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By Érico França

A CBMM aplicou aços microligados ao nióbio de alta resistência mecânica para a fabricação de containers de caminhões que transportam grãos na região do Triângulo Mineiro e Alto Paranaíba, com o objetivo de reduzir o peso desses equipamentos e possibilitar o aumento da carga útil transportada. O novo projeto reduziu em 10% o peso do container e também aumentou seu volume útil de 27 m3 para 29 m3. O investimento teve retorno com apenas 8 dias de operação com o novo projeto transportando arroz. Também foram obtidos ganhos no transporte de milho e soja com o retorno do investimento em 21 e 56 dias de trabalho respectivamente. O trabalho mostra os aços utilizados e as principais alterações nos projetos desses componentes.

Aug 16, 2017

By J. Budac, E. Krause, C. L. Stewart, D. Wrana, S. W. Laundry

"As part of an over-all arsenic management strategy, Inco has developed a novel process that converts a by-product high moisture copper/arsenic sulphide precipitate into a crystalline copper arsenate suitable for the manufacture of wood preservation chemicals.The copper/arsenic sulphide precipitate is atmospherically leached with oxygen and sulphuric acid, producing a crude (blue) copper arsenate precipitate, elemental sulphur, and a copper and nickel containing solution. The blue copper arsenate is dissolved with sulphuric acid, the molar Cu/As ratio is raised to 2, and a crystalline copper arsenate (olivenite) is precipitated by the addition of sodium carbonate. Dissolved copper is recovered using metallic nickel (or matte) and elemental sulphur, to produce a low-moisture (low-arsenic) precipitate suitable for standard nickel-copper processing.The process was successfully piloted at Inco's Manitoba Division between September 1990 and June 1991. The copper arsenate product typically analyzed 43% Cu and 25% As, and the moisture content was about 10%."

Jan 1, 1995

By F. Reyes, M. Hilden, G. Forbes, M. Yahyaei

Since AlphaGo defeated the best human player in the game of Go in 2016 - something thought to be an impossible achievement - machine learning, deep learning and reinforcement learning have caught the attention of scientists, the media and the general public alike. This recent development in machine learning (let us remember that neural networks have been available for decades now) opens new possibilities in the areas of modelling and process control. However, little has been reported in the minerals processing industry about these new possibilities and opportunities. This paper presents and introduces the topic of reinforcement learning and the different platforms that allow its implementation. The paper shows the consequences of using reinforcement learning for the specific area of process control and optimisation. As an example, the authors present the use of reinforcement learning for the control of a SAG mill closed with a pebble crusher using industrial data from an operation. A comparison with advanced model-based process control is provided, showing the benefits and shortcomings of reinforcement learning as a new control and optimisation technique. Keywords: Reinforcement learning, deep learning, process control, process optimisation

Jan 1, 2020

By Henrique Silva Furtado, Flaviani Marculano Marchesi, Silas Gambarine Soares, Elton Volkers do Espírito Santo, Felipe Fardin Grillo, Heitor Cristo Clem de Oliveira

Devido ao aumento da restrição do teor de enxofre nos aços torna-se necessário investigar a eficiência do processo de dessulfuração de ferro gusa. Portanto, o objetivo deste trabalho é empregar diferentes matérias-primas e fundentes como cal calcítica, sodalita, pré-cal, mistura padrão, fluorita, escória de KR, borra de alumínio e B2O3, a fim de encontrar a composição com maior eficiência de dessulfuração, relacionando-a ao fator de dessulfuração, obtido pela termodinâmica computacional. Os testes foram realizados a 1350°C, em uma atmosfera inerte com agitação constante. Os resultados mostraram que a mistura com maior eficiência foi aquela com 69% de cal, 5% de sodalita, 15% de pré-cal, 6% de escória KR e 5% de B2O3.

Oct 1, 2019

By M. J. Hordon

Measurements of the 103 yield stress of ordered and disordered poly crystalline Cu ,Au were related to the ordered antiphase domain size determined by resistivity measurements. For undeformed material, a yield stress maximum wa obtained at a critical domain diameter of about 40A. Plastic deformation resulted in a marked increase in the yield stress and electrical resistivity of the ordered alloy compared to the disordered, the strain hardening rate increasing regularly with initial antiphase domain size. Order hardening was accompanied by a sharp reduction in size of the initially large domains. It has been observed that the yield stress of ordered and partially ordered Cu3Au alloy varies sensitively with antiphase domain size aid degree of order.ly2 In addition, ordering of the lattice leads to a marked increase in the strain hardening rate (order hardening) as compared to the rate for the disordered alloy. In the present investigation, changes in the electrical resistivity and yield stress of ordered polycrystalline Cudu with varying initial domain diameters were measured after tensile plastic deformation in order to examine the effect of cold work on the antiphase domain size. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE Au-Cu alloy of 99.99 pct purity analyzing 50.85 wt pct Au-balance copper was obtained from the Handy-Harmon Co., N. Y., in the form of 0.061 in. diam drawn wire. Wire specimens 3 in. in length were given the following annealing treatment in nitrogen: 500" for 72 hr, 820" for 15 hr, and 450" for 5 hr, followed by a water quench. The annealing sequence resulted in a completely disordered structure with a grain size of about 0.2 mm. The disordered specimens were then reannealed at 360' in nitrogen for periods varying from 10 min to 150 hr followed by quenching to produce ordered structures with varying domain sizes. The degree of ordering and variation of domain size was followed by electrical resistivity measurements made at room temperature using a low resistance precision Kelvin double bridge apparatus. The specimen resistance was determined over a length of 4.0 cm between two brass knife-edge contacts while the specimen was immersed in an oil bath to minimize temperature variations. In addition, the current flow in the circuit was minimized by a current pulse technique in balancing the bridge in order to avoid heating the specimen. Using a sensitive galvanometer to detect the bridge null, the accuracy of the resistance measurement Wire specimens were plastically strained in tension with an Instron tensile unit at strain rates in the range 5 x 10"5 sec-' to 2 x 10"4 sec-'. Stress and extension data were fed into the Instron chart drive amplifier to obtain the actual stress-elongation curve from which the yield stress at 10"3 strain was determined. The maximum resolution of the apparatus was approximately 50 psi stress and 3 x 104 strain. At various plastic strain levels, deformation was interrupted and the electrical resistivity determined after removing the stress. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 1) Yield Strength of Ordered Cudu. In order to determine the effect of the ordered antiphase domains on the initial yield stress, specimens were prepared with varying domain sizes ranging from zero for 5 completely disordered structure to about lo5A for a completely ordered structure by suitable annealing treatment. Domain sizes were estimated by comparing room temperature electrical resistivity data with the original data of Jones and sykes3 as modified by rdle.' In agreement with previous work, the resistivity varied sensitively with domain diameter and degree of order, decreasing from approximately 11.6 x l0- ohm-cm for the disordered structure to about 5.9 x l0- ohm-cm for ordered domains above 10"3 cm in diameter. Fig. 1 shows the change of the 103 yield stress with ordered domain size. It is evident that the maximum

Jan 1, 1963

By George Vranesh

Synfuels development in the upper Colorado River basin and the population growth attendant with such development demand sizeable quantities of water. Unfortunately, the water supply in the basin is limited and such limitation may impose a significant constraint on the development of the West's abundant energy resources. Although the water for the synfuels development will be governed by the law of prior appropriation adopted in the upper basin states, the authors point out that an apparently senior water right .my not deliver a firm supply of water. The federal and Indian Reserved Water Rights Doctrine, the Colorado River Compacts the Doctrine of Equitable Apportionment, and the federal and state environmental laws can all severely diminish the value of any given water right and the synfuels industry should take care to evaluate these factors in acquiring its water.

Jan 1, 1981

By Dirección General de Promoción y Sostenibilidad Minera del Ministerio de Energía y Minas

El artículo da cuenta de la situación del sector al 2019, año en el que pese al panorama adverso se superó la meta de inversiones con más de US$ 6 100 millones ejecutados. Se reportan asimismo las importantes mejoras efectuadas en la normativa minera para actividades de exploración, como son —entre otras— la ampliación por 3 años de la vigencia de la Ley N° 27623 y el adelanto de inicio del proceso de consulta previa para actividades de exploración. El artículo incluye la nueva cartera y el Mapa de Proyectos de Exploración Minera, actualizados a febrero 2020.

Feb 28, 2020

By D. J. Bryden, J. W. Oberholzer

In response to the need for enhanced precautionary measures to safeguard mine workers in collieries from the consequences of methane ignitions in a heading, the coal mining industry has ex- pressed the desire for the development and testing of active on board suppression systems. As overseas systems cannot be used directly in the bord and pillar geometry it is necessary to adapt overseas and local technology to suit local mining conditions, as well as to test such developed systems for their compliance with the expressed needs. As the systems have to be tested in a specific roadway configuration, a facility was developed to enable the testing in South Africa. A surface test facility has been established which can be used to develop and test suppression systems on continuous miners and roadheaders. This facility consists of a tunnel wherein compliance tests can be conducted in simulated underground conditions. A number of methane explosion tests have been conducted in the test facility. The explosions conducted varied in CH,/air concentration (7,5 to 9 percent) and volume (26 to 88 m3). At lower concentrations there was a marked reduction in explosion strength and flame speed. Tests carried out with the Explostop system successfully suppressed the propagation of methane ignitions in both scenarios tested.

Jan 1, 1997

LIST OF THE MEETINGS OF THE INSTITUTE AND THEIR LOCALITIES FROM ITS ORGANIZATION Transactions Number Place Date Vol Page 1 Wilkes-Barre, Pa May, ?71 1 3 2 Bethlehem, Pa August, ?71 1 10 3 Troy, N Y November, ?71 1 13 4 Philadelphia, Pa February, ?72 1 17 5 New York, N Y May, ?72 1 20 6 Pittsburg, Pa October, ?72 1 25 7 Boston, Mass February, ?73 1 28 8 Philadelphia, Pa May, ?73 2 3 9 Easton, Pa October, ?73 2 7 10 New York, N Y February, ?74 211 11 St Louis, Mo May, ?74 3 3 12 Hazleton, Pa October, ?74 3 8 13 New Haven, Conn February, ?75 3 15 14 Dover, N J May, ?75 4 3 15 Cleveland, 0 October, ?75 4 9 16 Washington, D C February, ?76 4 18 17 Philadelphia, Pat June, ?76, 5 3 18 Philadelphia, Pa October, ?76 5 9 19 New York, N Y February, ?77 5 27 20 Wilkes-Barre, Pa May, ?77 6 3 21 Amenia, N Y October, ?77 6 10 22 Philadelphia, Pa. May, ?78 6 18 23 Chattanooga, Tenn May ?78 7 3 24 Lake George, N.Y. Oct. ?78 7 25 Baltimore, Md. Feb. ?79 7

Jan 1, 1923

By José R. Parga

In some parts of the Comarca Lagunera with population of about 2.5 million people, situated in the central part of northern México, chronic arsenic poisoning is endemic and severe adverse effects attributed to As exposure have been reported. Lifetime exposure to arsenic will develop classical symptoms of arsenic poisoning such as skin pigmentation changes, gastrointestinal disturbances and neurological changes. There are several methods available for removal of arsenic from well water in large conventional treatment plants, however a very promising electrochemical treatment technique that does not require the addition of chemicals or regeneration is Electrocoagulation (EC). The EC operating conditions are highly dependent on the chemistry of the aqueous medium, especially conductivity and pH. In this study, Powder X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), and Transmission Mössbauer Spectroscopy (TMS) were used to characterize the solid products formed at iron electrodes during the EC process. This study will provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of the EC method. Finally the results of this study suggest that the presence of maghemite and magnetite particles can be used to remove arsenic (III) and arsenic (V). In the field pilot plant scale study more than 99% removal of As species from groundwater is achieved.

Jan 1, 2005

By A. Broussaud

The paper describes the advanced grinding control system implemented at Newmont Ahafo gold mine, Ghana in 2009 and 2010. It shows how the different components of the Advanced Process Control (APC) system cooperate for increasing plant performance. The SABC circuit processes hard rock from different pits mixed with a variable proportion of oxides. The control strategy is designed to address specific disturbances, including start/stops of pebble crushers, unavailability of oxides, changes in rock size distribution resulting from segregation in the stockpile, and changes in ore type and hardness. The system consists of an expert system per se with extensive use of fuzzy logic, supplemented by an online dynamic model of the process used as a soft sensor, a VisioRock? rock size measurement system over SAG mill feed before addition of recycled pebbles, and an AudioMill? system to analyze the SAG mill sound and detect impacts on liners. All these components are embedded in the same OCS© software platform, which, among other benefits, makes it easy to support the entire system remotely. The paper details the physical constraints and the variables that are manipulated. It describes the control strategy and the contribution of each component of the system. It also describes the project implementation and the performance of the system. In addition to a strong involvement and support of management, the very good acceptance of the operators has been facilitated by the remote access system that made it possible to immediately modify the system each time it was needed during the baby sitting phase. The system made it possible to increase gold production significantly through increases in tonnage and recovery thanks to a better control of the grind size through a stabilization of the secondary ball milling circuit and an improvement of the operating conditions of the classifying cyclones.

Jan 1, 2012

By A. J. Stapleton

"The Copper Mountain mine of Gaspe Copper Mines, Limited was brought into production in January, 1968.This paper describes the organization, scheduling and control of maintenance of large open-pit equipment, including 8-cu.yd shovels and 85-ton electric-wheel haulage units. The facilities for repair as well as maintenance are also described, including repair shops and field repair equipment. Maintenance costs are discussed and particular reference is made to tire inspection, records and costs."

Jan 1, 1969

By C. W. Spencer, F. N. Rhines, R. J. Knight

Ametallographic study has been made of the peritectoid transformation as it occurs in two Ag-A1 alloys, containing 6.0 and 6.9 wt pct Al, respectively. After equilibrating at 475°C, these alloys were transformed isothermally just below the peritectoid temperature which lies at about 450°C.1-3 Peritectoid transformation in this alloy system consists in the reaction of a and 5 to form µ. The crystal structures of the a, µ, and 5 phases have been determined as face-centered-cubic, 6 manganese, and hexagonal-close-packed, respectively. At the peritectoid temperature their equilibrium compositions are approximately 5.85, 7.02, and 7.24 wt pct (19.92, 23.2, and 23.8 atomic pct) aluminum."" The transformation might be expected to occur principally at the interface between the a and 5, but such is not the case. Instead, the major part of the transformation occurs by the direct (and perhaps initially diffusionless) conversion of 5 to µ. The composition range of the forming µ nearly overlaps that of the parent at the temperature of transformation" so that little, if any, composition change is required. Transformation proceeds by the nucleation of µ at points upon the external surface of the sample and sweeps through the 5 phase, leaving the a initially almost undisturbed. Subsequently, the a phase participates in the transformation by being partly or totally converted to µ. Specimens approximately 1/4 x 1/4 x 1/16 in. were cut from cast ingots, previously equilibrated 68 hr at 588°C. The specimens were held for 3 hr at

Jan 1, 1958

By Jordi Vives-Costa, J. J. de Felipe, Lluís Sanmiquel, Maria Niubó

The article evaluates the convective heat transfer coefficient of ventilation air in a potash mine. The energy balance is obtained through thermal characterization of the ventilation air and rock, allowing for the calculation of heat transfer parameters. Different models for calculating the convective heat transfer coefficient are analyzed. The results indicate that the Pethukov–Kirilov, Gnielinski, and modified Dittus–Boelter models are optimal for this mine. The study also indirectly examines the conductivity of the adjacent rock, suggesting saturation throughout the studied section and the presence of liquid water upwelling in a specific section.

Apr 7, 2022

By Alfred H. Bell

Drilling activity increased in Illinois in 1935. There were 34 com-pletions as compared with 26 in 1934 and 18 wells were drilling at the end of 1935. Some large blocks of acreage were leased in Marion and Clay counties near the central part of the Illinois structural basin. Production of oil in the state totaled 4,305,000 bbl., a decrease of 4 per cent from that of 1934 There was some curtailment of production in the early part of 1935 but none after April 30 as shown in the following table. Percentage Pro-duced of Potential ProductioN (USING September 1934 Period as BaSis) Jan. .l-Feb. 20............................................ 79 Feb. 21-Feb. 25............................................ 85 Feb. 26-Feb. 38............................................ 79 Mar. 1-Mar. 11............................................ 85 Mar. 12-Mar. 31............................................ 100 Apr. 1-Apr. 9.......................................... 80 Apr. 10-Apr. 30............................................ 86 May 1-Dec. 31........................................... 100 This is equivalent to an average curtailment throughout the year of 5 per cent. The price of Illinois crude oil at the wells remained constant during 1935 at $1.13 per barrel. A small amount of oil was sold at a 1ower price, notably from the Dupo field, but to arrive at a value for the state's production there would be little error in assuming an average price of 81.13, giving a total value of $4,864,465. The following table shows production in Illinois by moths in 1935, according to the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Jan............. 332,000 May.......... 382,000 Sept ,............. 370,000 Feb............. 295,000 June. ........... 858,000 Oct.............. 391,000 Mar............ 370,000 July............ 377,000 Nov............. 369,000 April............ 338,000 Aug............. 379,000 Dec............ 344,000

Jan 1, 1936

By Alfred H. Bell

Drilling activity increased in Illinois in 1935. There were 34 com-pletions as compared with 26 in 1934 and 18 wells were drilling at the end of 1935. Some large blocks of acreage were leased in Marion and Clay counties near the central part of the Illinois structural basin. Production of oil in the state totaled 4,305,000 bbl., a decrease of 4 per cent from that of 1934 There was some curtailment of production in the early part of 1935 but none after April 30 as shown in the following table. Percentage Pro-duced of Potential ProductioN (USING September 1934 Period as BaSis) Jan. .l-Feb. 20............................................ 79 Feb. 21-Feb. 25............................................ 85 Feb. 26-Feb. 38............................................ 79 Mar. 1-Mar. 11............................................ 85 Mar. 12-Mar. 31............................................ 100 Apr. 1-Apr. 9.......................................... 80 Apr. 10-Apr. 30............................................ 86 May 1-Dec. 31........................................... 100 This is equivalent to an average curtailment throughout the year of 5 per cent. The price of Illinois crude oil at the wells remained constant during 1935 at $1.13 per barrel. A small amount of oil was sold at a 1ower price, notably from the Dupo field, but to arrive at a value for the state's production there would be little error in assuming an average price of 81.13, giving a total value of $4,864,465. The following table shows production in Illinois by moths in 1935, according to the U.S. Bureau of Mines. Jan............. 332,000 May.......... 382,000 Sept ,............. 370,000 Feb............. 295,000 June. ........... 858,000 Oct.............. 391,000 Mar............ 370,000 July............ 377,000 Nov............. 369,000 April............ 338,000 Aug............. 379,000 Dec............ 344,000

Jan 1, 1936

By RICKARD HANSEN

With vehicles frequently found in underground mines and tyres being a major fuel item, the risk of tyre fires will be severe underground. This study presents an in-depth analysis of tyre fires on mining vehicles to increase the knowledge of the risk, applying data from full-scale fire experiments and CFD simulations. It was found that the wheelhouse of the loader caused an increase in the flame tilt angle of approximately 10%, decreasing the flame impingement and heat flux downstream. The flame temperature of the drilling rig tyre was found to be approximately 7% higher than the loader tyre, increasing the risk of igniting adjacent fuel items. The construction of the wheelhouse/mudguard will contribute to a longer flame length by creating a fuel-rich environment. The CFD simulations predicted higher flame tilt angles for the drilling rig case for higher flow velocities, indicating the influence of a varying wheelhouse/mudguard construction and tyre geometry on the flame tilt angle. The construction of the loader resulted in a flow behaviour, where the short distance to the front mudguard/tyre and the separation of flow directly downstream of the protruding construction led to fire gases being steered past the front mudguard/tyre. In the drilling rig case, the longer distance to the front mudguard/tyre led to fire gases being directed towards the body of the vehicle after passing the area with flow separation. An increased knowledge of the tyre fire risk on mining vehicles and mitigating measures would improve the fire safety in underground mines.

Feb 10, 2022

By Barry D. Lichter, Pierre Sommelet

High-temperature heat contents of InAs and GaAs were measured over the temperature range 400°K to temperatures above the melting points using a di-phenyl ether drop calorimeter. Smoothed values of the thermal properties have been derived and tabulated at even temperature interuals . The heats of fusion of InAs and GaAs were determined as, respectively, 8790 ± 200 and 12,590 ± 300 cal per g-atom at the respective melting points of 1210º ± and 1513º ± 1°K, yielding entropies of fusion of 7.26 * 0.16 and 8.32 ± 0.20 cal perºK per g-atom, respectively. A general discussion of the thermal properties of III-V com-pounds is given. THE low-temperature heat capacities of InAs and GaAs have been determined by Piesbergen.1Using a dynamic temperature modulation technique, Miller2 has determined the heat capacities of the compounds as well as GaSb and Ge between room temperature and 650°K; however, it has been observed that values determined by drop calorimetry for GaSb3 and for germanium4 are consistently about 5 pct lower than Miller's results. Cox and Pool10 report values for the heat content of InAs and GaAs and the heat of fusion of InAs. No value for the heat of fusion of GaAs appears to have been previously reported. This paper reports results of high-temperature heat content investigations of InAs and GaAs measured in the range 400" to above 1500°K employing a diphenyl ether drop calorimeter. These results, together with our previous results on III-Sb compounds3 as well as heat-content measurements5 of solid InP and Gap, are used in a general discussion of these compounds. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES High-purity samples of the compounds, stoichio-metric to ±0.1 at. pct, were supplied in the form of crushed crystal fragments by Dr. Carl Thurmond of the Bell Telephone Laboratories. The sample preparation, description of the calorimeter, and details of the heat content measurement have been previously described.3 Samples were sealed in evacuated silica capsules and suspended by a Pt-Rh wire in a Pt-wound vertical tube furnace, heated to temperature

Jan 1, 1970

By A. Kaufmann, B. Cullity, G. Bitsianes

T0 determine the bulk of the phase diagram, techniques for melting, thermal analysis, heat treatment, metallography, and X-ray diffraction that have already been described were used.' It proved difficult to get definitive results for most of the alloy system because of the large number of compounds, their high melting points, and their extreme brittle-ness which made metallography difficult. The final phase diagram, essentially as shown in Fig. 1, was issued with considerable trepidation.' The phase relationships at the two ends of the system were defined with satisfactory accuracy. In the central region between U,Si, and USi, there was great uncertainty concerning the melting points and even the composition of the compounds. At the uranium end of the system, it is quite clear that a eutectic exists at about 985 °C and approximately 8 or 9 atomic pct Si. The a-to-8 transformation is not appreciably altered by silicon, but the 8-to-y transformation is raised to about 795°C. There is appreciable solid solubility in y-uranium, as demonstrated by the micrographs of Fig. 2. The occurrence of the E phase was not suspected at first, since the alloys as melted and furnace cooled gave no X-ray diffraction or thermal arrest indication of it. However, suitable metallography revealed a rim around each of the compound particles as shown in Fig. 3. Heat treatment above 600°C revealed that the rim was another phase which formed by peritectoid reaction between uranium and U,Si,. This reaction proceeds slowly and it is difficult to get it to go to completion. Consequently, there is some uncertainty concerning the exact composition of P and the exact peritectoid temperature. On the basis of various metallurgical studies, it was decided that the most probable composition for t was about 23 atomic pct Si. Metallographic examination shows the closest approach to a single phase at this composition. Likewise, density and hardness measurements of heat-treated alloys shown in Figs. 9 and 10 show a change in slope at 23 pct Si. This is revealed most clearly by plotting the difference in hardness or density between chill-cast and heat- treated alloys as shown in Fig. 4. Zachariasen2 was able to index the diffraction lines of P and to determine the arrangement of the atoms in the unit cell. He concluded that the composition must be US. However, it is felt that the metallurgical studies are reliable and that Zachariasen's X-ray work does not furnish positive proof that the P phase exists exactly at the stoichiometric composition U3Si. There are many instances in alloy systems where a phase does not occur at the composition dictated by the molecular structure. It is possible that the chemical analyses used in the present work were subject to some systematic error. This seems unlikely, however, since recent work in several laboratories seems to show excess compound at 25 atomic pct Si.

Jan 1, 1958

By Melinda Channel, Alan W. Weimer, Jonathan R. Scheffe

"There is a need to develop cost effective renewable energy processes for the production of clean fuels that can simultaneously mitigate the U.S. energy/global environmental security issue. If H2 can be obtained cost effectively via the splitting of water using concentrated sunlight, then it’s possible to operate a fuel cell using renewable H2 or to synthesize other fuels based on renewable H2 for generating electricity or for running internal combustion engines. For example, H2 can be reacted with sequestered carbon dioxide (CO2) to produce syngas (H2/CO) via reverse water gas shift (RWGS), i.e. H2 + CO2 ? CO + H2O. The syngas can be catalytically methanated to form synthetic natural gas (SNG) or it can be catalytically reformed to produce liquid fuels such as “green” gasoline via the MTG process (syngas? methanol ? gasoline). The desert SW United States is home to world class sunlight. Fundamental ferrite thermodynamics will be reviewed, an example of the beneficial effect of ferrite surface area on reaction kinetics will shown, and process economics will be investigated for a 100,000 kg/day facility to produce H2.Introduction and Background ThermodynamicsSpinel ferrites of the form MxFe3-xO4, where M generally represents Ni, Zn, Co, Mn, or other transition metals, have been shown to be capable of splitting water according to the two step cycle shown below:MxFe3-xO4 + solar thermal energy ? xMO + (3-x)FeO + 0.5 O2 (1)xMO + (3-x)FeO + H2O ? MxFe3-xO4 + 2H2 (2)This is an inherently clean and sustainable process, as the only net inputs are solar energy and water, and the net outputs are hydrogen and oxygen. Ferrite water splitting cycles are advantages compared to other high temperature water splitting cycles, such as the ZnO/Zn and Mn2O3/MnO cycles, because thermal reduction has been demonstrated at significantly lower temperatures[1, 2]. As a result, overall efficiency may be increased due to the fact that radiation losses increase as the fourth power of temperature, and material considerations for reactor design should be more flexible. Additionally, cycle repeatability has been demonstrated with relative ease as compared to other thermochemical cycles [3-6]. However, the amount of hydrogen per mole that is generated is significantly less than for other high temperature thermochemical cycles due to the fact that only Fe3+ is capable of being reduced at the temperatures of interest[6]. In addition, water oxidation kinetics appear to be very slow, likely due to diffusion or surface area limitations created by near surface oxidation [6, 7]."

Jan 1, 2010