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By John Norton

"This presentation will cover the physical properties of waste heat recovery. It is a two part presentation. The first deals with actually recovering the heat with new state of the art heat exchangers and applying that heat to the furnace combustion and the second part will cover what other processes you can enhance with this ""free"" heat. It will also talk about converting it to steam, hot air or electricity to be used or sold back to the utility company. The economics of various schemes will be reviewed. A brief discussion on State and Federal grants and subsidies will be presented.IntroductionThere are large quantities of wasted heat in the usual aluminum melting process. And, there are several techniques for reducing and/or using some of that wasted heat as you have seen. Any technique that can make use of wasted heat is a form of recovery. This can range from simply preheating aluminum billets prior to melting, to more complicated processes like air-to-air heat exchangers using the boiling and condensing characteristics of special fluids in “heat pipes.” The objective of this type energy recovery process is to move the wasted heat from the hot and dirty exhaust gas stream into some useful process.Waste Heat Recovery in the Aluminum Melting Furnace.There are considerations, of course:1) What might the value be of the recovered energy?2) Can the recovered energy be used within the process? Within the plant? Or by theneighbors?3) What is the capital cost?4) Is the recovery process complicated?5) Will it take additional staff?6) Will it cause additional downtime on the melting line?7) Will the operations staff need to be licensed?Ideally, the process will be simple and inexpensive, the recovered energy will be very valuable, and the whole effort will cause little distraction to the aluminum melting process itself. These would be ideal."

Jan 1, 2011

By Reza Rahimi, M. Nili Ahmadabadi

"Because of high cost and shortage of primary resources of Ni-base superalloys, revert alloys can be used as a part of charging materials for production of superalloys ingots. The current study is based on recycling of IN738LC, a Ni-base superalloy, using 30% and 50% reverted alloy and balanced amount of virgin raw materials. Therefore, it has been attempted to cast an alloy with references to standard chemical composition and mechanical properties. After charging and casting in vacuum melting furnaces, chemical composition verification and non-destructive tests (i.e. Penetration and Radiography Tests), quality of samples were evaluated at elevated temperature by stress-rupture test. Results acquired from chemical composition and mechanical test indicate that cast ingots using 30% and 50% reverted alloy is reliable and consistent with the quality control requirements.IntroductionIn recent years, there have been many fluctuations in cost and availability of raw materials which are extremely determining in Ni-base superalloys production. Accessibility to the high purity metals such as Cobalt, Molybdenum, Tantalum, Niobium and etc. have been problematical during the past decades. Therefore, shortages of critical raw materials beside the economical considerations motivated the alloy suppliers and investigators to study and find alternate sources such as reclamation and recycling of scraps [1].There are a lot of reasons for the necessity of recycling; perhaps the most justifiable one is that consumers themselves produce scraps. For example, the weight of a finished superalloy product could be less than one-third of the cast alloy weight and in the case of complicated machined parts; this portion may reach to one-tenth [2]. High values of constituents, reduction of energy consumption and environmental concerns have all strengthened the obligation of recycling in Ni-base superalloys.Because of the high degree of risk in usage of improper materials for production of turbine blades, a delicately controlled program for recycling is needed. Depending on the type of scraps, this program can define the recycling procedure, required instruments, allowable percentage of scrap for usage and finally confidence level of the process."

Jan 1, 2012

By Charles Zimmerman

The Genesis gold mine, owned and operated by Newmont Gold Co., is located in section 31, T36N, R50E within Eureka County, Nevada along the Carlin Trend of sediment-hosted disseminated gold deposits. Mining commenced in 1986 with present mineable and stockpiled reserves listed at 17,711,000 tons of ore averaging 0.073 opt Au, totalling 1.292 million ounces of gold. Ore is primarily hosted within Devonian calcareous siltstones that have been subjected to intensive argillization and silicification episodes. Additional mineralogic and geochemical features of the Genesis ores include enrichment in iron-oxides, kaolinite, arsenic and antimony; the ore zone is relatively depleted in carbonates and sulfides as a result of supergene and hypogene oxidation. Two major structural zones enhanced the permeability of the siltstones and served as the main hydrothermal conduits within the deposit. Prior to the main ore stage, the host rocks were subjected to metasomatic effects caused by emplacement of the Juro-Cretaceous Goldstrike granodiorite pluton and associated dikes and sills. Micron-size gold occurs in clays, micro-crystalline quartz, and in arsenical complexes. Non-oxidized carbonaceous and sulfidic ores and silica-locked ores result in variable preg-robbing and refractory responses during cyanide recovery. Selective mining and milling has resulted in the successful treatment of the Genesis orebody.

Jan 1, 1988

By Jeffrey L. Zelms

Environmental issues and how they are addressed -- or not addressed -- by the lead industry in the 1990s will determine the eventual fate of lead mining in both the U.S. and worldwide. Clearly, governmental regulation throughout the West will become harsher. Equally clearly, the industry has? failed to educate the public regarding lead. Instead of public support for a critical mineral, we face widespread public ignorance and paranoia. If we can demonstrate the public interest benefits of the industry, the 1990s will be a decade of continuing growth -- not dynamic growth, certainly, but growth at least comparable to the world economy. If, however, we fail to demonstrate the industry's public interest benefits, the 1990s could mark the beginning of the end of our business.

Jan 1, 1990

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 Gary A. Wickham

In the zinc industry, this past decade has seen both prosperity and depression. Significant changes have occurred throughout the world in mining, smelting, refining, and marketing. This paper will review many of the industrywide changes of recent years and the potential impact for 1990s. In addition to an historical review of supply and demand are discussion of technology considerations for zinc and zinc based products, effects of geographical shifting of markets, and projections for the 1990s.

Jan 1, 1990

By H. -Peter Sattler

The laser sorting technique for replacing the handpicking of the non-ferrous metal scrap from auto shredders was first introduced 1990, The process is based on the use of atomic emission spectroscopy induced by lasers to identify the scrap particles and sort them with adequate systems into main fractions of Al-, Zn-and Cu-alloys, stainless steel and lead, In the meantime the handling technique for the scrap, i.e. the singling and sorting technique as well as the analytical detector were further developed for more efficiency and higher reliability, i,e. less maintenance, minor sorting errors etc. These developments were mainly based, on and initiated by operational experiences from the startup phase of a first production plant. Part of the on going research work was the development of an ,aluminium detector which makes it the first time possible to sort mixed aluminium scrap automatically into specific alloy fractions.

Jan 1, 1995

By Yousef Mohassab, Hong Yong Sohn, Mohamed Elzohiery

As part of the development of a novel flash ironmaking process at the University of Utah, a labscale flash reactor was used to produce iron directly from iron oxide concentrate. This work tested the feasibility of the novel flash ironmaking process using the partial combustion of hydrogen as fuel and reductant. In this flash reactor, the energy required to reduce concentrate particles was obtained from the internal combustion of hydrogen and oxygen with complementary energy from electrical resistance heating to compensate for the heat loss. After the reaction shaft was electrically pre-heated, hydrogen and oxygen streams produced a non-premixed flame inside the reaction shaft. Various conditions such as flame configuration, flame power, positions of concentrate feeding ports, excess hydrogen amount and residence time were tested. More than 90% reduction of magnetite or hematite was achieved at temperatures as low as 1175 oC with < 100% excess hydrogen in <10 s of residence time.

Jan 1, 2016

By Shengqin Zhang, Yousef Mohassab, Feng Chen, Hong Yong Sohn, Mohamed Elzohiery, Amr Abdelghany

A novel ironmaking process is under development at the University of Utah aimed at producing iron directly from iron oxide concentrate in a flash reactor. This process will reduce hazardous emissions and save energy. The kinetics of magnetite reduction with hydrogen was previously investigated in our laboratory in the temperature range 1150 to 1400 oC at large temperature increments (~100 oC increments). Due to the significant melting that occurs above 1350 oC, the reduction kinetics was measured and analyzed in two distinct temperature ranges of 1150 to 1350 oC and 1350 to 1600 oC (~50 oC increments). Experiments were performed using magnetite concentrate particles of different sizes under various hydrogen partial pressures and residence times. Reduction degrees of more than 90 % were achieved in a few seconds at temperatures as low as 1250 ºC. Different rate expressions were needed to obtain reliable agreement with experimental data.

Jan 1, 2016

By Min Chen, Lei Xu, Liang-yu Jin, Xue-liang Yin

For the purpose to reduce the high cost and heat storage loss of Al2O3-MgO bricks used as ladle linings, Al2O3-MgO-CaO bricks with lower theoretical density were fabricated and the densification behavior as well as mechanical property of this refractory was investigated. With addition of CaO, the initial sintering temperature of Al2O3-MgO refractory was decreased from 1300 to 1100°C associated with the expansive formation of CA2, and the compressive strength was also enhanced owing to the formation of bond linkage between CA6 and spinel. At high temperature, brick with 4% CaO content showed poor sinterability with high porosity because of the formation of platelet structure of CA6 grains, whereas brick with 8% CaO content was well sintered with higher relative density but lower bulk density than Al2O3-MgO brick, indicating that the densification as well as lightweight of Al2O3-MgO refractory was effectively promoted.

Jan 1, 2015

By Dariusz Kopyci ski, Józef Dorula

The study proves that by introducing the iron powder and disintegrated steel scrap to low-sulphur cast iron still before the inoculation carried out with a conventional graphitising inoculant, the mechanical properties similar to those obtained during the inoculation treatment carried out on cast iron with the recommended high sulphur content are achieved. The said operation increases the number of crystallisation nuclei for dendrites of the primary austenite. In this case, the iron particles act as substrates for the nucleation of primary austenite, due to a similar crystallographic behaviour of the regular face centred cubic lattice The more numerous are the dendrites of primary austenite, the less free space is available in the interdendritic spaces for the formation of graphite eutectic grains, which makes the structure more refined (more eutectic grains) and the mechanical properties higher.

Jan 1, 2016

By James M. Fragomeni

"The mechanical behavior of an Al-Li alloy was studied and related to the extrusion processing parameters, the plastic metal flow during defonnation, the anisotropy, and the microstructure. The extrusion temperatures, strain rates, extrusion ratios, billet temperatures, and extrusion geometries were varied during processing and correlated with the microstructure and properties. The extrusion processing variables were related to the mechariicar behavior, anisotropy, and microstructure through the ZenerHollomon parameter i.e., the temperature compensated strain rate. Based on optical and electron microscopy studies it was found that regardless of the extrusion conditions, the various microstructures for the most part were unrecrystallized for both the as-extruded and the solution heat-treated conditions. Smaller grain sizes were correlated to larger Zener-Hollomon parameters. The extrusion temperature and ratio did not significantly affect the strength or ductility as did the section geometry, which had a large affect on these mechanical properties. The anisotropy of the properties varied substantially when comparing the extruded longitudinal versus transverse grain orientations.IntroductionThe extrusion process also has a substantial influence on: the microsfructure and mechanical properties of a material that is Athens, Ohio, 45701 fonned The plastic defonnation that occurs during the extrusion process alters the grain size, crystallographic texture, anisotropy, subgrain size, dislocation density and various other microstructural features. Often the material being extruded is not homogeneous, therefore variations in the microstructure and properties occur across the cross-section of the final extruded product. The mechanical properties and microstructure can also vary with length since it is hard to maintain a constant temperature throughout the extrusion process. The extrusion temperature often varies from the heat generated during the extrusion process. The demonstration material that was extruded for this .study was an aluminum alloy containing 2.6wt, % lithium and 0.09wt.% zirconium. This alloy was strengthened by heat treatment causing nucleation, growth, and coarsening of coherent metastable o' (Al3Li) precipitates in the microstructure. The ? precipitates which are a consequence 9f artificially aging the AlLi alloy, are spherical, ordered, and coherent with the aluminum matrix and impede the dislocation glide inotion during plastic defonnation. Theo particles grow homogeneously in the matrix, and have the Cu3Au (L 12)"" superlattice crystal structure. Aluminum-lithium alloys are used primarily for aerospace structural applications since they have attractive properties such as a lower density and higher elastic modulus than conventional 2XXX and 7XXX alloys."

Jan 1, 2000

By Kimio Itagaki, Torn Matsumoto, Makoto Ohtsuka, Kentarou Harada

"The structure and hydrogen-absorption properties of LaNis thin films were investigated in the present study. LaNis thin films were prepared by a sputtering method with a radio-frequency power, Ws, of 50 -400 Wat substrate temperature, Ts, of323 -573 K. Nickel content of the films decreased with increasing Ws, however, there was no dependence on Ts. At low Ws and low Ts, amorphous films were deposited. In other conditions, the films were polycrystalline. The films prepared at high Ws and low Ts, or at low Ws and high Ts, exhibited only a (h k · 0) peak in the X-ray diffraction profiles. This indicates that the c-axis of crystalline films was oriented parallel to the substrate plane. At high Ws and high Ts, the films with columnar structure were obtained. Hydrogen-absorption capacity of the thin films increased with increasing Ws. The pressure plateau did not appear on the pressure-composition isotherms. The films deposited at high Ts represented a higher equilibrium pressure.IntroductionThin films of hydrogen storage alloys can be applied for an electrode of rechargeable battery or fuel cell, a filter for H1 purification and various kind of sensor. Some studies on the preparation of the thin films of LaNi5 intermetallic compound, which is a typical hydrogen storage material, have been done hitherto. Adachi et al. , 2) and Sakaguchi et al. 3) prepared amorphous and crystalline LaNi5 thin films using flash evaporation of alloy powders and measured the pressure-composition isotherm for the prepared film utilizing a quartz crystal mass monitoring (QC:MM) method. It was found that the prepared amorphous film absorbed hydrogen without disintegrating into the powders and the hydrogen-absorption capacity of the films increased with the degree of crystallinity. Sakai et al. 4) reported that the maximum hydrogen storage capacities of amorphous and crystalline LaNi5 thin films, fabricated by a RF sputtering method using combination targets, were about 40 mA h g-1 (LaNisHo.7) and 160 mA h g-1 (LaNi5H2.6), respectively. Uchida et al. 5, 6) prepared LaNi5 thin films using flash evaporation of alloy powders and measured volumetrically the pressure-composition isotherm for the prepared film. It was reported that the hydrogen-absorption capacity of the films changed by the annealing treatment."

Jan 1, 1998

By Patricio Barrios

In February 1996, ATLANTIC, COPPER completed the construction of a Project for Expansion and Environmental Improvements in its Smelter and Electrolytic Refinery located in Huelva. Following the expansion, the new operating concept is based on the simultaneous blowing of two converters, while increasing throughput in the Flash Furnace up to the level required to deliver matte to both converters. While the production level planned with the Project.(270,000 MTPY of copper from concentrates) was reached the following June, work since then has been carried out to optimize the new equipment .and to develop a new operating shedule. This paper describes operational experiences from the start up of the Expansion Project, difficulties encountered and operating improvements introduced, which have allow an increase of production levels up to 300,000 MTPY of copper.

Jan 1, 1998

By Mike Adams

A comprehensive pre-feasibility study has been conducted by Companhia Vale do Rio Doce CVRD) for Niquel do Vermelho nickel laterite deposit. Within this study, five integrated flowsheet options were evaluated via batch and pilot campaigns at Lakefield Oretest, over an intensive six-month period from receipt of ore to final reporting. Key technical objectives set by the client included demonstrating the technical viability of the beneficiation of several ore types, processing through integrated pressure acid leach/mixed hydroxide precipitation (PALIMI-IP) and mixed sulfide precipitation (PALIMSP) circuits, and the treatment of barren liquors to meet stringent environmental requirements. Refining of the MHP was by ammonia re-leach and solvent extraction (SX) to produce LME-grade nickel cathodes, NiCO3, NiO and CoS. LME grade nickel and cobalt was also produced by oxidation of the MSP and hydrogen reduction on the leachate. The database and data acquisition system, along with web-based reporting, enabled rapid turnaround on both daily and more comprehensive run reports, making it possible for speedy and confident decisions on operating conditions of the complex flowsheets. The high value of developing such data is emphasized and discussed as pivotal in the successful progression of laterite projects through to sustainable commercial viability. Keywords: Flowsheet, CVRD, Nickel, Piloting, Pressure, Leach, Refining.

Jan 1, 2004

By D. P. Cook, M. I. Bloch, J. A. Dantzig

"In this article, we describe a combined experimental and computational program to study the filling of automotive wheels during low pressure die casting. Experiments are performed by placing thermocouples into the mold walls of a production caster for the Ford F 113 wheel to measure the temperature profiles in the die during processing, and to infer the filling pattern. Computational models are also developed using a 36° section of the wheel pattern, taken directly from CAD data files. We use these models to simulate the filling and heat transfer processes. Comparison between experimental and computational results are presented, demonstrating the viability of this procedure.IntroductionAutomotive companies are using increasing amounts of aluminum in production vehicles: While the main driving force is improved fuel economy through weight reduction, replacing steel wheels by aluminum also offers the potential for improved vehicle performance by reducing unsprung mass. For these reasons, many new vehicles are now supplied with cast aluminum alloy wheels, and the aftermarket for these wheels continues to grow.The most common production process for these wheels is low pressure die casting. The process is subject to numerous defects, including microporosity, cold shuts, cold folds, misruns and inclusions. Scrap rates at the caster of the order of 10% are not uncommon. Many wheels also have large production runs, into the hundreds of thousands of wheels per year. Thus, the cost savings from even small reductions in scrap rate have the potential to be quite significant.Most of the defects are associated with the filling and solidification processes in the mold. The molds are air cooled, and the placement and sizing of cooling passages is currently as much art as science. The ultimate goal of this project is to improve that situation, by implementing simulation procedures that enable engineering design methods to be used in die and process specification."

Jan 1, 2000

By W. F. Ranson, R. C. Progelhof

"I. THE PROBLEM: MANUFACTURING PRODUCTIVITYThe 1985 President's Commission [I] on Industrial Competitiveness found compelling evidence of the declining economic position of the United States in world markets. The annual rate of increase in the United States productivity is approximately one-seventh that of our major trading partners over the last decade: profit levels in manufacturing investments are below those of the mid-1960's; an increasingly negative trade balance since 1971; and a sharp decline in the United States share of world trade in manufactured goods for more than two decades. A particularly dramatic example of the shifting economic balance is the fact that Japanese productivity growth has been five times greater than that of this country since 1960. In face, Japan's productivity now exceeds that of the United States in such critical industries as steel, transportation equipment, electronics and electrical machinery.American employees have experienced the competitive consequences of this nation's lagging industrial performance. Between 1980 and 1984 alone, the population of non-farm employees engaged in manufacturing dropped from 22.4% to 20.6%. This reduction in manufacturing must be arrested.Commissions RecommendationsThe comprehensive set of recommendations offered by the President's Commission recognized the nation's ""key competitive advantages"", technology and human resources, and calls for their strengthening. Particular emphasis is placed on manufacturing technology and the fact that this country does not translate research into new technologies rapidly and fully.""Perhaps the most glaring deficiency in America's technological capabilities has been our failure to devote enough attention to manufacturing or 'process' technology. It does us little good to design state-of-the-art products if within a short time our foreign competitors can manufacture them more cheaply. The United States has failed to apply its own technologies to manufacturing. Robotics automation and statistical quality control were all first developed in the United States but in recent years they have been more effectively applied elsewhere""."

Jan 1, 1988

By Jean Goldschmidt

Recycling of fine oxidized particles of non-ferrous metals usually cannot be carried out by pyrometallurgical methods. &apos;Hydrometallurgy provides an alternative technology to reintroduce? the resulting products as secondary raw materials into the industrial cycle, thereby saving resources and energy while keeping the environment a little cleaner. The paper summarizes the methods employed by Hydrometal to achieve these objectives and? stigmatizes the latest counterproductive international regulations which create ever more obstacles to environmentally sound recycling.

Jan 1, 1995

By Kenneth N. Pike

The need to comply with environmental regulations and increase production has resulted in modifications to the East Penn blast furnace operation. Changes made include furnace design modifications, closed loop water cooling with heat recovery, automated weighing and charging, automated tuyere punching, ammonia scrubbing of tail gases and improved metal and slag handling to minimize environmental impact. These changes have resulted in a marked increase in yearly production and compliance with many of the air, water and solid waste regulations.

Jan 1, 1990

By A. D. Zunkel

The zinc in electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) arises from the fuming and oxidation of the zinc present, mainly as galvanizing, in automotive scrap. The dust is collected from the electric furnace offgases in bag filters and is classified by the EPA as a hazardous waste (K061). As more zinc is used in galvanized sheet on automobiles and more automobile scrap is recycled via the EAF, the more zinc will be available for recovery and recycling. EAFD will become a more prevalent and important source of zinc compared to the traditional zinc sulfide concentrates ifit can be cost effectively processed.

Jan 1, 1995