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By Vladimir Mindin

This paper presents results of thermodynamic investigations and experimental' studies of some essential for pyrometallurgy of sulfide concentrates topics. Among them: 1. Thermodynamic simulation and experimental investigations of roasting process, 2. Thermodynamic investigations of sulfur dioxide off-gases treatment technologies. 3. Investigations on "Mind in -Kiknadze" effect of suppression of sulfur dioxide formation during sulfide concentrates roasting in the vapor containing atmosphere. 4. Thermodynamic simulation and experimental investigations of sulfide concentrates and manganese containing materials co-roasting processes. Some essential aspects of thermodynamic simulation techniques are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By Bin Du

In recent years, concurrent product design and process is gaining popularity and will become a norm of the industry of the future. Forging has been a critical manufacturing process for production of components with superior tensile strength, toughness and grain flow. This paper describes an expen system which is being developed for forging die design and forging process analysis in concurrent engineering environment. Rules and guidelines pertaining to forgeability are formulated and incorporated into the knowledge-base in building the system. The system is built using an object-oriented paradigm. The object-oriented approach and hierarchical rule structure paradigm are briefly discussed. Finite element analysis packages (ALPID-2D) were incorporated into the program to give the simulation result of the forging process. The system can automatically produce a competent design and recommend a set of processing parameters for a given product. The designer can modify the design according to the result of the simulation.

Jan 1, 1992

By S Ivanaj

Oxidation of chalcopyrite from a copper concentrate in an electrochemical cell having separate-anodic and cathodic compartments was studied by potentiodynamic, potentiostatic and galvanostatic experiments. Oxidation of chalcopyrite particles was mainly realized by in-situ electrogenerated FeIII and Cull ions. The use of an ion exchange membrane, in this experimental set, avoids the reduction of the ferric and cupric ions. The effects of particle size, current feeder potential, current intensity and pulp density were studied to optimize the oxidation parameters. Selective complete oxidation of chalcopyrite was achieved. Oxidation of pyrite was negligible. Mom than 85 % of sulfur was obtained in its elemental form. This may allow selective extraction- of copper from the chalcopyrite concentrate without sulfur dioxide emissions.

Jan 1, 1995

By I. Ohnaka

Although many works have been reported on the semisolid casting, the mold filling behavior of semi-solid alloys has not been so well understood. This paper compares the physical and numerical simulation results on the mold filling behavior. Physical simulation was performed by using solid-water mixture. The numerical simulation was made under the assumption of one phase flow with an effective viscosity. It was found that the solid particles stabilize the flow greatly if the kaction solid exceeds about 0.4, because viscosity increases greatly. The overall flow behavior can be estimated by the numerical simulation. Interesting flow behavior was also found which can not be observed in the case of one phase flow and which is difficult to simulate by the one phase flow assumption.

Jan 1, 1997

By Tibor Zoltai

Asbestos is a generic term for industrially useful fibers recovered from exploitable deposits of the asbestiform varieties of five silicate minerals: chrysotile, anthophyllite, actinolite-tremolite, cummingtonite-grunerite, and riebeckite. Asbestos and asbestiformm fibers of some other minerals are known to be carcinogenic. Minerals crystallized in the asbestiform habit are characterized by unique properties (morphology, strength and flexibility, physical and chemical durability, and defect-free surface structures). The key to the unusual properties, and health effects, of asbestifarm fibers appears to be in their unusual surface structure. In contrast, non-asbestiform crystals of the same minerals, including the five so-called asbestos minerals do not have these properties and are not carcinogenic (1, 2).

Jan 1, 1989

By Chuan-fu Zhang

Li(Nil/3Col/3- xMnl/3)MxO2(M=Ti, Mg) cathode materials were prepared from LiOH?H2O and oxalate precursor. The physical and electrochemical properties were studied by XRD, SEM, cyclic volt-ampere (CV), AC impedance and constant current charge-discharge. The results show that crystal volume of Ti4+ or Mg2+ doped sample is increasing and the electrochemical reaction resistant Rct is decreased at high rate, improving the cyclic performance and rate capability. The effect of Ti4+ doped is better than Mg2+. The sample is well crystallized and simple pure phase with a-NaFeO2 layered structure when doping quantity x=0.025. The second specific discharge capacity of Li(Nil/3Col/3- 0.025Mnl/3)Ti0.025O2 is 143.2mAh/g at 1C,128.0mAh/g at 2C in the voltage of 2.75-4.3V,and still has 140.7mAh/g and 121.7mAh/g after 20 cycles, respectively, keeping 98.25%, 95.07% capacity.

Jan 1, 2009

By Yang Jian-guang, Deng Zi-xiang, Zhang Xu-liang, Li Jun-yuan

"Hyperaccumulator biomass harvested after heavy-metal phytoremediation must be considered as hazardous waste that should be contained or treated appropriately before disposal or reuse. As a potential method to detoxify the biomass and to convert this material to a suitable bio-energy resource, the hydrothermal upgrading process was applied to remove heavy metals and upgrading crude bio-oil from Pteris vittata stems and leaves harvest. Parameters such as material granularity, temperature, Liquid/Solid (L/S, ml/g), pressure, duration and catalysts were examined for their effect on the removal efficiency of heavy metals and upgrading efficiency of crude bio-oil. Maximum heavy metal removal efficiency of>99% and crude bio-oil upgrading efficiency of 83% were attained with an 200 mesh (75 µm) granularity, LIS 40:1and23 MPa at 380°C in the presence ofO.l mol L-1 K2C03 for 30 min. GC-MS analysis results show that the resulting bio-oil mainly consists of benzene 11 %, ketone 42%, alcohols 14%, alkene 15% and ester 11 %, etc., and the relative molecular weight distribution lies in 94-282, carbon number distribution lies in 6-18, calorific value is 32MJkg-1.IntroductionPhytoremediation of soil or water with hyperaccumulator has been extensively explored in recent years [1-4]. Living plants can clean up soils or waterways. This approach exploits the ability of various plant species to thrive in high metal environments where large amounts of toxic elements are accumulated, such as heavy metals, and is particularly appropriate when slow remediation of relatively low metal concentrations is acceptable. Advantages compared with existing remediation methods include the minimal site destruction and destabilization, low environmental impact, and favourable aesthetics; advantages compared with biosorption include continuous in situ regeneration of the biomass, and the ability of living plant cells to supplement passive sorption of metals with metabolic mechanisms of metal uptake and detoxification [5-8]."

Jan 1, 2014

By Nathan A. Tiner

Sulfuric acid anodizing process is extensively used in many industrial and consumer products to provide corrosion resistance to aluminum alloys. The anodic coatings produced consist of amorphous alhnum oxide with a pornus structure which is easily sealed and colored with dyes. The coatings may contain defects due to surface flaws, canposition and microstructure of the aluminum alloy, and/or due to the anodizing process conditions. This paper will describe the techniques used in anodizing process, various defects which may be produced in anodic coatings and the methods to control them.

Jan 1, 1992

By C. E. Abbey

Cobalt, iron and manganese play various roles in copper electrowinning using lead–calcium–tin alloyed anodes. Cobalt catalyzes electrochemical water decomposition resulting in lower anode potential and reduced corrosion rates. Iron reduces cathodic current efficiency, but is used to reduce higher oxidation states of manganese that oxidize organics in solvent extraction. Manganese also produces anode scale and is generally considered a problematic impurity. The effect of the combined interaction of these three metal ions on the anode potential has not been quantified yet. The current work used a three factor, two level, three replicate central composite design of experiments to analyze the effects and potential interactions among cobalt, iron and manganese. The experiments consisted of chronopotentiometric analysis to assess anode potential after 24 h of operation. Higher [Co], lower [Mn] and either high or low [Fe] yielded lower anode potentials. Two regression models were developed to predict anode potential as a function of [Co], [Fe] and [Mn]. A method to estimate electrical energy consumption for copper electrowinning is also presented.

By Neng-Wen Yu, Shau-Jun Zhu, Ji-He Wei

The desulfurization process by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining of molten steel and its mechanism have been considered and analyzed. Based on the two-resistance mass transfer theory and the mass balance of sulfur in the system, a kinetic model for the process has been developed. The related parameters of the model, including the mass transfer coefficients and the effective amount of powder in the molten steel being treated for desulfurization, have been more reasonably determined. Modeling and predictions of the process of injecting and blowing the lime-based powder flux under assumed operating modes with the different initial contents of sulfur and amounts of powder injected and blown in a RH degasser of 300 t capacity have been carried out using the model. The relevant circulation rate of the liquid steel and the powder injection and blowing rate were taken to be 100 t/min and 150 kg/min, respectively. The initial contents of sulfur in the liquid steel to be treated and the amounts of powder injection and blowing were respectively assumed to be 0.007, 0.006, 0.005, 0.004, 0.003, 0.002 mass-% and 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3 kg/t-steel. The total treatment time for desulfurization under each mode was set up at 24 min, equivalent to eight circulation cycles of the liquid steel to be treated. The results indicated that the predictions made with this model are in good agreement with some data of the industrial experiments and practice. Injecting and blowing the lime-based powder flux with the composition of 85 mass-% lime (CaO) + 15 mass-% fluorspar (CaF2) of 3-5 kg/t-steel, it is possible to decrease the sulfur content in the molten steel to ultralow level below (5-10)x10·4 mass-% from (60-80)x 10·4 mass-%. The total treatment time needed will appropriately be 12-20 min. Intensifying the powder injection and blowing operation and increasing the circulation rate of the liquid steel may effectively' raise the rate of the process in RH refining. The model may be expected to offer some useful information and a reliable basis for determining the reasonable process parameters and help in optimizing the technology of desulfurization by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining of molten steel.

Jan 1, 2000

By Karin Soldenhoff

Recovery of uranium in conventional ion exchange circuits, using strong base or weak base resins containing quaternary or tertiary amine functional groups, is based on an anion exchange mechanism. In saline liquors, chloride competes with uranium for the active resin sites and reduces resin loading. This results in significant negative impacts on the IX process in terms of plant throughput and operating costs. In this paper we present the results of a study on the recovery of uranium from an acidic in situ leach liquor containing approximately 9 g/L chloride. A range of resins was tested, and a high capacity strong base resin was identified with significantly enhanced loading compared to conventional resins. Other process-relevant criteria such as loading kinetics and elution efficacy are also discussed. The process developed was successfully tested during a recent ion exchange pilot plant operated in conjunction with a field-leach trial.

By KNona C. Liddell

The ion interaction model Pitzer proposed twenty years ago is today the most widely used method for calculation of osmotic coefficients and electrolyte and single ion activity coefficients in aqueous solutions. This is due in part to the accuracy of the results that have been obtained for many concentrated electrolytes. An additional factor is that, compared to alternative activity coefficient models, there are many more parameter values available for the Pitzer equations. The important features of this model are reviewed. Published parameter values for Co, Ni, Cu, Zn and Fe are tabulated, and applications of interest in the aqueous processing of these metals are described.

Jan 1, 1993

By L. J. Lutz

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed an electrorefining process to recover Ni, Co, Cr, and other metals from mixed and contaminated superalloy scrap. The superalloy scrap is cleaned then directly electrodeposited as a Ni -Co deposit. The process recovers approximately 90 pct of the Ni-Co available from the scrap as a 99t pct pure Ni-Co alloy. During electrorefining the electrolyte undergoes a purification process which results in Cr and other refractory metals reporting to the purification residue. Operating data is given for a 3-L compartmented electrolytic cell. Techniques for the removal of Fe, Cr, and trace impurities from the recycled electrolyte are outlined. The economics of a facility producing 15 mt/d of a Ni-Co alloy are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1993

By B. Manana

In heap leaching, the oxidative dissolution of value minerals encapsulated deep within large particles cannot be fully understood on the basis of the bulk solution conditions relative to variable solution conditions near the mineral surface. In the present study, the diffusion of the oxidising species through inner particle pores is simulated in a model apparatus that separates an inert platinum electrode under controlled reduction potential from the bulk solution through narrow pores of varying length. The Cu-NH3 system was selected as a model system and Cu(II)/Cu (I) as the redox couple of interest. Platinum probes inserted in the pores allowed the measurement of varying redox potentials along the pore length. Results showed that in a 10 mm pore, there exists a narrow (0.5 mm) zone near the reduction surface that is depleted of the oxidant and in which its supply is strongly diffusion limited, even if it is in abundance in the bulk solution. The consistent presence of this narrow diffusion region across all experimental results indicated that the transportation of the reduced species away from the reaction surface had the most significant influence on the potential variations within the pore. This was further supported by the minimal effect of varying concentrations of both Cu(II) and dissolved oxygen on the solution potential within this region.

By Hojat Naderi

In this research assisted leaching of chalcopyrite using sodium peroxodisulfate was studied. Electrochemical techniques such as Tafel analysis and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to investigate the surface reactions of a chalcopyrite electrode in the presence and absence of Na2S2O8. According to the results, addition of sodium peroxodisulfate increases the current exchange of the corrosion process and prevents the formation of a passive layer on the surface of the electrode. EIS tests show the trans-passive dissolution of the passive layer on the chalcopyrite electrode in presence of Na2S2O8. Equivalent electrochemical circuits were modeled for Na2S2O8-free and -containing solutions and the model parameters were compared to determine the effect of S2O8 2− on chalcopyrite dissolution. Copper dissolution from pure chalcopyrite mineral and chalcopyrite concentrate was carried out using 15 g/L sulfuric acid solution with and without Na2S2O8. Simultaneous presence of 10 g/L ferric ion and 40 g/L peroxodisulfate salt results in about 40 and 18% of Cu extraction from chalcopyrite concentrate and pure chalcopyrite mineral, after 96 h, respectively.

By J. C. Yannopoulos

The quest for a continuous copper smelting and converting process, which has been going on for a long time, has not as yet reached its objective. The most recent efforts for the development of a continuous copper?making process started about two decades ago. Among the contending proposed processes, four have been piloted and three of them are currently in operation: the WORCRA process., the NORANDA process, the MITSUBISHI process, the OUTOKUMPU process. The WORCRA process, after some long pilot plant tests, failed to develop as an industrial process: The NORANDA process, as currently operating, is a smelting process and not a continuous copper?making reactor as initially conceived. The MITSUBISHI, although the only continuous process, has not been widely accepted. The OUTOKUMPU process can be applied only to a low iron concentrate feed and co?produces blister and high in copper slag. The thermodynamics of these "continuous" systems and the practical problems of their industrial application are reviewed and discussed. The achievement of efficient and inexpensive environmental control should' be the primary objective of any new process development. A review of the environmental problems of the copper industry indicates that the quest for a continuous smelting and converting furnace should be intensified.

Jan 1, 1983

By Paul E. Queneau

The QS (Queneau-Schuhmann) copper converter is a gently sloped, stepped, horizontal kiln-type tilting reactor in which desired bath oxygen activity, compositional and temperature gradients are created by countercurrent flow of matte and slag phases through a series of controlled bubble plume, mixer-settler configurations. Flow of gas and slag is normally concurrent. Copper sulfide concentrates are top-fed, employing oxygen flash burners. Oxygen and oxygen-carbonaceous fuel mixtures are bottom-blown into the smelting bath through judiciously located, independently regulated submerged injectors. Composition and mass flow rates of injector inputs are controlled to produce bubble plumes of desired character, without jetting through and out of the bath. The mixer-settler pattern can be reinforced if desired by employment of suspended shallow baffles. State-of-the-art instrumentation provides timely information required to govern key process variables. The outstanding capabilities of the QS converter for coppermaking have now been indicated by the current success of industrial QSL (Queneau-Schuhmann-Lurgi) leadmaking reactors. Modified converter designs are employed for leadmaking, nickelmaking and steelmaking.

Jan 1, 1993

By René Winand

A new process was studied at large laboratory scale at Université Libre de Bruxelles, under contract with Metallurgie Hoboken-Overpelt. A two cathodes (1m long ; 0.2 m high) channel cell was used at 2000 A/m2, with an electrolyte flow rate up to 1.8 m/sec. The main results may be summarized as follows : cathodes are electro¬refined grade in analysis ; metallographic structure and surface roughness are kept under control up to 1.3 cm (one side deposits) ; silver in cathode is controlled by CI and Br ions in solution ; organics must be used at very low concentrations (in the range of 0.1 mg/1, with a consumption of about 0.01 mg/lh).

Jan 1, 1987

By A. M. T. S. Bandara

The solubility of rare earth (RE) salts in aqueous solutions depends on many factors including the type of cations and anions in solution, their concentrations, temperature and the type of solid precipitated. Experiments were conducted using anhydrous La2(SO4)3 and Ce2(SO4)3⋅8H2O as solids and lanthanum(III) perchlorate prepared by dissolving La2O3 in HClO4 solutions as RE-sources. Solutions of H2SO4, H3PO4 and their mixtures in the presence or absence of Na+, Ca2+, Fe(III) or Al(III) as perchlorates served as test solutions. Saturated solutions and precipitated solids were assayed and characterized using standard techniques to show that the La(III) and Ce(III) ions precipitate as hydrated sulphates, phosphates or double salts with sodium, depending upon the solution composition. The change in solubility of RE-salts with solution composition and temperature is the result of the composite effect of changes in solubility products (pKSP) of salts, pKa of acids and other equilibrium constants for ion-association.

By A. A. Bustos

A model was developed to simulate the blow-by-blow operation of the converting process. From the weights, compositions and temperatures of all converter feeds the model calculates the composition and tonnage of both converter matte and slag as well as bath temperature at the end of each blow. The development of the model and its application to the converter aisle operation are described. There is good agreement between model predictions and observed results. At the present time the model is being used to investigate different converting schemes and their effect on pay metal recoveries, slag chemistry and temperature of the bath. Future work involves the use of the simulation model as a process control tool for the converting operation.

Jan 1, 1988