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By František Molnar, Zsolt Szentirmai, Juraj Schmiedl, Felix Sekula

"Hydrometallurgical nickel production in Sered Nickel Plant (Slovakia) that treated roasted Albanian ore left behind a considerable amount of the solid leaching residue. About 6 million tons of this fine-powder residue containing approximately 52 wt.% of iron in the form of oxides is to the present day stored in a stockpile. However, its iron content makes it a potentially interesting secondary raw material for iron production. This secondary raw material is not, unfortunately, suitable for direct treatment in iron and steelmaking processes.This paper presents results of the laboratory tests of pyrometallurgical method of processing of the leaching residue by its roasting and subsequent refining melting. The objective of the selective reducing agglomeration roasting was to reduce iron oxides and to simultaneously avoid reduction of chromium oxides and silica. Refining melting is carried out in an inert atmosphere. The products of melting are technically pure iron and slag.IntroductionThe leaching residue stockpiled on waste dump near already non-existing Nickel Plant Sered, Slovakia, is considered to be one of the most important environmental burdens in this country. The 40-years of an on-going effort focused on finding the methods for extracting metals and thus remove the waste dump have not been successful [1,4,5,6]. From the literature survey it is evident that past investigations have been following three main routes:1.Removal of chromium by mineral processing methods prior to its metallurgical treatment to achieve final chromium concentrations below 0.3 wt.%.2.Pelletization of solid leaching residue and its subsequent reduction in blast furnace and steelmaking plant and simultaneous removal of chromium.3.Pelletization of solid leaching residue followed by metallurgical processing of preliminary reduced semi-product in electric arc furnace (EAF) accompanied by partial reduction of chromium."

Jan 1, 2008

By J. L. Liow

Studies have been carried out on the causes and effects of slopping in an annular cylindrical geometry such as the top submerged combustion reactor. Properties of standing waves formed such as the wave profile, period, pressure distribution and velocity have been derived analytically. The wear profile due to wave erosion was calculated based on the assumption of linear motion and that the wear is a dissolution process. The use of the j, factor showed that the wear was proportional to the square root of the wave velocity at any point. Using the dimensions of the lsasmelt reactor given by Errington et al. (1987)[11, the wear profile due to wave erosion was calculated using the analytical solution. The wear profile calculated was shown to have a maximum just below the initial bath surface. The wear was found to be concentrated in the region where the first asymmetric standing wave was most active. The results showed that the refractory near the bath surface will be affected by wave erosion, more so than any other parts of the reactor. The contribution of wave erosion on wear must be accounted for in assessing the total refractory wear of a vessel in which slopping exists.

Jan 1, 1991

By Maneesh Singh

During the various stages of iron & steel production a number of iron-rich by-products are generated. The traditional way to recycle them back to the blast furnace has been the balling - sintering process. These by-products can also be made into cement-bonded agglomerates for use as burden material for blast furnaces. In order to improve the quality of agglomerates the effects of various processing parameters on the properties of cement-bonded briquettes have to be controlled. This paper looks into the various aspects of producing cement-bonded agglomerates and using them as burden material for blast furnaces.

Jan 1, 2003

By Mike Adams

Comprehensive pilot testwork has been conducted on BHP Billiton's Ravensthorpe nickel laterite deposit over a fifteen-month period at Lakefield Oretest. Some 228 tonnes of ore were processed in a beneficiation pilot-plant comprising scrubbing, attrition scrubbing, screening and thickening over sixteen pilot runs with an average mass closure of 99.2%. This produced a suitable feed for hydrometallurgical piloting over seven runs covering 1,680 hours of operation. The integrated EPAL® (enhanced pressure acid leach) circuit comprised a limonite pressure acid leach front end discharging into a saprolite atmospheric leach circuit and subsequently to induced jarosite precipitation, counter-current decantation, iron removal, mixed hydroxide precipitation, and manganese removal. The pilot plant met its key objectives in demonstrating the flowsheet's technical viability, and generating raw data inputs for the project feasibility study. Rapid, intensive data capture, collation and reporting helped solve key flowsheet issues. The pilot plant also demonstrated its value as a risk management tool in the resolution of numerous engineering, metallurgical and materials selection issues at a manageable scale. A disciplined approach to experimental planning, operation and management was a significant contributor to the overall success of the campaign. Keywords: Ravensthorpe, Nickel, Piloting, Beneficiation, Pressure, Leach

Jan 1, 2004

By Hans von Michaelis

There has been a renaissance in gold and silver extraction and recovery that has taken place over the last fifteen years, since the price of gold was freed from the $3510~ level. Despite major advances in such areas as carbon adsorption processes for gold recovery, refractory gold ore treatment, crushing and grinding, process control, etc., there still remain several gold and silver mineral processing frontiers. Frontiers related to environmental management present significant challenges especially in the USA. More than ever it is appropriate to optimize total economics by adopting a "systems approach" that integrates mining, mineral processing and environmental management.

Jan 1, 1993

By W. G. Davenport

Inco flash smelting blows industrial oxygen, dried Cu"Fe-S concentrate, Si02 flux and recycle materials horizontally into a hot (-1500 K) furnace. Once in the furnace, the oxygen reacts with the concentrate by Reactions 1.1, 1.2 and 1.3 to give: (a) liquid matte, 55 to 60 mass%Cu (b) liquid slag, 1 to 2 mass% Cu (c) off gas, 60 to 75 volume % S02. The matte is tapped into ladles and sent to converting, Fig. 1.3. The slag is tapped into ladles, and sent to a stockpile; with or without a Cu-from-slagremoval step. The off gas is water-quenched, cleaned of dust and sent to a sulfudc acid plant. The [nco flash furnace is also used to recover Cu from molten recycle converter slag. The slag is poured' into the furnace via a steel chute and water-cooled door, Fig. 3.1. In 2000 there are five Inco flash furnaces in operation: at Almalyk, Uzbekistan (Ushakov, et at. 1975); Hayden, Arizona (Marczeski and Aldrich 1986); Hudey. New Mexico (Belew and Partelpoeg, 1993); and Sudbury, Ontario (two furnaces, Carr etal, 1997, Humphris et ai, 1997; Molino et ai, 1997). The Almalyk, Hayden and Hurley furnaces smelt Cu-Fe-S concentrates. The Sudbury furnaces smelt Ni-Cu-Co~Fe-S concentrates'to produce -45% Ni+Cu+Co matte and -1% Ni+Cu+Co slag.

Jan 1, 2001

By A. D. Neuman, C. C. Davis, M. R. Lopez, A. C. Martinez, T. A. Nothwang, S. L. Voit

"One of the thrust areas for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) program is the development of actinide bearing fuels for transmutation in a fast reactor. Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel has an extensive fast reactor irradiation history and thus is being considered for use as a baseline composition from which minor actinides (MA) can be incorporated for use as a transmutation fuel. This study involves characterization of precursor powders and pellets to be inserted into the Advanced Test Reactor in Idaho. These pellets will have three compositions: one standard MOX composition, (U80Pu20)O1.98, and two compositions of MA-MOX with oxygen to metal ratios (O/M) of (U75Pu20Am3Np2)O1.98 and (U75Pu20Am3Np2)O1.95. The precursor powders, which consisted of, highly enriched uranium oxide, HEUO2, depleted uranium oxide, DUO2, neptunium oxide, NpO2, americium oxide, AmO2, and plutonium oxide, PuO2, were characterized using a field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) for particle morphology, size, and size distribution prior to pellet production.IntroductionThe Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) was created in order for “fuel-cycle supplier” nations to provide assured supplies of nuclear fuel to “fuel-cycle customer” nations. The customer nations would utilize the fuel for electricity generation and subsequently return it to the supplier nation after it is spent. This spent fuel would then be reprocessed by the supplier nation in order to recycle the actinide constituents, mainly uranium and plutonium, in advanced nuclear power reactors, and thus reducing waste volumes [1, 2]. Nuclear materials would also be strictly controlled through the International Atomic Energy Agency. One of the thrust areas for the GNEP program is the development of these actinide bearing fuels for transmutation in a fast reactor under the U.S. Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) in order to transmute long-lived transuranic actinide isotopes into shorter-lived fission products [3]."

Jan 1, 2008

By David C. Lynch

FeCl3 particulate of 10 to 100 um in diameter was reacted with radicals produced in an oxygen plasma at pressures between 1 to 20 Torr. The particulate, in a fluidized bed, was positioned above the plasma to avoid over heating the oxide product which is known to lead to crust and clinker formation[ 1 ]. Reaction between the iron chloride and the gas phase occurred at temperatures between 66 and 226 °C. Oxygen radicals react with the surface material to a depth of approximately 2.5 4m. Surface material, analyzed with a x-ray technique, indicates that the maximum amount of FeCl3 reacted on a weight basis was found to be approximately 67%. More typically, 40 to 50 wt% of the chloride was reacted within 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Jan 1, 1996

By Patrick Clark

As part of the Mine Waste Technology Program (MWTP), a large-scale column test using bacteria and a sulfide ore was conducted at McClelland Laboratories, Inc., in Sparks, Nevada. Four technology providers participated in this demonstration. A mining company in Nevada provided the sulfide ore, process effluent and make-up water. A process effluent column, a chemical oxidation column, and the four biological treatment columns were set side by side on a test pad outside the laboratory building. The process effluent and chemical oxidation columns were used for experimental control. The goal of this project was to evaluate the viability and feasibility of using these biodegradation technologies to reduce the cyanide to the regulatory level of 0.2 parts per million (ppm) within an acceptable timeframe and with low operational costs. The column testing began on December 3, 1998 and operated until May 17, 1999. One technology provider reached the regulatory level within the 158 days. The remaining three biotechnology columns were approaching the regulatory limit at completion of the demonstration. The MWTP is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is jointly administered through an interagency agreement with the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).

Jan 1, 1998

By T. L. Baum

External oxidation during in-line heat treatment of TRIP steels can cause problems for the subsequent coating process. This research aims to elucidate the kinetic rates of internal oxidation, external oxidation and decarburization and their interdependence under different gas atmospheres and temperatures. A rolled steel sample chemistry of 0.14 wt.% C, 1.8 wt% Mn, 0.6 wt.% Si and 1 wt.% Al is used as a case study. Thermogravimetric techniques are used to examine the net mass change in a sample during heat treatment and the results show an initial mass decrease and later an increase for particular partial pressures of H2O. SEM-EDS, optical microscopy and glancing-angle x-ray are used to quantify the microstructure. The cross-section of the samples have 4 distinct zones: (i) an external scale, rich in fayalite, (ii) an internally oxidized region with Al, Si and Mn oxides in an Fe matrix, (iii) a decarburized steel region, characterized by large ferrite grains and low carbon content, and (iv) a relatively unaffected steel core with a structure similar to the starting material.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. S. Hanumanth

Sedimentation of particles during the liquid metal processing of particulate metal-matrix composites can affect the homogeneity, and thereby the properties, of the cast product. A novel electrical probe has been developed to measure the in-situ volume fraction of ceramic particles in molten metal baths. Using this probe, sedimentation rates for 90 pm silicon carbide particles dispersed in molten aluminum A356 alloy were measured over a wide range of particle volume fraction, 0.05 to 0.3. The sedimentation rate was found to depend strongly on particle volume fraction; the time to clarify a 0.15 m depth increased from approximately 60 to 500 seconds as the volume fraction increased from 0.05 to 0.3. Measured sedimentation rates agree well with the predictions of a sedimentation model based on one-dimensional, two-phase flow theory in which the inter-phase drag function is derived from the momentum equation, utilizing the Richardson-Zaki Equation for sedimentation in aqueous systems. The implications for solidification are discussed.

Jan 1, 1993

By João M. S. Rodrigues

The use of sandblasting as a treatment method for conditioning anodes for zinc electro-winning was investigated and compared with conventional fluoride preconditioning. The anodes were made from two different lead-based alloys (Pb-Ag-Ca and Pb-Ag). Laboratory results showed that sandblasting and preconditioning both minimize lead contamination in the zinc and sludge generation. Sandblasting was found to have no aggravating effect on the anode corrosion. The sandblasting treatment was tested on Pb- Ag-Ca anodes on an industrial scale in the celJhouse of a local zinc producer. An unexpected finding of the large-scale tests was that the sandblasting appeared to strengthen the anodes, resulting in reduced warping during handling and operation.

Jan 1, 1996

This paper describes developments in ferro-nickel furnace technology, specifically improvements to cooling methods, furnace controls, and high voltage furnace operating regime. The evolution of these technologies is briefly presented, as context for describing the current state of the art that has enabled ferro-nickel furnace operation at over 75 MW and specific energy consumption of less than 400 kWh/t dry ore. Examples from existing operations are used to illustrate present best practices, and potential future trends are discussed: The paper begins with an overview of the fundamental aspects of pyrometallurgical treatment of lateritic ores that drive ferro-nickel furnace design. Furnace wall cooling methods are related to the requirements resulting from specific furnace process conditions, including slag and metal compositions, as well as arc and bath power. The benefits of high productivity and low specific energy consumption resulting from high voltage (shielded-arc) operating practice are discussed, along with the furnace controls and electrical power train that enable such operation even with captive power generation. This paper is an update of that which the authors prepared for the Infacon X ferro-alloys conference.

Jan 1, 2004

By William E. Frazier

The presence of minute amounts of sulfur (10ppm) in nickel-base superalloys has been associated with reduced oxidation resistance and the premature spallation of protective coatings. Removal of sulfur by annealing these alloys in a hydrogen atmosphere has been successfully attempted by several researchers. This paper examines the fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics governing hydrogen desulfurization of elemental nickel. Limiting conditions for successful desulfurization are delineated. Assuming that the diffusion of sulfur is the rate limiting process of desulfurization, the effectiveness as well as time associated with hydrogen desulfurization is explored.

Jan 1, 1994

By Junji Shibata

Extraction behavior of Ti(IV) and other metal ions, such as Fe(III), Fe(II), Cu(II), Zn(I1) and Co(I1) from acidic solutions like sulphuric acid and hydrochloric acid was studied in order to recover titanium from the waste solution in Ti02 production. Extractant used was tri-alkyl phosphine oxide whose trade name was Cyanex 923. Then, a study was made of the idea of simulating a countercurrent multistage extraction system, using the results of batch extraction. The simulation was camed out on extraction and saipping behavior for a Ti(1V)-H$O,-Cyanex 923 system. From the simulation result., the optimum operating condition of the system was considered.

Jan 1, 1994

By C. Geenen

At its Olen site, Union Minière Copper operates a new full-size deposit tank house. A first 200,000 t/y module was commissioned in October 1996, and an additional 130,000 t/y unit started in April 1998. The main objectives of the new tank house project were to produce grade A cathodes starting from anodes with a wide range of compositions and at a minimal operating cost. The tank house uses Isa Process technology. Based on the process parameters agreed upon with MIM, UM Copper developed the basic design and UM Engineering was the in-house contractor for the engineering. The new tank house is equipped with advanced technology polymer concrete cells, automated two-bale cranes and high-capacity machines. The first 200,000 t/y module treats anodes with a more conventional composition at 330 A/m2; the second 130,000 t/y module treats anodes with a high slimes fall (12- 13 kg/t) at current densities up to 285 A/m2. After some teething problems, the new tank house is meeting all set targets. This paper illustrates and comments on the design characteristics and operational results.

Jan 1, 1999

By Thomas Brynjulfsen, Merete Tangstad, Eli Ringdalen

Manganese ore fines cannot be added to the submerged arc furnace directly as they will prevent even gas flow through the burden. Low gas permeability in the burden will lower the degree of pre-reduction of ore subsequently increase the carbon and energy consumption of the process. In order to utilize manganese ore fines in the furnace, they are typically agglomerated into sinter. In this work, the melting and reduction properties of Gabonese sinter and Gabonese ore have been investigated in pilot scale experiments. Two experiments were conducted, one with 100% sinter as manganese source and one with 50/50 sinter and ore. Lime was used to achieve a charge basicity of 0.72 in both experiments. The composition of slag samples from the excavation of the furnace was established using EPMA(WDS), and the composition of the tapped slag and metal was found using XRF. It was found that while the coke-bed size would determine the tapped slag composition, the melting behavior of the Mn source would determine the mixing with lime.

Jan 1, 2014

By Yuanyuan Wang, Hong Li, Xueting Liu, Hao Bai, Kang Zhou

"Phase change materials are widely used in efficient utilization of energy and new energy technology. Especially, more attention has been paid to composite phase material, which is applied on architectural energy-saving and efficient working fluid. In this paper, stearic acid-silicon dioxide composite material was prepared by sol-gel process from tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and stearic acid (SA). The material was investigated by Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and Differential scanning calorimeter (DSC). The FE-SEM results show that 3D-grids of silicon dioxide were formed clearly and SA was encapsulated in the silicon dioxide shell. The FT-IR results show that there were no chemical reactions between silicon dioxide and SA, which is the chemical property of the composite material, is stable. The DSC results show that the composite phase change material has favorable heat capacity. This material is expected to be used to make a cooling working fluid.1. IntroductionEnergy thermal storage becomes increasingly prominent issue in recent years, because thermal storage has been used in many aspects, for example, it can be added into building materials to improve heat conditioning. Another potential application of thermal storage materials is that the intermittent waste heat can be collected and recycled effectively by using the thermal storage facility. Thus, energy thermal storage plays a significant role in conserving available energy and improving its utilization [1]. Energy thermal storage includes sensible heat storage and latent heat storage. The latent heat storage has great heat density with a constant temperature during the phase change process [2-5]. Large quantities of latent heat storage will be absorbed and released when phase change takes place. Based on the former researches, some phase change material (PCM), such as fatty acid and paraffin waxes, has been proved to have high latent heat storage capacity and appropriate thermal properties [5-6]. However, using the PCM in energy storage systems directly is restricted, e.g. some properties of organic PCM, like form-stability and thermal conductivity, are not good enough to use. Meanwhile, almost all the inorganic PCMs are corrosive and most materials may cause sub cooling and segregation [7-9].The other problem is that the leakage when the temperature reaches the phase change point. Therefore, encapsulated composite phase change material (CPCM) emerged in order to solve the problem of leaking out, minimize the sub cooling and prevent phase segregation. [10-13] However, the easy flammability of fatty acid also has hindered the development of PCM. Accordingly, it has been found out that silicon compounds are environmentally friendly promising substitutes for halogen-containing flame retardants. Especially, silsesquioxanes are excellent in the flame retardancy. So CPCM can be encapsulated with SiO2 acting supporting material."

Jan 1, 2014

By G. C. Amstutz

The topic of the industrial applications of mineralogy is a vast field which can be adequately covered only in a large book or by a two or three semester course. This paper recalls experiences of the writer in this field, a task requested by the Process Mineralogy Committee. Therefore, this paper is largely an account of the industrial mineralogy problems I was involved with, since my student years, Although I will treat each application only briefly, it is hoped that they will illustrate to the students in the field how varied are the applications of mineralogical methods. In this respect, I want to emphasize that it is important for mineralogy teachers to point out the usefulness of mineralogical methods much more often in their courses. Not only does that help prepare young individuals for industrial careers, but also it arouses their feeling of consciousness of public responsibility which is an important attribute for the world's scientists. When professors utilize the varied applications in their teaching of mineralogical methods students then understand better the significance of learning those methods and appreciate the many years of necessary university preparation. The first time I was involved in an application of mineralogical methods was about 1944 as a student of Professor Paul Niggli. He was asked to study the problems of ice crystallization on wings of airplanes. The ice formed at high altitudes and during the winter. This was not outside his realm of expertise because he was the main initiator of the Snow Research Institute on the Weissfluhjoch in Switzerland. I believe that the work of this Institute was an important factor in stimulating much of the snow research subsequently carried out at the United States Army Snow Research Center, which was located at that time in Willmette near Chicago. Dr. Bader, one of Paul Niggli's former students, was the Director of Research at Wilmette at that time and for quite a number of years thereafter. A mineralogist-crystallographer can make important contributions to a better understanding of the problems of snow and ice formation, avalanche hazards, and the prevention of hail. The habits of snow crystals are essentially a function of the temperature and the humidity,

Jan 1, 1982

By S. S. Chabot, S. E. James

A recent survey of CEOs from major steel companies worldwide revealed the importance of recycling zinc units from EAF dust, mill scale, blast furnace dust, and other zinc containing streams in their plants. Many processes were developed and installed in response to this challenge. The most successful approach involves the production of a crude zinc oxide and selling it to primary zinc producers to recover the metal value. The problem with this process is the high concentration of halides in the crude oxide. This type of material cannot be processed directly in an electrolytic zinc plant because of corrosion problems it will cause in electrolysis. In 1999, BRZ installed a zinc oxide receiving and washing plant to minimize the impact of halides to its circuit. A description of the washing plant and initial operating results are included.

Jan 1, 2000