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By Xueqin Li, Xuewei Lv, Wenchao He, Jie Qiu, Jie Dang

Iron powders are mainly produced by Hoganas process and water atomization process, while both of which have the disadvantages of energy consumption. To obtain iron powders with higher particle sphericity, more uniform particle size distribution and higher proportion of total iron (TFe), a novel method considering of energy conservation was developed in this paper. The hot metal was transformed into granules with air cooling in a rotary disc atomizer, iron powder particles and hot off-gas were collected respectively. It was found that the property of the obtained iron powders was mainly controlled by the flow rate of the hot metal, the diameter of the rotary disc and the rotary speed and the heat of off-gas has a high level of value as well.

Mar 1, 2017

By Yuanbo Zhang, Zijian Su, Bingbing Liu, Guanghui Li, Tao Jiang

With the depletion of rich manganese ores, high-Fe content manganese ores are becoming the mainstream resources for manganese extraction. Reduction roasting-magnetic separation process is reported as a relatively effective route to realize the separation of manganese and iron. This study investigated the phase transformation of MnO2 and Fe2O3 briquettes (molar ratio 1:1) roasted under various temperatures and CO–CO2 atmospheres. Results showed that when the CO content was in the range of 0–10 vol%, MnxFe3−xO4 (x = 0−1) phase was formed and its content increased with the rising of temperature. The formation of ferromagnetic MnxFe3−xO4 with strong magnetism resulted in an inferior separation of manganese and iron by magnetization roasting-magnetic separation process. With the increase of CO content to over 25 vol%, the MnxFe3−xO4 content decreased while the content of feebly magnetic substance (MnO)y(FeO)1−y(y = 0−1) increased. Further increasing the CO content to over 80 vol%, (MnO)y(FeO)1−y was reduced to MnO and metallic iron.

Mar 1, 2017

By Hong Li, Chenxiao Li, Wenwen Mao, Hua Lu

Directly charging limestone into slag in BOF is a newly emerging technique which broke through the traditional BOF slagging principle. It is necessary to study the decomposition behavior of limestone in converter slag during BOF steelmaking. FeOx, SiO2, MnOx and pre-melting slags were mixed with limestone according to different quality proportion to simulate the environment of limestone in converter slag. TG-DTA results indicated that slag with individual component, including FeOx, SiO2 and MnOx, all had obvious effects on reducing the decomposition temperature of limestone. Pre-melting slags with multiple components had further reducing effects than individual component. XRD results showed converter slag component would react with decomposition product of CaCO3 and generate solid solution or oxide, reducing the activity of CaO and the decomposition temperature of CaCO3.

Mar 1, 2017

By Geoff Matthews, David S. Wong, Linda Wright, Pretesh Patel, Mark Dorreen

This paper examines the development of the new EnPot heat exchanger technology for aluminium smelters and the potential impact it could have on the sustainability and economics of primary aluminium production. The EnPot technology can be used to help the aluminium smelting industry be part of the solution to accommodate increased intermittency in our future renewable energy generation, post COP 21. The EnPot system provides for the first time, dynamic control of the heat balance of aluminium smelting pots across the potline, so that energy consumption and aluminium production can be increased or decreased by as much as plus or minus 30% almost instantaneously. This enables a new way of thinking to emerge when considering the relationship the aluminium smelter plays in connection to the power grid. The EnPot technology provides smelters with the means to free up power back to the grid, transforming the smelter from only an end user of power into a ‘virtual battery’ for the electricity network. This fundamentally changes the way electricity is consumed by the smelter and is a concept already being tested by several smelters.

Mar 1, 2017

By D. Holdridge, D. Liao, S. Waterfall, N. Strobl, S. Sun

High melting point inclusions, such as spinel, alumina and AlO rich calcium-aluminates, have a strong tendency to agglomerate on the tundish stopper rod and Submerged Entry Nozzle (SEN) during the steel casting process, and eventually to cause SEN clogging. Calcium treatmen by wire injection during steel refining during Ladle Metallurgy (LM) is commonly used to modify these troublesome inclusions to lower melting point inclusions. However, too much Ca injection (Ca over-treatment) can cause operational issue (e.g. slide gate plate erosion),as well as increase Ca cost. Therefore, it is desirable to add an appropriate amount of Ca to avoid either under-or over-treatment. Based on inclusion analysis with an ASPEX® computer controlled scanning electron microscope (ASPEX) instrument, AlO and AlO rich calcium-aluminates were identified as a major cause of SEN clogging at ArcelorMittal Dofasco Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking stream. A Ca treatment index was developed to improve the inclusion modification. The improved inclusion control has reduced SEN clogging and enhanced steel quality.

Mar 1, 2017

By W. Murray Small

Nickel plays an important role in determining the properties of many stainless steels and superalloys. Cobalt also contributes significantly to the performance of certain grades of superalloys. A major technical aspect, in which both of these metallic elements are involved, concerns the solubility of nitrogen in these classes of alloys. Beyond certain content limits, dissolved nitrogen may contribute to the deleterious mechanical behavior by these alloys. It is therefore essential to control the level of this element during alloy processing. In this paper, results from several experimental studies have been assembled and are analyzed to describe phenomena related to the individual effects of nickel and cobalt on the solution of nitrogen in several groups of alloys. Both solid and liquid alloy systems are considered. This information may be used as a guide to limit or control the presence of this interstitial element in alloys.

Jan 1, 1993

By Yuanbo Zhang, Xiaoming Mao, Zhixiong You, Zhenyu Fan, Tao Jiang

"It is generally known that the formation of calcium ferrite is favorable during the iron ore sintering, which dominatingly contributes to the improvement of strength and reducibility of the finished sinters. In this study, effects of roasting temperature and 02 content of inlet gas on the sintering mineralization properties of typical iron ores, including hematite, limonite, specularite and magnetite, were investigated. The results showed the amount of calcium ferrite initially increased then decreased with the increase of the roasting temperature. The temperature of maximum calcium ferrite generation amount for different iron ores was determined as follows: hematite and limonite was 1275 °C, whereas specularite and magnetite was 1250 °C. Increasing 02 content of inlet gas was advantageous to the generation of calcium ferrite during the sintering. The sequence of 02 content affecting the mineralization properties of different iron ores was determined as follows: magnetite > hematite > specularite > limonite.IntroductionThe mineralization property of iron ore plays a significant role in the mineral composition and microstructure of finished sinters, which determine the quality and output of the sinters [1-2]. The mineralization process of sinters is composed of solid-phase reaction, formation of liquid-phase and crystallization. The formation and crystallization of liquid-phase is the foundation to the mineralization as the quality of the sinter is poor when concreted by solid-phase consolidation [3-4]. With respect to the iron ore sintering, liquid-phase regarded as bonding phase is generated between the iron ores and fluxes at high temperature [5]. Calcium ferrite is the most favorable liquid-phase among the bonding phases which dominatingly contributes to the improvement of strength and reducibility of the finished sinters [6-8]. Especially for high iron-low silicon sintering and high basicity sintering, making sure sufficient calcium ferrite quantity and reasonable distribution is crucial to the sinters [9-10]. Therefore, carrying out the researches on the high temperature reaction properties of iron ores is of great significance [11]."

Jan 1, 2013

By Chengyi Ding, Xuewei Lv, Senwei Xuan, Chenguang Bai, Kai Tang, Gang Li

Sinter is an important iron-bearing material charged into blast furnace. Calcium ferrite (CF) is one of the most significant liquid phases in fluxed sinter. The isothermal reduction kinetics of CF and CF8M (n(CaO):n(Fe2O3) = 1, wt%(MgO) = 8) with 30% CO and 70% N2 gas mixtures at 1123, 1173, and 1223 K were investigated through thermogravimetric analysis in this study. Rate analysis illuminates that the reduction processes of CF and CF8M are mainly expressed as a typical two-stage reaction. Sharp analysis indicates that CF and CF8M reduction is expressed by the Avrami–Erofeev equation presenting a 2D shrinking layer reaction. The apparent activation energy values of CF and CF8M reduction are 46.9 and 31.8 kJ mol−1 individually based on model-free method.

Mar 1, 2018

By Sang-Joon Kim, Hae-Geon Lee, Hyun-Jin Cho

"Decarburization phenomena on the surface of liquid iron have been simulated by numerical method and the results were compared to the experimental data. During the DeC process in a converter, a large amount of splashed droplets are generated from the top surface of the bath and consequently the reaction surface area is increasing tremendously. Since the decarburization mainly occurs at the interface, it is important to understand the reactions on the liquid iron droplets. The flow and species concentration fields around liquid droplets taking into account the reaction of carbon with oxygen at the interface were calculated by a commercial CFD code FLUENT which solving multiphase Navier-Stokes equation with Volume Of Fluid method, species transport equations and energy transport equation. The initial carbon concentration was fixed to 4 wt% and the concentrations of oxygen in the atmosphere were varied from 5 to 50 wt%. As comparing the numerical calculation with experimental data written in the reference, the results have a good agreement for decarburization rate.IntroductionIn a primary steelmaking process, one of the main functions is to decarburize from hot metal and the 4% of carbon is decreased to about 0.5% of carbon. Even though there are some possible reactions leading to the removal of carbon from hot metal, the main reaction occurs on the free surface by direct oxidation of carbon at the gas-liquid interface with producing the carbon monoxide gas. In many metallurgical processes involving a jet impinging onto a steel bath surface, especially in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) converter, it is important to understand the behavior of molten iron droplets splashing out of the steel. The iron droplets are generated by an oxygen or air jet blowing and it increases the total surface area of liquid iron tremendously. Since the decarburization reaction is mainly affected by the surface area, it is necessary to verify the decarburization phenomena around the splashed droplets from liquid iron in order to allow an analysis ofBOF process possible."

Jan 1, 2011

By Laura Garcia H, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Islas, Luis Garcia Lechuga, Pedro Alberto Ramirez Ortega

"Electrochemical studies were performed to silver recovery from industrial wastes (radiographic films) on litanium flat electrode using a filter press-type electrochemical reactor with vertical orientation (known as REOV-01), as counter electrode was used a mesh-type DSA. Voltammetric studies were employed to fmd the current range under which silver reduction occurs. Using chronopotentiometric studies with controlled current, homogeneous deposits were obtained on the surface of the Ti electrode, to a current of -210 mA during 120 minutes to a constant linear flow velocity of 15 Lmin-1 was achieved 97% of silver recovery from industrial wastes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy studies corroborated the presence of silver on Ti flat electrode. In addition, the silver concentration in the solution after the experiments was 1 ppm below environmental requirements. This indicates the viability of a filter press-type electrochemical reactor with vertical orientation (REOV-01) for silver recovery from radiographic filmsIntroductionIn recent years, the industrial sector has shown an increase in the use of silver due to new applications in different areas. In sectors such as photography, the consumption of silver has declined as a result of the boom in digital photography. However, the use of silver in radiographic applications has not shown greater variation (47.16 Moz), as the image quality is essential for diagnosis in various fields, such as medicine. All the silver used in photographic applications is discarded completely (solid or in effluent). At the present, several countries have been involved in silver recovering from industrial wastes due to the economic value and environmental impact they represent. The main source of silver recovery is the wastes generated by the photographic sector. Various technologies have attempted to recover silver contained in these wastes. However, they have not fully satisfied the requirements of maximum recovery, nor environmental level (less than 5 ppm) of silver in effluents [1,2]."

Jan 1, 2014

By Xuemei Zheng, Aiyuan Ma, Yonggang Zuo, Jinhui Peng, Shiwei Li, Libo Zhang

The effect of moisture content on the dielectric properties and microwave drying behavior of zirconium hydroxide was studied by using an open-ended sensor dielectric measurement system at the frequency of 2.45 GHz. The experimental results showed that moisture content can significantly influence the variation of dielectric properties. Dielectric constant, loss factor and loss tangent all increase with the increasing moisture content. Compared with the conventional drying method, the microwave-assisted drying method resulted in a substantial decrease (81.8%) in the drying time, and the drying effect was better at the lower power level of 600 W. This study offers the useful information on dielectric properties of zirconium hydroxide, which can be used for developing microwave drying applications in mineral processing and designing better microwave sensors for measuring zirconium hydroxide moisture content.

Jan 1, 2015

By Shengli Wu, Yuandong Pei, Shaoguo Chen, Zhixing Zhao, Haijun Kang, Jiangshan Shi, Wen Pan, Zhengming Cheng, Yaosheng Luo

Grate bar is the key component of the sinter machine used for loading sinter and raw materials. Bar channels are sometimes bonded into blocks, which affects the service life of bar, and more importantly reduces the effective ventilation area of the sintering, affecting the normal production of sintering, resulting in unstable negative pressure, higher electricity consumption, and lower production and quality of sinter. In order to solve this problem, the systematic study was done on bonding materials of bars, based on which bonding mechanism of sinter grate bars was obtained. The KCl is an important characterization of bonding. Control standard of blending ore that prevents bonding is K2O content below 0.06% and Cl content below 0.05%.

Mar 1, 2018

By D. A. Hayman, J. D. Steenkamp, G. M. Denton

Design of furnace containment systems can be based on one of two design philosophies: Insulating or conductive lining designs. In insulating lining designs, management of the compatibility between refractory materials and process materials (typically liquid metal and/or slag) is an important criterion for furnace design, and an important process parameter to control during furnace operation. In conductive lining designs, management of the integrity of the layer of frozen material (freeze lining) on the interface between the liquid process material, and the refractory lining, is important. For example in ferrochromium production, both lining design philosophies are applied. The work presented here discusses the significance of lining design philosophy in the context of ferrochromium production.

Mar 1, 2017

By M. A. Kader, M. A. Islam, P. J. Hazell, M. Saadatfar, J. P. Escobedo, A. D. Brown

The dynamic pore collapse mechanisms and energy absorption capacity of closed-cell aluminium foams subjected to low velocity impacts have been investigated. Impact experiments were carried out using an instrumented drop-tower with two impactor geometries: a 50 mm square flat steel impactor to investigate pore collapse mechanisms and a 20 mm diameter hemispherical steel impactortostudy indentation resistance.X-ray computedtomography was utilized to generate views of the deformation field within the impacted specimen. The results show that the strain rate and incident impact energy influence the energy absorption capacities of closed-cell aluminium foams. Furthermore, damage initiation, propagation and cell collapse mechanisms under drop weight impact have been elucidated.

Mar 1, 2017

By G. O. Onyedika, M. U. Obidiegwu, G. C. Onuegbu

The effect of kolanut (KN) filler and compatibilizer (maleic anhydride) contents on the transport of toluene through low density polyethylene (LDPE) and low density polyethylene composite were studied at the temperatures 40, 60 and 80 °C.The kolanut powder used was ground to 25 μm particle size. In preparation of composite 0–5 wt% of kolanut powder and 0–2.5 wt% of the compatibilizer were mixed with 200 g of low density polyethylene in an injection moulding machine. The injected polyethylene and polyethylene/kolanut composites (LDPE/KN) were taken for sorption test. The sorption data obtained for low density polyethylene and kolanut powder filled low density polyethylene at the different temperature investigated were expressed as the molar percentage uptake (% Qt) of toluene per gram of the kola nut composites. Results show that the uptake of toluene at the five filler content (0–5 wt%) generally increased with increase in sorption temperature but decreased with increase in compatibilizer and filler contents. This can be seen at 80 °C and 0, 1, 1.5 and 2.5 wt% of compatibilizer respectively. The molar percentage uptake of toluene at 1 wt% of filler yielded the following values; 8.6789, 8.4768, 8.3476 and 8.2679 respectively. At 2 wt% it yielded 8.6224, 8.1333, 7.9525 and 7.9042 respectively, at 3 wt% it gave 8.4336, 7.9450,7.8900 and 7.7823 respectively, at 4 wt% it yielded 8.0263,7.9614,7.8218 and 7.6800 respectively and at 5 wt% it gave 7.9635, 7.8630, 7.6256 and 7.5013 respectively.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shusen Cheng, Kun Yan

An elastic-plastic stress mathematical model of hot blast stove shell has been established in order to investigate the stress distribution and deformation of the shell. The results show that stress concentration happens along the intersection line of hot blast stove body and the hot blast manifold. The plastic deformation occurs on the hot blast outlet in blast period. The deformation degree of the hot blast shell near the blast outlet in blast period is much larger than that in combustion period. In blast period, the shell near the blast outlet elongates along the horizontal direction and shortens along the vertical direction, the shell near the outlet deforms into an oval. And in combustion period, its deformation isn’t obvious. The repeated deformation of the shell near the outlet between different periods may cause the refractory brick damage and be harmful to the long campaign life of hot blast stove.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shengli Wu, Binbin Du, Mingyin Kou, Laixin Wang, Kai Gu, Shun Yao, Heng Zhou

Coke plays an important role on the actual blast furnace production (BF), and its quality significantly influences the BF ironmaking process. In this study, the effects of physical properties, chemical composition and high-temperature properties of coke on main technical indexes of blast furnace were investigated. Some coke indexes were defined to evaluate the coke quality. The main technical indexes of BF include production, quality of HM, and fuel consumption. The quantitative relationship between coke quality and main technical indexes of BF were obtained after a series of statistical analysis. What’s more, the effect of these coke quality indexes on blast furnace smelting process was also explored, and all the relationships obtained from the analysis will provide a theoretical basis for the appropriate use of coke in blast furnace. The most reasonable range of coke quality indexes can be determined combining with the actual production as well.

Mar 1, 2018

By S. Castro, P. Alfaro, C. Moctezuma

IMMSA operates a conventional roasting-leaching-purification-electrolysis plant for the production of zinc from concentrates in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The leaching circuit was designed to take into consideration a feed mixture to the roaster with a maximum iron content of 7%. Since the start-up of the plant in 1982, the zinc recovery increased to 94.5%. However, an increase in the iron content in 1997 caused an important decrease in the global zinc recovery. Two new steps were added to the leaching circuit and modifications were made to the other steps in order to increase zinc extraction. Two new automated press filters were installed to replace the original vacuum drum filters and to minimize soluble zinc losses. Additionally, the residue treatment steps in purification were modified and a calcium removal circuit is just starting operation. These actions, besides improving the operations, have as the main objective to increase the global zinc recovery to levels above 94.5%.

Jan 1, 2000

By Yang Guangqing, Shao Jiugang, Zhang Jianliang, Wan Dan, Fu Yuandi, Guo Hongwei

"Resource of metallurgical coke is becoming scarce, and although coke can be partially replaced by pulverized coal injection, there are many restrictions for further increase in coal ratio. Mixed charge of ore and lump coal from top to replace more coke was studied in this paper. Softening-melting property of the burden was affected by charge of lump coal. Softening-melting properties of mixed charge of ore and coke, mixed charge of ore and lump coal were tested respectively. Results show: the property of the burden mixed with coke is superior to the burden mixed with lump coal; lump coal would not deteriorate softening-melting property of the burden and some of them can even improve softening-melting property of the burden. Top charge of lump coal would not deteriorate softening-melting process, and this should be a new way to increase coal consumption to decrease coke rate.IntroductionThe blast furnace is still the predominant process for the reduction of iron ore and will probably remain so for the next decades. Metallurgical coke is becoming scarce and expensive, so the cost of hot metal can be decreased by reducing the consumption of metallurgical coke[l]. Coke can be partially replaced by pulverized coal injection, currently the highest rate of pulverized coal reached 266kg/tHM, most of blast furnace PCR is about 150kg/tHM, and it is very difficult to further increase of PCR. Nut coke is charged into blast furnace mixed with iron ore, not only for improving utilization of metallurgical coke, but also for lowering the coke rate. Presently the majority of blast furnaces in the world use nut coke although its amount is very different: from 10-20 to 70--100 kg/tHM and more[2-4].The effect ofnut coke in blast furnace is extensively researched, and the main conclusions recommend: to improve gas permeability of cohesive layer in blast furnace, to promote reduction of iron burden, protect metallurgical coke from the solution in the shaft due to higher reactivity of nut coke. There is no special requirement for the strength of nut coke[5-8]. Nut coke is also used for sintering fuel, which may lead to the shortage of the nut coke charging into blast furnace. So lump coal mixed with iron ore is considered to be charged into the blast furnace, not only to reduce the cost of grinding coal, but also to increase the use amount of coal."

Jan 1, 2013

By T. P. R. de Jong

Dual energy X-ray transmission imaging is extensively applied for safety luggage inspection. Its advantages are its rapid scanning rate (25 to 100 cm/sec) at approximately I mm resolution and simultaneous thickness independent metal identification. This is especially advantageous for secondary scrap metal inspection and automatic sorting. Other applications include metal product inspection, bale control, and waste processing. Recent progress in development of an automatic on-line sorter for bulk solids is presented and discussed. Besides various non-metal applications (solid fuels, wastes etc.) it appeared particularly effective in light metal sorting. As inspection tool better control of difficult to monitor solid bulk streams, batteries, bales and other related metals becomes possible.

Jan 1, 2003