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By Jincheng Hu, Honggang Zhong, Qijie Zhai, Congsen Wu, Cheng Zhang, Jingzheng Ye

"The influence of cooling intensity on the solidification structure and ferrite phase content of a new duplex stainless steel (DSS) was investigated by using a thermal simulation setup for continuous casting. The results showed that the characteristics of the solidification structure were similar to their industrial scale manufactured slabs, including chill zone, colunmar zone and equiaxed zone. And austenite morphologies were mainly primary and secondary Widmanstatten sideplates as well as intragranular Widmanstatten plates. In addition, it revealed that the ferrite content increased with an increasing distance from the chill surface and decreased at colunmar to equiaxed transition (CET) position, then the value remained relatively stable at equiaxed zone. Furthermore, the ferrite content presented the same trend with the cooling intensity ranging from 100 mL/min to 2000 mL/min with the values just varying in a slight range.IntroductionThe duplex stainless steel (DSS) is the kind of steel that ferrite phase and austenite phase occupy about 50% respectively, or the content of the fewer phase has to be more than 30% [l]. The success of modem duplex stainless steels is to a large degree due to their higher strength than austenitic stainless steels, higher toughness than ferritic stainless steels, good weldability and high resistance to stress corrosion cracking as well [2,3]. The cost of stainless steel production continues to soar in recent years due to the increasingly higher price of Cr. In order to decrease the production cost, a new type of duplex stainless steel was developed by Bao steel [4]. This newly developed duplex stainless steel had low Cr content compared with 2205 DSS, and was expected to be applied into automobile industry. However, this type of steel was still in the initial stage of development, and the influence of continuous casting process on its solidification process and structure was still unclear, which needed to be studied further. Several works published in literature presented the effect of continuous casting conditions on duplex stainless steel (DSS) 2205, 2304 [5,6]. It was discussed that the cooling intensity in the chill-side had little efficient influence on the phase transformation. In this paper, the effect of cooling intensity on the solidification structure and ferrite volume fraction of this DSS at a given cooling rate was investigated."

Jan 1, 2014

By Darrin Wikoff

"The data, compiled by the Department of Energy (DOE), indicates that the average industrial plant could reduce its total energy cost by 14.8% by implementing effective Life Cycle Asset Management processes. The actual savings varies by industrial classification, but in all cases the potential is substantial and could have a marked impact on the operating profit of the company.Improvements geared towards improving equipment reliability have distinctive linkages to environmental performance, such as reducing the amount of product and raw material waste through routine monitoring of system parameters through predictive technologies, and preventing interruptions to production cycles with a focus on Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE).Alcoa successfully reduced solvent disposal costs by more than 40% and GE reduced greenhouse gas emissions by more than 250,000 metric tons. This presentation will show you how companies have successfully reduced energy and disposal costs through a focused effort on manufacturing process reliability.IntroductionSmelter in the ParkThe quaint town of Portland, Victoria protrudes outward towards Antarctica from Australia’s southeastern coastline. Portland is a quiet rural community surrounded by agriculture that draws tourists by the thousands to the southernmost edge of Victoria by way of breathtaking cliff top views of the majestic Southern Ocean, the intrigue of shipwreck coves along the Great Ocean Road, and what most will call the eighth wonder of the modern world, the “Smelter in the Park”. Integrated within Portland’s beautiful landscape is a 356,000 ton/year aluminum smelter that stands as a symbol of collaboration between nature and industry. Nestled atop a ridge which faces “Sail Rock”, a popular destination of local and visiting fisherman, the smelter is engulfed in a mix of brush and wetland preserves that are home to many of Australia’s feathered and fourlegged natives. Also within its interior you’ll find parks and natural landscapes abundant where man and machines coexist with the native inhabitants."

Jan 1, 2009

By Ying Li, Xuling Chen, Xiaohui Fan

"In the sintering process, the behavior and performance of iron ores is extremely complex. Different minerals have different sintering properties. In order to use iron ores rationally and effectively, multilevel fuzzy evaluation method is used to establish the comprehensive evaluation model of iron ores. Because of the relative independent characters of iron ores in sintering process, the characters can be divided into physical and chemical properties, granulation performance, and sintering properties, are divided, and together with iron ores prices as the first level index for judging, which are used as the second level index for judging. Using the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) to determine the weight of each index, which is used as the second level index. The relative membership matrix is determined by triangular membership function, the comprehensive evaluation model is established.IntroductionIn China, sintering is the main method for iron ores agglomeration. Sinter accounts for more than 80% of the blast furnace. Sinter production in the iron and steel enterprises in China plays an important role[l-2]. As the main raw material of iron ores sintering, the objectivity and integration of iron ores evaluation is essential. The iron ores evaluation methods include of metric ton price evaluation method, iron grade of a single iron ores sintering, acid-base balance method, composition assessment method and other methods which are based on the chemical composition and physical properties of iron ores to measure the quality of iron ores[3]. The high-temperature mineralization is an important process in sintering process, which affects the structure and mineral composition of the sinter, and has a close relationship with the quality of the sinter[ 4]. Therefore, in consideration of the physical and chemical properties, granulation properties, mineralization performance and sintering properties, the iron ores are evaluated by multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation. The multi-level fuzzy comprehensive evaluation method makes a comprehensive evaluation, applying fuzzy transform principle and maximum membership degree principle, considering a number of factors related to the things which are evaluated. The method has lower requirements for the amount of data, and which integrates qualitative with quantitative judgment. It has a unique advantage to make up for the deficiencies of traditional evaluation methods. It also can comprehensively evaluate the iron ores in a relatively short period, reduce a lot of experiments, improve efficiency and guide the sinter production[5-6]."

Jan 1, 2013

By Donald J. Hallbom

Limonitic nickel laterites slurries exhibit complex rheological properties including time dependency that varies from thixotropy to rheopexy. Chronic problems may occur if plant designers and operators fail to take time dependency into account. Stress decay tests indicate that laterite slurry takes roughly two minutes to approach steady state after a step change in the shear rate. As a result, most rheometer measurements are taken at a non-equilibrium state, making evaluation difficult. Two minutes is also long relative to the time that a unit of slurry in a processing plant is at any given shear state, so the slurry may never reach equilibrium. This paper presents a method to describe the rheology of laterite slurry using a Flow Array, which describes the rheology using an array of instantaneous flow curves crossed by an equilibrium flow curve. A rate equation for structural change in non-equilibrium conditions allows time dependence to be efficiently modeled. This flow array allows the flow behavior of time- dependent slurry to be predicted in non-equilibrium conditions using a simple time-step methodology. Keywords: Rheology. nickel laterite, hydraulic transport, pressure acid leach, flow array

Jan 1, 2004

By Somayeh Dashti, Ehsan Vahidi, Fereshteh Rashchi

"The main goals in zinc electrowinning process are decreasing of power consumption and increasing of current efficiency. In this study, the electrowinning of zinc in the presence of different additives in electrolyte were established and Arabic Gum, Gelatine, sodium lauryl sulphate and l-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate in the five levels using Taguchi method was examined. In our previous researches, using orthogonal array, effect of zinc electrowinning parameters such as anode type, current density, sulphuric acid concentration, temperature and zinc ion concentration was studied and the optimized conditions for zinc electrowinning was obtained. Anode composition: Pb-Ag 0.5%-Sn2%-Sb1%, current density (A/m2):500, acid concentration (g/1):165, temperature: 60°C, zinc ion concentration (g/1):70. The main goals in zinc electrowinning process are decreasing of power consumption and increasing of current efficiency. ln this research, the effect of four additives: Gum Arabic, Gelatine, sodium lauryl sulphate and an organic material in the four levels with Taguchi method was examined. ln fact the effect of electrolyte environment and determining the best electrolyte under the optimized conditions is the main aim of this study.IntroductionDue to its low cost and abundance, zinc is widely used in the production of brass, galvanized steel, sacrificed anodes and primary and secondary batteries [I]. Some 80% of world primary zinc production is derived via roast-leach-electrowinning processes [2-4]. In the electrowinning process to both improve final product quality and current efficiency the leachate should be purified [5].To produce zinc a current method is to extractit from acidic zinc sulphate solutions by electrolysis with aluminum cathodes and insoluble lead-based anodes [6]. Though the electrolytic processing of zinc has been performed for many years, there are still current efficiency problems in the cathodic process. These low efficiencies (88- 93%) have a serious impact on the costs associated with the energy consumption. On the other hand, these low efficiencies increase energy consumption and decrease the quality of the surface morphology [7- 8]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Nobuhiro Kuriyama

Electrochemical activation behavior of an AB2-Laves-phase type hydrogen storage alloy, Zr0,9Ti0.lNi1.lCo0.1Mn0.6V0.2 was studied to make clear activation process of pellet-type metal hydride electrodes. An alkaline treatment of the electrodes with heated alkaline solution gave alloy surface enriched with nickel, and the treated electrode was more easily activated. The treated electrode desorbed more hydrogen during the first charge-discharge cycle, and was activated without induction period. A cross sectional view of the activated electrode showed finer pulverization of alloy particles than the annealed alloy, and impedance spectroscopy indicated larger surface area of the electrode using the as-cast alloy. Since the as-cast alloy contains inhomogeneities, multi-phase microstructure and stress in the particle, the finer pulverization of alloy particles with hydrogenation are considered to increase surface area in an earlier cycle in the case of the as-cast alloy, which leads larger reaction area and faster activation of the as-cast alloy electrode.

Jan 1, 2002

By Zhi-gang Que, Sheng-li Wu, Guo-liang Zhang, Bo Su, Chao-gang Hou

NOx released during fuel combustion is one of the major air pollutants, such as acid rain and photochemical smog. At present, still not have an economical and effective method of inhibiting NOx emission for sintering flue gas. Therefore, controlling conditions of fuel combustions to enhance the reduction of NOx is important for decreased the emission. In this study, microsintering furnace has been performed to investigate the effects of NOx emission from char-N during coke breeze combustion. The results show that the emission concentration of NOx decreased with increasing temperature when it is sinter bed temperature higher than 1000℃. The lower emission concentration of NOx was obtained when the concentration of oxygen was decreased. And the maximum concentration of NOx will be reduced with the enhanced of heating rate. If heating preservation time was prolonged, it would promote to NOx reduction with reduction substances resulted in lower NOx emissions in the combustion of coke breezes.

Jan 1, 2015

By H. Masuda

The lijima Zinc Refinery started operation in 1972, and has today an annual capacity of 200, 000+-Zn. The hematite process was employed for the first time and the ideal of waste-free refinery has been pursued for 30 years. In recent years, however, only half of the hematite produced would be sold to the cement industry and hence a reduction of arsenic level has been necessary in order to sell the entire amount produced, The arsenic cementation process with zinc powder, developed through a long time laboratory research was found among some options as the best for the hematite process. The construction work started in 2000 and the facility was put into operation in 200 I. As a result in the same year all hematite were sold to the cement industry. The outline of this project, present operations and technical issue are reported in this paper.

Jan 1, 2003

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 Laurentiu Nastac

"Two advanced control solidification technologies were studied in this article to improve the quality of the cast ingots as well as to control the solidification structure evolution during the plasma arc melting (PAM) processing of Ti-6-4 ingots: (i) electromagnetic stirring (EMS), and (ii) ultrasonic treatment (UST). The developed EMS modeling approach is based on the numerical solution of Maxwell's equations, fluid flow, and heat transfer equations, and mesoscopic modeling of the grain structure. The UST analysis tool is capable to model acoustic streaming and cavitation. It is used in this work to study ingot solidification under the presence of ultrasound. Predictions of the macrostructure, GET formation and primary dendrite arm spacing for PAM Ti-6-4 ingots processed with and without EMS or UST were discussed.1. IntroductionTitanium (Ti) alloys are melted, refined and cast into ingots through plasma arc cold hearth melting (PAM), electron beam cold hearth melting (EBM) and vacuum arc remelting (VAR) for jet engine applications. Process modeling has become a viable tool to optimize the PAM, EBM, and VAR processes. A comprehensive modeling approach to simulate ingot solidification phenomena in primary melting and secondary remelting processes of Ti alloys would include models for macroscopic mass transfer, heat transfer, fluid flow, acoustic, electromagnetic and species transport. The approach should also include microscopic models to predict the evolution of grain structure in solidifying ingots in conjunction with electromagnetic stirring (EMS) and ultrasonic stirring (UST)."

Jan 1, 2012

By E. N. Mounsey

Ausmelt Technology was selected by Bindura Nickel Corporation (BNC) as the basis for a new copper circuit to process nickel plant copper leach residue to blister, anode and finally cathode copper and recover PGM values at the Bindura Smelter Refinery (BSR). The process selected, based on Ausmelt Technology to smelt and convert the residue to matte and blister copper and produce a discard slag, is novel incorporating smelting, converting and slag reduction process steps in a single Ausmelt vessel. The process demands a high quality blister copper product with low levels of arsenic and nickel. This paper reviews the project and the initial operational results to the end of 1997 of the Ausmelt Top Submerged Lancing (TSL) smelter and discusses the implications for the wider TSL converter market.

Jan 1, 1998

By Bing Hu, Zhu-Cheng Huang, Guang-Bin Xia, Hu Peng, Hua Wang

"The temperature rising characteristics and reaction of the reduction of iron oxide pellets with anthracite fines were studied using a MW-L0316V microwave oven and Leica-DM-RXP polarizing microscope. The results show that iron oxide pellets and anthracite fines have good microwave absorbing properties, and high temperature and reducing atmosphere in a relatively short time for reduction of iron oxide pellets can be achieved. The reduction reaction, which follows the unreacted core model, is rapid and the metallization increases from 13.41% to 56.57% as the reduction end point temperature increases from 850oC to 950oC. The iron is formed, fine grain crystals of iron are transferred and the contraction of metal phase occurs firstly at the surface of pellets, which hinders the reduction reaction at the center of pellets. The rate of reduction reaction increases slowly as the reduction end point temperature increases from 950oC to 1050oC.IntroductionIron ore direct reduction can be divided into gas-based reduction and coal-based reduction. Owing to the effect of the resource and the related economic benefits [1, 2, 3, and 4], the development of gas-based direct reduction technology is restricted, but the development of coal-based direct reduction supported by the relevant industrial policy has very good prospects for application.As a source of clean energy, in China microwaves have been applied in many fields [5, 6, and 7]. Chen Jin studied the reduction of carbon pellets under microwaves, and has made some progress on reduction kinetics and reaction mechanisms. Other countries also have related research in this field [8 - 15], for example, Kotaro Ishizaki and Kazuhiro Nagata have done research on the reduction reaction of carbon magnetite heated by microwaves. The research shows that Fe3O4 is deoxidized to FeO at about 800oC, and FeO is deoxidized to Fe at 1000oC-1025oC. Due to the very good heat absorbing properties of iron oxide pellets and anthracite fines, the selective and rapid heating of microwaves can rapidly raise the temperature of pellets and anthracite, and the iron oxide pellets can be rapidly reduced. In order to provide enough theoretical basis for direct reduction by microwave heating, this paper studies the temperature rising characteristics, behavior of the reduction reaction and the changes of the iron oxide pellets and anthracite in the microwave field."

Jan 1, 2011

By Susanne Pignolet-Brandom

Reflected light microscopy scanning electron microscope energy dispersive spectroscopic analysis and backscatter electron image and electron microprobe chemical analysis have been used to study lead sinter and lead blast furnace slag. These studies provide invaluable information on the phases present their intergrowths, and their chemical composition. Such information increases the understanding of the nature of pyrometallurgical processes and the behavior of minor elements during these metallurgical processes.

Jan 1, 1987

By Chris T. Vild

"ABSTRACT NOT AVAILABLEPRESENTATION SUMMARYIntroductionToday, light gauge aluminum scrap is melted in sidewell furnaces using natural gas reverberatory burners. The scrap is introduced into the sidewell adjacent to the combustion chamber through a submerged archway. Super-heated metal is then pumped into the sidewell where it aids in melting the scrap. From the sidewell, the flow is returned to the combustion chamber through a second submerged archway at some lower temperature. Normally, the burners are set at a designed high fire level and the scrap is introduced at a rate to attempt to mat.ch the burner input. A thermocouple in the bath is programmed to throttle back the burners to low fire if a high temperature limit is exceeded.Jn many cases the thermal efficiencies of these furnaces can be very low. With inadequate circulation, air and natural gas furnaces run at a dismal 18% thermal efficiency. If a circulation system· is added, the efficiency can jump to 28%. For a $100 million lb/yr recycling facility, and natural gas prices reaching $4.50 per million Btu, fuel cost at 18% efficiency can reach $1 million per year. A 10% increase in thermal efficiency saves $350,000 a year in fuel costs.With an increase in thermal efficiency, furnace utilization also increases. A 10% increase in thermal efficiency would result in a 20 million Btu furnace producing 12,000 lb/hr up from 8,000 lb/hr or 35 million lb more produced per year. This is a 33% increase in output.Most current furnace development has focused on burner technology using oxy-fuel, regenerative burners, etc. However, thermal efficiency is also largely effected by the molten metal circulation rate and how well the scrap is mixed into the superheated metal. Therefore, the flow dynamics should be optimized first, before installing of more thermal power.Jn an effort to understand the effect of these variables, a series of computer models were made and the critical factors studied with the goal of demonstrating an increase in thermal efficiency and production. Large-scale graphical representations of these models will be presented."

Jan 1, 2000

By Denise C. R. Espinosa

The amount of secondary batteries are increasing about 15% by year. Among these batteries, it can be highlighted the NiCd ones, due to their high consumption. In Brazil, the consumption of NiCd batteries grown quickly in the last 5 years, due to the dissemination of cellular telephones and other electronic devices. The first step of a process to recycle spent NiCd batteries is the pretreatment through unit operations of mining treatment. The aim of this work is to define a physical pretreatment to conditioning the waste to a pyrornetallurgical recycling process of spent NiCd batteries used in cellular telephones. Batteries were disassembled by hand to release the different components. The studied batteries are basically composed (by weight) of: 78% nucleus, 18% plastic case and 2% circuits. The grinding of the batteries was performed by knife mill and also by hammer mill. After grinding the material was screened and submitted to a magnetic separator.

Jan 1, 2001

By Elli Miettinen

In Copper Flash Smelting operation disturbances may lead into dust build-up in the gas train and off-gas handling system causing reduced heat recovery efficiency and process availability. Flue dust of a Copper Flash Smelting process heat recovery boiler has been characterized and its thermal conductivity and diffusivity have been determined. Dust accretions consist of several layers possessing varying particle sizes, densities, and thermal properties, with the binding phase usually being sulphate. All the dusts can be regarded as effective thermal insulators with thermal conductivity values of less than 2 W/mK and thermal diffusivity values of less than 0.005 cm2/s. Porosity can be regarded as a fairly good indicator of the thermal transport efficiency of these types of materials, but the material microstructure must also be considered. The results can be used in the dimensioning of metallurgical heat recovery boilers and they also provide accurate input data for process models.

Jan 1, 2009

By Kazuyoshi Sato, Keizo Uematsu, Nozomu Uchida

"Confocal fluorescence scanning laser microscope was applied to characterize the surface flaw of ceramics in great detail. A high potential -of the characterization technique is presented first. Then the technique was applied to clarify the relationship between the flexural strength of ceramics and the surface flaw. This kind of direct information of surface flaw should be essential for the fundamental study in this area, but has been lacking. The examination revealed that large defects are present on the machined surface of ceramics. Their size is consistent to the flexural strength measured on the material. The characterization tool was also applied to examine the formation of surface flaw in machining of ceramics.IntroductionClarification of fracture origin should be the starting point in the study on strength in ceramics. However, this task has been extremely difficult in some ceramics, such as an alumina ceramics. It may break from both internal and surface flaws. The former should reflect the quality of production process and the latter the machining. Examination of surface flaws should be very important for developing a better machining method for ceramics. The knowledge may valuable for establishing a better production process also.ExperimentAlumina Referceram (JFCC) was used as samples. They are cut to size of 3x4x40mm, and the surfaces were ground to meet the requirements of testing method for flexural strength of fine ceramics, JIS R 1601. They were soaked in an aqueous solution of fluorescence dye and evacuated with an aspirator for an hour to allow the solution penetrate into surface flaws. After excessive solution remained on the surface was removed by gentle washing, the specimens were dried at 120°C for 48 hours. The 4 point bending mode was applied to measure the fracture strength."

Jan 1, 2000

By Sadi Medina

As it is characteristic from Custom Smelters, ENAMl Las Ventanas Smelter has to deal with different qualities and quantities of mining products from about 70 suppliers, that contain a variety of impurities that would be harmful for copper production. In order to increase the smelting capacity, an oxygen plant has been running since September of 1990. Moreover, to improve the environmental conditions, a new sulphuric acid plant started up to neutralize the metallurgycal off-gases from the Teniente Converter and partially from the Peirce-Smith converters. Based on the on-line operation among the reverberatory furnace and the Teniente Converter using oxygen enriched air to produce high grade matte, most of the volatilizing impurities, mainly arsenic, are collected as discarding compounds in the gas cleaning system of the acid plant. This paper describes the continuous performance of the Teniente Converter with acid plant, the results attained, the operation problems and how they were solved. The impurities distribution achieved in this process is also included.

Jan 1, 1993

By Carlos G. Levi

"The principles involved in the rapid solidification of supercooled metal droplets and existing numerical models are reviewed. The limitations of these models for studying alloy solidification are discussed in terms of the effects of alloying elements on the relevant heat transfer, thermodynamic and kinetic parameters. Analysis of the enthalpy-temperature diagram reveals how the extent of rapid solidification is hindered by the addition of solute. A solidification model incorporating thermodynamic and kinetic relationships into a Newtonian heat transfer formulation is used to analyze the thermal history and concurrent solute redistribution during recalescence. IntroductionIt is well acknowledged that microstructural evolution during solidification is intimately associated with the thermal history of the liquid-solid interface. Structural parameters like chemical homogeneity, morphology and size scale of the phases can be related to the interfacial temperature and velocity. These in turn change by the interaction of the interface with the thermal and solutal fields in its neighboring environment.The thermal history of powder solidification can be conveniently described on the enthalpy-temperature diagram for a pure metal shown in Figure 1 and discussed in detail elsewhere [1). A system can conceivably follow any path of decreasing enthalpy in the supercooled region of Figure 1 (~ < 1), starting at the nucleation temperature (oN < 0) on the liquid line, and ending at some point on the solid line. A vertical path represents an isothermal transformation, of which a limiting case is solidification without significant barriers to nucleation and growth, with the interface at the equilibrium temperature TM (path one in Figure 1). A horizontal path represents isenthalpic (or adiabatic) solidification whereby the system could form an amount of solid proportional to the initial supercooling of the liquid without further heat loss to the environment. A liquid that can completely transform to solid under adiabatic conditions is said to be ""hypercooled""."

Jan 1, 1986

By W. Kasprzak

Press-fit systems are widely used to seal oil lines in the automotive engine components. In the case studied a ball plug made from the 7075 A1 alloy was inserted into a 319 Al alloy cast component. The oil lines were subjected to the required component service pressure. This paper addresses the analysis of the ball plug/casting hole press-fit performance. The tools used to investigate the plug system included: the SEMIEDS technique for the assessment of the plug and the casting hole wall surface integrity; image analysis methods for the characterization of the ball plug/casting hole interface; matrix microhardness measurements of the plug and casting components; laboratory ball plug insertion, speed and force correlation; as well as the ball shearing mechanism analysis. Laboratory tests indicated that optimization of the aluminum matrix hardness in the 319 A1 alloy cast components resulted in considerable improvement of the press-fit system sealing properties.

Jan 1, 2002