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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 Cameron Hams

Noranda's Process Reactor and Codelco's Teniente Converter are physically similar vessels, which leads to the commonly held misconception that the two processes are the .same. However, notable differences in chemistry, operating philosophy, and construction make them quite dissimilar. This paper compares and contrasts the Noranda Reactor and the Teniente Converter, and attempts to explain some of the apparent differences in behaviour and performance. The results of a worldwide survey of most operating Noranda Reactors and Teniente Converters, along with those processes that have ceased operation or are planning to be started-up in the future, are presented.

Jan 1, 1999

By P. Koskinen

Outokumpu Oy has 30 years' experience in nickel production. It is mainly based on the technology developed within the company. The production chain starts from the mines reaching to the high-grade cathode nickel and the stainless steel manufacturing. As a multi-metal producer Outokumpu has the advantage to exploit from nickel raw materials also other valuable metals and intermediate products which can be processed at the company's various plants. The main source of nickel concentrate is nowadays the Enonkoski Mine started up in early 1986. It is the most modern mine in Finland being provided with the latest Finnish high-tech systems. Nickel concentrates are smelted at the Harjavalta Works using Outokumpu's internationally well-known flash smelting method. Also nickel containing residues and secondaries' are used as raw materials. The high-grade nickel matte from the smelter is then refined at the nickel refinery in a hydrometallurgical process, which was also developed by the company's own research staff. These processes have been continually improved and capacities gradually enlarged to 18 000 mtpy of cathode nickel. Besides plating, melting and superalloying purposes part of the nickel ends in stainless steel at the Tornio Works. The production was started in 1976 and has reached an established position on the European market.

Jan 1, 1988

By D. Mukerjee, Ramen Datta, Sanak Mishra, R. Veeraraghavan, K. L. Rohira

"Recent efforts at Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has led to the successful development of atmospheric and marine corrosion resistant high tensile Thermo Mechanically Treated (TMT) bars with minimum specified yield strength of 50 kg.mm-2. These rebars are increasingly being used for a wide range of end-applications, namely, concrete reinforcement structures, bridges, flyovers, dams etc. Welding is an important processing tool for each of the above applications. In view of the importance of welding, a comprehensive evaluation of the weldability properties has been carried for the two grades of steels using Submerged Metal Arc Welding (SMAW) process; the most popularly used technique of welding of reinforcement bars (re bars).Implant tests were conducted to assess the cold cracking susceptibility of the steels. The static fatigue limit (SFL) value, determined for the atmospheric corrosion resistant (Cu-TMT) rebars under no preheat and no rebalcing conditions was found to be 63.8 kg mm-2, which was significantly higher than the Minimum Specified Yield Strength (MSYS) (50 kg.mm-2). This indicates adequate resistance to hydrogen induced cracking (HIC). On the other hand, the SFL value obtained for the marine corrosion resistant rebars (Cu-Cr TMT) under no preheat, no rebaking conditions was found to be inconsistent. Repeat of the test with fully rebaked electrodes (350°C-2h) resulted in a high SFL value (60.3 kg mm-2)_The rigidity of the structure or restraint influences the susceptibility of the weld joint to cracking. The cracking tendency increases with restraint intensity (K) of an assembly. The critical restraint intensities determined for the two steels were found to be· in excess of 1680 kg/mm.mm, indicating good welding behaviour with the following welding conditions : for Cu-TMT rebars with no preheat and no rebaking and for Cu-Cr TMT rebars with no preheat and fully baked electrodes; that is under low hydrogen levels."

Jan 1, 1998

By B. J. Jody

Each year, about 11 million tons of metals (ferrous and nonferrous) are recovered in the U.S. from about 10 million discarded automobiles. The recovered metals account for about 75% of the total weight of the discarded vehicles. The balance of the material or shredder residue, which amounts to about 3 million tons annually, is currently landfilled. The residue contains a diversity of potentially recyclable materials, including polyurethane foams, iron oxides, and certain thermoplastics. This paper discusses a process under development at Argonne National Laboratory to separate and recover the recyclable materials from this waste stream. The process consists essentially of two- stages. First, a physical separation is used to recover the foams and the metal oxides, followed by a chemical process to extract certain thermoplastics. The status of the technology is discussed, and the process economics are reviewed.

Jan 1, 1994

By Andre L. De Vegt

Hydrogen sulfide is an expensive chemical used in nickel, zinc and copper mining and metallurgical operations for selective recovery and concentration of metals, from leach water streams, acid plant blow down streams, refinery electrolyte bleeds and precious metal, plant bleeds. Hydrogen sulfide is either produced on site by catalytic reduction of elemental sulfur or transported to the site as liquefied hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or as a sodium sulfide solution (NaHS) Biologically produced hydrogen sulfide has economically very interesting, application possibilities in the mining and metallurgical industry. Converting sulfates from waste streams into usable hydrogen sulfide by biological reduction results in operational cost savings in existing lime treatment systems. H2S can be produced biologically for less-than $500/ton S. For the past ten years Paques has been engaged in the development and installation of treatment systems based on biotechnological processes to remove sulfur compounds from water, air and gaseous streams. Paques has designed and installed a groundwater treatment system for the Budelco zinc refinery in the Netherlands to remove sulfate and heavy metals. The hydrogen sulfide produced is used for recovery of metals,, mainly zinc, from the ground water stream. The system has been operating since May 1992 treating a flow of 5000 m3/d. At Kennecott's Bingham Canyon Utah copper mine, a pilot plant started operation in November 1995 to develop the process for selective recovery of copper from leach water using biologically produced hydrogen sulfide from sulfate containing groundwater. Other pilot plants are operated at DOE's Pittsburgh Research Center and at Cominco Research focusing on selective recovery of metals.

Jan 1, 1998

By Nural Kuyucak

Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs at operating and abandoned mine sites as a result of oxidation of sulphide minerals, and is characterized by low pH and heavy metal contamination (e.g. Fe, Zn, Cu, Cd, Al, Mn). It usually requires treatment before release in order to meet regulatory requirements. Chemical methods, such as lime neutralization and sulphide precipitation, are commonly used to treat AMD. However, the conventional processes require high capital and operating costs, and constant attention for many years into the future. In addition, the amount of sludge produced by conventional lime treatment processes poses an increasingly significant disposal problems at decommissioned mining operations. There is, therefore, an urgent need to develop passive, cost-effective processes for mitigating AMD and seepages originating from tailings and waste rock areas. Noranda Technology Centre (NTC) has been evaluating various methods being developed by other institutions, and exploring new ideas, to achieve passive in situ processes for treating AMD. These methods include anoxic limestone (ALS), lime-organic mixture (LOM), biosorbents (BIOS) and biotrench (BT). Current investigations at NTC involve preliminary bench-scale testing. Based on the outcome of the bench tests, a field test will be performed at a selected site. Details of the bench tests are discussed in the paper. Key Words: Acid mine drainage, treatment, metals removal, passive treatment, anoxic lime, limestone, biological treatment, sulphate reducing bacteria, biosorption, biosorbent

Jan 1, 1993

By Gordon D. Jarvinen

Polymer Filtration (PF) Is an innovative, selecthle metal removal technology. Chelating, water-soluble polymers are used to selectively bind the desired metal ions and ultrafiltration is used to concentrate the polymer-metal complex producing a permeate with low levels of the targeted metal ion. When applied to the treatment of, Industrial metal-bearing aqueous process streams, the permeate water can often be reused within the process and the metal ions reclaimed. This technology is applicable to many types of industrial aqueous streams with widely varying chemistries. Application of PF to 'aqueous streams from nuclear materials processing and electroplating operations will be described.

Jan 1, 1999

By Frank L. Marley

Mexican silver mining operations have existed prior to the sixteenth century. Recovery processes throughout the centuries were developed at the many mining localities and have progressed through smelting, the patio amalgamation process to cyanidation and flotation. A study of the present silver mining zones is reported in which the ores are evaluated in terms of the mineralogical constituents, their state in the matrix and the effects these are noted to impose upon the efficiency of recovery. Silver mineral identifications were by quantitative ore microscopic and scanning electron microscopic energy dispersive X-ray analysis.

Jan 1, 1982

By Yousef Mohassab, Manoranjan Misra, Monalisa Panda, Eman Wahbah

This work studies the removal of arsenic (V), arsenate, and arsenic (III), arsenite, from aqueous solution using calcined Quintinite-3T. The two adsorbents Quintinite-3T was prepared, calcined at different temperatures, and characterized by XRD, BET, and SEM. The surface area of the calcined Quintinite-3T was 193.4 m2/g. The particles size ranged from 12 to 56 nm for the uncalcined Quintinite-3T and from 24 to 42 nm for the calcined Quintinite-3T. Kinetic analysis, adsorption isotherm, and factors affecting the adsorption were investigated. Calcined Quintinite- 3T retained As(v) and did not release it back to water even after an entire month.

Jan 1, 2016

By P. R. Khangaonkar

The variety of intermediates, middlings, complex materials and wastes produced in the conventional processing of tin ores as experienced in the tin industry in South East Asia is reviewed. The problems associated with the treatment of these materials so as to produce useful products by hydrometallurgical or pyro-cum-bydrometallurgical approaches are discussed. Results of treatment of amang middlings consisting of cassiterite, struverite, ilmenite, zircon, monazite etc by chlorination with carbon tetra chloride are presented. The efforts to leach tin without letting iron coming in, by alkali leaching of certain wastes of tin processing are also briefly indicated. It is felt that pyro-cum-hydrometallurgical approach can help a viable treatment of these materials so as to obtain usable or value added products.

Jan 1, 1994

By Joseph D. Lessard

A process simulation of the conversion of molybdenum disulfide concentrates into molybdenum dioxide via the Looping Sulfide Oxidation process has been performed using HSC 7.1 thermodynamic software. By decoupling molybdenite conversion and molybdenum oxidation, Looping Sulfide Oxidation changes the paradigm by turning molybdenite processing into an energy generator while producing a molybdenum dioxide, which has a lower vapor pressure and lower oxygen content than molybdenum trioxide. The Looping Sulfide Oxidation process selectively produces molybdenum dioxide over molybdenum trioxide. This process uses a stoichiometric mixture of oxygen and molybdenum trioxide as oxidants in the conversion of the molybdenum sulfide to the molybdenum oxide. The model simulates the two reactor scheme required by Looping Sulfide Oxidation and incorporates thermodynamic equilibrium simulations performed in FactSage 6.3.1 thermodynamic software. Energy capture is also maximized with heat exchanger systems to transfer heat released in reactions to preheat air.

Jan 1, 2014

By B. Q. Li, R. A. Mirshams

"A numerical algorithm is described for the simultaneous prediction of the thermomechanical behavior of the materials and microstructure evolption during metal forging. The numerical development is based on the finite element solution of the thermoviscoplastic deformation of metals coupled with the internal state variable model describing the microstructure evolution involving work hardening, recovery, recrystallization and grain size distribution. The finite element code for rigid viscoplastic deformation is developed based on the modification of the existing code for the thermal and fluid flow calculations. The code is tested against and compares well with the results reported in literature. The procedures for the integration of the · rnicrostructure model into the macro finite element model are described. Results are presented showing the characteristics of materials dynamics and mechanical deformation during simple metal forging processes.IntroductionIn industrial deformation processes such as hot rolling and forging, the workpiece undergoes both macroscopic plastic deformations and microstructural evolution. A computer model that allows to predict both materials dynamics and macroscopic deformation is obviously more useful for both fundamental understanding and deformation process optimization. For some industrial applications, especially those involving novel, light and high strength materials, such an integrated model is critical in that both materials and thermomechanical 'behavior during forging must be carefully controlled to obtain the products that meet the desired strength requirement [I]."

Jan 1, 2000

By N. Panagiotopoulos

A low-grade (1.06% Ni, 0.06% Co) hematitic type lateritic ore from Triada, Euboea Island, Greece, has been leached with sulfuric acid at atmospheric pressure for the extraction of the contained Ni and Co values. The effect of various parameters, including reaction time and leaching temperature, acid strength, pulp density, etc., on Ni, Co extraction and Fe dissolution was determined. By leaching at 95°C for 4h with a 3N sulfuric acid solution at 25% pulp density, Ni and Co extractions were 82 and 75% respectively, and Fe co-dissolution 28%, yielding a pregnant solution containing 2.7 g/l Ni, 0.16 g/l Co, and 33 g/l Fe. Overall acid consumption was 850 kg/t ore (or 100 kg/kg Nil. Preheating of the laterites at 600°C before leaching resulted in much faster leaching kinetics for Ni, but the final extraction and acid consumption remained unaffected; Fe extraction was not influenced. Three-stage counter-current leaching at 9S°C, using 2N acid strength at each stage and 35% pulp density, reduced acid consumption to 350 kg/t ore (41 kg/kg Nil, and yielded 81% Ni recovery. Percolation leaching of -10 mm laterite at ambient temperature with 3N acid for 7 days resulted in 58% Ni extraction.

Jan 1, 1988

By Larry G. Twidwell

The removal of dissolved arsenic from mine waste waters utilizing a lime/phosphate precipitation technique has been studied on a laboratory scale at Montana Tech of The University of Montana and on a pilot scale at MSE Technology Applications as a wastewater treatment process potentially capable of removing dissolved arsenic to <50 µg/L. Arsenic bearing lime and lime/phosphate slurries were subjected to laboratory extended-time air-sparged aging for over four years. The lime slurries released their arsenic back into solution in a relatively short period of time, whereas the lime/phosphate slurries showed limited release of arsenic. The developed process has been pilot scale tested by MSE-TA for the EPA Mine Waste Technology Program on three waters, ASARCO smelter blowdown water, ASARCO thickener overflow water, and Mineral Hill Mine groundwater. The laboratory study results will be presented and discussed in this presentation. The pilot scale results will be presented and discussed in a companion presentation. Stability, Aging, Apatite, Johnbaumite

Jan 1, 2005

By P. Gray

Process and engineering development of the Warner Zinc Process over the past two decades has proceeded alongside the world-wide collection and analysis of operating and cost data of current processing practices from sulphide ores to refined metals. Study of these data shows that recoveries are dependent on mineralogical characteristics of the sulphide matrix and point to the inadequacy of differential flotation as a tool for preparing feed for smelters. The paid-for return at the mine on the combined metal values in zinc rich sulphide ores rarely exceeds 80% and increasingly runs as low as 50-60%. Surveying the possible alternative ways of improving these performances leads to the conclusion that the Warner Process is the only technology in sight that could meet a target of 90% paid-for recovery and that its development has now reached a point where it can be a fully practicable process for all mixed sulphide ores.

Jan 1, 2000

By Kenneth L. Driggs

The 1988 shift in primary smelting facilities from low grade matte (35%) reverberatory furnaces to high grade matte (63%) flash smelting heavily impacted a very stable and successful converter operation. Low matte grade converter campaigns averaged 36,000 short tons of copper and revert production/consumption was in balance. The conversion to high matte grades necessitated oxygen enrichment of converter blast and revisions in operating practices. After two years of operational development, campaign life has risen to over 40,000 short tons and revert production/consumption is again in balance.

Jan 1, 1991

By Jianhong Dong, Min Chen, Cuihuan Huang, Bo Li, Nan Wang

"Scale layer can be formed on the slab surface in the areas of secondary cooling and strand discharge during continuous casting process. From 1000 °C -1200 °C, the influence of steel composition on the stable oxide phases inside scale layer, particularly the types of alloying elements including aluminum, silicon and chromium, is investigated under different partial pressures of water vapor by the calculated predominance diagrams of iron oxide as well as its intermediate compounds formed with other metal oxides, and the stable oxide phase composition within scale layer under the working condition of secondary cooling is discussed. At lower partial pressure of water vapor, only a iron spinel (or ferrosilicate) phase is the stable phase with any alloying element contents in steel composition, whereas the stable phases are FeO and iron spine! (or ferrosilicate) inside the scale layer at higher partial pressures of water vapor .IntroductionOxide scale formation on the surface of cast and rolled products because of oxidation by the surrounding oxidizing atmosphere is a significant disturbance factor in steelmaking. The yield loss of iron because of scale formation is considerable during continuous casting and hot rolling process. Surface quality more often is impaired by scale property, which increasing the difficulty of quality assurance, dimensional accuracy and performance control. Furthermore, a potential source for subsequent surface cracking (hot shortness) can be caused by the enrichment of scrap residuals (Cu, As and Sn) at the steel substrate surface as a result of steel oxidation [1-2]. In flat products manufacture via thin slab casting technologies, these phenomena are particularly pronounced and require enhanced development efforts in descaling efficiency [3].Compared with the scale formation in continuous casting, the quantity of scale formed during hot rolling and reheating in the rolling mill is larger, and control of scale formation and descaling is a long-established task in hot rolling. Therefore, extensive research and development work have been carried out, including the effects of heating and rolling temperature on the thickness and microstructure of scale layer, heating time and furnace atmosphere, cooling mode, and steel composition on the scale formation, more attention has been given to the control of scale formation during reheating and hot-rolling process. On the other hand, hardly any specific efforts and countermeasures are taken in continuous casting, and very less research has been done despite the network-type crack on the as-cast strand surface caused by the subscale enrichment of scrap residuals [ 4-7]."

Jan 1, 2014

By Anne Kvithydl

Printed circuited boards contain considerable quantities of valuable metal, while also containing many environmental pollutants making them unsuitable for landfill. In this study the decomposition of common plastics used in printed circuit boards were studied. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) were heated in both CO, and argon atmospheres using a thermo-gravimetric furnace (TG) coupled to a mass spectrometer (MS). Soda ash Na,C03 and baking soda NaHC03 were used as reactants. The degradation temperatures and evolved gases are presented for single plastics and mixtures. Mixed plastics are shown to behave as a sum of the individual plastics. The mass loss temperature is the same in CO, and argon. However, less residue is formed when heated in CO,.

Jan 1, 2008

By Varadajan Seshadri

Kambara Reactor (KR) consists of a ladle where pig iron is stirred by an impeller during addition of a flux powder. The objective is to improve agitation leading to dispersion, of the flux powder, in the molten pig iron in order to improve desulfurization of the liquid melt by improving solid liquid interaction. The life of the impeller is limited as it is subjected to abrasion at high temperatures. The shape and design of the impeller also has an effect on the performance of this reactor. A 1:7 scale cold model of a KR unit of the Companhia Siderurgica de Tuberao ,one of the integrated steel plants in Brazil was constructed in order to evaluate the mixing and mass transfer conditions. Mixing efficiency was investigated by tracer additions and subsequent measurement of conductivity. Mass transfer in the reactor was assessed through iodine transfer between water and kerosene and employing a macroscopic model. Mixing depends on impeller shape and depth of immersion The role of dispersion is highlighted by faster kinetics when impeller velocity is increased. The results enable assessment of design aspects of the impeller on the process.

Jan 1, 2006