Search Documents

By Nicolas Reynier

The separation of radionuclide during rare earth element (REE) production is an important requirement for developing the Canadian REE mining industry. Separation of actinides from REE is often a large concern in the rare earth industry because of the need to manage the radioactive nuclides. A patented process developed for actinides extraction from radioactive wastes was applied to REE ore. Objectives were to optimize the process for REE leaching from ore, and separate radioactive impurities from sulphuric and nitric liquor by ion exchange (IX). Ore leaching was optimized using a surface response plan to ensure statistical significance. In optimized conditions, solubilization yields ranged from 90–95% for Th, 60–75% for U, 48–55% for LREE, and 59–75% for HREE in sulphuric and nitric media. Both media were compared for radionuclide removal from rich REE-bearing mineral liquor by IX. Actinides separation ranged from 92–97% for Th and 69–96% for U in sulphuric and nitric media.

By J. L. Hill, M. A. R. Sharif, J. Lin

"A numerical algorithm has been developed to simulate the movement, breakup, and entrapment of the oxide film inclusions encountered during the mold-filling processes of aluminum castings. The flowfield is solved using the well-known Marker and Cell (MAC) method by a time marching process. The Volume of Fluid (VOF) method is used to track the free surface boundaries. A kinematic approach is employed to track the movement and breakup of the oxide films on the free surface or in the bulk liquid metal. The computer program based on the proposed algorithm is able to model the flow behavior and oxide film movement, breakup, and entrapment in mold cavities for aluminum castings.IntroductionMetallographic and fractographic studies of the aluminum castings show tangled networks of oxide films in the castings. These oxide films can form in the furnaces or during the mold filling processes. Green and Campbell [I] concluded that the oxide film defects dominate the strength of aluminum castings. The main cause of oxide film entrapment into the bulk molten metal during the casting processes is the surface turbulence. In film-forming alloys, if the surface breaks, due to a drop, a fountain, or a breaking wave, then the surface film is folded over and incorporated into the bulk liquid. The incorporation of surface films leads to cracks in the casting and other defects that are nucleated by the presence of the folded films, such as porosity and hot tears. Campbell [2] estimated that up to 80% of scrap in light-alloy casting is the result of surface turbulence."

Jan 1, 1999

By Muhlis Nezihi Saridede, Burak Birol

"Plastic wastes become a huge problem day after day due to the growth of plastic industry. Hence, plastic wastes are used as a raw material for other industries to eliminate this problem. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is a commonly used for plastic bottles, may be used as a reductant for iron production because of its C and H content. In this study, composite pellets containing iron ore concentrate, flux and reductant were prepared. Crystallized PET bottles and coke were used as reductant after ground. The prepared pellets were reduced at 1400°C for 30 min. and iron nuggets were produced successfully. Usage of waste PET purely as reductant in composite pellets gives a higher metallization degree and proper carbon content than coke or PET and coke mixture.IntroductionPlastics can be seen everywhere, especially at packaging industry in our common life. The increase of plastic usage ends up with an important problem, the increase of plastic wastes. Many studies have been carried out about usage of plastics as reductant in blast furnace such as Ogaki et al.[1], Heo and Baek [2], Saridede [3], Minoru et al.[4], etc. Besides, Kato et al. [5], Nomura and Kato [ 6] and Rongfang et al. [7] have pointed out the use of plastics in coke ovens regarding to its calorific content. In EAF steelmaking, a mixture of coal/coke and plastics can be used as an energy resource instead of only coal or coke. [8] Also, the usage of PET and PC in self-reducing composite pellets increased the reduction rate. [12]PET (Polyethylene terephthalate ), which is commonly used for soft drink plastic bottles, is an important municipal waste due to its C and H content. Its molecular formula is (C10H8O 4)n. Demir and Dincer showed that PET can be crystallized at 250°C to have the ability to be ground to a size of -100 µm. [11]"

Jan 1, 2011

By Freddy Syvertsen

"During the past two years the Association of Norwegian Foundries in Norway has been running a project in evaluation of CAD/CAM systems for foundries.In this work we have had a closer look to the various steps from drawings to the finished castings. On this background we have made a specification of the special needs in the foundry process. The main content of this paper is a presentation of this specification.Some CAD/CAM sytems have been compared with the specification and a summary of the result is presented.In the project we have also had a closer look at some systems where we actually have tried the user interface and some of the possibilities in the systems. In this way we have gained a more detailed knowledge of the systems and we have also got some experience in NC-machining from the systems.IntroductionThe development of CAD/CAM systems has taken place with almost no interaction with the foundry business. This becomes clear when you are having a closer look at the systems. Most of them have not the possibility to describe the complex sculptured surfaces that is often found on castings. The people developing the software, have paid little or no attention to the problems arising when a geometry is going to be transformed for the casting process. Among the problems are the decision of where to place the parting line and to adjust the draft angle. These problems must be solved properly to be able to withdraw the model from the sandmould. In die casting the problems must be solved to be able to get the casting out of the die.In Norway some companies have been developing CAD/CAM systems for several years, with limited interest in foundry problems till 1983. To present the special foundry problems to them a specification of the needs was made that year. Another reason for making this specification, was to compare it with the CAD/CAM systems on the market (1).Design of castingsGeometry transferThe foundries in Norway are small units with almost no design of their own casting products. They are subcontractors receiving paper drawings and limited informations about the product from the mechanical industry both in Norway and in other European countries. This is going to change, and in the future the geometry will be transferred by magnetic tape or by a network of computers."

Jan 1, 1986

By Guan-zhou Qiu, Shui-shi Liu, Yu-feng Guo, Tao Jiang

"The preparation of high-quality synthetic ruitle from electric furnace titanium slag was systematically investigated by activation roasting followed by acid leaching process. The results showed that impurities such as Ca and Mg in titanium slag can be effectively removed and TiO2 grade of the product was markedly improved by the process. High-quality synthetic rutile containing 88.54% TiO2, 0.42% (CaO+MgO) was obtained under the conditions that roasted with 7.5%(wt) H3PO4 at 1000 oC for 2h, followed by two-stage leaching in boiling dilute sulfuric acid for 2h. Mechanism studies showed that anosovite solid solution and silicate minerals were reacted with phosphoric acid in the roasting process. As a result, titanium components in titanium slag turned into rutile (TiO2) and impurities were transformed into acid-soluble phosphate and quartz.IntroductionWith the gradual depletion of natural rutile and the rapid development of titanium industry in China, the natural rutile reserves cannot satisfy the requirement for production of titanium pigment and titanium sponge. Ilmenite is, therefore, becoming main raw material for titanium industry. However, because of its low TiO2 grade, it generally requires preconcentration to titanium-rich material such as titanium slag or synthetic rutile [1-3].Ilmenite resources are extremely rich in Pan-xi area of China, which account for 90.54% of total ilmenite reserves in China [4]. The titanium slag produced by electric smelting of ilmenite concentrate has high contents of Ca and Mg, and is not suitable as a raw material for chloride process and titanium sponge production. Therefore, upgrading titanium slag to prepare raw material suitable for chloride process and titanium sponge production has important significance for the development of China's titanium industry."

Jan 1, 2011

By Grant E. Casley

Since 1970 Mount Isa fines Limited has made a significant increase in blister copper production from approximately 100,000 to 155,000 mt per annum and in fact 161,040 mt were produced in the calendar year 1974. Flowsheet developments including fluidised bed roasting and converter slag flotation are discussed, particularly their contributions to minimising major equipment changes in smelting and converting. The use of model- ling and simulation techniques for such an exercise is mentioned. The paper reports the alterations made to both equipment and operating techniques in the reverberatory furnace and converter sections to achieve the regular production of 250 mt of blister per converter day from a 41% Cu matte grade. The effects of flux composition on converting performance are highlighted. The air quality control programme is discussed in relation to its restriction of blister copper production.

Jan 1, 1976

By B. Thompson

"1. AbstractMagnesium alloys have been successfully recycled for decades and have won acceptance for use by die casters and most of the automotive industry. As the supply chain for magnesium and magnesium alloys continues to change, due to the consolidation of producers, it is essential that quality control methods be closely examined with each new supplier added. An examination of the various process steps that are needed to assure quality in the final product will be discussed thus giving a basis for the auditing of new magnesium suppliers.2. IntroductionMagnesium recycling in the past has been somewhat limited due to its use more as an alloying agent for aluminum based alloys and as a desulfurization agent in iron and steel than in more readily recycled structural products. Recycling efforts continue to improve as more production is finding its way into automotive structural components, hand tools, and a variety of computer and cellular telephone applications.With the closure of several large North American primary magnesium production facilities over the past decade we have only recently witnessed a tightness in supply that is driving magnesium prices significantly higher, nearly doubling the price in the last year alone. The rapid escalation in pricing will provide additional economic incentives to fully utilize recycling for the recovery of an even greater percentage of both old and new sources of magnesium scrap. Political pressure continues to intensify towards the secondary recovery of any and all recoverable resources of which magnesium recycling readily applies.Economics will also likely drive the development of new sources of magnesium production, both from primary and secondary production. As new sources of magnesium are offered to the marketplace the potential for product quality issues may increase. When considering any new raw material supplier a decision must be made as to the impact of defective material on the intermediate or finished product. Quality defects in magnesium ingot can result in a variety of appearance, corrosion, and even adverse structural effects in the finished product. The potential severity of the impact of defective raw materials on the finished product will determine and often justify a close look at any new supplier. An on-site audit of a new supplier of a critical raw material is often justified to ensure that an adequate quality assurance system is in place. We will now look at a number of key production points that should be examined during an on-site audit that have can have an impact on the overall quality of the finished product."

Jan 1, 2008

By X. Jay Gao

A fast high-temperature carburizing process integrated with materials design and optimization via a systems design approach was developed to significantly reduce process cycle time. Process experiments were focused on boost cycles to obtain a robust boost process and investigate surface reaction kinetics, primary carbide formation and dissolution. Weight gain and microhardness were measured, all showing evidence of non-monotonic time evolution for longer boost times at higher temperatures. Optical and electron microscopy and other techniques have been used to identify possible carbides, their location and types. These results assist the picking of first boost time with least variation rate in terms of content of case carbon and carbides, dissolvable in subsequent diffuse if any. The results also provide critical information to properly formulate surface reaction kinetics and diffusion and formation kinetics of carbides modeled using DICTRA. Keywords: high temperature vacuum carburizing, partial pressure carburizing, heat treatment, process development, carbide, case hardening, microstructural analysis, over carburizing

Jan 1, 2003

By Minjun Tang, Jianfeng Zhou, Linjiang Qing, Yufeng Guo, Tao Jiang

"For the comprehensive recovery ofV, Ti, Fe in vanadium-titanium magnetite in the process of pre-reduction-electric furnace smelting, it is expected that vanadium oxide is reduced into molten iron and titanium oxide is available in the slag. Thus the effect of slag basicity, the content of MgO, MnO and CaF 2 of slag content on the separation of slag and molten iron and the comprehensive recovery of V, Ti, Fe were investigated. The results show that increasing slag basicity, MgO, MnO and CaF2 are all beneficial to the separation of slag and molten iron. Higher slag basicity and the addition of CaF2 strengthen the reduction of vanadium oxide, and inhibite the reduction of titanium oxide, which are in favour of the recovery ofV and Ti. However, the addition ofMgO, MnO was not efficient for the comprehensive recovery ofV, Ti, Fe. For the vanadium-titanium magnetite of Panxi in China, the recovery of Fe was over 98%, the recovery ofV in molten iron was over 85% and the Ti02 content in slag was about 43% under the optimal conditions of slag phase type.IntroductionIt is well known that there are abundant vanadium-titanium magnetite resources which are located in Panzhihua of Sichuan Province[!]. At present the vananium-titanium magnetite concentrates are smelted in the blast furnace, which just make use of iron and vanadium, but lots of titanium is discarded in the slag. At the same time, the process has a large number of disadvantages, such as low recovery of vanadium, long route, pollutions, large investment and expenditure of energy[2-3]. In recent years, in order to efficiently utilize the vanadium-titanium magnetite concentrates, several new non-blast furnace processes have been proposed, such as pre-reduction-electric furnace, pre-reduction-grinding separation and so on[4]. Especially pre-reduction-electric furnace is operating well in South Africa and New Zealand,However,Du to the high slag basicity of the slag, the grade ofTi02 of slag is Corresponding author:Minjun Tang.E-mail:450435123@qq.com. Tel:13627429224."

Jan 1, 2013

By Zhao Hengxian

We studied the phase diagram of Na3AlFe-ZrO system, reduction of ZrO2 by aluminium and electrochemical behaviours of ZrO2 in the system. The results show that Na3ALF6-ZrO2 system is a simle eutectic one, that the velocity of reduction of ZrO2 in the system is rapid al 960'C and that the Zr content in the alloy abtained can reach as high as 2.5wt%. Potential scanning shows that there exist new current peaks on the potential scanning plats except for the cuurent peaks corresponding to the oxidation of aluminium. The method of making Al-Zr alloy in our paper has advantages over the traditional method of mixing metals.

Jan 1, 1992

By Zhonglin Ye, Yifeng Shi

"This paper has outlined forms of Au & Ag losses in copper smelting process and methods for increasing Au & Ag recovery, analyzed factors influencing Au & Ag recovery in copper converting process, presented Au & Ag behavior in copper electrorefining process, and reviewed effect of current density/electrolyte circulation rate during electrolysis and surface finish of cathode on Au & Ag losses. Measures and research direction for decreasing Au & Ag losses in electrolysis have also been introduced. Based on Au & Ag behavior in copper electrorefining process and previous studies by others, new approach for increasing Au & Ag recovery in copper smelter has been discussed. And brief comparison has made between continued multiplication method and equilibrium method application in the case of calculation of Au & Ag recovery in copper smelter.IntroductionAs gold and silver are the major by-products from copper smelting process, efficient Au & Ag recovery has become one of the key approaches for copper producers to increase economic efficiency. With similar physicochemical properties, Cu, Au and Ag belong to the first subgroup of elements in the same periodic table. Au and Ag will be enriched into Cu phase firstly when both matte-slag phase and copper-matte phase appear in copper smelting process. However, great changes have taken place in Au & Ag proportions into individual phase due to changes of physicochemical conditions in each smelting process. Metallurgists at home and abroad have carried out a great deal of pilot plant tests and laboratory tests in order to increase Au & Ag the former Soviet Union with regard to Au & Ag losses in copper smelting process in the 1970s and 1980s, and he proposed solutions to increase Au & Ag recovery in copper metallurgical plants. As more than 20 years passed, Jingchun Lu's paper, Discussion on Increasing Au & Ag Recovery in Copper Smelting System, remains as a literature of the most comprehensive study. Based on Jingchun Lu's literature, the authors of this paper discussed new approaches to increase Au & Ag recovery in copper metallurgical plants with combination of many researches done by other researchers for over 20 years."

Jan 1, 2013

By Travis Knight

Mixed uranium and refractory metal carbide systems have been proposed for space nuclear power and propulsion applications. Solid-core space nuclear reactors could be utilized for low- earth-orbit (LEO) to geosynchronous-earth-orbit (GEO) transfers, manned missions to the moon or mars, and orbiter missions to the outer planets. However, these high performance space nuclear reactors present some challenging materials engineering requirements for operating in a high temperature, high radiation, and hot hydrogen environment. Since the RoverNERVA programs were concluded in 1973, significant advances in ultrahigh temperature materials technology have been made which can be applied to the development of an advanced solid-core nuclear fuel. Nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) was first studied in the U.S. beginning in the mid-1950's during the RoverNERVA programs. During that time, about 20 rocket reactors were built and tested. More recently, Russian nuclear rocket reactor tests with pseudo-ternary carbide nuclear fuels (U, Zr, Nb)C and (U, Zr, Ta)C have been operated at temperatures as high as 3300 K for one hour. This study examined the processing parameters for fabricating the pseudo-ternary carbide, (U, Zr, Nb)C.

Jan 1, 1999

By P. G. McCormick

The refining of rare earth metals by the direct solid state reduction of their respective chlorides during mechanical alloying has been studied. Erbium and gadolinium were synthesised by milling their respective chlorides with calcium. The mechanical alloying of SmC13 with calcium resulted in partial reduction of SmC12. Examination of the milled powders using X- ray diffraction and analytical electron microscopy has enabled characterisation of product structure and morphology. The synthesis of Fe17Nd2 by the mechanical alloying of NdC13 and Fe with calcium has also been studied. The Fe17Nd2 phase forms during heat treatment of the mechanically alloyed powder.

Jan 1, 1992

By S. V. Subramanian

The tool material and the machine design for high speed machining are well advanced over the last decade but the steel design has lagged behind. The paper examines the design of steel in order to control the sliding tribology for high speed machining under dry machining conditions. In high speed machining of steel, accelerated chemical wear of the tool occurs once atomic contact is established at the tool-chip interface, resulting in poor tool life even with high performance tools such as cubic boron nitride. Recent research has confirmed the occurrence of nanocrystalline grains in the interfacial layer of the chip at the tool-chip contact. The volume percentage of grain boundary is increased significantly (10 to 30%) as the nanocrystalline grain size is decreased well below 30 nm. The solubility of tool material into the nanocrystalline grain boundary is two or three orders of magnitude greater than in the crystal lattice. Further the kinetics of diffusion in the grain boundary is seven or eight orders of magnitude greater than in the crystal lattice. Enhanced nanocrystalline grain boundary diffusion occurring in the interfacial layer at the tool-chip contact causes the accelerated chemical wear. Significant improvement in tool life could be achieved by engineering glassy oxide inclusions in steel, designed to self-lubricate the tool-chip interface in-situ at higher cutting speeds. Thus the control of sliding tribological condition at the tool-chip interface is key to suppress nanocrystalline layer formation at the tool-chip contact and hence prevent accelerated chemical tool wear. Sulfide inclusions are designed essentially to promote chip fracture. In addition, sulfide inclusions are designed to act as a diffusion barrier at the tool-chip interface. The application of inclusion engineering concepts to enhance the tool life in high speed machining will be demonstrated with a suitable case history.

Jan 1, 2006

By Hee Dong Jang

Crystalline metal oxide nanoparticles such as lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) and indium tin oxide (ITO) were synthesized from sprayed droplets of aqueous precursor solution by flame spray pyrolysis. Complete thermal decomposition of the aerosol precursors was obtained at high flame temperature. Molar concentrations of the precursor solution, and the flow rate of combustion gas such as hydrogen, oxygen and air were varied to control particle size, size distribution and crystal structure. The crystalline nanoparticles synthesized were nearly spherical, and their average primary particle diameters ranged from 11 to 35 nm for LiCoO2 and from 8 to 15 nm for ITO.

Jan 1, 2006

By Mingming Zhang

This paper describes the aluminum electrowinning in a batch recirculation cell system using 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride and aluminum chloride (ionic liquids) as electrolyte at low temperatures. The technique proposed to deposit aluminum from ionic liquid electrolyte was a three-component electrolytic cell system. Ionic liquid electrolyte was circulated between electrolytic cell and electrolyte reservoir by ceramic piston pump. Two different anodes were used in the electrowinning and it was found the extruded carbon anode had better electrochemical stability and reusability. The cell performance variables studied were the current density and current efficiency as a function of aluminum ion concentration, electrolyte flow rate and applied cell voltage during batch recirculation operation. Results indicated that the current density was directly proportional to the applied cell voltage, initial electrolyte concentration and electrolyte flow rate. Under batch recirculation operation at applied voltage of 3.5 V and temperature of 80-90°C, 80-90% current efficiency of cathodic aluminum deposition can be achieved when flow rate is 20mL/min and initial concentration is 10 mol/L.

Jan 1, 2006

By Florian Kongoli

Converters have been playing an important role in the extraction and processing of metals ever since the first type of converter was invented about 100 years ago. Historically their operation has been mainly based on the experience of talented operators rather than on strict control and optimization technologies. However, in the new realities of unavoidable necessity to increase productivity and in the conditions of diversification of primary materials from various geographical areas, improving control and optimization techniques have become indispensable. In this paper a review of the authors? previous work in terms of improving control and optimization of converter operational practices related to magnetite content and precipitation, slag and metal blows, problematic and dangerous elements such as As, Sb etc. has been described by highlighting the advantages that the new control and optimization methods and tools bring to everyday converter practices. Several examples are given and future work is underlined

Jan 1, 2005

By Zhihong Liu

Monodisperse micron size nickel oxalate particles with rhombohedron morphology were prepared from condensed Ni(OH)2 suspension by a novel gel-sol process proposed by one of the authors. Firstly, condensed nickel hydroxide gel was formed by fast adding 1 mol dm-3 NaOH solution into 0.2 mol dm-3 nickel chloride solution, and then oxalic acid solution with a concentration of 0.25 mol dm-3 was dropped into the gel drop wise through a pump equiped with a pH controller under preset pH value, and in this process, Ni(OH)2 gel was converted gradually into monodisperse nickel oxalate sol. The formation of the nickel oxalate particles was found to proceed through a dissolution-recrystallization mechanism from the nickel hydroxide gel. The product particles exhibited rhombohedron like shape with micron size long axis and sub-micron size short axis. The effects of such factors, as temperature, surfactants, et al, were evaluated experimentally on the particles sizes and morphologies.

Jan 1, 2006

By Juan B. Cabezas

"The favorable characteristics and workability of plastics as a replacement of wood, lead, stainless steel, asphalt and other materials are described. Various types of plastic have proven to be the most favorable choice for handling a variety of acidic, alkaline and organic solutions, as well as pulps, chemical wastes, slurries or tailings for impoundments. The material origin of various plastics, methods of manufacturing and specifications applied to leaching solutions are discussed, including availability and costs. Examples of select plastics are considered for use as alternatives of other materials under severe environmental requirements.IntroductionHydrometallurgical processes applied to gold recovery, as well as other metals, require the use of strong solutions of alkaline, acidic or organic nature, and may also include a variety of materials with extraneous characteristics and complications for handling in storage.The technology of leaching has been in use for more than 100 years, but the applications of leaching processes in metallurgy have become more commonly used in the last 15 years. Suitable materials for the construction of containers, launders, piping, and various accessories, to be used in the handling of leach solutions or slurries, have become a serious problem. Various metals such as brass, lead, stainless steel, etc., and non metallics including wood, clays, glass, rubber, ooncrete, tars or miscellaneous compounds have been tried in the past with serious limitations in workability and resistance to wear and corrosion. For example, the use of metallic, wooden or glass piping systems would require extraordinary shop maintenance to keep such systems in operation"

Jan 1, 1997

By Xiao-hui Fan, Xu-ling Chen, Zhi-yuan Yu1, Guanghui Li, Min Gan, Yun-song Huang, Tao Jiang

Compared with the traditional de-NOx processes by cleaning the waste gas, a new approach for reducing the formation of NOx during sintering process is proposed. Since more than 90vol% of NOx comes from the fuel combustion, the influence of sintering coke breeze pretreated by CO(NH2)2 additive on the NOx emission is researched. As adding CO(NH2)2, the reduction agents (NHi) are generated during the pyrolysis of CO(NH2)2, which reinforce the NOx reduction, And the appropriate content of CO(NH2)2 is 1.0 mass% of coke breeze.

Jan 1, 2015