Search Documents

By Pan Gu, Zhen Zhang, Jiang Diao, Bing Xie, Hongyi Li

Furnace refractories are in most cases chemically incompatible with smelter slag, which leads to a steady erosion in their thickness over time. Once too thin, refractory walls become mechanically unstable and catastrophic failure can result. Historically, external shell cooling was applied to generate a freeze lining of slag and thus prevent refractory erosion. Many modern high intensity smelting furnaces instead maintain their physical integrity by the use of internally cooled wall panels, plates or finger coolers. An initial refractory lining is often installed inside of the coolers, such that the furnace originally operates with a temperature (insulated) rather than a heat flux (freeze lined) boundary condition. This paper examines the change in slag-wall heat transfer coefficient and slag superheat as a function of process intensity. The implications of the changes in heat transfer on residual brick thickness are explored using analytical modelling.

Jan 1, 2016

By Anjali Talekar

Low temperature heat capacities of pentaerythritol [PE: C(CH2OH)4], pentaglycerine [PG: (CH3)C(CH2OH)3], and 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol [AMPL: (NH2)(CH3)C(CH2OH)2]have been determined by adiabatic calorimetry from 3 K to 300 K. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported heat capacity measurement below 280 K for PE and AMPL. The Debye temperatures for these organic crystals have also been determined and compared with other alcohol derivatives of neopentane.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. W. Barton

Process Systems Engineering (PSE) can be defined as the integrated usage of computer-based design and analysis tools. As such, PSE is becoming increasingly important in the chemical and petrochemical industries. This paper shows how a range of PSE techniques have been applied to the zinc electrowinning process. Topics discussed include model development, parameter estimation, steady-state and dynamic model applications, steady-state optimisation and neural network modelling.

Jan 1, 1994

By Yong J. Kim, J. M. Park

"Solid/melt interface shape during continuous casting process has a strong influence on the resulting microstructure of the ingot. The interface shape is primarily governed by the heat flow condition between the molten metal and mold (or container). The roll of the microstructural transition resulting from various solid/melt interface shapes is discussed using the Sn-22.6wt%Pb alloy. Three different types of mold such as cold mold, resistantly heated mold, and electromagnetically heated mold were used to generate those interfaces having different curvatures. Experimental measurements of complete temperature profile along the axis and surface of the ingot during downward continuous casting are presented to determine the solid/melt interface geometry. The results provide an explanation of the ingot property with emphasis on microstructure.IntroductionA large scale of continuous casting process of alloys often has a rather deep V channel type of solid/melt interface resulting from a limited heat flow condition. As a result, the deep V type solid/melt interface shape entraps defects such as pores and inclusions and also creates canter segregation. In order to reduce the defects concentration, electromagnetic stirring(EMS) mechanism has been applied to the melt in the channel[l]. Speith and Bungeroth introduced first experimental EMS device to the continuous caster in 1952.[2] Today, with wide ranges of benefit, a large variety of such technique is available. Electromagnetic field on the melt can be divided into three aspects. First, eddy current is induced on the metal surface by alternating magnetic field with high frequency, which results in heating the metal. Second, electromagnetic body force which is generated by the magnetic field and the eddy current reduces the melt pressure on mold or support the melt not to contact with the mold[3,4,5]. This force is used for electromagnetic casting process(EMC). Finally, it causes stirring in the melt. Many research efforts have been done on the EMC process to improve surface quality of slab[6] and control meniscus shape where three phases such as melt, solidified metal, and mold powder coexist[7,8]. However, the eddy current heating effect on the surface of the ingot was less considered. It is worth noting that induced eddy current on the surface of slab melts the solidified shell and thus changes the heat flow condition between the mold and melt. Mold heating effect was first proposed by A. Ohno[9] and its processing conditions were identified in details[ 10, 11]. The so-called Ohno process is based on the fact that by keeping the mold temperature slightly above the melting temperature of the liquid, no grain can be nucleated on the mold wall[12]."

Jan 1, 1998

By Husamuddin Ahmadzai

A survey of regulations and state of the art control technologies is presented relating to the smelting of primary aluminium, copper and recycling of residues. Some costs associated with the alternatives and trends for the coming decade in this. sector are identified.

Jan 1, 1992

By D. W. Lawler

Prior to the manufacture of sulphuric acid in metallurgical plants, the SO2 rich gas from the smelter, roaster, or furnace must be cleaned to removed particulates, volatile contaminants, SO3, and water. Cleaning is accomplished by contacting the. gas with cooled weak acid. The system is designed so that all the contaminants, originally in the gas are captured in the weak acid, which then becomes an effluent from the plant. Historically, the entire weak acid effluent stream has been treated for disposal, with no attempt to recycle or recover any part if it. This is becoming increasingly environmentally unacceptable, and operators must consider better methods of treatment and recovery. In this paper, Kvaerner Chemetics discuss a number of options that allow the contaminants to 'be separated from the acid' value. This will result in an acid byproduct that can be sold or used elsewhere, and will minimize the volume of hazardous byproducts that must be discharged.

Jan 1, 1998

By Miller, Geoffrey W.

The Ravensthorpe Nickel Project (RNP) flow sheet provides for the upgrading of Ni & Co in a size based beneficiation process prior to leaching. The upgrading effect on Ni and Co makes the beneticiation process a powerful addition to the flow sheet. Multiple linear regression (MLR) analysis based on 351 individual batch tests, 52 large scale composites and 21 pilot plant tests has been used to successfully model beneticiation product grade, recovery, upgrade and mass recovery. Statistically, 83% and 96% of the variability in nickel recovery and nickel product grade respectively was accounted for. Algorithms have been developed for Ni, Co, Mg, Al and Fe, which represents the revenue and operating cost factors for the process. The algorithms have subsequently been applied to the resource model, allowing prediction of elemental grade and recovery for the development of the mine schedules based upon these parameters and not head grades alone. This has allowed optimisation of the mine schedule for improvement to the project's NPV. Keywords: Ni Laterite, Prediction, Multiple Linear Regression, Beneficiation

Jan 1, 2004

By Guan-Yong SHI, Cong Wang, Zhi-he DOU, Ting-an ZHANG, Shi-gang FAN

Based on the pre-works, this paper proposed a new short stage process of the intensify aluminothermy reduction by the stage to prepare high titanium ferroalloy with low O and Al contents. We investigated the effects of Al and Ca and Si combination reduction agent, slag type and step-up reduction conditions on the Al content and distribution in the alloy. The results show that the step-up reduction can not only reduce effectively the oxygen content in the alloy, but also reduce effectively Al content. For instance, the oxygen content in high titanium ferroalloy is within 1%~4%, and the Al content is within 1%~5%. Its quality reaches the requirement of high titanium ferroalloy prepared by remelting process.

Jan 1, 2015

By Mike Dry

Conventionally, lithium-bearing brines are processed via solar evaporation, chemical purification, and either electrolysis to lithium hydroxide or precipitation of lithium carbonate. Lithium-ion battery technology and electric vehicles are forecast to greatly increase the demand for lithium, but not all lithium-bearing brines are amenable to the conventional extraction process and new approaches are being developed. The chemistry associated with conventional lithium extraction is outlined and two new approaches are discussed.

By Lloyd R. Nelson

The feasibility of producing low carbon (LC) ferromanganese (FeMn) by lime-'ore' melt refining of high-grade ferromanganese silicon (FeMnSi) was investigated. Thermodynamic simulations demonstrated significant benefits in moving from a single-stage ladle operation to a two-stage counter-current reladling operation (to emulate the commercial Penin Process). The theoretical alloy silicon content was predicted to be refined from 1.57 to 0.005 per cent silicon, at a 6.2 per cent higher manganese yield (yield predicted to increase from 82.3 to 88.5 per cent). Extension of this counter-current refining principle, to a multistage Counter-Current Reaction Launder (CCRL) was investigated using the Slag Metal And Gas Klnetics (SMAK) software to model the mass transfer kinetics of the multicomponent coupled reaction system. Simulation results suggested that commercial production of 50 000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of refined LC FeMn, containing less than 0.5 per cent silicon, at manganese yields of up to 90 per cent, should be feasible in a compact CCRL (7 m long by 0.7 m wide).

Jan 1, 1994

By F. G. Caballero, J. L. Gonzalez-Carrasco, S. Barrius, H. Carreon, M. Lieblich

"The grit blasting is a low-cost technique successfully used to enhance mechanical fixation of the implants through increasing their roughness. As a result of the severe plastic surface deformation, it produces subsurface effects such as grain refinement, hardening and compressive residual stresses which are generally evaluated with destructive techniques. In this research work, non-contacting and contacting thermoelectric power measurements are performed in blasted 316L VM and Ti-6AI-4V specimens using Ah03 and Zr02 particles which yield a coarse and a fine rough surface, respectively. This study correlates the microstructural changes induced by the grit blasting treatment and the limitations and advantages of each of the nondestructive thermoelectric techniques based on the Seebeck effect used to evaluate these biomaterials.IntroductionIt is well known that surface properties play an important role in metallic materials used in bio-medical applications. Since the biological response is correlated directly with surface properties it is comprehensible the intense activity in superficial modification by physics or chemistry methods in this field. Grit blasting, one of the most popular surface modification of metallic biomaterials, enhances the mechanical fixation of the implant through the increase in roughness [1-3]. Roughening is developed by bombarding the surface with a high-velocity jet of ceramic particles, being the final roughness a function of the processing parameters (pressure, distance, time, ... ) and blasting particles (nature, shape, size). As the plastically deformed surface layer tries to expand relatively to the intact interior of the specimen, residual compressive stress gradients develops perpendicular to the surface at shallow depths with a maximum value at a depth in the range of 5 to 60 µm. This surface treatment also may cause subtle variations in the subsurface material properties, such as increased hardness and grain size refinement, which are consequences of the significant plastic deformation through cold work. Blasted affected zones may extend to a depth of up to about 200 µm. The subsurface hardening and the near-surface compressive stress gradient playa beneficial role by retarding fatigue crack nucleation and further growth, ultimately extending the fatigue life of the metallic part [4]. In this work, two non-destructive thermoelectric techniques (NDTT), the non-contacting and contacting thermoelectric power measurements were used to analyze the subsurface induced changes on blasted Ti-6AI-4V and 316L VM specimens using Al2O3 and Zr02 particles. Detailed information on the microstructural induced effects and subsurface mechanical properties were published elsewhere [5-8]. Here the nondestructive evaluation of the involved microstructural changes is used to assess the global subsurface damage. Advantages of using nondestructive techniques during manufacturing are envisaged."

Jan 1, 2012

By K. P. V. Lei

The U.S. Bureau of Mines investigated a hydrothermal sulfidation procedure to recover lead and silver from plumbojarosite. The plumbojarosite, generated during pressure-oxidative leaching of zinc concentrate in a commercial operation, contained, in percent, 25.4 pb, 18.8 Fe, 1.4 Zn, 29.5 SO,2-, 3.2 s?, 13.4 total sulfur, and 7.4 oz/ton Ag. The sulfidation was conducted in an autoclave and converted the plumbojarosite to amorphous iron oxide and liberated the lead and silver as sulfides. The best operating conditions were using 50 9 of plumbojarosite and 7 pct s? (2.04 9 S? added) in 500 mL of 2.0 mol/L NH3, 150? C, and 1 h. The sulfidation product contained, in percent, 37 Pb, 28 Fe, 6 S2-, 2 SO,2-, and 11.2 oz/st Ag. Ferric chloride leaching extracted 98 pct Pb and 97 pct Ag from the sulfidation product.

Jan 1, 1990

By Roberto Parreiras Tavares, Frederico da Costa Fernandes, Guilherme Antonio Defendi, Vangleik Ferreira da Cruz, Júlio César de Sousa Pena

"Near-net-shape casting is an important area of research in the iron and steel industry today. Among the near-net-shape casting processes, the single-belt caster seems to be the most promising, since it is the only one that can achieve levels of productivity similar to those obtained with conventional continuous casting machines. One of the most important aspects in the single-belt casting is the feeding system used to deliver liquid metal over the belt. This system determines the velocity distribution and the levels of turbulence of the liquid metal and affects the quality of the strips. In the present work, a metal delivery system having a simple geometry was proposed. Using the CFD code CFX 5.6, a mathematical model to simulate three-dimensional turbulent fluid flow and heat transfer in that system has been developed. This model was used to analyze different configurations of the metal delivery system and the free surface shape of the fluid was also determined. A physical model of the feeding system was built and used to validate the predictions of the mathematical model. The fluid flow calculations have been validated by dye injection experiments and laser doppler anemometry. Measurements of the free surface levels have also been performed. These experiments provided supporting evidence for the predictions of the mathematical model.IntroductionTo maintain its competitiveness in the present market, the metallurgical sector, particularly the steelmaking companies, are developing new techniques of production. Some of these new processes are focussed on the strip casting technologies. Among these technologies, the SingleBelt process is considered the most interesting option, reducing the number of rolling steps and, consequently, the final cost of the product, especially the part associated to the energy consumption (fuel and/or electric energy). This process can also reach levels of productivity that can not be matched by other strip casting methods(1). One of the most important aspects concerning these new processes is related to the liquid metal delivery system. This system can have a significant effect on the final quality of the strips, since it determines the velocity distribution and the levels of turbulence of the liquid metal."

Jan 1, 2004

By Chuan-fu Zhang

Li(Nil/3Col/3- xMnl/3)MxO2(M=Ti, Mg) cathode materials were prepared from LiOH?H2O and oxalate precursor. The physical and electrochemical properties were studied by XRD, SEM, cyclic volt-ampere (CV), AC impedance and constant current charge-discharge. The results show that crystal volume of Ti4+ or Mg2+ doped sample is increasing and the electrochemical reaction resistant Rct is decreased at high rate, improving the cyclic performance and rate capability. The effect of Ti4+ doped is better than Mg2+. The sample is well crystallized and simple pure phase with a-NaFeO2 layered structure when doping quantity x=0.025. The second specific discharge capacity of Li(Nil/3Col/3- 0.025Mnl/3)Ti0.025O2 is 143.2mAh/g at 1C,128.0mAh/g at 2C in the voltage of 2.75-4.3V,and still has 140.7mAh/g and 121.7mAh/g after 20 cycles, respectively, keeping 98.25%, 95.07% capacity.

Jan 1, 2009

By K. J. Cathro

A hydrometallurgical process is described for the recovery of copper from chalcopyrite concentrates. The process is based on a cupric chloride leach, the concentrate having first been "activated" by heating it with sulphur at a temperature near 400°C. This activation process converts most of the iron of the chalcopyrite to pyrite, which is insoluble in the cupric chloride leachant. The copper is converted to the mineral idaite, which dissolves readily in hot cupric chloride: at 106°C, 98% of the copper is extracted in a three-stage countercurrent leach, the leaching tirqe being 1 hour per stage. The sulphur of the chalcopyrite appears as elemental sulphur, which is recycled for the activation of further concentrate, the final leach residue consisting of pyrite, plus the gangue present in the original concentrate. The copper extracted can be recovered by electrowinning, using a diaphragm cell. Current efficiency (one-electron basis) is about 70% but the cell voltage is only about 1 V, so that power consumption is three times lower than for the conventional sulphate electrowinning process. The leachant is simultaneously regenerated in the anode compartment. The behaviour of minor elements in the concentrate has also been studied.

Jan 1, 1976

By W. K. Tolley

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) is currently investigating improved technology for mineral flotation. A variable often neglected in flotation control is redox potential. The use of redox control is illustrated by the separation of molybdenite from chalcopyrite. Laboratory testing showed that redox potential had a greater effect on product quality than collector addition. A significant need in froth flotation is greater reliability of the sensors used in measuring and controlling redox potential in mineral slurries. The USBM has developed an automated method for removing scale and reconditioning gold redox-sensing electrodes. Fouled electrodes are anodically polarized to 1.2 V versus the AglAgCI reference potential to remove scale. The electrodes then are conditioned by a brief potentiodynamic treatment to re-establish electrochemical equilibrium. In laboratory tests, this technique removed calcarious deposits from gold electrodes and reconditioned them for useful service in approximately 10 min. In plant practice, this technique would obviate the need for plant operators to manually polish electrodes, and also should result in greater reliability in redox measurements. Inexpensive, automated equipment to condition electrodes in a plant setting is described.

Jan 1, 1995

By Atul Kurnar

In the present research a two-cell polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell stack (PEMFCS) with SS-316 bipolar plates has been tested. Different flow field designs were studied and a modified multi-parallel channel design is proposed. The stack is stable within ±3 mV even after 1000 hours of continuous operation, indicating efficient water management and effective removal of any metal ions from the stack. Also no iron is detected in membrane electrode assembly (MEA) by EDAX analysis after 1000 hours of cell operation. Results indicate that high operating pressures beyond 138 kPa didn't significantly increase the performance of cell, however added much to the pressurization cost of the system. Tests at different temperatures showed that at temperatures below 80°C, external humidification could be completely removed. The prototype stack is also tested under variable load conditions simulating highway-driving schedule. The experimental efficiency of PEMFCS is 48%, which is in good agreement with the model predicted efficiency of 53.8 %. Results show that 59% of the total losses are due to ohmic polarization in the cell. Further analysis on applications of the stack in automotive transportation system is in progress.

Jan 1, 2002

By Dale W. Collins

The disposal of arsenic from copper operations possess various health, environmental and processing problems. There are basically two areas of concern. The first being the disposal or treatment of smelter flue dusts and the second the removal of arsenic from refinery electrolytes. A number of treatment options have been proposed including the addition of soluble arsenic wastes to copper heap and dump leaching solutions. This approach will allow arsenic to be reintroduced to the ore via Solvent Extraction (SX) raffinate associated with hydrometallurgical operations. Knowledge of the attenuation behavior and mechanism during leaching is important in determining the long term stability of arsenic and the success of this approach. Parameters, such as uptake capacity, pH, particle size and solution chemistry have been investigated. Arsenic attenuation has been examined using column leaching with experiments employing both continuous flow and pulsed additions of As(V). In the initial stages of leaching, the attenuation of arsenic appears to depend on the pH and iron concentration in the effluent. Arsenic stability in the copper oxide ore has been examined with rinses of progressively lower pH.

Jan 1, 1994

By Meifeng Zhi

Separation of uranium and molybdenum in the alkaline leach solution of a U–Mo ore was studied. A process of acidification-solvent extraction-precipitation uranium and molybdenum was determined. The influences of solution acidity and phase ratio of acidic scrubbing on separation of uranium and molybdenum were examined. The molybdenum extraction equilibrium isotherm was drawn. The results show that the separation of molybdenum and uranium can be achieved by acidifying the alkaline leach solution, solvent extracting molybdenum using trialkylamine at equilibrium pH 2.5, and scrubbing the loaded organic phase using sulfuric acid solution. The strip solution can directly precipitate ammonium molybdate. Uranium can be directly precipitated from the raffinat

By D. R. Kreuzer

The sulfide smelting industry is striving for up-scaling their operations by increasing the throughput and efficiencies of the furnaces. The physical phenomena related to refractory materials prevailing in smelters and furnaces are highly complex. The refractory materials are exposed to fairly high temperatures, thermo-mechanical stresses, penetration of pores, erosion and chemical corrosion. The application of numerical simulation tools is needed for the refractory engineering task to consider those phenomena and to evaluate the impact of operational regimes on the refractory design and finally on the integrity of the furnaces. The work discusses case studies of simulations addressing problems and questions related to the refractory design process. Practical simulation approaches which employ simplified models are introduced as the engineering process demands results in a reasonable time.