Search Documents

By Guo Chen, Jin Chen, Jinhui Peng

In this paper, solving common problem of electrostatic precipitator (ESP), which was frequently ruptured of the cathode insulation in the production process were studied. The microwave heating airflow technology was introduced, which takes full advantage of its unique properties, solves the output problem of the high temperature air, achieves purpose of energy conservation, important economic significance and environmental significance. The mathematical models and designing of microwave high-temperature hot air system was calculated. The common forms of heat exchangers and comparative analysis were also introduced. The conditions found to be at the temperature of 240 °C. Under optimum conditions, the microwave heating power was 1482 W. Based on the mention results, this microwave heating method can be applied effectively and efficiently way for the production process of electrostatic precipitator.

Jan 1, 2015

By J. J. Rush

Neutron scattering and analysis techniques are extremely powerful, often unique, probes for the characterization of the amount, location, bonding states, and dynamics of hydrogen in all classes of materials. Developments over the past decade at the NIST Center for Neutron Research and elsewhere have greatly increased the sensitivity and dynamic range of neutron methods. In this paper, we provide a flavor of the capabilities of modem neutron instrumentation for the study of hydrogen in a number of technologically interesting systems, including metal hydrides, fuel-cell materials, fullerenes, and disordered carbons.

Jan 1, 2002

By Cailing Zhen, Jian Pan, Deqing Zhu, Xianlin Zhou, Yanhong Luo, Guixiang Huang

The grate-kiln process has been widely applied for oxide pellet production with the quick development of steel industry in China, but ring formation takes place which adversely affects the productivity and properties of fired pellets. Rotary kiln at high temperature seems a black box, and ring formation is difficult to measure directly by current technology. It’s of great importance to monitor ring formation during firing of pellets. Therefore, a method for estimating the thickness of ring formation in rotary kilns was studied, based on working out theoretically the relationship between ring thickness and the outside surface of the kiln, according to steady-state heat transfer across a cylinder, which provides a soft-sensing technique for ring formation at high temperature, and achieves stable pellet production .

Jan 1, 2015

By KNona C. Liddell

The time and spatial dependence of component and species concentrations during in situ uraninite leaching have been modeled using a reactive transport model based on partial equilibrium between reactive minerals and the solution. The flow field is represented by mixing cells in series. The effects of the H2O2, (NH4)2CO3, and NH4HCO3 component concentrations have been simulated, and results are presented for a one-dimensional flow field.

Jan 1, 1995

By Patrick R. Taylor

The synthesis of high-purity ultra-fine barium strontium titanate powders (BST: BaO6Sro.4TiO3) has been performed in a non-transferred are D.C. thermal plasma reactor. Slurries of aqueous solutions of dissolved barium and strontium nitrates and solid titanium dioxide powders were used as precursors. Oxygen and argon were used as carrier gases, and pure argon and combinations of argon and nitrogen were used as plasma gases. The plasma torch power was varied, as well as the oxygen flow rate and the total molar concentration of the precursors. A graphite plate was designed to protect the torch electrode and lower the level of impurities in the product. A thermochemical analysis of the Ba(NO3)2-Sr(NO3)2-TiO2-H2O-O2 system was performed to predict the conditions for the formation of BST and the feasibility of the reaction, The powders collected from the different sections of the reactor were characterized using Transmission and Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction, and ICP chemical analysis. The powders produced showed high conversion to BST, ultra-fine particle size (< 30 rim) and high purity, which makes this a potential process to produce ceramic materials for electronic devices.

Jan 1, 2003

By Kouji Mimura, Masahito Uchikoshi, Minoru Isshiki

"HfO2 is expected to be a gate dielectric used in ULSI alternatives to S1O2. Although the materials used in ULSI are required to be significantly pure, commercial Hf contains > 2 mass% Zr. It is important to establish a process for removing Zr from Hf. In the present study, anion-exchange separation using a multi-column method was employed. The separation tests were carried out at variety of temperatures and flow rates. The decrease in the flow rate of the mobile phase made the elution curves of both Hf(IV) and Zr(IV) broaden contrary to the case of Co(II), Cu(II), or Fe(III). This is caused by the difference in adsorption rate on the anion exchange resin. In addition, more than one column was connected in series in order to enhance the separation. As a result, the content of Zr(IV) was successfully reduced to 1/100 of that relative to the raw material.IntroductionHafnium is one of the most important materials in modem society. The main applications of Hf metal are as a control rod in a nuclear reactors because of its large neutron-capture cross-section and as an additive to various alloys because of its corrosion resistance [1]. In addition to those applications, attention has been recently paid to HfCh as a high-x"" dielectric used in ultra large scale integration, ULSI, as well as ZrCh, AI2O3 and La2C>3, which are expected to be alternatives to conventional S1O2 thin films [2].The materials used in ULSI are required to have a high purity in order to avoid unexpected errors due to impurities. Furthermore, high purity Hf is indispensable for investigating the intrinsic properties of Hf metal. Thus, it is significant to establish the purification process for Hf from both the industrial and academic perspectives."

Jan 1, 2012

By Gavin Beer

The Chelopech Copper/Gold Mine, located in west-central Bulgaria, has been in operation since 1953 producing a low-grade copper/gold concentrate containing up to six percent arsenic by weight. The penalties and restrictions imposed on smelting this concentrate, have seen the past operators of the mine strive to find a balance between achieving acceptable metal returns from the smelters and installing novel or unproven technologies in the face of changing political and economic climates. This paper documents the colourful history of the concentrate processing alternatives that have been investigated and implemented over the 45 year life of the Chelopech Mine, culminating in the high pressure oxidation option that is now the focus of a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) presently being undertaken by GRD Minproc Limited. The fundamental chemistry of the preceding alternatives is outlined followed by a discussion as to why each was ultimately not employed. A detailed description of the technology proposed in the DFS is given including: pressure oxidation, arsenic fixation, SX/EW copper recovery, CIL gold recovery and AVR/SART cyanide/copper recovery processes. Keywords: Arsenic, Scorodite, HPOX, Chelopech, Dundee

Jan 1, 2005

By Robert De Saro, Willis Bateman, Ramesh Jain

A Vertical Floatation Melter (VFM) has been developed (sponsored by DOE) which simultaneously decoats and melts organic laden scrap in a single unit. Scrap aluminum is fed into the top of the VFM where it falls through a cone. Hot gases flow upwards through the cone, imposing a variable drag force on the scrap. Equilibrium is reached in which the scrap weight equals the drag force and the scrap becomes suspended. The gases strip off and vaporize the organics. Next, the scrap reaches a liquid state, taking on a more aerodynamic teardrop shape, allowing it to fall into a holding furnace. Heat transfer coefficients are 10 times higher than that of a conventional furnace, allowing rapid melting at a low gas temperature. Typical energy use is well under 2,324 joules/g (1,000 Btu/lbm) with a metal yield from 92 to 98%. This paper reports on the operation and data of a 453 kg/hr (1,000 pph) pilot-scale VFM.

Jan 1, 2000

By V. A. Bryukvin

It has been found that by superimposing symmetric alternating current over the process, the rate of nickel and cobalt leaching from metallized products with copper sulfate solutions increases by a factor of 1.5 to 2.0 and the apparent activation energy of the process investigated is reduced from 12 down to 6.6 kcal/mole. It appears especially attractive to use alternating current for anodic dissolution (oxidation) of metallic scrap of refractory metals and their alloys in ammonia electrolytes permits production of high-grade commercial products in the form of respective ammonium salts using a short and virtually reagent-free process flowsheet. Similar approaches can be applied also for electrochemical processing of nickel and copper scrap in sulfuric acid media with subsequent recovery of pure sulfate salts or electrolytic processing. Electrochemical technology for recycling of tungsten-cobalt (WC 15) and tungsten-rhenium (WR 20) alloys has been also investigated. In the former case, anodic oxidation of carbide alloy was carried out in nitric acid electrolyte with production of pure tungstic acid. The research conducted has indicated that the physicochemical effect of alternating current results in a lower activation energy of electrode reactions due to changes in the mechanisms of the electrode reactions themselves.

Jan 1, 2006

By Cyro Takano

This paper is a contribution to fundamentals data on the equilibrium metal/slag for refining silicon in relation to Ca and Al as impurities. Silicon containing 0.1% Al and no Ca was placed in contact with a slag of various contents of CaO, SiO2 and Al2O3. Slag Al2O3 contents were 11.4%, 25.1% and 29.6%, keeping the ratio %CaO/%SiO2 constant and equal to ~0.53. The experiments were conducted at 1550oC, in a graphite crucible with argon atmosphere. The equilibrium was observed with low and medium content of Al2O3. The derived activities coefficients of Ca and Al in dilute solution of Si presented good correlation with those of the literature. Parallel reactions with formations of SiO(g) and CO (g) were also observed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Shun Fujieda, Shigeru Suzuki, Kozo Shinoda, Tetsuo Fujita

"Dowa's scorodite, synthesized by oxidation of Fe(II) ions in the presence of As(V) ions at atmospheric pressure, was characterized. The scorodite was well crystallized and had a very low solubility. To examine the conditions for stable storage of the scorodite for long periods, experiments with various synthesis and leaching conditions were done. The scorodite had a very low arsenic solubility in sea water. It was estimated in consecutive leaching tests that the arsenic concentration would eventually converge to zero. The prevention of arsenic leaching by adding goethite or ferrihydrite was limited in some cases. Very low toxicity was confirmed by toxicity tests. The investigation results suggest that disposal at a specifically designed well-controlled storage place is preferable for the scorodite whose toxicity had been made sufficiently low. Disposal to an isolated final disposal site with more stringent prevention for the outflow of toxic substances was thought another option.IntroductionArsenic is a considerable environmental concern. A system of technologies for the effective immobilization, storage and final disposal has been sought. Dowa Metals & Mining Co. Ltd. has developed a unique scorodite synthesis method (DMSP®) which works at ambient pressure [1]. The scorodite is precipitated by oxidizing Fe(II) ions in a high-concentration As(V) solution. The scorodite produced in this way does not readily release arsenic because of its high crystallinity. Final disposal is necessary because scorodite currently has no commercial value. A standard method for the final disposal of scorodite has not been established because its long-term stability under various conditions has not been fully examined."

Jan 1, 2012

By C. M. Egert, S. Rajic

"We have developed a monolithic micro-spectrometer suitable for a variety of sensing applications including industrial process monitoring. The device consists of a solid structure with a volume less than 6 cubic centimeters. All optical components of the spectrometer including two aspheric mirrors, a diffraction grating, and entrance and exit surfaces are fabricated onto the surface of the structure. All light paths are internally contained within the structure. The result is a small, rugged spectroscopic sensor ideally suited for use as a process monitor. Due to its monolithic nature the device requires no post-fabrication alignment; nor can it be knocked out of alignment during use. Although many materials and thus wavelength regions were possible, the prototype device discussed here was produced in PMMA by precision diamond turning. However, lower cost manufacturing approaches involving injection molding are under development to produce an affordable sensor.Due to its rugged monolithic design, small footprint, and low cost the monolithic micro-spectrometer is ideally suited for distributed monitoring applications often required for industrial processes. It is expected that modified versions of this sensor designs will be required for specific applications so as to maximize the performance and resolution over the operating range. For example, the prototype device described here operates over a wavelength range of 500 nm to 1000 nm. The performance of this device as a real-time surface monitoring sensor will be discussed in detail. Our approach of using wavelength dependant scattering resulted in the reduction to practice of a miniature, monolithic, rugged, low-cost, micro-instrument in a sensor sized package. The process sensor applications community has been faced by the cost versus performance issue. Simple go/no-go sensors are typically inexpensive but they provide very limited and sometimes dubious data. Scaled down traditional instruments offer very good measurand information but are typically cost prohibitive, fragile, and still relatively large. This work will bridge the gap between these two extreme sensing alternatives."

Jan 1, 1997

By Pinakin Chaubal

The campaign life of a modern blast furnace depends on hearth wear. Distributions of liquid iron flow and refractory temperatures have a significant influence on hearth wear. A 3-D comprehensive CFD model has been developed specifically for simulating the blast furnace hearth. It includes both the hot metal flow and conjugate heat transfer thorough the refractories. The model has been extensively validated using measurement data from actual blast furnaces. Good agreements between measured and calculated refractory temperature profiles haven been achieved. It has been used to analyze the velocity and temperature distributions and wear patterns at different furnaces and conditions. The results can be used to point out the directions for protecting the hearth.

Jan 1, 2006

By Yiming Rong, Gang Wang

"Water quenching is one of common heat treatment processes but with complex physical phenomenon, in which vaporizing, bubbling and convection are involved. The general simulation of liquid quenching processes is conducted by using temperature dependent value of heat transfer coefficient (HTC) obtained from experimental measurement under a strong assumption. A preliminary multiphase flow model developed by using Ansys-CFX for water quenching has been presented in this paper, which shows a distributed HTC with a time dependent feature. The conjugate heat transfer is used to describe thermal conduction in the simplified workpiece, and generation, growth and flow of bubbles are modeled by using Eulerian-Eulerian method for the gas-liquid multiphase flow. The simulation result shows the intense variation of heat exchange through the interface between workpiece and liquid, and the unsteady distribution around the solid surface.IntroductionQuenching is a rapid cooling process which makes the desired solid phase transformations happen for the certain material properties. For aluminum alloy, rapid quenching will prevent all phase transformation and generate a supersaturated single phase."

Jan 1, 2012

By R. N. O'Brien, E. Peters

"It has been discovered that copper concentrates can be leached in strong (40-60%) sulfuric acid with nitric acid, or with oxygen if nitric acid is present as a catalyst. Chalcopyrite is rapidly decomposed at temperatures well below the boiling temperature of the lixiviant (-150 C.) and the resulting copper and ferric salts are precipitated as CuS04.H20 and FeH(S04)z.4H20. Other metal sulfides such as zinc, lead, nickel, etc. are also converted to sulfates that are nearly insoluble. Sulfur is partially converted to elemental and partially to sulfuric acid. Reduction products of nitric acid can be recovered from the distillate with good recovery. Conversion of as-received copper concentrates is largely complete in about 1 hour. Introduction9 molar sulfuric acid is an unusual hydrometallurgical lixiviant: it has a boiling point of about 150 C. and a low solubility for base metal sulfates. Below about 6 molar acid, the boiling point falls below 120 C. and yields much higher sulfate salt solubility, while above 12 or 13 molar acid and at higher temperature sulfuric acid becomes an oxidizing agent, yielding gaseous S02' Thus, sulfuric acid within this range of concentration is capable of acting well above the temperature of boiling water without requiring autoclave conditions, and if typical oxidative leaching conditions are applied to suspended mineral sulfide concentrates, it is possible to obtain a conversion of these sulfides into 'crystalline sulfates. Thereafter, the sulfates can be separated by filtration or by solid - bowl centrifuge and the solution can be recirculated to the reactor vessel. Meanwhile, the solid sulfates can be treated in a typical hydrometallurgical circuit, i.e., dissolved in a return stream that is essentially water, separated from each other by, for example, solvent extraction, and recovered as metals by electrowinning."

Jan 1, 1997

By Vladimir Lobanov, Vladimir Skorohodov, Boris Radionov, Olga Makovskaya

"The synthetic sorbents and the activated carbons which are used for the metals extraction from weak process liquors are rather expensive. It is propose to use mineral and synthetic high-porous substances which sharply increased sorption properties by special processing. For achievement the desirable properties sorbents are impregnated by specially prepared solutions. Such solutions should contain the substances or its anionic forms which on the one hand are strong enough fixed in a supporter pores, with another are capable to form the insoluble compounds with extracting metals. Selectivity is provided by chemism of the reagent interactions with extracting metal. Due to the high concentration of a reacting ion in a sorbent phase the capacity and rate of sorption increases. Formed insoluble compound remains in a phase of the sorbent and necessity of its filtration disappears. For synthesis the sulfhydryl compounds which chemical properties allow to increase degree of extraction and capacity of the activated carbon were used. At hydrometallurgical processing of precious metals mineral raw materials the commercial solutions with the concentration of gold from 0,1 to 5 mg/dm3 are received. Commonly gold is precipitated from cyanic solutions by the zinc dust. The sorption methods are widely applicable. But the synthetic sorbents and the activated carbon using to these purposes are rather expensive. Expenses for sorbents even at its regeneration can reach 10-15 % from total expenses of gold extraction from ores. When sorbent regeneration, mostly for carbon, is not provided, this share increases to 30-40 %. Thereupon search of the sorbents combining availability, the sufficient capacity, demanded degree of extraction and the low price is actual. For the specified purpose it is offered to use the mineral and synthetic high-porous materials which sorption properties are sharply rose by special treatment. Among such substances are natural zeolites, silica gel, lignine et al. Similar treatment can improve the sorption properties of sorbents used in practice, particularly, the activated carbons. The simplest treatment of potential sorbents consists in its impregnation by specially prepared solutions. Such solutions should contain substances or its anionic forms - impregnating agents. These agents should be on the one hand strong enough fixed in a carrier pores, on the other hand are capable to form with extracting metals insoluble compounds. The more strong compounds are formed the high degree of metals extraction from solutions. The sorbents with similarly changed properties are named the impregnated sorbents."

Jan 1, 2008

By Kenneth L. Reid

The Mineral Resources Research Center at the University of Minnesota has recently installed a QEM*SEM system (Quantitative E.valuation of Materials using Scanning Electron Microscopy) to aid in detailed mineralogical evaluation of potential mineral resource developments in Minnesota and to provide services to the North American mineral industry. A primary application for the unit is to serve the Minnesota taconite industry by providing mineralogical analysis of ores and concentrator products. Minnesota taconite ores contain fine-grained magnetite in a quartz matrix. The ores undergo several size-reduction/magnetic-separation steps to produce a final concentrate with approximately 75% passing 325 mesh and containing about 5% gangue. The paper describes a typical taconite concentrator flowsheet and reports some preliminary results of the applications of QEM*SEM particle image maps and cumulative yield liberation data to samples from selected points in the concentrator circuit.

Jan 1, 1988

By Cashman R. S. Mason

Removal of halides (fluoride, chloride) from metallurgical solutions can reduce corrosion rates and improve hygiene from decreased anodic chlorine evolution. This is particularly true for zinc sulphate electrowinning solutions. This paper describes the chemistry of a new process for the removal of halides from such solutions by solvent extraction ? the Teck Cominco Halogon? process, for which patents are pending. In this process, the halides are loaded directly from commercial zinc sulphate solutions and are stripped into a form suitable for disposal. Sulphate extraction efficiency is variable while maintaining halide extraction efficiency. The method of optimizing the solvent composition is demonstrated.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. Leclerc, V. Rebeyrolle, M. Revil-Baudard, A. Jardy, M. Založnik, H. Combeau

"Since the quality of Vacuum Arc Remelted ingots is linked to their chemical homogeneity and metallurgical structure, a modeling study of the solidification during VAR has been undertaken. It is based on the solution of the coupled transient heat, momentum and solute transport equations during the remelting of a cylindrical ingot. Solidification mechanisms implemented in the model include a full coupling between energy and solute transport in the mushy zone, and accounting for nucleation and finite diffusion of solutes at the microscopic scale, in both solid and liquid phases. This modeling can be applied to actual multi-component alloys. In this paper, the macrosegregation in Zircaloy 4 ingots is investigated. To validate the model, one single melt of a homogeneous electrode has been specifically performed. The comparison between the predicted macrosegregation and the experimental results shows the importance of accounting for solutal convection to forecast properly the macrosegregation in remelted ingots.IntroductionVacuum Arc Remelting of zirconium alloy ingots is a key step in the manufacturing process of fuel assembly components in nuclear reactors. The control of the chemical homogeneity is indeed fundamental to ensure the quality and the in-reactor performance of the final products. Despite the use of electromagnetic stirring to homogenize the liquid melt composition, chemical heterogeneities develop in the mushy zone during the solidification stage. One of the main challenges for zirconium producers, as well as titanium producers, is to master the VAR process in order to control the macrosegregation in remelted ingots. Macrosegregation results from the association of microsegregation and transport phenomena. The latter are primarily due to the flow in the liquid and mushy parts. It is now well established [1-4] that the hydrodynamics of the melt pool in a VAR ingot depends on the combined action of the followings: thermal and solutal buoyancy, self-induced electromagnetic force and the periodic centrifugal force caused by the angular movement generated by the stirring. However, for zirconium alloy ingots, the effects of thermal and solutal buoyancy forces on macrosegregation through their influence on the flow in the mushy zone have not been clearly identified."

Jan 1, 2012

By Roger L. Williams

The Zinc Corporation of America Monaca smelter continues to use the St. Joe-developed electrothermic process for producing zinc metal and zinc oxide. As we enter the 1990s, the electrothermic process flexibility permits treatment of larger quantities? and lower-grade zinc-bearing recycle materials. A new sinter plant having one large sinter machine will increase sinter feed production required to meet our capacity target of 150,000 tons per year.

Jan 1, 1990