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By J Karlovšek

Civil engineering infrastructures are often subjected to different types of natural and mechanical activities. These influences may result in serviceability or even in stability of structures due to material deformations, increased water content within the materials used or the formation of internal or adjacent cavities that may threaten the infrastructure. Construction practices can lead to development of such defects in the form of cavities. In civil engineering it is crucial to detect these variations in material properties and to detect the presence of defects. However, as they are often hidden from view, these attributes may be difficult or impossible to target with traditional testing methods. For these reasons rapid geophysical methods, such as ground penetrating radar (GPR), are increasingly being used. At the University of Queensland (UQ) GPR is used for detection of voids and cavities which have been caused by an over excavation of the earth pressure balance machine (EPB) operating in a closed mode.A variety of numerical simulations using the finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) methods and preliminary experiments have been carried out in order to specify information about the nature, type, size, location and other characteristics of targets to be detected by GPR. In doing this the difficulty of interpreting GPR data, which is mainly due to the complexity of the factors involved in multiple possible solutions of the observed features, can be overcome.

Mar 8, 2011

Continuous, steady-state laboratory flotation tests showed that the recovery of cha1copyrite from a naturally occurring ore, under conditions closely resembling those of plant practice, could be expressed in terms of a first order rate equation.Tests on full-scale plant flotation cells, using impulse tracers, indicated ideal mixing of the pulp in the cells.It was demonstrated that values of first order flotation rate constants can onlv be obtained from conventional methods of analysis in special cases.Analysis of a plant sampling campaign by the author supported a first order kinetic equation for two mineral species, and for the individual size fractions of one of these.The effect of stage-addition of reagents is interpreted in kinetic terms.

Jan 1, 1966

By Carlini G, Ibba R

The KSS Lead Plant (Kivcet - SNAMPROGETTI - SAMIM) of Por tovesme, owned by Nuova Samim (the sector-head Company for non ferrous metals and derivatives owned by ENI), has been operating since february 1987. This plant is based on the Soviet Kivcet licence and testwork carried out on the pilot plant of VNIITSVETMET in Ust Kameno gorsk fed by the Nuova Samim's concentrates. The plant is com pletely automatized using the most advanced technologies and it is operated by nineteen people on shift work, including all ancillary units and lead decopperizing-casting. The expected performance of the plant has been confirmed and improves day by day in relation of the operating experience, thanks to the new conceptual design of the furnace. Due to the remarkable flexi bility of the process, the integration of the lead plant with the other plants of the metallurgical complex of Portovesme rro-#4 (Electrolytic Zinc Plant, Sulphuric Acid Plant, Imperial Smel ting) has shown all the economic advantages. The lead content in the ambient air, detected by the monitors, either in the working area and on the ground outside the complex, is widely Pb W" below the stricter new limits recommanded by the E.E.C. (Economic European Community) rules and by the Italian law. The whole process is carried out in equipment completely closed and under suction and it does not require manual operations with exposure to the lead. The production cost is much lower than that performed by the traditional technology. This advantage permits wide margin to consider investment to replace the traditional technology.

Jan 1, 1989

By N Petropoulos and M J Thurley, E Righetti, M Wimmer

Fragmentation in sublevel caving (SLC) is vitally important. Both gravity flow and any downstream processes are affected. Reasonably coarse fragmentation may lead to larger draw bodies (isolated extraction zones) and hence potentially higher primary ore recovery and depressed/delayed waste rock inflow from above. Fewer flow disturbances are expected by mitigating oversize. In addition, it requires less boulder handling and reduces wear and possible hang-up problems in orepasses. To assess the present-day functionality of large-scale SLC, a multiyear, comprehensive measurement program was initiated. It covers the main elements for SLC, namely blast function, fragmentation and gravity flow. The present paper focuses on fragmentation measurements. An image acquisition system was used to document the drawpoint and the load-haul-dump (LHD) bucket for each mucking cycle. At the beginning, four buckets (about 70 t total) were sieved to validate the results of both 2D and 3D image analysis techniques. The fundamental and specific problems are discussed herein. At the moment, fragmentation of the SLC rings is evaluated using a quick rating system and a 2D fragment delineation software. The results enable a description of fragmentation and its variation during mucking but also – combined with the gravity flow measurements – conclusions on the fragmentation for different parts of the SLC ring. Possible influences on flow disturbances and ore recovery/dilution are investigated. The recent findings allow a better understanding of breakage and flow and support future process improvements.CITATION:Wimmer, M, Nordqvist, A, Righetti, E, Petropoulos, N and Thurley, M J, 2015. Analysis of rock fragmentation and its effect on gravity flow at the Kiruna sublevel caving mine, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 775–792 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

By N Schofield

For the sampling of particulate materials in mineral exploration and mining, the fundamental sampling error (FSE) introduced by Gy is a measure of the constitutional heterogeneity of the sample lot and is expressed as the relative standard deviation of subsample grades of a particular mass. The FSE is presently regarded as an important indicator of quality for samples used in resource estimation. Constitutional heterogeneity describes an ideal state of heterogeneity with respect to all constituents of the lot such that the fundamental error among subsamples of a particular mass is minimised.In this paper, the term ‘sampling precision’ used in relation to mineral resource sampling usually refers to a statistic based on the assay results drawn from pairs of separate subsample splits of multiple sample lots. The pairs of splits are extracted after the lots have been prepared by crushing and pulverising to meet specified criteria of grain size and subsample mass. There is presently no generally accepted method of calculating the ‘sampling precision’ from such paired data but some form of the relative standard deviation that is consistent with definition of the FSE is preferred here. The work of Thompson and Howarth in the 1970s on geochemical analytical precision, which has been subjected to extensive examination and criticism by Stanley and Lawie (2007), and that of Francois-Bongarçon since the 1990s forms the background to the discussion in the paper.A significant aspect of the application of Gy’s sampling theory to sampling in gold deposits is the requirement that the fundamental error be maintained at less than ±20 per cent. The most important reason for this is to ensure that the effects of other sampling errors such as the grouping and segregation, and increment delimitation which can cause local and global biases in sampling are kept as small as possible. This paper is focused mainly on the quality of sampling in gold deposits and looks at an alternative to the use of a constant sampling precision applied to a collection of lots with varying average grade. A theoretical model for the FSE based on duplicate sampling is presented and the simulated results of the model are compared to practical outcomes of real duplicate pairs drawn from multiple sample lots. The goal of the work is to present a more informative analysis of duplicate sample data from multiple lots which may allow a more informed view of the potential for bias generating errors during sample preparation and processing.

Aug 22, 2011

By E J. Y Koh, G J. McLachlan, E Amini, N Beaton

Preconcentration greatly reduces the ore mass input to the processing plant while upgrading the grade. One of the commonly used methods of preconcentration is optical sorting. These methods rely on optical sensors which classify the material stream into “accept-reject” streams. Currently, it is common to use near infrared (NIR) or colour cameras to classify streams based on reflectance or colour thresholds set by experts. The imaging is done through line-scan sensors where the material is scanned on a belt or a chute. Then, a separation apparatus like a diverter gate or air jet is controlled to separate the streams according to the classification made by the algorithm. Separation efficiency is dependent on the classification algorithm. Existing classification algorithms rely on low-level feature discrimination like observing individual pixel values for reflectance or colour hues. This limits discrimination between minerals with low contrast in colour. Human experts perform mineral segmentation using texture, colour distribution and shape, but it is difficult to translate these visual rules to mathematical thresholds. Deep learning methods like Convolutional Neural Networks (CNNs) provide high-level feature discrimination similar to a human expert. Instead of relying on pre-defined features, the CNNs learn complex features from the dataset. CNNs can construct a hierarchy of features based on pixel clusters to learn texture, shapes, and colour spectrums of the mineral grain surface to provide better separation. In this study, a state-of-the-art deep learning instance segmentation method is used to outline boundaries and classify grains from the background (mineral segmentation). The algorithm is trained on images collected from a flotation feed of a gold deposit, where the gold is mechanically locked inside pyrite. This method can process on-line video inputs at 5 frames per second to provide a live grade. The proposed method is inexpensive as it only uses a camera and a desktop computer.

Nov 10, 2020

By Wright JK, Turner RE, Batterham RJ, Morrison AL

Simulation can play an important role in the design, optimization and control of complete industrial processes, the most appropriate method depending on the particular application. Most commonly, process models or simulators are means of representing the process which are either purely mathematical or physical. Mathematical models, however, almost invariably need to be based to some extent on experimental data or require experimental verification before they can be used with confidence. Ways in which experimental and mathematical modelling techniques can be combined to best effect are discussed, with reference to the simulation of iron ore induration and direct reduction processes. A novel method is presented for the simulation of direct reduction shaft furnaces. Small scale apparatus has been developed in which ore or pellet samples are subjected to the changing environment of the industrial process. The time dependent conditions (solid temperature and gas compositions) are provided by a mathematical representation of heat transfer and the conservation of mass and energy in the process Simulated.

Jan 1, 1986

By V Louchnikov

Ever increasing depth of mineral extraction presents a challenging environment for hard rock underground mines. High in situ stresses and associated seismicity with potential rock burst hazards are the major decisive factors contributing to the choice of a ground support regime. Conventional ground support systems, designed primarily for static loads, are not always capable of providing safe working conditions for underground personnel in seismically active mines. Systems specifically developed to resist dynamic loading and allowing for larger deformations are therefore preferred alternatives. High-tensile chain-link mesh has a proven record of successful use in open cut operations in various rockfall barrier installations due to its high energy absorption capacity. It has also been used in underground operations in various parts of the world. Its application in Australian underground mining, however, is limited due to the high labour intensity. This paper describes a method of mechanised installation of a chain-link mesh as trialled at Golden Grove, a base metals underground mine in Western Australia. A purpose-built mechanised roll mesh handler, developed in Australia, was used in this trial. The handler is compatible with all standard multi-boom underground drill rigs and is operated utilising the hydraulic circuit normally used for the feed arrangement.A number of operational benefits have been identified during the trial, the main two being:•improved safety of underground personnel due to the reduced amount of manual handling, and•increased productivity due to the decreased cycle time (the trial suggests a 40 - 50 per cent reduction in time over the weld mesh installation method).Although the energy-absorbing mesh combined with yielding rock bolts is a ground support system of choice for rock burst prone conditions, the operational upsides recognised during the trial imply that this product can also be competitively used in less demanding ground conditions where customarily weld mesh or shotcrete are used as a primary surface support.

Mar 21, 2011

By T A. J Hopper, S Mukkisa, M L. Johns, K T. O’Neill

Technological advances the sensor design and performance for logging while drilling (LWD) instrumentation offer considerable opportunities in iron ore exploration. Here we focus on the development of a nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) LWD tool. NMR is an advanced geotechnical logging technology capable of providing in situ measurements of the porosity, pore size and permeability of the formation of interest. The ability to provide real-time characterisation of iron-ore systems is beneficial to both drilling operations as well as real-time formation evaluation. The development of an NMR LWD tool for mineral exploration drilling has previously not been achieved due to the significant technical and environmental challenges associated with the design and operation of such a tool. The tool outlined in this work is designed to work in reverse-circulation (RC) drilling systems. As such, the tool needs to be compatible with the RC drill-string, as well as being highly robust to survive the shocks and vibrations experienced during RC drilling operations. The magnetic physics of the probe must be capable of measuring at the appropriate depth into formation whilst being subject to the array of motions experienced during drilling operations. Furthermore, conducting accurate NMR measurements in an iron ore formation is challenging and the measurement methodology must be tailored to characterise the magnetic environment. The tool also requires high-powered electronics capable of operating the necessary pulse sequences for excitation and acquisition. The resultant tool design must therefore optimise the inherent trade-offs which exist between the physical components (ie mechanical structure, magnetic components and electronic hardware) in order to operate appropriately whilst not hindering RC drilling operations. Current experimental analysis of the prototype indicates that the current probe design exhibits the required measurement specifications and is nearing field testing. Future work will look towards commercialisation of the instrument.

Nov 8, 2021

By K Mayank, A N. Mainza, I Govender, M Narasimha, A Mittal

In mineral processing industries grinding is the most energy-consuming process. A tumbling mill is an essential grinding equipment widely used for particle size reduction. Power consumption, impact forces and trajectory paths are critical parameters for characterising a tumbling mill to determine grinding efficiency. The effect of lifters and mill speed plays a vital role in such parameters. However, most of the studies ignore the impact of the lifter and do not investigate the effect of slurry dynamics on charge motion. The focus of the present work is to prepare a computational model that can accurately predict the complex multi-phase dynamics of charge particles, air and slurry inside the mill using a model that couples computational fluid dynamics (CFD) and the discrete element method (DEM). The details of impact forces with lifter profiles and mill speed variations will be refined even further using the CFD-DEM coupling approach. The slurry-air free surface is modelled using the volume of fluid (VOF) method, and the charge motion is modelled using the DEM. The phases are coupled using the interface momentum exchange between the charge and the fluid slurry. The coupled model is validated against experimental results from the positron-emitting particle tracking (PEPT) data. The validated model compares the effect of slurry content on charge dynamics with the dry DEM model. The presence of slurry is observed to dampen the tangential and shear contact forces.

Aug 24, 2022

By S P. Young, K R. Monro

Reducing metal prices have forced mining operations to become more efficient and innovate in order to do more with the existing base. Much of this effort has focused on improving the efficiency of load and haul operations. The key to this is to understand and quantify where delays and missed opportunities exist. Metrics such as utilisation of availability, efficiency utilisation and asset availability are helpful indicators of performance; however, uptime-based time usage models and performance analysis tools using productive operating time models help to identify additional improvement opportunities.Phu Kham is a copper-gold mine operated in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos) since 2008 by PanAust Limited. The mine is a single large open pit of 450 m depth, running a fleet of 51 100 t class rigid dump trucks and 300 t and 200 t shovels controlled with the aid of a fleet management system in order to achieve ex-pit material movements of 56 Mt/a.Commencing in late 2014, a range of initiatives were implemented in order to improve the efficiency of the mine haulage fleet. These include hot seating of all operator changeouts via changeout ramps, split shifting of crews to minimise queuing delays, maximising blast volumes and minimising blast event days to reduce blast exclusion delay events including opportune refuelling of equipment during blasting events, inspections of trucks during refuelling events, implementation of a dedicated haul road services team to help reduce wet weather related delays and infrastructure development for haul path efficiency improvements.These and other initiatives have allowed the mine haulage fleet utilisation of availability (UofA) to be sustainably increased from 85 per cent to 97 per cent (see Figure 1), efficiency utilisation to increase from 85 per cent to 90 per cent, and productive operating time (POT) to increase from 73 per cent to 84 per cent. The corresponding increases in efficiency of the haulage fleet has allowed an equivalent reduction of eight haul trucks from the fleet to meet continuing life-of-mine production requirements.CITATION:Monro, K R and Young, S P, 2016. Truck haulage improvements at the Phu Kham mine – the journey to 97 per cent utilisation of availability, in Proceedings International Mine Management Conference, pp 339-346 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jun 22, 2016

By A Harding, M Chappell

Precast concrete segmental linings have enjoyed widespread use around the world, and are the lining type of choice for tunnels constructed using a shielded tunnel boring machine. However, there is significant variation in the design of such linings from one country to the next in such areas as materials, geometry, fixtures and fittings, waterproofing and reinforcement to name but a few. This arises because the speed at which the technology has developed within some countries and regions has sometimes outstripped the transfer of such technologies to the rest of the world.This paper provides some insights into the variations in lining design in different parts of the world with the aim of providing designers and constructors alike a reference for the different methods adopted. It provides a context for these developments by briefly summarising historical reviews of this subject before looking at some of the developments around the world over the last 15–20 years. The developments are presented with some reference to the reasons for implementation, and the advantages and limitations commented on. Following on from this description of the state-of-the-art, the authors also provide their own views on what developments we may see in this area in the near future.CITATION:Harding, A and Chappell, M, 2014. Precast concrete segmental tunnel linings – the state-of-the-art, in Proceedings 15th Australasian Tunnelling Conference 2014 , pp 257–266 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 17, 2014

By J A. Wells, K G. Thomas, R F. Dewhirst

"One of the contributing factors to the extreme cost escalation in the first decade of the 21st century was the increase in the amount and cost of engineering work that went into studies and projects. Various reasons for this were identified, including unsatisfactory productivity due to a shortage of experienced/qualified engineers, the increased complexity and infrastructure requirements of many projects due to location, metallurgy that is more challenging and increasing environmental and social requirements. These conditions often led to unsatisfactory project results in terms of cost and schedule blowouts and created a loss of confidence – both internally and externally – in the industry’s ability to complete projects on time and on budget.Technical fundamentals aside, the experience and effectiveness of project teams has had, and continues to have, a major impact on project cost, schedule and ramp-up to nameplate capacity and operating parameters. There are unfortunately too many examples of where project teams have not been as effective as they could or should have been, all to the ultimate detriment of the project.Using the authors’ extensive experience on both owner’s and engineer’s teams, this paper discusses some of the main reasons for suboptimal team, and hence project, performance and offers thoughts on how best to build and maintain project teams. The analysis and conclusions drawn are built around the Tuckman model of group development known as ‘forming-storming-norming-performing’, which was first proposed some 50 years ago. Given the importance of good teamwork to project success, understanding how project teams grow and become efficient and productive is an essential part of good project management that should receive more attention.CITATION:Dewhirst, R F, Thomas, K G and Wells, J A, 2016. Building and maintaining effective project teams, in Proceedings Project Evaluation 2016, pp 38–48 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Mar 8, 2016

By J H. Zietsman

The transition to more sustainable metal production is receiving much attention at present, and the iron and steel industry is at the centre of the conversation. New, more environmentally friendly production technologies, such as direct reduced iron (DRI) smelting furnaces, need to be developed in a short period of time. This necessitates increased use of computational modelling that incorporates more accurate material descriptions. The combination of large-scale multiphysics models of high-temperature processes with CALPHAD material descriptions leads to infeasible computation times. This can be resolved with the previously reported RapidThermo framework, which has been demonstrated to make equilibrium calculations orders of magnitude faster, within controllable limits of accuracy. In this paper, we explain how further material properties, which are important to modelling hightemperature reactors, can be added to the RapidThermo framework. This can improve the accuracy and usefulness of process and multiphysics models in the development of new technologies, which can significantly accelerate development cycles.

Aug 21, 2024

Upon subduction, water is liberated from the sediments and the porous struc- ture of the oceanic crust and from de- hydration of minerals for redistribution and chemical reaction. A survey of pro- cesses which are likely to occur along the subducting plate reveals that water may well be basic in subduction induced gas generation, magma formation and ore deposition. In analogy to the industrial water gas process, reaction of water with car- bonaceous matter, in subducted sediments is likely to yield substantial volumes of hydrogen and carbon dioxide. While water and carbon dioxide appear to play a determining role in the development of differentiated magmas, hydrogen will react with metal sulfides and sulfur to form hydrogen sulfide which is essential in sulfide ore depo- sition. A survey of possible metal extrac- tion chemistry along subduction suggests a stepwise solubilization of metals from sediments and oceanic crust, and a poten tial accumulation of dissolved metals in zones of characteristic composition. The metal spectrum in ore deposits at near surface appears to reflect the com- position of the solution in the respec- tive subduction zone. A tendency for preferential solubi- lization of copper at subductidn level, from among the transition metals, an in- creasing generation of hydrogen sulfide in the sane direction and partition effects as well as sulfide precipitation characteristics lead to enrichment in copper and to its selective deposition in the direction towards the trench as observed in S. Latin America. A postscript deals with the formation of native copper.

Jan 1, 1986

By S M. J Koleini, F Hedjazi

The purpose of this research was to study the calcination of lead-zinc flotation tailings from the Angouran lead and zinc flotation plant in Iran as a pre-concentration step prior to hydrometallurgical processing of the oxidised tailings. There is an abundance of these tailings in the Angouran region and making use of these tailings would help preserve national wealth and also reduce the serious problems of environmental pollution caused by the tailings. At the optimal conditions of calcining at 750 - 800¦C for 45 minutes, the sample showed a mass loss of about 19 per cent. Mineralogical analyses showed that under these conditions the carbonate minerals including smithsonite (ZnCO3), calcite (CaCO3) and dolomite (Ca Mg (CO3)2) decomposed to their respective oxides. Hemimorphite (Zn4Si2O7 (OH)2.H2O) converted into willemite (Zn2SiO4) and this transformation postponed the formation of silica gel in the leach solution. The grade of zinc increased from 22.20 per cent to 29 per cent. These mineralogical changes resulted in desirable reactions in the acid leach process.

Jan 1, 2004

By A Mcquillan, N Bar

Geotechnical models developed during the open pit mine planning stage are generally three-dimensional (3D) in component to capture the spatial variation in geological, structural, hydrogeological and geomechanical conditions. Yet when geotechnical analysis is completed, often the 3D geological, hydrogeological and structural models are simplified to two-dimensions (2D). This paper demonstrates this simplification, through referenced case studies, can lead to the wrong failure mechanism being analysed and/or a conservative Factor of Safety (FOS), or Strength Reduction Factor (SRF), being calculated, leading to a false sense of stability. There exists a paradigm that the FOS calculated using 2D limit equilibrium (LE), or the Strength Reduction Factor (SRF) calculated using 2D finite element (FE), modelling methods is generally conservative, ie lower, than the true FOS. However, this assumption that 3D FOS, or 3D SRF, is always higher than 2D FOS, or 2D SRF, is not always correct (Chen and Chameau, 1983; Bromhead and Martin, 2004; Herza et al, 2017; Pyke, 2017; Dana et al, 2018).

Nov 29, 2022

By N Kojola, A Vickerfält, J Huss

The possibility of using an acidic autogenous hydrogen direct reduced iron (H-DRI) slag as a basis for vanadium extraction is investigated. For a raw material to be suitable for producing high-quality FeV, the vanadium oxide content should be sufficiently high and the phosphorus oxide content in a tolerable range. Therefore, the feasibility for vanadium extraction relies on fulfilling two demands: the predominate partitioning of phosphorus to the metal and vanadium to the slag. Correspondingly, the behaviours of phosphorus and vanadium in the Al2O3-SiO2-FeOx-VyOz-P2O5-Fe system were studied experimentally. Slag, 10 g, was put in contact with liquid iron, 30 g, for different durations (2–24 hrs) in closed alumina crucibles at 1873 K. The slag composition was varied between 33.1– 49.3 wt per cent Al2O3, 27.1–46.7 wt per cent SiO2, 16.6–30.1 wt per cent FeOx, and 2.5– 8.8 wt per cent V2O3. The equilibrium phosphorus distribution was 0.42, while the vanadium distribution ranged from 7.6 to 43.4, increasing with the Al2O3- and the FeOx-content.

Jun 19, 2024

By P W. Cleary, G K. Robinson, M D. Sinnott

Discrete element modelling (DEM) is a research tool that involves numerically solving the equations of motion of large numbers of particles. It can be very useful for investigating mechanisms that can lead to bias when extracting samples from material as it is carried on a conveyor belt or as it falls from the end of a conveyor belt. DEM is more realistic than conceptual models and mathematical models; but it is not as realistic as physical experimentation. Its primary advantages over physical experimentation are that it is cheaper and that it allows many factors to be varied while keeping other factors unchanged.This paper reviews our investigations of the performance of sampling systems by using DEM. The sampling systems investigated include falling-stream cutters, cross-belt cutters, Vezins and a device called a ætrue-beltÆ cutter, which is being developed. The purpose of the review is to explain what DEM has contributed to the theory and practice of sampling, and to indicate what it is likely to be able to contribute in the future.CITATION:Robinson, G K, Cleary, P W and Sinnott, M D, 2012. How discrete element modelling is influencing the theory and practice of sampling, in Proceedings Sampling 2012 , pp 15-20 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 21, 2012

By J H. Park, M J. Lee

Because the environmental problems are occurred by greenhouse gases such as CO2, the industries have tried to increase electric motor efficiency to reduce CO2 emissions. A core material of electric motor is high-silicon electrical steel. The ferrosilicon (FeSi) alloy, a raw material for the production of electrical steel, affects the electric properties of silicon steel. The main impurities such as Ca, Al and Ti make inclusions or precipitates that causes core loss. The slag treatment has been widely used to remove impurity elements. Thermodynamic principles for the refining of several impurities, specifically Ca and Al, have been investigated, whereas thermodynamic behaviour of Ti has not been fully understood yet. Therefore, in the present study, the titanium distribution ratio () between ferrosilicon and CaO-SiO2-Al2O3 slag system at 1773 K was investigated. The results show that is influenced by both the basicity and stability of titanium ion in the slag. Specifically, exhibits a minimum value at about C/S=0.7 indicating a shift in the titanate structure unit from [TiO5]-square pyramid to [TiO4]-tetrahedron because of lack of Ca2+ ions in a C/S<0.8 region, contributing to an increase in titanate capacity and .

Jun 19, 2024