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By A. Valenzuela

During the last years, Chile has been the largest copper producer, either as concentrates or cathodes. Copper obtained via pyrometallurgy is produced by seven smelters, which have carried out modernization plans to increase smelting capacity or to achieve environmental regulations established in the Chilean legislation. Thus, the present work updates technological innovations in smelters, environmental regulations and presents solutions for SO2 handling, particulate matter and arsenic. Also, the authors emphasize the important role of CODELCO Chile, the most important state-owned copper company, in developing technologies such as EI Teniente Converter and EI Teniente Slag Cleaning Furnace,

Jan 1, 2003

By Huasheng Chen, Gaifeng Xue, Jing Zhang, Mingsheng He, Bin Liu, Yexian Ouyang, Shoujun Peng

Based on the investigation and study of the topography, microstructure and composition of the buildups which form in the surface of carbon sleeve in continuous annealing furnace for lowand medium-grade non-oriented silicon steel produced by CSP process, combined with production process of silicon steel, the mechanism and major causes for forming buildups of carbon sleeve are discussed from the factors such as CSP process, the quality of carbon sleeve and so forth. Meanwhile, some countermeasures to reduce the formation of the buildups are put forward.

Jan 1, 2015

By J. M. Rapkoch

In late October 1996, an acid plant at a major U.S. copper smelter was faced with unexpected and rapidly increasing pressure drop across the gas cooling tower in the acid plant, indicating a build-up on the packing. This threatened to halt operations if not resolved. Earlier that month, a smaller vessel in the acid plant was found to be completely plugged with lead sulfate. It was feared that a similar fate awaited the gas cooling tower unless the scale build-up was stopped. Although lead sulfate is present in most copper smelter acid plants, this accumulation was unusually severe. An investigation was launched to find the source of the lead, determine how lead is transported to the gas cooling tower, recommend operating practices to prevent such severe scaling, and seek ways to recycle the lead value in the scale covered polypropylene packing. Late in the investigation it was learned that the lead originated from an improperly executed recycling program.

Jan 1, 2000

By J. Garvey

The new Cyprus Miami electrolytic copper refinery was commissioned in October 1994. The refinery has been operating at its design capacity of 190,000 short tons per year, and in recent months to 110% of design capacity, producing high-grade electrolytic copper cathodes. Basic and detailed engineering, performed by Fluor Daniel Mining and Minerals, incorporated state-of-the-art technology, including stainless steel cathodes, automated electrode handling, fine-filtering of the commercial electrolyte, autoclave leaching of the anode slimes and other techniques. The major design goals have been safety of operation and quality of the product. Relatively high cathode current densities of 30 amperes per square foot and greater have been applied since start-up. Cathode current efficiencies of over 94% have been achieved since the latter part of 1997. The cathodes were certified on the Comex and LME markets during 1996. ISO- 9002 certification is in progress and should be completed during the first quarter of next year. This report discusses some of the studies that were performed to obtain an optimum layout for efficient materials handling and to create optimum conditions for producing high quality cathodes. A description of the design and operation of the anode slimes facility, including decopperizing with autoclave leaching, is provided. Finally, a description of the start-up experiences and present operation of the electrorefinery are presented.

Jan 1, 1999

By Kaixi Jiang, Lei Zhang, Sanping Liu, Yufang Wang, Xiaoping Zou

"Molybdenite concentrates are usually treated by roasting, but low concentration SO2 pollution is a problem. Extraction of molybdenum and rhenium from molybdenite concentrates with a pressure oxidative leaching (POX) and solvent extraction (SX) process was studied. A series of POX-SX laboratory and pilot tests were carried out on the molybdenite concentrate. In the POX stage, more than 95% rhenium and 15-20% molybdenum were leached into solution. Solvent extraction recovered the rhenium and molybdenum from the POX solution. The extraction rates of Re and Mo were above 98%. The loaded organic reagent is stripped with ammonia. The stripping ratio of Mo is more than 98%. Compared to the roasting process, the total recovery of Mo increased from 93% to 97%, and Re from 60% to 90%. In the coming five years, POX-SX technology will be competitive in China.IntroductionMolybdenite is the main resource for the production of molybdenum, and about 99% of the total molybdenum was extracted from molybdenite. Rhenium is one of the important new materials in national defense, space flights, nuclear energy and electronics, because of its high melting point, high strength, plastic properties and significant creep resistance. There are no single rhenium ores in the world; rhenium mainly co-exists with molybdenum. Consequently, molybdenite is also the main resource for the extraction of rhenium."

Jan 1, 2012

By Banqiu Wu

Zirconium carbide powder has been synthesized from zircon concentrate and methane using a high temperature plasma reactor, a non-transferred DC plasma torch was used as heat source. A high temperature filter consisting of graphite felt was designed, built and operated to separate the zirconium carbide from silicon carbide during the process. Characterization of the collected powders was done by wet chemical analysis using Atomic Absorption (AA), Scanning and Transmission Electron Microscopy (SEM and TEM) and by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD). It was found that the zirconium carbide purity was around 95% with silicon carbide being the primary impurity. The powders had particle sizes between 30 and 80 nm. The effect of several experimental variables are presented as well as temperature and velocity profiles calculated in the reactor.

Jan 1, 1997

By Wei-feng Liu

On the basis of the brief introduction of the gold-antimony concentrate smelting process in China, some problems in the original process were analyzed and the corresponding improvements were introduced in this paper, such as the treatment of antimony matte, the refinement of gold-silver alloy, the concentrating gold from gold-antimony alloy, the treatment of soda slag. The roasting method that was used to treat the antimony matte was transferred to the ore dressing method. The solvent extraction was used to refine the gold-silver alloy instead of the electrolytic method. The technology of selective chlorination leaching under controlling potential was applied to concentrate gold from the gold-antimony alloy and gold-lead alloy instead of the electrolysis method. Soda slag was recovered by the second reducing smelting method substituting for the mixed-salt method of sodium arsenate. After those improvements, the process has been done smoothly; the direct recovery rate of metals has been greatly increased. Meanwhile the procedure

Jan 1, 2008

By M. Sizgoric

Certain types of mineralogical alteration due either to weathering or serpentinization, and the effects these transformations have on the flotation of nickel sulfide ores are discussed. These effects are generally deleterious due to: (a) the poor flotation properties of the alteration minerals (as in the case of tochilinite), (b) the nature of the alteration texture (as in the case of violarite), or (c) .close association of the alteration products with other undesirable minerals (such as nickeliferous smythite). Several examples from INCO Metals Company's mines and mineral prospects are given as illustration.

Jan 1, 1981

A simulation of a capper concentrate smelter was built with a capacity of 450,000 tons per year. The system's components to simulate were three : a Reverbetory furnace, a Wiente ' s modified converter ( TMC ) and two cranes. The system was classified as dynamic, stochastic and discrete. In the simulation language choice it was concluded that the most advantageous one was GPSS/H. The model verification was done through the interactive Debugger that the language has and the statistical validation was done through the result variables of sane activities, that as a whole characterize the system (charged matte and charged concentrate to the TMC, skimming white metal and skimning slag). The validation was done comparing the simulation results of these variables with the ones obtained for those variables in a specific month in the smelter. The comparison consisted in a difference of means test and in all cases the equality was accepted with a 95% of confidence. The animation tool was PROOF, a general purpose animator, that is used after processing the simulation.

Jan 1, 1994

By Chen L. Lin

Scientific visualization is an ideal methodology for investigating complex phenomena that are characterized by large amounts of data. Furthermore, it is invaluable in the study of processes that evolve in time. Scientific visualization relies heavily on computer graphics, image processing and video technologies. Specific applications of scientific visualization in the minerals and materials processing fields that are considered in this paper include: 1) applied CT technology for multiphase materials and minerals, 2) time averaged density profla in air- sparged hydrocyclone (ASH) flotation and 3) dynamic motion analysis of ball mill grinding.

Jan 1, 1993

By Shenghui Guo, Dongbo Li, Lijun Liu, Chengdong He, Jinhui Peng, Libo Zhang

In present study, partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ) was prepared by CaO doped fused zirconia heated by microwave furnace at the temperature of 1450 oC and holding time of 120 min. The XRD results showed that untreated fused zirconia mainly consists of crystalline compounds of cubic ZrO2 phase; while the roasted one mainly is composed of crystalline compounds of cubic ZrO2 phase and monoclinic ZrO2 phase. It is shown through the optimization of structures of two phases that structure of cubic ZrO2 and monoclinic ZrO2 reject each other, revealing its difficulty in forming coinciding interface and linkage of two phases being of Ca atom. Introduction Due to advantages of zirconia, such as high melting point, chemistry inertia, low heat transmission and so on. Zirconia is always taken as megathermal refractory material[1]. However, in the heating and cooling processes of pure zirconium oxide, martensitic transformation will take place associated with greater shear force and volume change, which severely limits the industrial application of pure zirconia in some areas. Such as: Refractory materials, grinding materials and high temperature insulation materials[2]. Through adding a certain amount of MgO, CaO, or Y2O3 stabilizer, etc.[3,4], the zirconia can change into fully stabilized zirconia, which exists in cubic phase. But this high purity fully stabilized zirconia cracks easily because of thermal stress. Therefore, the thermal shock resistance variation is one of the most important quality indicators of zirconia-based materials. According to the heat treatment, the fully stabilized zirconia can be changed into the partially stabilized zirconia (PSZ)[5], which exists in cubic phase and monoclinic phase and has superior mechanical properties, such as anti-heat, low thermal conductivity, large coefficient of thermal expansion and stability, as well as good wear resistance[6].

Jan 1, 2011

By John W. Pickens

The recycling of industrial wastes and by-products is an important component of ecologically responsible industrial management. Converting waste streams into value-added products or material and energy resources with a profit margin assures the continued viability and practice of recycling. The recycling of aluminum stands out as one of the best examples with major economic and environmental benefit. However, the benefits are compromised by landfilling of black dross and salt cake, waste streams produced from within the recycling process itself. This paper reviews Alumitech's strategy and progress in establishing a tertiary aluminum industry based on closed-loop recycling of black dross/saltcake; one which does not compete with the primary and secondary aluminum industries, but rather serves their needs to ensure the continued economic benefits of aluminum recycling and elimination of environmental liablJity associated with landfilling of black dross/saltcake. Alumitech has made significant progress toward that goal in operation of its new recycling facilities in Cleveland where recovered aluminum and nonmetallic residue from salt based drosses is being converted into commercial products, eliminating the landfilling of the greatest portion of dross/saltcake. The economic strategy for recycling saltcake and its progressive achievement is reviewed.

Jan 1, 2000

By Florian Kongoli

The overall productivity and efficiency of sulfide smelting plants depends considerably on the productivity and efficiency of each unit furnace operations. Furthermore, the efficiency and productivity of each furnace affects and dictates to a certain degree the process of managing the flow of materials from one unit to another. A furnace with low productivity, several technical problems or high frequency of accidental shut downs can easily become a temporary or a permanent bottle neck in the entire flowsheet and can be the cause for a low productivity and efficiency of the entire plant. As a result, controlling, optimizing and automating the individual furnace operations in order to assure a stable process but at the same time to increase productivity is an indispensable need. In this paper, the authors discuss their recent work in effectively controlling acute industrial furnace problems such as magnetite build-up and accretions, eliminating unnecessary slag foaming, decreasing slag losses etc. as well as the intensification, optimization and automation of a series of furnaces in sulfide smelting through a unique physical process modeling that correctly simulate the industrial furnace operations and avoid guessing and uncertainties. The advantages of this new approach have been discussed.

Jan 1, 2006

By S. C. Dhara

The recovery of Platinum Group Elements from various industrial scraps and spent materials in the form of high and low grade, such as, impure metals, matte, catalysts and other ceramic substrates, etc., has .been described by using high pressure reaction method. Nickel, Stainless Steel, Titanium and glass lined reaction vessels? are used in the reaction process. Primarily, the method involves either direct leaching of the substrates from the metal value or dissolving the precious metal from the substrate. Both acids and alkalies are used along with other reagents in the reaction process. The temperature and pressure of the leaching process are the main criteria for the reaction kinetics.

Jan 1, 1989

By M. Nishikawa

The Hachinohe Smelter employs the Imperial Smelting Furnace (ISF) for production of zinc and lead and handles a large number of concentrates and recycled materials. In recent years, recycled materials such as zinc-bearing materials, lead sludge and Waelz oxide have provided up to 30% of the feed materials at the plant. To allow for a satisfactory operation using such a wide range of recycled materials, the Hot Briquetting Plant was built in 1986 and started its operation in January 1987. In April 1988 the zinc production capacity of the ISP was increased from 81,000 to 101,000 tonnes per year. The additional production in the ISP has been attributed to the utilization of the hot briquetting process. This paper describes the various facts of the smelter, concentrating on hot briquetting operations and treatment of hot briquettes in the ISF.

Jan 1, 1991

By Manfred Schmidt

Realizing an invention of Professors Queneau and Schuhmann, Lurgi GmbH has developed a radically new lead smelting technology, which was demonstrated on a ?30,000 tpy scale at Berzelius Metallhiltten GmbH between 1981 and 1986. Designed to treat all grades? of lead concentrates as well as complex secondaries, the novel QSL-Process applied one bottom-blown, refractory-lined long reactor and comprises two basic steps: Continuous oxygen smelting of the green charge is followed by continuous carbothermic slag reduction. Four firm orders and a number of serious inquiries from major lead producers confirm that the QSL-technology has convinced the industry of inherent process advantages. These include low investment and operating costs, flexibility and environmental acceptance. In the fall of 1986 Cominco Ltd. decided to erect a 120,000 tpy QSL plant at the site of the Trail lead smelter. Feed materials will consist of lead concentrates and zinc leach residues. The designed QSL reactor has a total length of approx. 41 m, and working diameters of 3.74 m for the oxidation section and 3. 24 m for the reduction section .. Separate gas offtakes on both sections will enable to? reduce the sulfur dioxide gas volume, and to recover a mixed zinc-lead oxide fume. Operation of the QSL reactor will start end of September 1989. First results will be presented.

Jan 1, 1990

By C. Gasparrini

Mineralogy may be applied to the selection of appropriate separation techniques, as well as to assist in the evaluation of problems causing loss of metals and other economically important elements during plant processing. Mineralogic studies may thus help develop techniques to optimize metal recoveries. The present paper describes how such factors as the minerals in which the elements of interest are concentrated, their chemistry, the chemistry of the associated minerals, grain size and textural associations with other minerals in the ore, may affect decisions on separation techniques for the recovery of economic elements. A number of case studies are described in which the mineralogical observation of ore samples has revealed the cause of problems experienced in the extraction of select precious and base metals, or has been decisive in the choice of appropriate techniques for recovery.

Jan 1, 1981

By C. Lupi

Electric arc furnace dust generated during the production of steels is regarded as hazardous waste because of the presence of leachable elements such as Cr, Pb, Cd .... Different processes are available according to the management policy chosen by the steelmaker: disposal. recycle and/or recovery. The feasibility of an hydrometallurgical Zn recovery process on fumes generated during the pyrometallurgical treatment of EAF dust has been investigated. The recovery of metallic iron, chromium and nickel as molten metal provides fumes very rich in zinc oxide ( 63.1% ) and poor in zinc ferrite. This secondary dust is still an hazardous waste and represents the raw material for the recovery of Zn and Pb. The waste material is first leached in 1.5 M sulphuric acid at 30°C to provide a Zn, Fe and Mn rich aqueous solution and a Pb and Ca sulphate rich sludge. The iron is eliminated by precipitation because is harmful to the following electrowinning process. The ftltered and purified leached solution is acidified in order to obtain good electrowinning conditions. A pure cathodic deposit of zinc is then produced in an electrolytic cell at laboratory scale.

Jan 1, 1996

The 15m high Inco flash furnace uptake was designed as a reaction chamber with the objective of destroying the H2S contained in the furnace off-gas by combustion with oxygen at about 1300°C. Until recently, the oxygen required for this purpose was injected through afterburners located at the bottom of the uptake. An undesirable side effect of this practice was the formation of build up accretions on the inside walls of the uptake. This buildup had a negative impact on both the furnace on line time and the control of the flash smelting process. In late 200 I, the afterburners were relocated to the roof of the uptake. As a result, about 80% of the uptake accretion buildup disappeared with obvious beneficial effects for the operation of the furnace. This paper discusses key flash smelting aspects that affect the operation of the flash furnace uptake such as the dusting rate, the formation of H2S in the freeboard of the furnace, and the impact of using coke to supply some of the heat required by the process. The mechanism of buildup formation and its dependence 'on uptake afterburners location are also examined. Prof. Yazawa's sulfide smelting thermodynamic relationships proved instrumental in understanding the conditions that influence the formation and the elimination of H2S and uptake buildup.

Jan 1, 2003

By Michael Stelter

Lead alloys are a typical material for anodes in technical electrowinning processes. The life time of those anodes differs from 2 years to more than 5 years in tankhouse practice depending on the type of alloy, the mechanical damaging and last but not least the chemical corrosion in the electrolyte. Different types of alloys, such as PbSb, PbCa, PbAg, PbSnCa or PbAgCa have been developed and used in the past, their rate of corrosion being more or less a philosophic discussion. Comparable investigations on the corrosion behavior in dependence of the concentrations of alloying metals, the grain structure and the mechanical and thermal treatment during production have not been conducted before. In the last years the Institute for Nonferrous Metallurgy and Purest Materials of the TU Bergakademie Freiberg investigated the corrosion behavior of the typical lead alloys for metal electrowinning under comparable conditions. Correlations between different alloys, mechanical treatments like rolling or thermal treatment like annealing to the rate of corrosion were made, leading to the conclusion that grain structure and grain size are of eminent importance for the rate of corrosion in technical electrolytes. From these results new and optimized lead alloy anodes can be produced with an increase in life time of the factor 3 ? 5. The optimized lifetime in terms of corrosion stability can not protect from mechanical damaging in tankhouse practice, but with a careful practice the increase in lifetime can save a lot of money and problems.

Jan 1, 2006