (la fissuration par corrosion sous contrainte) ont été effectués pour les barres d’armature et les torons. Aucune indication nette de FCC n’a été constatée. L’application d’une contrainte de traction allant jusqu’à 85 % de la limite d’élasticité a accru de manière significative la vitesse générale de corrosion dans les eaux très corrosives. L’effet de la protection contre la corrosion sur le comportement axial des torons en acier a été déterminé au moyen de tests axiaux à double tube avec des longueurs d’enrobage différentes. Les résultats ont mis en évidence une différence significative quant au comportement entre les torons en acier à revêtement époxy, les torons en acier galvanisés et les torons en acier standard. In dieser Arbeit haben wir Methoden geprüft, die korrosive Wirkung des Grundwassers einstufen. Gewichtsverlust- und SCC-Korrosionstests wurden für Stahlstäbe und Drahtlitzen durchgeführt. Es wurden keine sicheren Hinweise auf Spannungsrisskorrosionsbrüche gefunden. Bei Anwendung einer Dehnbelastung von 85 % der Streckspannung bzw.Ergebnisstärke stieg die allgemeine Korrosionsrate in stark korrosivem Wasser deutlich an. Die Wirkung des Korrosionschutzes bei axialem Verhalten von Stahldrahtlitzen wurde durch axiale Tests an Doppelleitungen unterschiedlicher Versenkungslänge determiniert. Die Ergebnisse zeigten im direkten Vergleich von epoxidbeschichteten, galvanisierten und normalen Stahldrahtlitzen beachtliche Unterschiede im Verhalten auf.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. -J. Rick

The ferroalloy market is characterized by a very long communication distance between the consumer and the producer. This has created a situation where it has been difficult to change ferroalloy properties. In this paper different FeNi and FeCr-compositions are discussed and their merits for stainless steel-makers in different situations are compared using the process models applied at Outokumpus Avesta works and Acerinox's Columbus operation Keywords Ferroalloy design, ferrochrome, ferronickel, stainless steel making, UTCAS software.

Jan 1, 2010

By C. A. Garzonio, A. M. G. Affuso

The paper describes the analyses and the tests carried out on representative slabs of white Carrara marble which have highlighted the correlation between the micro fabrics and physical and mechanical parameters. The aim is to determine the conditions which indicate the triggering and evolution of the deformation phenomena. La note écrit l’analyse et les epreuves effectuée sur un echantillon représentatif de nombreuses dalles en marbrede Carrara. Les études montrent la correlation entre la minéralogie et les paramètres physiques et mecaniques. Le but est déterminer les conditions qui indiquent l’amorçage et l’evolutions des phénomènes de déformation. Diese Arbeit gibt eine Beschreibung der experimentalen Untersuchungen und der Analysen über die Marmorplatten von Carrara. Daraus resultiert, dass die Charakterisierung der Mineralogie und die Porosität der Gesteinsmaterialien die physikalische mechanische Degradation beurteilen und die Krümmungen bestimmen.

Jan 1, 2003

By N. Mangesana

The effect of high solids concentration and coarse particle sizes (d50 ranges 90?300 µm) on the viscosity of a suspension of water and silica sand was investigated. The experiments were designed to include conditions that have been tested by other authors and those encountered in the operation of tumbling mills. The rheological data was measured using a tube rheometer with operating pseudo shear rates of up to 1500 s-1. The rheograms obtained depicted dilatant behaviour. The Otswald-de Waele, Bingham, Herschel-Buckley and Casson models were fitted to the experimental data. The Herschel-Buckely model, which approximates the yield point and gives an indication of the shear thinning or shear thickening behaviour of the suspension, was found to provide the best description of the flow curves for all slurries. The Herschel-Buckely model was then used to determine the apparent viscosity of all the tests. The apparent viscosity and yield stress increased with solids concentration and particle size at the different pseudo shear rates. The increase in slurry viscosity with solids concentration was attributed to increased frequency of particle-particle interactions. The increase in slurry viscosity with particle size was attributed to increased inertial effects. At low shear rates the sand slurry exhibited shear thinning behaviour for all solids concentrations. At higher shear rates above 1000 s-1the high solids concentration suspensions exhibited a transition from shear thinning to a shear thickening behaviour.

Jan 1, 2008

By R. du Preez

Tati Nickel is currently operating a hydrometallurgical demonstration plant in Botswana, using the Activox® process developed by LionOre Technology to produce nickel cathode and a cobalt salt from a sulphide concentrate. Cobalt is extracted using Cyanex 272. This reagent also extracts all the iron, aluminium, copper, zinc, and manganese from the nickel stream. Versatic 10 carboxylic acid is then used as extractant to recover nickel from the stream, separating it from calcium and magnesium, and upgrading it to provide a suitable advance electrolyte for nickel electrowinning. However, the selectivity of Versatic 10 for nickel over calcium is limited, and gypsum formation in the extraction circuit is a problem when attempts are made to maximize the recovery of nickel. Mintek has developed a synergistic system with Versatic 10 for improved separation of nickel from calcium and magnesium. Laboratory testwork was conducted on the raffinate of the cobalt solvent extraction circuit to optimize the Versatic 10/Nicksyn? (Mintek synergist) system to be employed. Extraction and stripping parameters suitable for this stream were optimized in the laboratory and then applied on the demonstration plant. A commercial batch (0.5 tons) of Nicksyn? reagent was produced for the demonstration plant. The laboratory testwork results and the demonstration plant performance are discussed in detail in this paper.

Jan 1, 2007

The variety and sources of sampling errors have been studied since the late 1800s, but the pioneering work of Pierre Gy in the 1950s provided insights into sampling as an error generating process. Total sampling variance is a measure of the total sampling error, but disaggregating the variance into its component parts is problematical. Ten sources of error and error generating processes have been identified, some of which can be eliminated through rigorous application of the principle of correct sampling. Others can only be minimized but never eliminated. Three principal questions relating to the appropriate mass of a sample, the fragment size of the sample and the size of the associated error are addressed. These questions relate principally to the Fundamental Error (FE), the only error that can be estimated before the sampling event. Aspects of constitutional and distributional heterogeneity are examined, as are the essential components of Gy?s formula including the shape factor (?), the granulometric factor (g), the mineralogical composition factor (c), and the liberation factor, l. Applications of Gy?s equation to the problems of sampling in the minerals industry are explained using real-life examples. The approach to sampling taken by Pierre Gy provides an excellent inferential relationship between the mass of material to be sampled, the size of the fragments being sampled, and the relative variance of the sampling error. It also provides solutions for three of the main problems associated with the Theory of Sampling.

Jan 1, 2007

By J. U. Burger

The Elizabeth Bay aeolian deposit in Namibia comprises a sedimentary package of diamondiferous grits that have been deposited, reworked and concentrated to various degrees by dominant southerly winds. Diamond concentration in these deposits is highly variable and often unpredictable. The deposit is marginal from an economic perspective and therefore requires selective mining which in turn requires correct sampling and accurate estimation. Three methods of sampling have been used at Elizabeth Bay for mineral resource estimation: (i) pit samples utilizing an excavator to produce a sample 1 to 3 metres deep with a 10 to 20 m2 footprint, (ii)GB50 grab sampling with a 3.34 m2 footprint and (iii) a BG36 bucket auger drill with a 5 m2 footprint. Pit sampling, being easy to execute, has been the most widely used despite a limited penetration ability and, at times, questionable integrity. The GB50 grab sampling tool was tested at Elizabeth Bay and although it had better penetration ability and sample integrity, it struggled with cemented horizons. No sample optimization was conducted prior to the GB50 grab sampling. The latest phase of sampling was conducted using a BG36 bucket auger drill which is capable of penetrating thick overburden, penetrate cemented horizons and provides an acceptable sample support size. Geostatistical simulation methods were applied to establish the optimum sampling parameters required to estimate a mineral resource at an indicated level of confidence. The results show that a 5 m2 sample support size is adequate and that a 50 m 100 m sample configuration is optimal. Sample data obtained from the three methods confirms that the BG36 bucket auger tool combined with the parameters identified in this exercise produce the best results for diamond resource estimation.

Jan 1, 2009

By F. H. Deist, H. D. Small, J. D. Austin, L. F. Duvel

The development and application of a Computer System to aid in the planning of production in mines By F. H. Deist, L. F. Duvel, J. D. Austin, H. D. Small A computer system to aid in the planning of production in mines and its application to a complex colliery are descrIbed, The system consists of three phases, the data base maintenance program the 'production simulator' and the report generation facility, In the first part of the paper the categories of information kept on the data base and the functions of the simulator are described in general terms. The application of the system to a multi-product colliery operating a variety of mining methods in a number of superimposed seams is described m the second part. In conclusion some comments are made on further applications and intended future developments.

By T. J. Otto, C. H. Cloete, T. Mkhatshwa, T. J. van Heerden

The value realised by an open pit mine depends on the quality and integrity of the mine planning process as well as the level of execution against these mine plans. When managing the execution against the mine plan, how well the mine plan is executed spatially, is of critical importance. The short-term mine plan is the plan that is physically executed on most open pit mines. At the same time, the spatial mine-to-plan compliance is typically reconciled against the annual business plan. Short-term mine planning, therefore, plays an important role in the effectiveness of the spatial mine-to-plan compliance reconciliation process by providing operational teams with detailed designs and schedules, while ensuring that mining execution is spatially aligned with the business plan. The Sishen open pit iron ore mine (Sishen) strives to continuously improve spatial compliance to the business plan. Sishen enhanced the role that short-term mine planning plays in enabling the forward-looking component of the spatial mine-to-plan compliance reconciliation process. The enhanced short-term mine planning process focuses on detailed tactical sequence designs per mining pushback, the health of value chain buffers, spatial plan-to-plan reconciliation, and the associated management routines. This led to improved spatial mine-to-plan compliance to the business plan from 71% to 94% over the four-year period from 2020 to 2023 inclusive. These results indicate that the application of short-term mine planning as part of an integrated spatial mine-to-plan compliance process at open pit mines can contribute positively to improving the level of spatial execution against the business plan. This paper presents the enhancements made to the short-term mine planning process, which other open pit mining operations can consider to improve spatial mine-to-plan compliance.

May 27, 2025

By Yuandong Qiao, Erdong Li, Chao Lv, Junjian Ye

The gas-based CO reduction of Panzhihua vanadium titanomagnetite concentrate from 1100°C- 1250°C was investigated in this paper. The reduction degree increased with increasing temperature and increasing reduction time. At a temperature of 1250°C and a reduction time of 20 minutes, the metallisation degree reached 92%. The iron-titanium oxide phase transformation during reduction process was Fe2.75Ti0.25O5→Fe2.5Ti0.5O4→FeTiO3→FeTi2O5 according to the X-ray diffraction analysis. The SEM and map scan by energy spectrum of results of reduced samples at different temperatures indicated that the metallic iron particle size increased gradually as the reduction temperature increased. These results can serve as a reference for the reduction of vanadium titanomagnetite by CO. Keywords: Vanadium titanomagnetite concentrate, CO reduction, phase transformation, reaction mechanism

Jan 1, 2020

By R. W. O. Kersten

Backfilling is one of the options available to the mining engineer in mine design. The decision as to the type of backfill is dependent on the purpose for which it will be used. For example, in a situation where high-grade, steeply dipping multiple reefs are to be mined, the purpose would be the following: ? to facilitate maximum extraction; a ? to minimize loss of fines; ? to allow closely spaced multiple reefs to be mined; and a ? to create a working platform. The physical properties required which will satisfy the abovementioned requirements can then be defined; the design of the fill plant, as well as the transport of the fill, will be governed by these considerations. The same procedure is also adopted in deciding on backfill in single- reef gold mines. The first question to be asked is the purpose of the fill. It may be to reduce the energy release rate, for environmental reasons, to reduce timber usage, to improve productivity, to reduce stoping costs, to obtain higher mining extraction, and so on. Only after one, or a combination, of these factors has been selected, can the specifications for the fill be decided on, and the plant designed accordingly. The introduction of backfill at Sheba Gold Mine will be used to illustrate the procedure adopted by Anglovaal in determining the type of fill required.

Jan 1, 1988

By J. C. M. De Souza

The Samarco pipeline, the longest in the world for iron ore slurry transportation, started operation in 1977 to transport concentrate from the Germano facilities, in the state of Minas Gerais, to the pelletizing plant, located 396 km away, in the state of Espirito Santo, on the south-east coast of Brazil. Designed for a nominal capacity of 12 million tons per year, the pipeline reached 15.5 million/year due to operational improvement and, in late 2005, it was resized to transport 16.5 million tons per year, with the installation of a booster station. In order to ensure the accurate performance of the system, a pipeline cleaning programme was carried out and, since it has been 29 years from the operation start-up, precise knowledge of the pipe condition would be fundamental to guarantee the success of the project. The cleaning programme demonstrated the potential of operational gains from this initiative, and its effect on the corrosion control and future measures, which should be permanently adopted to maintain the improved capacity. The intelligent pig runs provided essential data used to establish a pipeline integrity programme that allowed Samarco to develop a pipe repair plan based on the severity and significance of the features and to implement a future pipe replacement plan.

Jan 1, 2007

By C. C. E. Pretorius, V. M. Mathoho, A. van Zyl, R. J. Mostert

The in-service degradation of the mechanical properties of steel components through the damage mechanism of high temperature hydrogen attack (HTHA), is a topic of concern in the refining and green hydrogen industry. This damage mechanism occurs in susceptible steels operating in environments at high temperatures and hydrogen pressures. The current investigation deals with the indirect monitoring of mechanical degradation via tracking of the swelling strain in affected structures. An autoclave with an AISI 316 shell was utilized to simulate accelerated HTHA damage at 550 °C and 46 bar for exposure times ranging from zero to 700 hours. The progress of the HTHA damage was tracked using encapsulated high-temperature strain gauges. The correlation between the swelling strain and mechanical property degradation was studied to develop a methodology for the continuous monitoring of embrittlement. The tensile sample orientation of the carbon steel plate was included as a variable, i.e., samples parallel, transverse, or perpendicular to the plate rolling direction were included, since it has been shown that the sample orientation influences the HTHA damage features. For the through-thickness orientation, and upon exceeding a threshold value of exposure time, all tensile properties were severely degraded, with values in the order of a 90 per cent reduction being observed. It was found that the degradation of carbon steel mechanical properties can be correlated to the swelling strain measured during exposure. The critical point for mechanical property degradation in the plate through-thickness orientation, whereafter a severe decrease in the ductility of the material occurs, was found to be in the order of 1% of the total swelling strain measured during exposure, equivalent to 65 microstrain. This threshold was found to be significantly lower than that expected from the literature, where limits of 400 to 1000 microstrain were postulated.

Nov 27, 2024

By M. M. Bwalya, F. K. Mulenga

"SynopsisThe application of the attainable region (AR) technique to the analysis of ball milling is currently limited to batch data. This paper introduces the use of the technique to continuous milling.To this end, an industrial open milling circuit processing a platinum ore was surveyed. Samples were collected and later characterized by means of laboratory batch testing. On site, several milling parameters were varied systematically so as to collect data for modelling purposes. These paramters included ball filling, slurry concentration, and feed flow rate. After data analysis, a simulation model of the open milling circuit was developed under MODSIM®, a modular simulator for mineral processing operations. The mill was then simulated and the data generated was analysed within the AR framework.Initial findings reveal an opportunity to gain valuable insight by studying milling using the AR technique. From an exploratory perspective and inasmuch as this study is concerned, feed flow rate, ball size, and ball filling were identified as being pivotal for the optimization of open ballmilling circuits. Mill speed, on the other hand, had only a limited effect on the production of particles in the size range -75 +10 µm.IntroductionGlasser and Hildebrandt (1997) propounded the attainable region (AR) as a technique for the analysis of chemical engineering reactor systems. Results have since been produced and tested on both the laboratory and pilot scales. The method results in a graphical description of chemical reactions by considering the fundamental processes taking place in the system, rather than the equipment. From the plotted graphs, the process and the reactors can be synthesized optimally into a flow sheet.The use of the AR method still has a long way to go as far as mineral processing is concerned. For instance, several articles have reported the application of the AR technique to ball milling: Khumalo et al. (2006, 2007, 2008); Khumalo (2007); Metzger et al. (2009, 2012); Metzger (2011); Katubilwa et al. (2011); Hlabangana et al. (2012). Their main shortcoming has been the exclusive use of laboratory batch grinding data.To address this deficiency, Mulenga and Chimwani (2013) proposed a way by which the technique could be extended to continuous milling. In effect, the batch milling characteristics of a platinum-bearing ore (Chimwani et al., 2013) were used and scaled up to an open milling circuit. Then, with simplifying assumptions, an attempt was made to optimize the residence time of particles inside the mill. Later, Chimwani et al. (2014a) presented some optimization examples involving various milling parameters. The sequence of published articles then paved the way for the study of industrial milling systems with the AR methodology."

Jan 1, 2015

By B. J. Ralph, I. J. Corrans, B. Harris

In the first section, a brief background to the practical and theoretical aspects of bacterial leaching is presented. Descriptions are given of present and potential methods for exploiting bacterial leaching in metal-winning. In the second section, the results of recent research are presented. The aim of this work was to obtain a greater understanding of the mechanism of bacterial leaching of sulphide minerals. Bacteria were observed to catalyse leaching reactions by oxidising ferrous ions to ferric ions, by removing protective films at the mineral surface and by depolarising cathodic areas.

By D. Limpitlaw, A. Alsum, D. Neale

"Ecological footprint analysis (EFA) was first described in 1996 as a measure of carrying capacity appropriated by human activities. EFA is a resource and emissions accounting tool designed to track the demand on the biosphere’s regenerative capacity. Ecological footprints are increasingly used as indicators of organizational and corporate environmental performance and product sustainability. There is a compelling argument to develop an EFA tool for mining companies.To determine the size of a mine’s ecological footprint, land requirements for all categories of consumption and waste discharge must be summed. This land is only made up of the ecologically productive land and water in various classes (cropland, pasture, forests etc.) required on an ongoing basis to provide all energy and material resources consumed and absorb wastes.A challenge in conducting an EFA for a mine is the shortage of accessible data. Undertaking an EFA for a corporation or individual site entails compiling consumption and emissions data (which can be used for other reporting applications). The footprint results themselves highlight the most critical aspects of an organization’s impact on the environment and provide a platform for focusing actions and for educating the workforce to improve their contribution to best-practice operations. This paper discusses the benefits and challenges of undertaking an EFA for a mining company, and provides examples of the various components of ecological footprints associated with mines, as well as showing how an EFA can be used to understand and communicate some of the impacts associated with mining activities.IntroductionFundamental biophysical and economic limits are now being experienced in many countries around the world. Herman Daly, a former World Bank economist, described this scenario as ‘uneconomic growth’, where the costs of growth exceed the benefits (Daly, 2005). This occurs when the economy’s expansion encroaches excessively on the surrounding ecosystem, sacrificing natural capital. Under such conditions the sacrificed natural capital is more valuable that the resulting economic growth. Consequently, the world faces largescale threats to sustainability and especially to the viability and continued existence of the ecosystems that support human settlements (El Zein et al., 2014). In recognition of this sustainability imperative, mining companies are increasingly concerned with their ecological footprint (EF)."

Jan 1, 2017

By J. H. van Laar, L. J. van der Walt, P. L. Crouse, H. Bissett, G. J. Puts

"SynopsisSilicon carbide nanopowders were produced using a microwave-induced plasma process operating at 15 kPa absolute and at atmospheric pressure. Methyltrichlorosilane (MTS) served as precursor, due to its advantageous stoichiometric silicon-to-carbon ratio of unity, allowing it to act as both carbon and silicon source. Argon served as carrier gas, and an additional hydrogen feed helped ensure a fully reducing reaction environment. The parameters under investigation were the H2:MTS molar ratio and the total enthalpy. The particle size distribution ranged from 20 nm upwards, as determined by SEM and TEM micrographs. It was found that an increase in enthalpy and a higher H2:MTS ratio resulted in smaller SiC particle sizes. The adhesion of particles was a common occurrence during the process, resulting in larger agglomerate sizes. SiC layers were deposited at 15 kPa with thicknesses ranging from 5.8 to 15 µm.IntroductionIt is well known that methyltrichlorosilane (CH3SiCl3 or MTS) decomposes to form silicon carbide (SiC) and hydrogen chloride (HCl) as shown in Equation [1]. The reaction kinetics and mechanisms for this reaction are thoroughly reported in the literature (Sone et al., 2000; Papasouliotis and Sotirchos, 1999; Kaneko et al., 2002; Wang et al., 2011)."

Jan 1, 2015

By B. S. Xakalashe, M. I. Khama, Q. G. Reynolds

The carbonaceous reduction of manganese ore is an energy-intensive process that releases large amounts of pollutant gases. In an attempt to circumvent the greenhouse gas emissions, this research investigates hydrogen as an alternative reductant. The reduction of manganese ore with hydrogen results in the structural changes in the intermediate products, which might limit the diffusion of the reactant gases through the pores. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) models capture the structural changes and predict the rate controlling mechanism and this is key in designing the prereduction reactors. The current work uses CFD models to predict the degree of reduction in a shaft furnace under hydrogen reducing conditions. Manganese ore is described as a collection of scalar and tensor fields such as thermal conductivity of the porous medium, density, and viscous resistance. The results indicate that advection contributes significantly towards the overall transport of hydrogen to the reaction sites. Porosity of the final product was found to be higher than porosity of the raw material.

Mar 4, 2025

By R. S. J. Du Toit

SYNOPSIS This paper is based on a thesis dealing with the problem of basing the current rate at which money is collected from mine owners to pay compensation for pneumoconiosis in the future, on the current dust hazard on mines. The certification of pneumoconiotics and the incidence of pneumoconiosis are discussed against the background of existing legal provision for collecting funds for compensation. The various pneumoconiosis indices are considered. In the data analyzed, the only pneumoconiosis index common to a number of classes of mines is the time it takes to develop pneumoconiosis. Sets of dust indices and pneumoconiosis indices are computed. Expressions are derived for the time it takes to develop pneumoconiosis as a function of the dust hazard, and for the collection of funds as a function of the time available for collection. From these two expressions follows an expression for the rate of collecting funds as a function of the dust hazard.