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By Jesús L. Valenzuela

The solvent extraction for gold from alkaline cyanide solutions has been investigated using LIX 79 guanidine-based extractant. Different variables that could affect the extraction system were evaluated: equilibrium time, aqueous pH and extractant and modifier concentrations. The extraction isotherms of the aurocyanide complex with respect to other cyanoanions were compared and the following order of selectivity Au>Ag>Cu>Zn>>Fe was observed. From the pH isotherms it was found that aurocyanide can be extracted in alkaline media and a better separation with respect to other cyanoaniones was obtained in the range of 10.5 < pH < 11.2. Better selectivity was observed when using LIX 79 and tridecanol at 10% and 5% vol, respectively. Stripping gold from loaded organic was carried out at pH>12, using NaOH and NaCN solutions.

Jan 1, 2003

By K. Watling

Vibrational spectra of surface and solution compounds formed during cyclic voltammetry of a gold electrode in a deoxygenated 0.01 mol dm-3 NaCN solution have been examined using surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy. The presence of cyanide at the electrode surface was indicated by Raman bands characteristic of the carbon-nitrogen stretch, CN.. Chemisorption of cyanide on the gold surface was evidenced by the presence of vibrational modes due to gold-carbon stretching, AuC, and gold-carbon-nitrogen bending, AuCN. Prior to the disappearance of the surface cyanide stretch band, a limiting value of the CN was obtained, the same as the value reported for adsorbed cyanide. Effects upon the voltammetry and vibrational modes of surface species due to additions of silver and lead to the gold-cyanide system have been observed.

Jan 1, 2003

By Jack A. Simon

My remarks are directed at relating some of the mineralogical approaches mentioned in the preceding presentations to emerging energy issues. The assembling of this symposium on process mineralogy attests to the growing concern for energy development from the non-petroleum mineral fuels and the unconventional petroleum fuels. A report in 1979, prepared under the auspices of the National Research Council/National Academy, of Sciences, was published in two parts and dealt with "Redistribution of Accessory Elements in Mining and Mineral Processing." This report rather comprehensively considers broad aspects of minerals associated with the solid fuels considered in this symposium and focuses attention on some problems of process mineralogy relative to these fuels. Papers have dealt with coal, oil shale, tar sands, and uranium minerals. Problems associated with mining, processing, and use of these materials have significant differences, but also have some factors in common relative to the subject of this symposium.

Jan 1, 1981

By W. H. Jay

Sulphide-containing minerals, particularly iron, lead to acid formation. In turn, the acid generates effluents such as copper acid drainage (AMD). The Berkeley Pit in Butte, Montana, USA and Mt Lyell in Tasmania, Australia, represent just two of many sites throughout the world for which acceptable treatment methods are required. In the gold cyanidation process, the presence of copper creates both a significant cost impediment and a potential environmental hazard. The tailings dam failure at Baia Mare in Romania which led to the release of copper and zinc cyanides created a major environmental disaster. The application of non-toxic water soluble polymers and ion exchange resins to selectively recover copper from AMD solutions, and the in-plant treatment of copper cyanide solutions and slurries to recover copper and recycle cyanide to prevent cyanide entering the tailings impoundment will be discussed. The economics of the various processes will be highlighted.

Jan 1, 2003

By Corby G. Anderson

Over the past 15 years, numerous pressure oxidation plants for pretreatment of gold ores and concentrates have been installed throughout the world. While this technology is now established, it suffers in terms of the complex engineering and operational characteristics inherent in utilization of high temperatures (i.e. up to 225oC) and high pressures (i.e. > 3000 kPag). This paper outlines the application of an industrially proven pressure leaching methodology utilizing nitrogen species catalyzed pressure leaching and alkaline sulfide gold leaching. As such, it stands as an economic and engineering advancement in pressure leaching and non-cyanide treatment of gold ores and concentrates. In particular, the technology offers significant technical and economic advantages over traditional pressure oxidation and cyanide gold recovery in the treatment of gold bearing chalcopyrite ores and concentrates. An example of this will application will be delineated in this paper.

Jan 1, 2003

By Aliye Arabaci

In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the reduction behavior of composite pellets consisting two different types of iron oxide fines (high and low grade) and coke or lignite fines as reducing agents. The reduction experiments were carried out under isothermal conditions and constant flow of nitrogen gas in the temperature range of 900 ? 1100 oC. The variables investigated are the reduction temperature, Cfix/Fe3O4 ratio, reduction time and reductant type. In the experiments carried out with Sivas Divrigi A head magnetite ores (high grade) at a temperature of 1100 oC, for 40 minutes and on the condition that Cfix/Fe3O4 ratio is 0.2, in which lignite and coke fines were used as reductant, degree of reduction was obtained as 91 % and 86 %, respectively. Whereas, in the experiments realized with Malatya-Hekimhan-Hasançelebi magnetite ores (low grade) on the same conditions by using lignite as the reductant, around 60 % degree of reduction was found.

Jan 1, 2008

By K. H. Ho

This paper describes a simplified numerical model which is used to study the skull formation of liquid metal on a rapidly rotating disc in centrifugal atomisation. The skull formation is one of the problems limiting the wide use of centrifugal atomisation. The enlarging skull on the atomising disc reduces the yield of metal powder produced and produces a resistance to the centrifugal force which worsens the quality of the powder. It is costly and often difficult to study the flow behaviour by experiments due to the complex heat transfer and phase transformation during the processing. Computer modelling is therefore a powerful tool for mechanistic understanding of centrifugal atomisation. This paper investigates the flow pattern of the melt on the rotating disc as a function of initial temperature, melt flow rate and disc rotation speed as well as the physical properties of the melt, such as density, surface tension and viscosity using the commercial package Flow-3D. Keywords: Solidification, Rotating disk, Centrifugal Atomization

Jan 1, 2003

By Mituo Tougo, Mitsuo Tokunoh, Takayasu Kisaragi, Fuminori Chiba

We have about 200,000 tons/year of dross residue produced after the collection of aluminum from the dross generated during the aluminum remelting process. 130,000 tons of the dross residue is used as a steel deoxidant or a cement material, and the remaining 70,000 tons is abolished and buried in the ground at authorized places. The dross residue is increasing along with the increase in the aluminum production. This situation will grow more serious with a large amount of aluminum window sashes which have been mass-produced since 60's and will return before long as scraps. Our effort is being directed to the development of technologies which enable the dross residue to be recycled and reused for some purposes such as road aggregates, refractories and others, in such a way as to comply with the social requirement which gives prfority to the recycling industry, as well as to the environmental preservation.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. W. Whitney

Itronics Inc., through its wholly owned subsidiary Itronics Metallurgical, Inc. (IMI), has successfully developed technology that allows it to be fully integrated as a photochemical recycler. IMI is now using this technology to expand its regional operation, which collects used photographic chemicals, chemically removes 99.997% of the silver and uses the residual to make a line of high quality liquid multinutrient liquid fertilizer products. Elevated silver discharges from the Reno-Sparks sewage treatment facility, that were traced back to incoming waste photographic chemicals and which were seriously impacting the sensitive fishery, provided the impetus for this project. This paper is updated from a paper presented at the Twenty-Second International Precious Metals Conference Toronto, Ontario, Canada in June 1998. It presents an overview of the scope of the problem solved by the technology, some of the permitting and development issues, and some of the specific fertilization formulations that are now being marketed.

Jan 1, 2000

By Hazoor Singh Sidhu

Materials degradation due to corrosion is the major problem in power generation equipment, gas turbine, fluidized bed combustion, industrial waste incinerators etc. Some super alloys have been developed, but they are unable to have different properties to meet the demand of today?s industry. Therefore, a composite system of a base material providing the necessary mechanical strength with a protective surface layer different in structure and/or chemical composition can be an optimum choice in combining material properties. Thermal spray coating of the components before they put into service by suitable surfacing alloy and with suitable coating method can increase the life of these components several fold. Choice of right coating method and alloy for a particular application is extremely important to get the desired service life. The corrosion of some materials and the role of HVOF thermal spray coatings to counteract the same have been reviewed, with an aim to understand the phenomena along with various applications.

Jan 1, 2006

By William Ewing

Copper is rapidly being adopted by the semiconductor industry as the interconnect material of choice. The aqueous processing techniques used generate wastes such as spent electrolyte from electroplating, electroplating rinse water, copper solutions from removing copper from the back of the wafer and CMP waste streams. We are examining the use of chelating resins as a means of recovering copper from these streams within the processing plant, thereby allowing recycling of process water and minimizing hazardous waste disposal costs. We have examined the effect of model plating additives (and other organic complexing agents) on the efficacy of Dowex M4195. Although these might have had a significant effect, commonly used electroplating additives polyethylene glycol (PEG), benzotriazole (BTA), thiourea, glycine, and 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate (MPSA) each had little or no effect on the ability of the resin to chelate copper and remove it from solution. This suggests that Dowex M4195 could be useful for treating waste solutions of rather variable compositions.

Jan 1, 2003

By Mikael Ersson

A fundamental mathematical model of lance blowing on a bath surface has been developed with a purpose to increase the understanding of various phenomena in top blown oxygen converters. The model is based on the Navier-Stokes equations and turbulence is predicted using the k-model. In the present model the deformation of the liquid surface, caused by the impinging gas jet, is described using a VOF formulation. The mathematical model results have been verified by comparing predicted penetration-depth data with experimental results from physical model trials. The fluid dynamic modeling has also been coupled with the thermodynamic modeling to predict the reaction rate/distribution occurring in the vessel. The focus has been on carbon and a qualitative comparison of the predicted carbon content in the hot spot area and in droplets with experimental data from laboratory trials has been done.

Jan 1, 2006

By K. A. Natarajan

Microbe-mineral interactions in the leaching of complex sulfides are discussed with respect to (a) role of galvanic interactions in selective dissolution, (b) bacterial attachment to sulfide mineral substrates and (c) the utility of specially adapted metal tolerant bacterial strains. Experimental results obtained in the leaching of two types of complex sulfides, namely, a lead-zinc-copper sulfide and a copper-nickel sulfide are illustrated.

Jan 1, 1985

By Carlos Maurício Fontes Vieira, Sergio Neves Monteiro

"A ceramic body traditionally used to produce bricks and roofing tiles with kaolinitic clays was reformulated by the addition of sand and illitic clay. The objective was to obtain a ceramic product with better technological properties. Specimens were made by uniaxial press-molding at 20 MPa and then fired at 850, 900 and 950°C. The determined technological properties were: linear shrinkage, water absorption and flexural rupture strength. The results showed that both sand and illitic clay contribute to reduce the water absorption of the industrial clayey body. With respect to the flexural behavior, it was observed that the incorporation of sand decreased the mechanical strength. On the other hand, the illitic, incorporated in an amounts of 30 wt.% contributed to increase the mechanical strength of the clayey ceramic.IntroductionCeramic bodies industrially fabricated in the county of Campos, north of the State of Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil, are still empirically elaborated using a mixture of local clays. These clays are predominantly kaolinitic mineral in nature, associated with high plasticity and elevated weight loss during the firing stage. Due to the excessive plasticity of the ceramic bodies, dimensional defects, which occur after drying and firing are usually obtained. Moreover, the kaolinitic nature and the presence of aluminum hydroxide (gibbsite) confer a refractory behavior to the local clays, which impairs sintering during the firing operation. In the case of clay ceramic products for civil construction, this results in greater porosity associated with elevated values of water absorption and low mechanical strength [1,2]. To avoid these problems, it is necessary to reformulate the ceramic body composition. The addition of both non-plastic materials to reduce plasticity and fluxes to condition the refractoriness is a possible alternative.As an alternative to reduce the plasticity of clayey ceramics sand, which is predominantly constituted of silica, can be used. The incorporation of sand in amounts of up to 25 wt.% to a clayey ceramic body used for roofing tiles fabrication was studied by Vieira et al. [3]. In that work specimens were prepared by extrusion and fired at 850°C. The results indicated that in the pre-firing stages the sand improved the workability of the investigated clayey ceramic body and facilitates the drying stage. It was also observed that the incorporated sand significantly improved the physical and mechanical properties of the clayey ceramic after firing. On the other hand, the apport of flux oxides could be done by the use of illitic clays that have a higher amount of alkaline oxides in comparison with the kaolinitics clays."

Jan 1, 2013

By C. Niedersberg, M. K. Almeida, R. M. C. Santana, V. G. Dalenogore

"The major source of environmental pollution in urban areas is the transport sector and its impact on human health and the greenhouse is preoccupying. In many works of literature is monitored the pollutants in urban cities, however in specific areas such as universities, they are scarce. Therefore, the aim of this work is to monitorate the gaseous pollutans in a bus terminal at Santa Cruz do Sul University-UNISC and to develop a control framework of the air quality. Six points were selected for monitoring, being one of them inside a bus. The monitoring of CO, HC and CO2 were carried out on arrival and departure of the bus. Preliminary results conducted in a day of spring showed that the most critical condition was during the night shift, where the concentration of CO (200 ppm) was the highest, caused by the vehicles increase, due to the larger number of students.IntroductionAccording to Mascarenhas et al, 2005, air pollutants are responsible for various effects on vegetation, ecosystems and is recognized as one of major public health problems of today, with harmful effect on humans even at levels considered safe by Brazilian legislation.There are numerous scientific papers linking air pollution with respiratory problems, cardiovascular which hinder the daily life because many of these diseases are chronic and may even lead to death, as was noted by Brook et al, 2004.There is a significant increase in the last decades of emissions to air resulting mainly from human activities. Already being observed the relationship of these emissions with the change in global climate, IPCC, 1995.They are a multitude of pollutants from the atmosphere, and its sources and its effects. The effect of Greenhouse gases (GHG), representing less than 1% of the gases in the atmosphere, controlling the flow of energy in the atmosphere. The increase in emissions of greenhouse gases is affecting the Earth's average temperature, which depends on the balance between these flows, in particular the flow of solar radiation reaching the surface and the flow of infrared radiation sent into space.One of the main greenhouse gases to this imbalance is the gas methane (CH4). Methane is produced by anaerobic decomposition of organic substances, through the action of bacteria metanogenic conditions that require highly reduced to its growth. This gas is released into the atmosphere mainly by transport diffusive by aerenchyma (vascular tissue) plant and also by diffusion through the water slide. (Bont et al., 1978)."

Jan 1, 2008

By Hongmin Zhu, Qiuyu Wang, Shuqiang Jiao, Guojing Hu

"The equilibrium between titanium ions and metal titanium was investigated in fluoride-chloride molten salt. The electrochemical properties of titanium ions in fluoride-chloride were studied on a molybdenum electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The equilibrium constant of the equilibrium between titanium ions and metal Ti was calculated in KCI-NaCl- 2.5wt %K2 Tif 6 at the temperature of 1073K.IntroductionTitanium, the ninth most abundant element in the earth's crust, is endowed with high strength, low density, excellent flexibility, strong spring back characteristics, high-temperature performance, corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. These characteristics make titanium eminently suitable to be used in aerospace, marine industries, and harsh chemical environments. Although it has many excellent properties, the application of titanium in industry was limited by its high-cost. Therefore, many methods have been investigated for producing high-purity titanium at low cost. Electrolysis, involving the extraction and preparation of pure metal from ore using an electrolytic process, is considered a promising method for titanium metallurgy. Many studies have focused on the electrochemical behaviour and electrodeposition of titanium in molten chloride, fluoride, and chloride-fluoride electrolytes (1-IOJ. The electroreduction mechanism of Ti3+ ions in molten alkali chlorides has previously been studied by several workers. Two reduction steps, Ti3+ -Ti2+ -Ti, have been observed in various molten alkali chlorides [IJ. One reduction step, Ti3+ -Ti, has been observed in alkali fluoride molten salts l21. The behaviour of Ti4+ in fluoride or chloride-fluoride molten salts has also been investigated in the literature; it was proposed that the reduction of Ti4+ ions in the molten salts proceeded in a two step process: Ti4+-Ti3+-Ti l3l or a three step process: Ti4+ -Ti3+ -Ti2+-Ti ri. 4l Indeed, the stability of the titanium oxidation states depends on the bath composition l5l. The valence state was Ti2+ in alkali chloride melts, which was a lower oxidation state and correspondingly, in alkali fluoride melts, the higher oxidation states ofTi4+ and Til+ were more stable.The aim of the present work is to explore the effect of F/Cl atomic ratio on the equilibrium between titanium ions and metal titanium in fluoride-chloride at the temperature of 1073K. The electrochemical properties of titanium ions in fluoride-chloride were studied on a molybdenum electrode by cyclic voltammetry (CV) and square wave voltammetry (SWV). The solubility product of the equilibrium between titanium ions and metal Ti was calculated."

Jan 1, 2012

By Yang Tian-zu

Sodium pyroantimonate which is widely used as the clarifier in the glass industry and as the synergist in anti-flaming industry respectively has a production history of about 30 years in China. At present there is the production capacity of about 20,000 tons per year in China and China is chief producer of sodium pyroantimonate. In this work the production processes adopted by the producers of China, the operation conditions and the product qualities of sodium pyroantimonate prepared by different preparation methods have been summarized, and on the basis of comparing the advantages and disadvantages for each process the most advanced method - the air-oxidation method was introduced in detail. The production processes of sodium pyroantimonate mainly include the method of oxidation by sodium nitrate, the oxidation method of hydrogen peroxide, the potash salt method, the chlorination method and the air-oxidation method etc. The method of oxidation by sodium nitrate in which the crude antimony oxide, sodium carbonate and sodium nitrate are separately used as the raw material, the flux agent and the oxidant, has the advantage of short and simple technological process, but low grade quality of sodium pyroantimonate and bringing about serious environmental pollution are the disadvantages and this method has been substituted by other methods. Sodium pyroantimonate can be directly prepared by the hydrogen peroxide oxidation method with the advantages of simple technological process, high grade quality of the product and little environmental pollution. High grade quality of sodium pyroantimonate can be also synthesized by the potash salt method, in which industrial antimony white, the hydrogen peroxide, potassium hydroxide and sodium hydroxide are applied as the starting material. The disadvantages of these two preparation methods are high production cost and high requirements on the raw materials. The chlorination method with the crude antimony oxide, hydrochloric acid and chlorine as the raw material has the advantages of low production cost and high grade quality of the product. However complex process, high requirement of anti-corrosion for the equipments and producing plenty of waste water limit its application. The air-oxidation method with stibnite/jamesonite concentrate, sodium sulfide, and sodium hydroxide as the raw material and atmosphere as the oxidant is a newly developed method and its advantages are low production cost and the complex raw material can be treated by this method and its disadvantage is that the quality of sodium pyroantimonate is lower than that prepared by the oxidation method of hydrogen peroxide and the potash salt method.

Jan 1, 2006

By John Frederick Colloghon, O&apos

Bulong remains the only hydrometallurgical process plant in the world that recovers nickel and cobalt directly from high pressure acid leach (HPAL) laterite leach liquors without need for precipitation of an intermediate product (e.g. sulphide, hydroxide or carbonate). Direct solvent extraction (DSX) of both nickel and cobalt in combination with electrowinning of nickel has been operation at Bulong since early 1999. Focus in the first years has been on ramp-up and resolution of commissioning problems. More recently the focus has been on de-bottlenecking and process optimisation. A number of significant process problems have been resolved, the most difficult being the formation of gypsum in the nickel solvent extraction circuit. Sound control of process chemistry is essential to ensure the production of high quality nickel and cobalt products at the lowest possible cost. This paper describes the numerous changes and enhancements to the process chemistry and plant equipment at Bulong and discusses the importance of ore leach chemistry on downstream impurity metal removal. Potential additional enhancements to further reduce unit costs are also presented.

Jan 1, 2004

By G. Riverin, C. Simard, W. D. Stevens

"An on-line technique to measure the efficiency of decoating I delacquering processes is being developed by Alcan' s Arvida R & D Centre. Decoating processes are used to remove moisture and coatings from shredded coated material such as Used Beverage Containers (UBC) before melting. Complete removal has been demonstrated to maximize metal recovery. Quantifying the weight of carbon and organic residue adhering to the shred surfaces is very difficult to measure directly, as the material can be highly folded. The technique developed indirectly measures the residue remaining by analysing the concentration of CO evolved in the decoater end zone exhaust gas.A commercial CEMS (Continuous Emission Monitoring System) incorporating an infrared type CO gas analyser was modified for on-line process exhaust gas analysis. Both pilot and plant trials had demonstrated that the CO concentration measured was inversely proportional to the efficiency of the organic removal achieved. As the quality of coated purchased scrap can be highly variable in moisture and organic content, continuous measurement should permit adjusting the feed rate and other decoater process parameters to the quality of decoating required."

Jan 1, 2000

By S. C. Grand, T. J. Auping, K. Born

Process control, environmental monitoring, budgeting and accounting are based on process data. Without appropriate tools for data analysis, the process data could remain unused and wasted. This paper demonstrates how data reconciliation can be used as a tool to develop closed mass balances. Mass balances are the initial step in plant optimisation (technical, economical or environmental). From mass balances, fundamental process models can be developed. These balances link process parameters (e.g., feed materials) to process performance (e.g., recovery of valuable elements). Some of these models could find their way into simulators useful to plant operators. Classical regression methods regularly fail when they are applied to complex non-linear problems involving a large number of variables. Alternatively, multiparametrical regression analysis can be successfully applied with the aid of neural networks based on reconciled data. Both methods have been applied to plant data originating from the hydrometallurgical zinc plant at Ruhr-Zink, which in this paper serves as a case study. Very promising and useful results were obtained from this study.

Jan 1, 2000