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By B. Madelin

Over the last ten years, Minemet Recherche and Metaleurop have used an approach in order to investigate and improve the operation of its Smelting furnace and its lead blast furnaces. This approach gives importance- to three complementary means of investigation : - Probing campains in the industrial furnace (temperature and gas analysis profiles), - Chemical and physical modeling (coke combustion, sinter reduction modes, flows patterns, ?.) , - Staged mass and heat balances or kinetic model. This allows to define the limits of operation of each blast furnace and to predict the influence of operating parameters on the furnace performances. For the zinc Imperial smelting furnace, the probing results show the existence- of both an Isothermal reserve zone at 1015ºc and a chemical equilibrium between ZnO and gas which makes possible the use of a practical model for heat and material balances. In particular, very good prediction on the influences of operating parameters can be made. On the contrary, for lead blast furnaces, the probing results show that the thermal and chemical equilibria are not reached. Consequently, classical models for staged heat and mass balances are not sufficient. The use of the other means allows then to characterize the specific influences of operating parameters on the thermal instabilities of these furnaces and their allowed limits.

Jan 1, 1990

By Brian Patrick, Norman Bell, Mark Schoenfield, Thomas Weber, Dietrich Gross

"The reduction of carbon dioxide emissions and the resultant greenhouse gas affect is hampered by the fact that all fossil fuels contain copious quantities of carbon. Process tweaking can keep the amount of carbon dioxide to a minimum but cannot significantly reduce the amount of carbon dioxide generated. The very nature of utilizing fuels requires that they be burned to release the heat required for the various processes. Reduction of metal oxides to manufacture or modify pure metals, generation of power, transportation and many other forms of fuel usage result in much of the generation of man made carbon dioxide. Oxyfuel is a unique contributor to carbon dioxide emissions. While creating higher concentrations of carbon dioxide the total volume of carbon dioxide generated is reduced. This paper will examine the unique characteristics and potential of oxyfuel that make the generation of lower volumes of carbon dioxide possible.Nearly ten years ago a commercial application of oxy-fuel was installed at Jupiter Aluminum Company in Hammond, Indiana. This process was funded and developed by Dietrich Gross CEO. This aluminum remelt facility now runs completely on oxy-fuel and has continuously for over ten years. This has reduced the melt rates to as low as 750 BTU per pound in continuous melting periods."

Jan 1, 2009

By A. E. M. Warner

At the Copper Cliff Smelter, Inco Limited has extensive experience in converting primary smelting mattes over a broad range of nickel/copper ratios and compositions. In the past 35 years, technology developments at Inco have reduced the number of Peirce-Smith converters in Nickel/ Bulk (nickel-copper matte) service from 13 to the current 5. This paper will discuss: ? The performance and life of ?stretch? 13.7m shells versus conventional 10.7m converters. ? Process control and information system development from the early 1980?s to view converter aisle status on a continuous basis to the recent central control of the stretch shells. ? Nitrogen cooling of finishing matte from plant testing to implementation in the early 1990?s to replace the dedicated cooling converters. ? The impact on converting of changing the smelter flowsheet in the early 1990?s. ? A current program to develop a converting strategy for the future to address environmental issues and profitability.

Jan 1, 2005

By Lanre M. Oshinowo, André Bakker

"An understanding of the parameters that govern the just-suspended impeller speed, Njs, and the distribution of solids, is critical to the efficient operation of hydrometallurgical and other processes involving solid-liquid suspensions. In this paper, the distribution of solids in stirred tanks under a range of solids loadings (0.5 to 50 vol%) was predicted using CFD and validated against experimental data obtained from the literature. The multiphase flow is modeled using the Eulerian Granular Multiphase model. This paper will also review the established design parameter Njs in the context of scale-up and compare it to the quality of solids dispersion as a means of assessing correct scale-up in suspension tank design. The results of this study will describe a straightforward procedure to obtaining comprehensive information about reactor behavior with complex CFD models.The performance of hydrofoil impellers and a 45° pitched-blade turbine at suspending solids under different agitation speeds was studied. Both single and dual impeller operation have been evaluated. The settled solids fraction for speeds below N js, and the cloud height for impeller speeds above Njs were predicted. The CFD predictions are in good agreement with experimental literature data on velocity distribution and cloud height."

Jan 1, 2001

By M. Hochenhofer

Keywords: desulfurization, mathematical model, slag reaction To produce ferroalloys like ferro-nickel for alloying purposes in a quality that meets the requirements of today?s steel industry, refining processes like desulfurization and dephosphorization are indispensable. The performance of desulfurization-treatment by slag reaction depends on various parameters, such as: sulfide capacity and viscosity of the slag, sulfur distribution between metal and slag, activity of sulfur in melt and movement of melt. Within this work, the combined influences of these parameters on the desulfurization of a ferro-nickel alloy were examined. As a basis for this examination, a mathematical model, based on data from plant trials, was created. This model demonstrates the relationship between desulfurization rate and initial values of the above mentioned parameters. With this model the relevant parameters were evaluated and assessed concerning their influence on desulfurization.

Jan 1, 2005

By Wen-Ming Chien

Keywords: AN-KN Phase Transition, Lattice Parameters of AN-KN, X-ray Diffraction The lattice parameters of the low and high temperature phase of KNO3-rich (in NH4NO3) solid solutions have been determined by the X-ray diffraction method. The low temperature single KNO3 phase (KN II) are from 92%-100% KNO3 in NH4NO3 composition range and from room temperature to 393 K showing in X-ray diffraction patterns. The high temperature KNO3 phase (KN I) showed very broad composition range between 20% to 100% KNO3. The lattice parameters of KNO3-rich (KN II and KN I) solid solutions have been calculated at different temperature range. The volumes of orthorhombic KN II phase decrease from 0.3208(3) to 0.3195(3) nm³ at the room temperature as the compositions increase from 95% to 100% KNO3. The lattice constants of the hexagonal KN I phase show that there is no significant change in a-direction when the temperature increases. Details X-ray results and lattice expansion equations during heating will be presented.

Jan 1, 2005

By Purushottam Kumar

Keywords: Magnetostriction, magnetic properties, Pd(Fe,Co,Ni) single crystals Fe-Pd, Co-Pd and Ni-Pd alloy systems show appreciable magnetostrictive strains that are of interest for sensor applications. These systems exhibit congruent melting minima. In this work the magnetic and magnetostrictive behavior of congruent melting Fe-Pd, Co-Pd, and Ni-Pd compositions have been examined. The alloys examined include Fe-54.9 at.-% Pd, Ni-45.4 at.-% Pd, and Co-45 at.-% Pd. The paper describes the growth of bulk single crystals of these alloys using Czochralski technique. X-ray diffractometer was used to obtain rocking curves that were used to determine the [001] crystal direction. Magnetostriction in [001] direction was measured using strain gages. Magnetic properties were measured using a vibrating sample magnetometer. Ni-Pd showed the highest magnetostriction values among the congruent melting compositions. Magnetic and magnetostrictive behaviors of these alloy single crystals are presented.

Jan 1, 2005

By M. Bugdayci, Onuralp Yucel, K. C. Tasyurek

This paper is a contribution to the theory and quantitative understanding of the processes for the production of magnesium, calcium and strontium metals by metallothermic process. In the present study, effect of reductant type was investigated. Thermodynamic simulation of system was made by Fact Sage 6.4 program. In order to produce magnesium metal, effects of reductants “FeSi, Al, Si and CaC2” were investigated. To understand Calcium-oxide reduction system, effects of Al and CaF2 addition were investigated for different temperatures. In the last simulations, SrO reduction parameters were simulated. Al used as main reductant and BaO, CaO, CaC2 were added to green mixture as a functional additive. Finally probable phases and minimum reduction temperatures are determined.

Mar 1, 2018

By Daguang Lu

The section of sintering and BF (blast furnace) is very important in iron-making process. In practice, the scheduling is so extensive that three faults unfavorable to continuous product will be easier to happen. This paper introduces the integration Petri Net and GA (genetic algorithm) as suitable tools for simulation and optimization of scheduling to section of sintering- BF under a certain hot iron or-der. The situation of the iron plant Chongqing Iron and Steel Company is researched in approach above mentioned. By analysis, the conclusion is drawn that scheduling with optimized values can maintain continuity of key operations , can satisfy order of hot iron in maximal degree and can keep the best stability of key storages.

Jan 1, 2009

By WenCai Li, Yong Ren, Shuai Niu, Xin Hong

"Temperature measurement is very important in metal smelting process. Many devices are used to realize non-contact temperature measurements. Compared to conventional thermocouple, infrared temperature measurement has it's unique advantages. However, using an infrared temperature measurement at the top of the furnace can not obtain the desired optical signal because of disturbance from slag layer, high-temperature gases and other effects. A real time thermometry system with dual-wavelength radiation was presented to get optical signal emitted from molten metal through bottom-blowing nozzle. Taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of bottom-blowing devices, a MHP (Multiple Hole Plug) bottom-blowing device was used, through which the optical signal was transferred to the infrared thermometer by use of optical fiber. After conversion and analysis in real-time, the result was displayed and recorded in computer. After calibration, it could be a good predictor of temperature trend in a metallurgical process. IntroductionAt the refining stage of steelmaking, in order to achieve predetermined chemical composition and temperature, high-temperature molten steel is refined in a furnace such as converter. Because the refining process involved with chemical components and reaction velocities in the furnace rely on the temperature of steel, it is necessary to know the temperature accurately in real time during the process. And temperature measurement is also helpful for the end-point judgment. The temperature in the refining process changes quickly, for instance, in a converter, 300t molten steel is processed in only about half an hour.At present, traditional way of temperature measurement is using a thermocouple probe mounted on a lifter called a sub-lance. The thermocouple is immersed in molten steel and its temperature is measured during the short period until the thermocouple is fused. Accurate and reliable temperature can be obtained by this method, but in consideration of the discontinuous measurement and the costs, missing the end-point temperature may sometimes occur.According to the above background, a method in which a temperature-sensing element such as a thermocouple is immersed directly in molten steel is not suitable for the continuous temperature measurement because materials having such stability are not available. Therefore, radiation thermometry is promising. There have been some reports on radiation thermometry through an observation nozzle through the bottom or side of a refining furnace [1, 2]."

Jan 1, 2014

By Sayavur Bakhtiyarov

Keywords: Rheology, Viscoelastic, Oil In this paper we present the results of the rheological property measurements on viscoelastic composite materials used in oil industry. Laboratory experiments were carried out to determine important thermophysical, rheological and mechanical properties of the test materials using both the standard commercial and in-house made equipment. The composites with the paramagnetic particles (?-iron oxide) are exhibited a significant magnetic memory after magnetic treatment. The measured value of the yield stress after the magnetic treatment increased almost twice in comparison with the yield stress value of the magnetically untreated composite. The yield stress of the composite material exponentially decreases with time and reaches its magnetically untreated value after 15 hours. The yield stress also increases with the amount of the paramagnetic powder additive, and it reaches a maximum value at 8 wt-% of this additive. The obtained results provide valuable information for computer modeling of the viscoelastic fluid flow in pipes of complex geometry.

Jan 1, 2005

By Mike Trovant, Stavros A. Argyropoulos

"A fixed grid numerical model for phase change problems is proposed. The model solves for heat transfer and fluid flow, via the coupled solution of the energy, continuity and momentum equations. In addition, the numerical scheme accounts for temperature varying thermophysical properties and determines the shrinkage profile resulting from phase and density change. Simulations are run to determine the effect of varying model parameters and wall cooling rates on the location and shape of the shrinkage void formation in cylindrical casts. Results are shown for both aluminum and magnesium.IntroductionThe mathematical modeling of phase change processes (be they solidification or melting problems) entails solving for many interrelated phenomena. A comprehensive numerical simulation of the casting of a metal, for example, would have to account for: (a) heat transfer in both the solid and liquid portions of the metal and in the mold, (b) the release of latent heat during phase change, (c) fluid flow behavior in the liquid portion of the metal, (d) temperature induced shrinkage caused by liquid contraction and solidification contraction, and (e) the development of thermal stresses with accompanying shrinkage in the solid portion of the cast and mold. A schematic of the relationships that exist between the coupled equations which govern solidification is shown in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 1994

By A. J. Rigby

Refractory linings in converters or anode furnaces used to over-oxidize the blister copper will suffer rapid deterioration, due to prolonged contact with copper oxide-rich slag. Nitrogen stirring with COP KIN porous plugs and use of SEMTECH OPC in converters and anode refining vessels can considerably reduce both refractory wear and processing times. In addition, careful control of the vessel atmosphere and the use of real-time optical process control minimize both slag volume and contact time with the vessel refractory.

Jan 1, 2005

By Jerome P. Downey

In the thermal treatment of electric arc furnace (EAF) dusts, zinc is reduced, volatilized, and ultimately recovered either as liquid metal in a splash condenser or as solid zinc oxide in bag filters. During the process, the duet's chlorine and fluorine content also enters the gas phase and condenses as dross in the splash condenser or as salts which contaminate the zinc oxide product. Pretreatment of EAF dust by pyrohydrolysis appeared to offer a means of minimizing the duet's halogen content. The primary research objectives were to experimentally verify the technical viability of pyrohydrolysis and delineate the process parameters requisite for efficient halogen removal. To this end, representative EAF duet samples were secured and characterized by x-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and Mössbauer analyses. Specific- experimentation focused on the response of halogen extraction to variations in temperature, retention time, water vapor partial pressure, and various additives. The experimental results proved that 97 to 99 percent chlorine extraction and 80 to 85 percent fluorine extraction are consistently achieved when EAF dusts are blended with silica and roasted at temperatures of 850°C or greater in a furnace atmosphere of 75% steam (diluted by air). A statistical analysis further established that more than- a single optimal point exists, thus affording flexibility in parameter selection (e.g., by increasing temperature, the necessary retention time and additive concentrations are decreased). The findings substantiate the feasibility of pyrohydrolysis roasting in reducing the chlorine and fluorine in the EAF dust to a level that will obviate industrial concerns about halogen contamination. The end-product of the pyrohydrolysis procedure is a de-halogenated, self-fluxing calcine which can be directly charged to a plasma or flame reactor. The paper includes design parameters and flow diagrams illustrating the pyrohydrolysis process integrated with the plasma and flame reactor technologies.

Jan 1, 1992

By Mark Tsirlin

Kinetics of the initial oxidation stages of diffusive silicide coatings on 8 molybdenum and niobium at 1100 - 1700 and under the pressure of 400 and 1330 Pa has been studied using methods of gravimetry and gas phase analysis of oxygen, as well as by SEK, XRD and EDMA methods. The first oxidation stage described by asymptotic equation in case of NbSi coating changed over to the stage described by parabolic equation. The asymptotic law was shown to depend on non - stationary conditions on the oxide layer boundaries. Interconnection between silicides and quartz structures, on the one hand, and peculiarities of oxidation kinetics, on the other, is [discussed. The possibility of estimation oxygen atom jump frequency in quartz and fractions of oxygen reacting with metal and with silicon proceeding from the analysis of the kinetic data was ascertained. Conditions of oxidation kine- tics transfer from asymptotic (or parabolic) stage to a non - protective "linear" stage, associated with volatile ~roduct formation, are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1995

By Junji Shibata

Keywords: Synergistic effect, Solvent extraction, Nickel ion, extractant mixture Waste solution from the Ni non-electric plating process contains 4.0 kg/m3 Ni (II), 0.1 kg/m3 Fe (III), 0.01 kg/m3 Zn (II), 48 kg/m3 SO42-, 98 kg/m3 HPO32- and 31 kg/m3 lactic acid as a typical composition. Solvent extraction, cementation, ion exchange resin and precipitation methods may be used for the treatment of this kind of solution. In this study, solvent extraction of Ni (II) is investigated by using two kinds of extractants in order to clarify the relationship between extraction equilibrium (static synergistic effect) and extraction rate (dynamic synergistic effect) for several extractant mixtures. The static synergistic effect does not take place significantly for the extractant mixtures of acidic extractants and neutral organphosphorous compounds, while a large static synergistic effect is confirmed when the extractant mixtures of acidic extractants and nitrogen-containing compounds are used. Nickel ions can be extracted in the wide pH range of 3.0-8.0 without any pH adjustment by using the several extractant mixtures. At the same time, the extraction rate remarkably increases by using the extractant mixtures of acidic extractants and nitrogen-containing compounds.

Jan 1, 2005

By Jin Qiu

Experiments were performed to determine the extent of minor element elimination that occurred when mixtures of copper smelter dust and copper concentrate, were calcined under vacuum. Almost complete removal of the As, Sb, Bi and Pb occurred due to the conversion of the minor element compounds of these elements into their highly volatile sulphides by reaction with sulphur from the concentrate. Heat and mass balance calculations of the slag-blow in a copper converter found that ~30 tonnes of the vacuum calcine could be used to produce 100 tonnes of copper as white metal. The use of dirty concentrate as the sulphidizing agent in the vacuum calcination means that the minor element treatment capacity of the smelter complex could be increased by 60 %. Also the productivity of the converters may be increased by up to 8 % due to the supply of copper values and oxygen in the calcined mixture.

Jan 1, 2005

By S. Tanaka

The Tamano Smelter of Hibi Kyodo Smelting Co. Ltd. was commissioned in 1972. Since start up, the anode production capacity has increased from 101,000 tpy to 290,000 tpy, as a result of the application of continuous improvements at each phase of the expansion projects. The Tamano Smelter had developed several innovations, including the original coke combustion technology for Flash Smelting Furnace operations (T-FSF), and has also been able to extend the operating life of the Peirce-Smith converters. This paper will present several improvements implemented at the Tamano Smelter, and will discuss relevant P-S converter operation.

Jan 1, 2005

By James C. Foley, David K. Rehbein

"In-situ characterizations of green state part density and sintering state have long been desired in the powder metal community. Recent ·advances in non-contact electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) technology have enabled in-situ evaluations of the acoustic attenuation and velocity as sintering proceeds. Pure aluminum (99.999%) and aluminum alloy powders were prepared with high-pressure gas atomization (HPGA). The powders were pressed in a uniaxial die and examined with acoustic waves for changes in velocity and attenuation during sintering. The changes in acoustic properties were correlated with sample microstructures and mechanical properties. Evolution of the acoustic echo train during sintering is shown to provide information on the state of sintering as well as having the potential for detection of interior flaws.IntroductionThe versatility of powder metalallurgy (PIM) technology in the manufacture of complex shapes has enabled an increasing amount of wrought and casting production capacity to be converted to PIM technology. However, ultrasonic inspection of green components produced using PIM techniques remains a challenge and is not generally practiced [1]. Inspection of PIM components in the green state is highly desirable, because the green part can be reclaimed with only accepted components being subjected to further costly processing. Another potential benefit is characterization and greater understanding of the sintering process itself. An increased scientific understanding of the sintering process enables intelligent process control, greater reliability of the production process and a lower rate of rejection of the finished product. In order to realize these potential benefits, it is necessary therefore that accept/reject criterion be based on real time nondestructive evaluation of the green-state components and the sintering process.Most current nondestructive inspection techniques suffer from their inability to perform inspections below the near-surface region with the exception of X-ray and to some extent pulsed eddy current [2]. X-ray inspection requires extensive shielding of production personnel and expensive film and film processing. While development of pulsed eddy current techniques have lessened the impact of the well-known skin effect, the depth of penetration of the induced eddy currents remains somewhat of an issue [2]."

Jan 1, 2000

By Theo Lehner

Turning matte into anodes continues to be an area to watch: for visitors to see pyrometallurgy in action; for metallurgists to keep up with modern smelting furnaces and ever increasing production rates; for management to remain profitable using more tools than taught in school; and for environmentalists to detect the last small clouds from the ever cleaner smelter. Current converting practices have been screened and analyzed, and today, converting and casting is a modern industry. An impressive, though typical learning curve of converter productivity may be detected. Local conditions such as availability and type of raw materials, products extracted, cost factors, etc., have stimulated the development of add-ons or even alternatives to the still dominant method of converting by Peirce-Smith technology. Turning blister copper into anodes follows a similar path, namely increased productivity and improved quality. We dare to predict that development will continue.

Jan 1, 2005