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By A. V. Tarasov

Regeneration of carbide waste from hard-alloy (sintered carbide) manufacture is an important scientific and technical objective aimed at improving the degree of recycling of rare metals (W, Co, Ta, Ti, Nb). Currently, the degree of recycling of those metals does not exceed 25% to 35% of their total production even in industrially developed countries. This is attributed to a significant extent to the substantial drawbacks of the technologies applied for their processing (environmental pollution, limitations to the use of regenerated products for important applications, sophisticated equipment to be used). An innovative environmentally sound technology has been developed in the Institute of Metallurgy of the Russian Academy of Sciences (IMET RAN) for processing of carbide waste of WC, TiC, TTC and other carbides using asymmetric alternating current of industrial frequency (the electrolyte used for this purpose is nitric acid solution). The current efficiency under optimal conditions is as high as 96% to 98%. The process has been tested on bench scale. The following commercial-grade products are obtained: pure ammonium paratungstate, tungstic acid, cobalt oxide, titanium dioxide and tantalum-niobium concentrate. The total metals recovery is 98% to 99%.

Jan 1, 2006

By Corby G. Anderson

Today, with a stringent economic and environmental climate prevailing in the copper business, there is increased interest in evaluating new processing alternatives for production. Hydrometallurgical pressure oxidation of copper concentrates is one of the more viable approaches and several technological candidates have emerged. Of these, an overlooked but industrially proven methodology utilizing nitrogen species catalyzation in the oxidizing pressure leach system may prove to be a feasible process alternative for the future. In this paper, the history of the system and its application to chalcopyrite concentrates will be outlined. In particular, a methodology for effective treatment of precious metals bearing chalcopyrite concentrates via partial oxidation at low temperatures and pressures will be discussed. Finally, the perceived economics of this unique industrially proven process will be delineated.

Jan 1, 1999

By Xiaorong Liu

Interfacial emulsion generated in copper solvent extraction is an inhomogeneous O/W emulsion that consists of organic phase, aqueous phase and solid particles. In order to determine what kind of components in organic phase promotes the emulsion, the organic phase separated from the interfacial crud provided by Dexing Copper Mine in Jiangxi, China was analyzed for its components by combined gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. It was found that many kinds of emphiphiles containing such hydrophilic groups as carbonyl, carboxyl, or acylamine existed in organic phase, most of which were originated from the reagent degradation. Conclusively, Lix984N would degrade gradually during a long-term contact with the acidic aqueous feed and strip reagents. Lix84 and nonylphenol, as effective components of Lix984N, degraded almost completely after long-term recycling. As a result, the effective components of Lix984N were far lower in concentration than the dense-aromatic impurities derived from the diluent and the degradation products in total. The degradation of Lix984N would deteriorate solvent extraction, disengagement performance and result in more serious interfacial emulsion.

Jan 1, 2006

By Robert L. Opila

Negative electrodes for alkaline nickel-metal hydride batteries composed of MmNi3.5Al0.8Co0.7, where Mm is misch metal, have been characterized electrochermically and using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The stability and rapid hydriding and dehydriding kinetics of the alloy in KOH are attibuted to a surface film. The protective surface film is shown to consist of an porous, outer hydrated layer and a dense, inner oxide layer. In addition, metallic nickel and cobalt are found throughout the film, and are presumed to form a conductive, percolative network that permits rapid electron transfer from the bulk to the solution, allowing rapid electrochemical formation of atomic hydrogen.

Jan 1, 1997

By P. G. West-Sells

Recovery of gold from thiosulfate leachates can be accomplished by adsorption of the gold thiosulfate complex by a strong base resin. Two of the most significant impurities that can decrease this gold adsorption are tetrathionate and trithionate, which are produced as oxidation products of thiosulfate during gold leaching. This paper investigates gold adsorption on a strong base resin (Purolite A500C) as a function of the concentration of these impurities. It is shown that concentrations of tetrathionate and trithionate as low as 150 mg/L can decrease gold loading by an order of magnitude, and that of the two ions, tetrathionate has a stronger detrimental effect. The resin and solution gold concentration profiles were successfully fit using a Freundlich isotherm, which further shows the strong effect of tetrathionate. To counteract the decrease in gold adsorption by tetrathionate, a novel process was proposed. Sulfite was added to the solution to oxidize tetrathionate to trithionate, and a nitrogen blanket was added to ensure that no further oxidation of thiosulfate could take place. It is shown that by incorporating this process, gold adsorption was doubled from both synthetic and real gold thiosulfate leachates.

Jan 1, 2003

By Malcolm J. Harrison

The problems associated with the flow control of abrasive slurries and solids laden fluids creates reliability problems in many mining operations. Conventional valves such as pinch, knife gate and plug types cannot always function reliably in such harsh operating environments. Due to the technological advances in the hard coating industry, ball valves can now be produced with internal surfaces protected from the erosive effects of these applications. Pressures well in excess of the capability of conventional 1000 kPa working pressure valves can now be handled reliably. The significant advantages of minimizing down-time and lowering maintenance costs can now be realized with metal seated ball valves.

Jan 1, 1999

By B. S. Boyanov

The hydrometallurgical technology for zinc production in Bulgaria is characterized by the use of considerable quantities of imported zinc concentrates and several kinds of Bulgarian ones which are quite different in chemical, phase and granulometric compositions. In this connection, 7 sulfide zinc concentrates (Bulgarian and imported ones) were investigated by chemical analysis, DTA, TGA, X-ray diffraction analysis, sieve analysis. The accomplishment of optimal mixing of concentrates and providing stabile mix composition for a long period of time of roasting in fluid bed furnace is a task of primary importance in the technological process control in zinc hydrometallurgy. This can be achieved using mathematical optimization methods.

Jan 1, 2006

By E. M. Alcântara

This paper describes some aspects about the relationship between copper electrorefining addition reagents and the hydrogen in the cathode. The conditions of electrorefining were studied by factorial design methods. The advantages of this technique are reduction in the number of tests, well organized experiments; improvement in productivity and reliability of results. The dosage of the two main addition agents, glue and thiourea, were varied simultaneously and compared with the hydrogen content in the cathode. The influence of these factors, as well their interactions were analyzed by statistical methods denominated ANOVA (Analysis of Variance). The increase of thiourea quantities, within of levels studied, influenced significantly at 95% confidence in the hydrogen content in copper cathode.

Jan 1, 1999

By Admire Chaendera

A gas jet was blown through submerged nozzles to stir the bath in the presence and absence of slag. Mixing and mass transfer rates were then studied. Water and kerosene (10% by volume) were used to simulate the metal and slag phases respectively in the cold model. The mixing time (Tmix), defined at 99.66% bath homogeneity level, increased with bath height and decreased with an increase in the gas injection rate. Its value in the model vessel was related to gas flow rate (Q), bath weight (W), and bath height (H) by, Tmix = 4.39Q-0.73W0.24H1.12. Inclusion of the slag phase increased Tmix by about 16% and the mass transfer parameter, [(Reloc,r)0.25(Ret)0.32], values by about 32%. Mass transfer rates were higher near the bath surface and in the gas-liquid plume region. They increased with gas flow rate but decreased with an increase in bath height. The relationship, K Q0.08, showing derived mass transfer coefficient (K) dependence on the gas injection rate (Q) was established. The proportionality constant in the equation varied with gas flow rate and sample location.

Jan 1, 2006

By B. Wan

The process of synthesizing silica nanopowder by the gas phase thermal oxidation of tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) in a diffusion flame reactor was simulated using a commercial computational fluid dynamic (CFD) code. The fuel combustion process and silica particle formation and growth in the flame are modeled. The temperature, velocity and particle size distribution (PSD) fields inside the reactor are computed. Chemical reaction rate and population balance model (PBM) were used to calculate the particle formation and growth and PSD.

Jan 1, 2006

By N. A. McKay, J. G. Davison

"Heap leachable ore deposits from many countries have been submitted for process mineralogical evaluation and laboratory testwork. Numerous factors must be addressed and integrated by the mineralogist, geologist, metallurgist and engineer. Projects encompass grass roots exploration, preliminary petrographic analysis, predictive and process mineralogy, dye penetration analysis of rocks and thin sections, metallurgical beneficiation testwork and plant optimization studies. The significance of mineralogical factors, such as geological controls, degree of oxidation, dye amenability, liberation, deleterious minerals, refractoriness, and the impact of mineralogy on gold recovery and process considerations, will be presented.ABSTRACT ONLY"

Jan 1, 1997

By E. M. Timoshenko

Autoclave technology can be effectively used for liberation of complex mineral raw materials to transfer valuable constituents into solution for their subsequent recovery or to refine feed material in order to remove deleterious impurities, e.g. arsenic. The high efficiency of autoclave processes is attributed to the fact that they are suitable for processing of refractory raw materials, have low capital costs, high productivity, ensure integrated utilization of the feed materials, produce innovative saleable products, completely eliminate any air emissions, provide low-waste or waste-less technology, mechanization and automation of production processes. In the immediate future, it might be expected that autoclave processes will find use on commercial scale for production of heavy non-ferrous metals in combination with other processes (hydrometallurgical, upgrading, sorption and solvent extraction, electrolytic, etc.) to ensure: - Integrated processing of refractory ores and concentrates (pyrrhotite, zinc, copper-zinc, lead-zinc, nickel-cobalt, copper, pyrite); - Production of metallic powders of base metals as commercial products (copper, cobalt, nickel, etc.), composites on their bases, final products and saleable salts. Processing technologies incorporating autoclave processes, especially at the stage of liberation (chemical upgrading) of raw materials are characterized generally by high overall recoveries of valuable constituents significantly exceeding recoveries common for conventional pyrometallurgical processes (for some elements by several tens of percent).

Jan 1, 2006

By Marilda Macagnan, Rosana de Cassia de Souza Schneider, Valeriano Corbellini, Tiago Bjerk, Mariela de Souza Vieira

The great potential of Brazil for the agricultural production makes our country a generator of agro industrial residues. In this context, the solid-state fermentation appears as a technology that shows alternative ways for those residues, adding values to these raw materials, through the production of substances of industrial interest, besides reducing the possible environmental problems. The main objective of this study was to apply the bovine fat residue associated to the garden grass for the fungal lipase production. Initially, 75 microbial cultures were isolated from garden grass samples after incubation of the mixture with bovine fat. From these cultures were selected the filamentous fungi, whose lipase production abilities were evaluated. The isolation and the selection were accomplished by using a differential culture medium containing Tween 80 as inducer substrate of lipase production. The colonies with lipolytic potential were detected by the presence of white precipitation haloes on the agar. With agro industrial residues the best lipase producer fungus was identified as Penicillium sp in 6 days of solid state fermentation. The crude enzyme obtained was tested in transesterification process for the biodiesel production.

Jan 1, 2008

By Peter J. Hancock

The pyrometallurgical .processing of non-ferrous, complex materials and wastes will be surveyed. Pyrometallurgy offers the most versatile way of processing a large variety of such materials because of its high temperatures, closely-controlled oxidation potential and the availability of commercially-proven reactor configurations. Some current industrial applications will be reviewed and possible new applications as well as future trends will be outlined.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. Menge, N. Basin, M. Sibony, J. Lecadet, S. Schmidt

In 1996, Metaleurop replaced its conventional sintering and blast furnace lead smelting activity in Nordenham, Germany by Sirosmelt/Ausmelt technology. Following some alterations to the process and the equipment, the bath smelting plant reached its design capacity for the treatment of lead concentrates, lead sulphate paste from spent batteries, secondaries and internal by-products. A reliable metallurgical process has been established, and thus higher process stability has been achieved, increasing simultaneously the refractory life. Nevertheless, improvements are needed to control the process with a better automation system and reliable expert-systems, because of the intensity of the smelting process. The introduction of the Sirosmelt process for the pyrometallurgical production of lead instead of the prior conventional process has also demonstrated the following advantages: reduced emissions of heavy metals and gaseous compounds, reduction of the specific energy consumption, minimization of residues and a reduction of staff and maintenance costs. The environmental performance of the plant meets the requirements of the German regulations.

Jan 1, 2000

By Dan Adams

A number of gas-liquid processes require high intensity agitation systems to provide uniform blending and dispersion of reactants in order to achieve desired end products. Processes such as hydrogenation, fermentation, and minerals processing have used conventional down pumping or radial agitation systems with some success. In 1996, LIGHTNIN introduced the concept of Up-Pumping to the industrial marketplace as an improved mixing technology for these applications. For processes requiring gas-liquid mass transfer, such as those listed above, conventional mixing technology requires the use of gas introduction devices (sparges) below impellers. These devices can be a maintenance concern due to plugging and erosion in the presence of solids. Up-Pumping impeller systems are able to draw in a significant amount of gas from the headspace, much more so than conventional vortexing impellers designed for headspace gas incorporation. This paper will demonstrate the effectiveness of Up-Pumping impeller systems that have the potential to eliminate need for sparge devices entirely. It demonstrates the ability of Up-Pumpers to re-entrain gas for higher utilization compared with conventional impeller technology. This is significant in applications using costly gases such as enriched oxygen or hydrogen, reducing overall operating costs of production.

Jan 1, 2003

By Sharon K. Young

What might an ideal leach-to-cathode/product system look like in the next century? The paper looks at the synergies of the 60's and 70's that led to the highly effective copper leach SX-EW system of the 90's. Standing in the year 2020 focuses on what breakthrough technologies might make possible a next generation leach/extraction/metal recovery system. Many of the pieces of such a technology have been developed, even piloted: in situ leaching, enhanced bioleaching, heap leaching of fine particles, resin in pulp, ion exchange, alternate anode reaction electrowinning, novel anode coatings. With nearly non-existent research on the part of individual large companies, the greatest challenge may not be inventing the technologies but rather inventing an industry "will to create."

Jan 1, 1999

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 Pinakin Chaubal

An analysis of the blast furnace and the low-pressure shaft DR furnace is carried out by redefining the reaction zones. The concept of a characteristic reaction gas temperature (CRGT) is introduced and the two reactors are compared and contrasted using some recent process developments with an aim to develop a platform for further synergistic innovations.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. -L. Metsärinta, J. Nyberg, A. Roine

The Kokkola roasting plant uses more than 20 different zinc concentrates every year. During recent years there has been an increase in the variation in concentrate quality; in particular, the amount of fine-grained and low-grade concentrates has increased. Therefore, a great deal of development work has been carried out to improve the operational flexibility, online availability, production capacity and calcine quality of the roasting plant. This work consisted of a heat and material balance model of the roasting based on HSC Chemistry software, a new water admixture system for the concentrate feed, a new oxygen feed system for the process air line, improved cooling of the furnace and boiler and improved operational practices, dust removal and concentrate mixing. These new process control tools and other improvements, as well as some test results, will be described in this paper. The oxygen feed may be used to improve production capacity and to decrease the sulfide content of the calcine. The water feed may be used with fine concentrates to decrease both dust carry-over and the temperature in the top part of the furnace. Improved cooling of the furnace and boiler helps to increase production capacity.

Jan 1, 2000