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By Ann M. Hagni

"Ceramic matrix composites are inorganic materials that are particularly resistant to heat and abrasion. A magnesia (MgO) and aluminum nitride (AlN) based composite is formed by exposing a magnesia preform to a metallic alloy block in a nitrogen atmosphere at 950°C. The metallic alloy, which is composed primarily of aluminum, is wicked into the preform. Aluminum nitride matrix is grown between MgO particles as the wicked metallic aluminum reacts with nitrogen. Unused metallic alloy, remnant metallic alloy (carcass), and composite produced after 8 hours, 50 hours, and 225 hours of processing are characterized mineralogically. Reflected light microscopy, transmitted light microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction techniques reveal that in addition to anhedral to euhedral AhNi, AbSbSr, and Al crystallizing in the metallic alloy carcass, AIN and (Al,Si)N have formed as well. Nitride rings and nodules in the carcass may hinder AIN growth in the composite. Fine-grained residual AhNi and AhShSr are dispersed throughout the composite matrix. The nitride matrix is composed of AIN and (Al,Si)N. Rim replacement of MgO by spine! occurs in the composite. Aluminum nitrides in the metallic carcass cathodoluminesce deep violet-blue, unlike non-luminescent AIN in the composite matrix. This distinction in cathodoluminescence suggests a different mode of formation for composite AIN than for carcass AIN. Phase interpretations and textural characterizations deduced from the implementation of sophisticated mineralogical techniques have contributed to the understanding, and will aid in the improvement, of MgO/ AlN-based ceramic matrix compositeprocessing."

Jan 1, 1999

By R. N. Reddy

The Pseudo capacitance of layered type Mn02 electrode material for electrochemical capacitors (EC's) was investigated. MnO2 was synthesized in our laboratory. Mn02 was prepared from heating of KMn04 at 300°C in air. Cyclic Voltammetry (CV) experiments were carried out using three electrode system, Saturated calomel electrode as reference electrode, platinum mesh as a counter electrode, and MnOz composite material mounted in a platinum mesh used as a working electrode. Two kinds of composite working electrode materials were used, one was mixture of MnOz and 25 wt% acetylene black, while the other was MnOz, 25 wt% acetylene black and 25 wt% carbon. All the experiments were carried out at 25OC. A maximum specific capacitance of 130 Fig and 118 Fig were observed at the scan rate of 2 mV/s and 20 mV/s respectively in 1M KC1 for composite electrode made with carbon. Results obtained in this study are compared with that of other electrode materials.

Jan 1, 2002

By Fiseha Tesfaye, Pekka Taskinen, Daniel Lindberg

Due to increasing complexities of raw materials for base metals production the conventional pyrometallurgical processes are challenged. To make the appropriate modifications, thorough evaluations of the thermal stabilities of phases and phase assemblages which are commonly encountered in these processes are essential. In this work, phase relations and thermal stabilities of equilibrium phases in the Cu-Ni-S system have been reviewed. The calculated phase diagram of Cu-Ni system has been validated. At T < 630 K, in the Ni-rich corner, large scatter in data has been observed and discussed in detail. The other binary systems, Cu-S and Ni-S, have been also critically reviewed together with the ternary Cu-Ni-S system. The reviews were focused on compiling and discussing phase relations and thermal stabilities of the selected systems in the pyrometallurgical processes of Cu and Ni productions.

Jan 1, 2016

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 QinGuo, Shenghui Guo, Jinhui Peng, Linqing Dai, Libo Zhang

This paper adopts a simple and novel preparation. Taking cellulose as a template, a tubular morphology structure of micro/nano ZnO crystals was obtained by microwave roasting at high temperature. The higher the microwave roasting temperature, the larger the degree of crystallization. The experiments indicate that the best photo catalytic effect can be obtained at 850 : At this temperature, the oxidation of cellulose is complete. Large quantities of hexagonal shaped ZnO crystal can be observed, specifically the (0001) crystal face. Under ultraviolet-visible irradiation, taking long arc mercury lamp as light source, the material had good photocatalytic activity. The decomposing efficiency of methylene blue reaches 97% in 60min, which is superior to that of preparations without templates at the same temperature.

Jan 1, 2016

By Liu Wei-feng

In this paper, the practice of separating precious metals from base metals in gold-antimony alloy by selective chlorination leaching under controlling potential in China has been introduced in detail. The precious metals and the base metals can be separated completely when the complex gold-antimony alloy is treated by this process. The impurity metals were removed effectively since the leaching efficiencies of copper, nickel and antimony are over 99%, with direct recovery of gold being 99.83% that is about 20% higher than that of the original process and silver, antimony, copper and nickel are also recovered effectively. The gold grade of the resulting crude gold powder can reach to 94%.The new process has been applied in the treatment of gold-antimony alloy for two years, and many former procedures have been cancelled, such as electrolysis, Anode slime leaching by nitric acid, smelting in crucible and blowing in muffle. The new process is more shorten, lower cost and friendly to the circumstance comparing to the original process.

Jan 1, 2008

By Jeffrey W. Fergus, Shiqiang Hui

"Aluminum is an important alloying addition to the zinc used in the hot-dip galvanization of sheet steel to control the properties and appearance of the resulting coating. Optimization of the galvanization process requires control of the alloy concentration which can be improved through the use of chemical sensors. Aluminum sensors based on molten electrolytes are commercially available but are not widely used because of their high cost. One approach to reducing the cost is to use a solid electrolyte which can simplify the sensor design and thus reduce the cost of fabrication. In this paper, the development of an aluminum sensor based on a solid fluoride electrolyte, specifically magnesium fluoride, will be described.IntroductionThe concentration of the zinc bath used in hot-dip galvanization affects the galvanization process as well as the properties of the resulting coating. Thus, accurate in situ measurement of the alloy composition can be used to improve process control. This paper describes a solid-electrolyte-based aluminum sensor for monitoring the bath composition during hot-dip galvanization."

Jan 1, 1997

By Kumar M. Lyer

The channel reactor for ferrous and nonferrous processing has been modeled as a combination of ideal reactors. Cold model studies simulated the counter-current flow of slag and matte (or metal) with high-strength submerged gas injection. A composite model has been developed which describes the mass transfer between the two liquid phases, including the transfer of minor elements. The residence time for the matte droplets in the matte/slag emulsion is compared with the settling rates for the matte droplets in the slag to determine their relative importance in the mass transfer between matte and slag. The governing equations for mass transfer have been developed using correlations for the mass-transfer coefficients in the continuous and dispersed phases. An application of this scheme to a typical copper smelting system is presented.

Jan 1, 1993

By Metehan Erdogan, Ishak Karakaya, Fuat Erden

"Mg-Ni system draws attention due to the promising hydrogen storage properties of Mg2Ni. The proposed method involves the use of NiO and MgCl2 in an electrochemical cell to from Mg-Ni intermetallics directly. The electrodeoxidation of NiO was followed by combination of Mg and Ni in molten salt electrolytes. The products were characterized by XRD analysis and SEM examinations. The quantitative results from Rigaku supported by Rietveld Refinement method conducted by Maud showed that more than 50 percent of the input Ni was converted to Mg-Ni intermetallics.INTRODUCTIONIt is well known that fossil fuels are the most common energy producing materials throughout the last century although, they are not renewable and their usage cause critical environmental problems [1, 2]. Hydrogen, on the other hand, is known as a clean, renewable energy carrier and instead of fossil fuels; usage of hydrogen for energy production will be the benefit of mankind. However, there are problems that hinder more common usage of hydrogen such as hydrogen storage [3]. Mg2Ni is known as Mg based hydrogen storage material with high hydrogen storage capacity [3-6]. Common Mg2Ni production methods are; mechanical alloying [8-11], vacuum induction melting [12, 13], vacuum arc melting [14], combustion synthesis [15], melt spinning [16], repetitive rolling [17] and isothermal evaporation casting [18] were also used. However, in all of these, pure Mg and Ni are required to be produced previously. Therefore, difficulties arise during handling, preparation and combination of Mg and Ni due to highly reactive nature of especially magnesium (i.e. oxidation of Mg) [11, 17, 19, 20]. Although hydrogen desorption dynamics can be significantly improved with usage of nanostructured Mg2Ni [7], it is difficult and it requires very long processing durations to produce nanostructured Mg2Ni by above processes."

Jan 1, 2014

By Jorge Alberto Soares Tenório, Victor Bridi Telles, Denise Crocce Romano Espinosa, Felipe Fardin Grillo, Vicente de Paulo Ferreira Marques Sobrinho, José Roberto de Oliveira

"This research aims to study the process of incorporation of the metal iron in electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), from a steel mill producing long steel by liquid iron in addition to the changing temperature of 1400 degree Celsius altering experimental conditions such as how to add the EAFD (as received and in the form of briquettes), the percentage of EAFD to be added (10, 20 and 30% of initial weight of sample pig iron) and the time of withdrawal of the sample of pig iron and slag (30 minutes after the addition of EAFD). Previously, the EAFD will be characterized using the following techniques: chemical analysis, particle size analysis, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS) microanalysis. After characterization, the eletric arc furnace dust to be added to the bath of liquid iron, will be divided into 2 types: the first order of addition will be in the form ""as received"" from the plant and the second is through the agglomeration of EAFD in the form of briquettes. The achievement of fusion experiments in laboratory scale, will take place in a vertical tubular furnace with temperature control. The fusion experiments to assess the incorporation of the metal iron will use graphite crucibles. A flow of inert gas (argon) will be maintained inside the furnace during the experiments. It is expected that the results obtained at the end of the research allow the evaluation of the iron metal incorporation of eletric arc furnace dust in hot metal bath.IntroductionThe steel industry generates a variety of solid wastes, liquid effluents and gaseous emissions at various stages of processing. The electric furnace dust (EAFD), generated in electric arc furnaces, represents a major problem for their content of chemical elements such as zinc, iron, chromium, cadmium, among others, issued to the atmosphere during the manufacture of steel[1]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Rubén Alvarado

The markets and environmental protection rules are more and more exacting, both of which have determined that copper smelters should look for technological development and global management to ensure their viability and competitivity in the short and long term. The main facilities of the present and future Smelting-Converting Process at Codelco&apos;s Caletones Smelter, is based on Teniente Converter reactors with a high operational availability that have reached concentrate processing capacities near 2,000 tpd. These reactors are in operation in most of the smelters in Chile as well as in Zambia, Peru, Mexico and, in ?the near future, in Thailand. Since 1993, the Smelting-Converting process of the Caletones Smelter of Codelco-Chile has been based on one Reverberatory furnace, two Teniente Converters and four Peirce-Smith Converters. These facilities, together with the operation of two Fluidized Bed Dryers, three Slag Cleaning Furnaces, and two Oxygen Plants have allowed the smelter to reach concentrate smelting capacities and copper productions of 1,215 kt/year and 360 kt/year, respectively. This transitional operating scheme, combining together traditional and advanced technological equipment, needs further modernization to successfully face the modern world challenges, especially with relation to the environmental commitment, production costs and wide satisfaction of customers. For this reason, for the period 1997-2000, a Modernization Plan has been worked out. This plan considers an increase of the present throughput, which will permit a significant increase in productivity, as well as finding a definitive solution for meeting the environmental regulations. Among these projects, we can point out the definitive shut down of the Reverberatory Furnace, which is a contaminating piece of equipment of low energetic efficiency. Additionally, it considers the installation of two new Slag Cleaning Furnaces, one additional Oxygen Plant, and the incorporation of two new Sulphuric Acid Plants with a production capacity of 4,500 T/D, that will recover over 92% of the sulphur content, of process off-gases.

Jan 1, 1998

By Hans Jürgen Maier, Hans-Bernward Besserer, Gregory Gerstein, Florian Nürnberger

The formation and development of voids in both the single-phase ferritic steel DC04 and the dual-phase ferritic-martensitic steel DP600 are discussed. Various mechanisms and kinetics of void formation are considered regarding the influence of dislocation glide, precipitates and other parameters. Different characteristic locations in the microstructure are investigated at which strain concentrations during plastic deformation can occur and cause the formation of voids and microcracks. For the specimen preparation ion slope cutting is applied. Voids and cracks revealing ductile damage are analyzed by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). Stress concentrations in consequence of plastic deformation could be shown by extinction contours on images recorded by Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM).

Jan 1, 2015

By F. Qian

Direct impingement of molten metal baths by a gas jet is commonly encountered in such processes as BOF and electric arc furnace steelmaking. Shape and local fluid mechanics in the impinging region is important because it determines the interaction of the metal pool with the surroundings. Goal of the present work is to characterize and understand the interfaces at the impinging region. Using a physical model consisting of water/corn oil and water/kerosene as surrogates for metal/slag, interface shapes for slag-gas, slag-metal and metal-gas are investigated. Influence of transport properties of the two liquids on the shape and flow fields are also experimentally determined under various impinging jet conditions, namely jet momentum and jet height. The viscosity of the slag layer (corn oil or kerosene) has the most significant effect on the interface shape and the induced flow fields. The interface shapes were measured both photographically and by using a surface- tracking resistance probe. The limiting condition at which the jet breaks through the corn oil or kerosene layer and reaches the water layer was determined experimentally

Jan 1, 1994

By S. Gopalan, J. D. Milshtein, S. N. Basu

Production of syngas is proposed utilizing the W/W03 redox system and employing a solarpowered two-step thermochemical cycle. Three chemical reactions occur in two chambers. Assisted by a solar concentrator, a high temperature reaction reduces W03 powder to metallic tungsten in both chambers. Subsequently, the temperature in one of the chambers is lowered and H2(g) is produced via re-oxidation of the tungsten powder using steam. The temperature in the other chamber is simultaneously lowered to an intermediate temperature and CO(g) is produced via oxidation of the tungsten powder using C02(g)· The gas streams coming out of the two chambers result in the syngas production. A complete thermodynamic analysis of the system is described. The W/W03 redox cycle offers greater gravimetric fuel productivity compared to previously proposed systems, and the entire cycle can be operated below 1273K.

Jan 1, 2013

By Jose F. Hevia

This study is part of a broader project on the hydrothermal conversion of copper concentrates to metallic copper by solid state reactions in which the copper remains localized in the solid phases. The kinetics of the solid/solid hydrothermal hydrogen reduction of tenorite (CuO) and cuprite (Cu,O) to metallic copper are presented. After an induction period, the process is governed initially by a nucleation step followed by rapid solid state reduction. Nucleation promoter agents decrease the induction period and control the particle morphology. Separate nucleation and reduction rate processes have been identified. Following nucleation, reduction follows a shrinking core process.

Jan 1, 1994

By R. H. Rubisov

Sulphuric acid pressure leaching of nickeliferous laterites has attracted considerable attention from the nickel industry during the past five years. The process is especially advantageous for limonitic laterites that mostly contain goethite, because iron precipitates releasing acid and thus rendering low acid consumption. It is also applicable to mixtures of limonites and saprolites, although at higher acid consumption due to magnesium. Effective process design requires the solubility of metals that precipitate during the process to be known. In the present work, determination of metal solubilities is based on a simple speciation program that assumes the presence of only one dominant complex for each metal. The thermodynamic data for the precipitation reactions are extracted from high-temperature experiments with monometallic systems published previously. The validity of the approach is then tested against mixed bimetallic systems, and finally applied to calculate the solubility of aluminium, iron and magnesium in laterite leaching effluents "at temperature". In both cases of limonitic feed and limoniticfsaprolitic blends, the prediction closely follows metal solubilities measured experimentally at temperatures from 230 to 270°C and at terminal he acidities ranging from 10 to 75 g/L.

Jan 1, 1999

By Michael P. Heisel

Solinox is a physical scrubbing process capable of removing a number of noxious materials from off-gasses, especially SO2, hydrocarbons, halogens, heavy metals such as dust, etc. As these materials are dissolved physically, (not chemically bound), the solvent is absolutely stable and no by-products are formed in the scrubbing cycle. The process has? been installed in three plants up to now, treating from approximately 30 MMSCFD to approximately 100 MMSCFD. These installations are in a non ferrous metal smelting operation, in a cellulose factory, and in a roasting process.

Jan 1, 1992

By T. C. -M. Cheng

Iron removal and disposal in zinc plants has imposed a major environmental challenge to the industry. Among the existing options of precipitating iron as jarosite, goethite, and hematite, the Hematite Process seems to be the best candidate for the future development of a waste-free technology, because of its potential of producing saleable iron oxide residues for feed in iron-steel making industry. Unfortunately, under the current practice of the Hematite Process, it is not possible to produce iron residues clean enough to meet the specifications of the said industry. In this paper, the practice of industrial hematite precipitation and the relevant technical literature are reviewed with the objective to identify the critical processing parameters which are responsible for the contamination of hematite, particularly with sulfur and zinc. The analysis is conducted from a crystallization theory standpoint with emphasis given to the role of supersaturation with respect to the cleanliness of hematite precipitates.

Jan 1, 1997

By Aïda Espinola

Decontamination of synthetic solutions containing cadmium ions using coconut fibers in natura was investigated in laboratory scale. Cadmium ions, a serious pollutant of water ways, where it is detrimental to the environment, may be absorbed by fish and mollusk used as food, which will, eventually, poison humans; these ions are usually present in minero-metallurgical and electroplating industrial effluents. Usually employed for the aqueous effluents treatment are chemical precipitation, adsorption and electrolytic processes. Precipitation is not effective for cadmium removal, because of the high KpS of the cadmium hydroxide, which requires high pH; only sulfide would be efficient in cases of very small amounts. Some vegetal refuses have shown to be practical for absorption processes of several metallic ions. We have applied coconut (Cocos nucifera) shells, which are extremely abundant over most of the extensive Brazilian coast, in the removal of cadmium: it has been verified, in our laboratory, that the surface of the fiber of this coconut is rich in chemical compounds which are active scavengers for Cd2+. For the optimization of the process, hydrosoluble components existing on the surface of the fiber, which may be deleterious, were previously washed out by water, and variables, such as the pH and the proportion of mass of fiber to volume of solution, were adjusted. As much as 99% of the initial contaminant metallic ion has been eliminated, resulting a solution to be discarded which contains ca. 0.1 ppm; this attends to the maximum impurity legally admitted by the environmental control agency of Rio de Janeiro, FEEMA, for cadmium ions in aqueous effluents to be disposed in rivers and in the Guanabara Bay area.

Jan 1, 1998

By Rudolf Keller

"EMEC Consultants is developing a process to extract oxygen, aluminum and silicon from lunar anorthositic soil. The process will provide oxygen in space for propulsion, aluminum as a structural material, and possibly silicon for the construction of solar cells.The evolution of the process concept in the course of our present NASA-sponsored SBIR effort is discussed. A molten salt electrolysis producing aluminum and oxygen is the central step; inert anode technology is to be employed. Silicon will be produced by reducing the anorthite, CaAI2Si20S' with aluminum. In a steady-state operation, all components of the ore added have to be removed from the process, and the removal of calcium is a major topic of our experimental studies.Utilization of Lunar ResourcesUtilization of lunar resources may play an essential role in the exploration of the solar system and the conquest of space. High costs are involved in overcoming Earth's gravity to supply missions in space. Even at a low projected cost of $ 300 for transporting a pound of payload into Earth orbit -- today's costs are many times higher -- it appears attractive to use resources in space to produce needed materials. Processing of lunar resources on the lunar surface is an obvious possibility.Oxygen is a product of major interest. It is required for support of human life in space. Even greater quantities may be needed for propulsion, to conduct further missions into space. To satisfy this demand for oxygen through lunar processing requires a quite different solution than to supply oxygen on Earth, where oxygen gas is abundant and easy to extract from air or water. On the lunar surface, solid oxide materials have to be used. Hydrogen reduction of ilmenite and subsequent electrolysis of the resulting water is being studied [1]. Other suggestions include fluorination of lunar soil [2], reduction with lithium and electrolytic decomposition of the resulting lithium oxide [3], and aqueous HF leaching [4]."

Jan 1, 1988