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By Matti Leiponen

During the last few years Outokumpu Oy has put forth efforts to develop the material handling in the Pori tankhouse. The final objective is full automation including cell loading. The fully automated material handling provides high quality anodes and cathodes as well as equipment and handling systems capable of very accurate cell loading. The new machines and equipment for accurate cell loading and the methods to produce high quality anodes and starting sheets are described in this paper.

Jan 1, 1987

By P. Hajiani

Rare earth elements (REEs) are critical materials in many leading-edge technology products. However, REE separation outside China has remained a challenge in addressing environmental concerns of current production. The author has worked on a technique employing the emphasised variability in the electrophoretic mobility (μi) of REE for the purpose of REE separation. In continuation of the results presented in IMPC 2016 [1], this contribution summarizes the progress achieved in 2016 and 2017. The major goal was to increase the REEs concentration by a factor of 1000 and to attenuate the consequent drawbacks, specifically joule heating effect. Amphiprotic hydroxylic solvent was selected to replace water, which has a major impact on the complexation mechanism and buffer requirement. Non-aqueous media result in a significant drop in the specific molar conductivity of the electrolyte, whilst μi reduces several times only. Moreover, a quasi-steady state electrophoretic separation in conjunction with temperature gradient focusing is adapted to improve scalability.

By Norbert L. Piret

From the copper smelter operation a various outputs are to exert negative impacts on the environment. Particularly, emissions like SO2 and dusts, solid wastes like contaminated gypsum and arsenic sludge, effluents and heated cooling water are generated. Most countries have sitipulated an environmental legislation to provide the framework for an efficient environmental management. As part of the planning activities for x major greenfield copper smelter, the Following elaborations are required and were drawn up. -The Environmental Impact Assessment which is the first step of environmental management and mandatory for every new project. - The Environmental Monitoring Plan, which describes the monitoring procedures for the main impacts identified and assessed. -The Environmental Management Plan, which deals with the minimization of environmental impacts, and the methods of its implementation.

Jan 1, 1996

By Patrick R. Taylor

Iron phosphate glasses are promising host matrices for vitrifying actinide rich nuclear wastes materials because of their high solubility of actinide oxides, high chemical durability, and relatively low melting temperatures. An iron phosphate waste form was developed at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The structure and property of the waste form were well characterized by materials techniques. However, to scale the process and advance it to commercial viability, it is necessary to understand the processing parameters, such as the partitioning of waste elements and the viscosity as a function of temperature. Viscosity of 40 Fe203 - 60 P205 mole % iron phosphate melts (prepared with phosphorous pentoxide and ferric oxide) at 1000-1200 C was measured by the rotating-spindle method. It was discovered that this fluid has non-Newtonian behavior. Experiments were performed to study flow properties following the Standard Test methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational (Brookfield) Viscometer (ASTM D 2196-86). Samples prepared using ammonium phosphate and ferric oxide showed Newtonian behavior and the temperature dependence of the viscosity was studied over the range of 1000 to 1200 degrees C. The difference in flow behavior between the two fluids was analyzed in terms of preparation conditions and variation in the final composition and phases. The partitioning behavior of waste elements in the iron phosphate glass was studied by melting in a high temperature furnace and JCP analysis. The experimental results show that the solubility of Ce and Sr in phosphate glasses is significantly higher than the solubility associated with borosilicate glasses. This strengthens the conclusion that iron phosphate may be a viable alternative to borosilicate glass for immobilization of high heavy-metal-content wastes and actinide rich wastes.

Jan 1, 2002

By William C. Spindler

Five industrial installations of large lead-acid battery energy storage systems in operation in the United States, West Germany and the 'Republic of South Africa will be described. One example is for a deep mine shaft in which air ventilation and personnel evacuation require the highest reliability for emergency power. The battery system is designed for additional cost-effective benefits of peak load lopping and reactive power control. Commercially available lead-acid batteries of the following types are in use1 traction, truck, submarine, high power, and gel. Electrode grids of both the calcium and antimony alloy types are used. Applications include deep and shallow cycling as well as float and intermittent use. The advantages of sealed lead-acid batteries in UPS (uninterruptible power source) systems are well established throughout the world, and such system suppliers could readily develop markets for industrial emergency and peak power lead-acid storage battery installations.

Jan 1, 1990

By Wolfgang Baum

Case studies from epithermal gold-silver deposits in the western United States and in Latin America show that the routine use of process-related mineralogical studies has become an important tool for the reduction of development, capital and operating costs. Bypassing the mineralogical characteristics of epithermal gold-silver ores, as a result of fast-track development approaches, has resulted in multimillion dollar metal losses and/or in considerable modification costs of existing operations.

Jan 1, 1988

By Yuanbo Zhang, Huanpeng Mi, Guanghui Li, Binjun Liang, Zhiwei Peng, Tao Jiang

Ludwigite ore has not yet been utilized on an industrial scale due to its complex mineralogy and fine mineral dissemination. In this study, sodium salts were employed to enhance the separation of iron and boron by reductive roasting-magnetic separation. It was found that the separation of iron and boron as well as the iron grade and recovery were significantly improved b y the addition of Na2SO4 or Na2CO3. Under the reduction temperature of 1050 °C, reduction time of 60 min and magnetic intensity of 0.1T. Compared with the inexistence of sodium salts, the iron grade and recovery of the magnetic concentrate increased from 83.3% and 88.6% to 93.2% and 95.1%, respectively, by adding 6% Na2CO3. The XRD and microstructure analyses indicated that the iron oxides were transformed into metallic iron and the average metallic iron grains were grown to over 40μm which was beneficial for separation of metallic iron from gangue.

Jan 1, 2016

By John W. Lund

The Geo-Heat Center has been investigating the utilization of waste silica from the Cerro Prieto geothermal field for several years. The main objectives of the research were to com-bine silica with various additives to (1) form bricks for low cost housing, and (2) to produce a suitable road surfacing material. The various additives that were tested included hydrated lime, portland cement, plastic fibers, asphalt cement and emulsified asphalt. The silica-cement combination produced the strongest bricks and had the best weather resistance, whereas, the silica-lime combination produced the bricks with the lowest thermal conductivity and specific gravity density. The addition of plastic fibers to the silica-lime mixture improved both strength and weather resistance. The combination of asphalt and silica is not suitable as a road surfacing material, however, silica-cement appears promising.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. White

Traditional atmospheres used for Aluminum annealing have been air, exothermic gas, and cryogenic purity Nitrogen. Air and exothermic gas have several problems associated with them such as surface discoloration, toxic emissions, and explosion hazards. High Oxygen levels can cause Magnesium streaking and oil staining, and therefore pure Nitrogen has been the atmosphere of choice for high quality Aluminum coils. A comparative study was made on key Aluminum alloys annealed in Nitrogen with different Oxygen concentrations to determine the effect on surface quality. The atmosphere composition inside the furnace was analyzed during the purge and heat cycle to determine its effects on purge times and exhaust emissions. The Aluminum coils after annealing were visually inspected for surface staining before and after rolling. The lab study revealed that Nitrogen with up to 1.0% Oxygen is acceptable, and did not adversely effects the surface quality or any of the other processing variables. However it isbelieved that higher Oxygen concentrations are acceptable depending on the rolling oils and alloy systems.

Jan 1, 1996

The copper concentrate market is becoming increasingly unstable. In the early 1990s large concentrate stocks were built up and the glut was cleared only after treatment charges rose so sharply that 'non-traditional' custom smelter capacity, such as in Kazakhstan, could be employed, By 1994 the market had shifted and Western smelters were unable to secure enough concentrates to operate full out. The reason for these sharp swings in the market balance is that virtllally all the recent mine development has been non-integrated. With different companies developing new mine . and smelter capacity, it is inevitable that the pace of expansion in the two sectors will not be coordinated. For many years the Japanese smelters were the major buyers from the new mm-integrated mines. However, Japanese smelter capacity is unlikely to increase appreciably in the future and this stabilizing influence will be very difficult to replace. This paper will examine the likely concentrate/smelter balance over the next five years and will forecast the likely direction of? treatment charges. It will also touch on the critical variables in assessing the viability of new greenfield custom smelter capacity, such as proximity to concentrate sources, by-product sulfuric acid prices and, most importantly, tariff protection.

Jan 1, 1995

By Marta Cabral, C. A. Nogueira, F. Margarido

"Physical processing of spent batteries which includes shredding and sieving operation is the first step for chemical treatment by hydrometallurgy. A laboratory study was carried out to evaluate physical processing efficiency, by analysing the resulting particle size, of alkaline and saline mignon-type Zn-MnO2 batteries. After shredding with a tip shredder, results obtained showed that alkaline batteries were more efficiently size reduced than saline batteries. Difference in particle size distribution was larger for granulometric fraction -20+11.2 mm and also higher for saline batteries. Average diameters (d50) for saline and alkaline batteries were respectively 9.1 and 6.2 mm. Chemical composition carried out on several granulometric fractions allowed to identify metals distribution through size categories. This analysis showed that zinc concentration with the grain size was almost constant, while manganese decreased when particle size increased. More than 95% of iron scarp from the battery cases had a particle size higher than 5.6 mm.IntroductionRecycling process of spent batteries includes physical unit operations which involves a fragmentation step in order to open the battery cases and to allow the access of chemical reactants to the electrode materials, on further chemical unit operations. Shredders are usually used for that purpose, using cutting mechanisms and allowing efficient fracture of residues in order to promote further processing of the contained materials. Batteries are complex products with a large variety of sizes and shapes which causes serious difficulties for predicting and carrying out its fragmentation.Domestic-type batteries are essentially of the Zn-Mn systems and with cylindrical shape, varying from the large size Mono (or D) type to the small size Micro (or AAA) type [1]. Recycling of batteries involves collection, sorting [2] and metallurgical processing [3, 4]. In some processes, the first step of metallurgical processing is dismantling and size reduction by shredding. Research work on spent batteries considering grinding/shredding and physical separation of fractions is scarce [5-7], but investigation in this domain is very necessary."

Jan 1, 2008

By I. M. S. Moraes

Caraiba Metais has a plant for the purification and the cristallization of the crude nickel sulfate removed from its copper electrolyte purification system. In November 1994, an interdepartmental group was formed to study the Q.F.D. method, through its application on the improvement of the quality of the nickel sulphate hexahydrate. The team, formed with representatives of the following areas : production, technology, marketing, sales, maintenance, laboratory and TQC office, had also the task of checking the applicability of the method to other products of the comp any. This paper describes the main steps such as the survey of customer's demands, the preparation o1 the quality matrix, stablishing the planned quality matrix, the planned and the designed quality, and the consequent identification of the engineering bottlenecks. It is also shown how these bottllenecks were studied and solved. The application of the method allowed the team to identify means of increasing the production capacity by 40%, to improve the intrinsic quality of the product (including packaging), and to increase the reliability of the process.

Jan 1, 1997

By Zuomei Jin

The Mineralogical form of Silver in a Ag-rich complex ore was determined. In the complex sulfide ore, acidic thiourea leaching resulted in 35% extraction of silver directly. In the same complex sulfide ore, under the effect of ultrasonic treatment, 65% of silver can be ex¬tracted. After the above ore had been roasted and acidically leached of Zn and Cu, the silver extracted from this Pb-Ag residue was 96.8%. The effets of temperature, thiourea and ferric ion concentrations and partical size were examined. The leaching rate of silver from the Pb-Ag residue was diffusion controlled. The activation energy was calculated to be 10. 49%KJ/mole. The kinetic model for the thiourea leaching of silver from Pb-Ag residue was obtained and is given by, The kinetics of silver cementation by aluminium in thiourea solutions was also investigated. The activation energy was calculated to be 65. 13KJ/mole, which is reasonable fora rate-limiting surface reaction.

Jan 1, 1995

By H. Y. Sohn

A novel solvent extraction process in which the emulsion is generated by bottom gas injection rather than mechanical stirring has been developed. This process has a number of advantages over the mixer-settler unit or the spray column in terms of simple equipment configuration and the ease of cleaning and process control while providing a large interfacial area for mass transfer. The equipment consists of a horizontal cylindrical vessel in which the two immiscible liquids flow countercurrently. High-strength gas jets are injected from the bottom at certain intervals along the length of the vessel. The gas jet creates a plume zone consisting of an emulsion of the two liquids which contains a large interfacial area for rapid mass transfer. The two liquids then disengage and flow in the opposite directions before entering another plume zone. Thus, the process combines the simplicity of a cylindrical vessel, having no moving parts, with the contacting efficiency of a mixer-settler. The gas can be recycled in a closed loop, thus eliminating mist and other emission problems. These advantages would be especially significant for treating large-volume/low-value liquid streams which contain hazardous substances and/or suspended solid particulates.

Jan 1, 1996

By U. Kammer

The reduction of the lead content in the separator fraction produced during the mechanical processing of spent lead-acid batteries is an important environmental and economical issues. The reduction of lead down to less than 1 percent is very difficult using hydroseparators that are common in battery recycling facilities. Very promising results were achieved performing experiments on a test rig using a new technology in battery treatment: a discharge-type jigging unit. The materials is fed onto the jigging bed and transported through the machine. Due to the intensive movement of the feed, an additional washing effect is also obtained in addition to separation of the lead and plastic fractions. The knowledge gained from this development work at UVR-FIA GmbH in Freiberg, Germany, led to a patent application. This paper focuses on the results of the development work and the start-up and one year's operation of the industrial-scale application at Harz-Metall GmbH in Goslar, Gennany.

Jan 1, 2000

By Defeng Zhou, N. Trubaki, Jian Meng, Fanzhi Menga, Xiaojuan Liu, Yanjie Xia

"The microstructure and the electric conductivity of (Ce0.9Nd0.1)1 xMxO2 d (M=Mo, W) solid solutions were investigated. It has been found that their conductivity containing the grain (s gi ), the grain boundary (s gb) and the total conductivity (s t ) at 300°C- 700°C can be ranked as: (Ce 0. 9Nd 0. 1 ) 0.99 W 0.01 02- d (s gi = 0.065 S.cm·1, (s gb = 0.265 S.cm·1, s t = 0.039 S.cm-1) > (Ce0.9Nd0.1)0.99Mo0.01O2- d (s gi = 0.053 S.cm·1, s gb = 0.142 S.cm·1, s t = 0.029 S.cm-1) > Ce0.9Nd0.1 s 2- d (s gi 0.045 S.cm-1, s gb = 0.091 S.cm-1, s t = 0.018 S.cm-1) measured at 700°C. The highest conductivity is obtained in (Ceo.9Ndo.1)0.99W0.01O2 d. These results indicate that (Ceo.9Nd0.1)0.99W0.01O2- d is the most promising electrolyte materials of intermediate-temperature solid oxide fuel cells among (Ce0.9Nd0.1)1-xMxO2- d. IntroductionRare-earth (e.g. La3+, Nd3+, Gd3+ and Sm3l doped ceria-based ceramic materials have been acknowledged to be attractive electrolytes for solid oxide fuel cells operating below 600°C due to their high ionic conductivity [1, 2]. In order to improve ionic conductivity of these electrolytes further, in recent reports [3-6], some aids such as Mo03 [3] etc. in a limited amount can be used which causes extremely high conductivity. For example, Zhou et al. found that with MoO3 doping, the grain boundary conductivity of Nd3+ doped CeO2- d increased notably especially at lower temperatures due to the effect of severely undersized do pants [3]. It is well known that the size of W6+ (rw6+ = 0.60 Å) is close to Mo6+ (rMo6+ = 0.62A) because of lanthanide shrinkage. Thus, rare-earth doped ceria e.g. Nd3+ doped CeO2g with WO3 in a limited amount will be probably good and even better electrolytes. However, much less information is available about these materials. Therefore, in our paper, (Ce0.9Nd0.1)0.99 1-xMxO2- d (M=Mo, W) solid solutions have been prepared and characterized. Much higher conductive electrolytes are found in the series of (Ce0.9Nd0.1)0.99 M0.01O02- d particularly (Ce0.9Nd0.1)0.99W0.01O2- d"

Jan 1, 2012

By Chao Zhang, Kexin Jiao, Yi Qian, Jianliang Zhang

Now low-grade iron ore were widely used. However, one prominent problem is that the content of trace elements is higher than that in high quality iron ore. For the requirement of the content of Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Ti in hot-rolled steel sheet and strip, the upper limits of these elements in sinter will be studied in this paper. Using the activity model of aggregation of electronic phased slag composition, the distribution ratio of each element in converter is analyzed and the content of each element in hot metal is calculated. Furthermore, through the thermodynamics method, the distribution ratio of each element in BF is analyzed and the content of each element in raw material is calculated. The upper limits of Mn, Cr, Ni, Cu, and Ti in sinter can be determined by calculating, the values are as follows: Mn 0.767%; Cr 0.552%; Ni 0.055%; Cu 0.159%; Ti 0.108%.

Jan 1, 2015

By Guohua Bai, Yuanbo Zhang, Guihong Han, Zijian Su, Daoyuan Zhang

"Specularite ores have poor hydrophilicity and ballability as well as inferior high-temperature reactivity, which restrict the large-scale application of them in the pelletizing and sintering production. Modified humic acid (MHA) organic binders are firstly used for pellet preparation from specularite in this paper. The results show that the drop strength of green pellets is 3.7 times/0.5m and compression strength is 12.5 N/P by using 1.0 wt% MHA as binder. Under the optimal experimental conditions of preheating temperature 980 °C, preheating time 12 min, roasting temperature 1280 °C and roasting time 10 min, the preheated pellets have the compression strength more than 400 N/P, and that of roasted pellets is 2747 N/P. The strength of finished pellets meets the requirements of blast furnace iron-making. MHA is a kind of more effective organic binder for specularite pellets compared with the inorganic bentonite.IntroductionAcid Pellets have advantages of good strength, uniformity particle size, high iron grade and good reducibility, which can be used as high-quality burdens for blast furnaces [1]. With fast development of Chinese iron and steel industry domestic magnetite concentrates with high grade of iron and good firing performances become shortage.Imported specularite ores have advantages of low price and high grade of iron (generally above 67 wt%), so the application of them in pellets is an effective way for sustainable development of pellet industry in China. However, the specularites have not been utilized in pelletizing and sintering at present because of the poor ballability and high-temperature reactivity [2, 3]. Most of the pellet plants use bentonite as binders, the amount of which is about 2~3 wt%. The pellet production practice shows that 90 wt% bentonite is still residual in finished pellets and reduces the iron grade [3]. Developing a new organic binder instead of bentonite is very important to the high-quality pellet production. On one hand, the consumption of bentonite is obviously reduced, resulting in decreasing the ironmaking coke ratio and slag discharge; On the other hand, the iron grade of finished pellets are improved, which brings the benefit for the ironmaking production."

Jan 1, 2011

By A. Haxhiaj, E. Haxhiaj

"The paper has as a studying object the issue of effective management of gasses’ heating and dusts in reductive melting process in lead (Pb) metallurgy. It also analyses the issue related to the usage and recycling of dusts and gasses in all pyro-metallurgical processes of technical lead production. The paper contains the analysis of technological process of separation of humidity, gasses, and dusts of valuable remainders in “Trepça” plant. Paper has the results of theoreticalexperimental studying, analytical and graphical of gasses thermal balance depending on height and composition of load, and the coke quantity on load for reductive melt in “Water-Jacket” furnaces. With thermal balance, having into consideration all parameters of heat in entry and exit depending on aforementioned factors we aimed to optimize the parameters of the process, keeping the attention to the minimization of energy consumption, and the overall influence on environment.1. IntroductionThe upper part of the furnace which is the study point of this paper lies from the reactions zone of Water-Jacket furnace and it also includes the furnace neck. In this zone has been elaborated the zonal material balance referenced third in the row. The separation of humidity, dusts, gases and lead with gases depends on many parameters like temperature, load composition, and height of load inserted in the furnace, and also the height of preheating zone in Water-jacket furnace. Lead oxidizes in reaction zone of the furnace and exhales with gases like dusts and small particles after which falls in worthy storage of Trepça plant and has negative effects in environment, and economic stability of reductive melting process of Water-jacket furnace. Thermal balance of gases in this zone depends on many factors; height and load composition, coke quantity in a load. The calculation has been done as the standard methodology of thermal calculation is done; moreover, by using a computer for mathematical models which enables very accurate results. We must emphasize that acquired and used heat in reaction zone and melted materials is calculated in others studies, so their influence in preheating zone is assumed."

Jan 1, 2010

By D. A. Meyn, R. L. Holtz, C. S. Pande, M. A. Imam, D. J. Singh

"Various theoretical and experimental techniques used to search and develop new metal hydride systems suitable for hydrogen storage are described. The main theoretical technique under study makes the use of electronic structure of the candidate materials. Microstructural characterization techniques like transmission electron microscopy are being used to study the hydride formation. Novel processing techniques for material preparation such as those needed to produce thin films or amorphous phases are also being utilized. The techniques are illustrated with results from Pd, FeTi and Mg2Ni systems.IntroductionOf the four methods of hydrogen storage, compressed gas, cryogenic liquid, metal hydrides, and gas-solid adsorption, the metal hydride storage method is more attractive from the point of view of high volumetric density and safety. Compressed gas storage has disadvantages of extreme pressure, weight, and volume requirements, whereas storage of hydrogen as cryogenic liquid is unattractive due to the requirements of extremely low temperatures and high consumption of primary energy. Moreover, the number hydrogen atoms present in a volume of 10- 22 Cm3 (nH) in liquid hydrogen state (- 20K) is 4.2 whereas number of hydrogen atoms that can be accommodated in a free volume of 10-22 cm3 of various hydrides are as follows: LiH--5.9, TiH2--9.2, ZrH2--9.2, VH2--l0.2. High hydrogen concentration is usually associated with a large H/Metal atomic ratio but is also a function of structure."

Jan 1, 1994