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By Ladislav Bebar, Tomas Parizek, Radek Dvorak, Petr Stehlik

"More and more sweeping environmental regulations initiate research, development and introducing into operation up to date technologies for cleaning off-gas and flue gas generated in various branches of industry and municipal waste treatment. The following systems based on novel types of equipment are shown: thermal and catalytic treatment of waste gases polluted by VOC (Volatile organic compounds) and carbon monoxide (alternatively NOx), catalytic filtration for efficient destruction of PCDD/F (dioxins) and potentially NOx, wet cleaning of flue gases polluted by SO2, HCl and HF with a original type of homogenizer “O-element”, integrated equipment for cleaning waste gases polluted by solid particulates, SO2, HCl, HF and heavy metals (alternatively NOx or PCDD/F). The outstanding features of all equipment mentioned above are low investment and operating costs together with high removing efficiency of pollutants. These units can be used mainly in incineration plants, refineries and other chemical plants. The paper represents a review based on papers published in reputable international journals and a monograph under preparation as well as on experience from industrial applications.IntroductionIn the recent years, more and more emphasis is put on preserving clean environment. One of the most closely monitored objects of general public attention are exhaust gases, containing a number of undesirable compounds like NOx, CO, SO2, HCl, HF, fly ash a PCDD/F. These harmful species are created in chemical processes mainly in the industry, transport and energy sectors. There is therefore a strong impetus for abatement of these harmful pollutants. Sectors of industry are thus subject to emission regulations specific to various types of units. In the framework of increasing demand for a clean environment, the concerned legislation is becoming increasingly strict and requires removal of pollutants by modern methods that would ensure efficient abatement of emissions at reasonable investment and operating costs.Attention is focused chiefly on methods for decreasing harmful emissions from thermal waste treatment facilities processing industrial and municipal waste that may be subsequently applied in other sectors of industry. Units for the thermal treatment of waste not only provide means of its disposal, but may become also important sources of energy, provided that strict emissions limits are satisfied. Figure 1 compares emission limits given by the legislation for municipal waste incinerators and limits for a selection of energy sources with heat capacity up to 50 MW (see EU regulation 200/76/EC). The Figure implies that the values of emission limits for waste incineration are mostly comparable with emissions from the combustion of natural gas. Thanks to the continuing improvements of the methods for removal of harmful pollutants, the emissions from waste incinerators are typically deep below the limits."

Jan 1, 2008

By C. K. Gupta

The paper reports on the experimental work and results obtained in processing a xenotime concentrate. The rare earth resource concentrate has been treated by three different methods namely, hydrothermal leaching, alkali roasting and alkali pugging or baking. The recovery in hydrothermal leaching with caustic soda at 150-160°C has been 89%. En comparison, processes involving alkali roastings with soda ash at 850°C and with caustic soda at 500°C, and alkali pugging or baking with caustic soda at 200°C have given recovery values close to 100%

Jan 1, 1992

By R. A. Cockerell

This paper is concerned with the application of Advanced Process Control (APC) to copper smelting processes. A number of key issues relating to the application of APC, such as modelling for control, process dynamics and time delays, instrumentation and sampling, are discussed. A general methodology for the application of APC is then presented. Finally, three case studies are presented to demonstrate the benefits and efficacy of applying APC.

Jan 1, 1999

By W. G. Davenport

Most pre-t 988 Outokumpu flash furnaces were built with blast heaters. Many continue to use them. Blast temperatures in these smelters· are typically 400 to 700 K (Table 2. 1) This chapter: (a) shows how hot blast is included in our calculations (b) evaluates the effects orhot blast onauthothermal65% Cu matte production.

Jan 1, 2001

By David A. Army

Many times, the maintenance professionals have been involved in changes to processes or systems. Often they rely on seat of the pants knowledge to determine whether or not they were successful. More often than not, once our attention has been turned to other endeavors, the initiative has floundered. This paper will describe those measures that can be most effectively used to track and manage the success of implementing an improved Work Management System. However, not only will the paper discuss traditional work indicators, it will also explain how to establish the behaviors in the work place that will ultimately ensure successful implementation. Combined with the discussion on indicators will be a discussion on how to tie them to bottom line results and display them in the form of a scorecard. Actual results will be discussed.

Jan 1, 2006

By S. G. Galbraith

We have used the principles of supramolecular chemistry to develop reagents to transport metal salts. These reagents have separated charged "compartments" which recognize a metal cation and its attendant anion(s). They are easy to manufacture as they are structurally related to the commercial hydroxy-oxime extractants for copper. Efficient protocols for loading and stripping of these extractants depend on the novel feature that they bind the metal salt in a zwitterionic form of the ligand. Transfer of the phenolic protons to the pendant amines generates the charged "compartments" to accommodate the metal cation and its attendant anion(s). This paper focuses on how these types of reagent can be used to recover base metals from sulfate and chloride media in flowsheets in which solvent extraction effects separation and concentration operations, interfacing between conventional leach and electrowin/reduction processes. Work on the development of reagents that have high selectivity for metal chloride/sulfate transport, convenient stripping protocols and appropriate hydrolytic stability will be described.

Jan 1, 2003

By Krzyszof Borowiec

With the aim of determining the thermodynamic conditions for sulfation of impurity elements, in particular magnesium, in titaniferous slags the equilibrium gas composition for the sulfation reaction: MO + so2 + 1/2 02 = MS04 has been studied by an EMF technique with a solid zro2 + Cao electrolyte. Here M denotes the impurity elements: Mg, Ca and Mn, and the following _oxide systems have been studied: Ti02-MgO-Fe2 o 3 , Ti02-MnO-Mn2 o 3 , and Ti02 -CaO-Si02 , all in the . temperature range 700-1000ºc. Reproducible EMF values were obtained by adding small amounts of -Na2so4 to the oxide-sulfate mixture. From the observed results the Gibbs energy of formation of the phases Mg 2Ti04 , MgTi03 , MgTi 2o 5 , MnTi03 , CaTi03 , and CaTiSio5 , as well as the activity of MgTi05 in the solid solution with Fe2Ti05 have been calculated. The results show that, from a thermodynamic viewpoint, sulfation of these impurities in titaniferous stags i:s favorable- at around and below 800ºC.

Jan 1, 1985

By Marcelo R. Esquivel

A MmNi5 alloy is synthesized by a combination of mechanical milling and low temperature heating processes. Synthesis time is 40 h for powders milled in a low energy ball mill at room temperature. A reduction in milling time is obtained if massive sample is mechanically milled at shorter times (2 h to 10 h) and heated at temperatures lower (600 ºC) than the usual temperatures used in equilibrium methods (>800 ºC). The alloy formation is detected even at a combination of temperatures as low as 200 ºC and milling times as short as 5 h. The temporal evolution of mechanical milling process was followed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to detect the main stages of milling. Four stages were detected: Initial, Intermediate, Final and Completion. These stages were correlated to an enhancement of the synthesis method by combination of times of milling shorter than 10 h and temperatures of heating lower than 600 ºC.

Jan 1, 2006

By Majid Sarkari, Hossein Atashi, Farhad Fazlollahi

"The aim of this research work was to prepare the efficient catalyst to purify pollutant output gases such as SO2 , NO2 and CO. This catalyst, lanthanum cobaltat (LaCo03) was prepared by the proper method in the analysis laboratory of Tabriz Oil .The first materials were chosen through calcination operation and temperatures of operation related to the Tamman temperature, therefore the basis for the first material of catalyst was nitrate and aqueous and since we had no availability to lanthanum nitrate, lanthanum oxide was used to prepare the nitrate one. Before all else, the first materials of catalyst were mixed together with the equal mole proportions and then, at the lower and upper temperatures of Tanunan temperature, calcination operation was carried out. To determine the molecular structure, the XRD analysis was utilized and specified that prepared lanthanum cobaltat was sixth aqueous and had the crystal structure type Triclinic.IntroductionLaCo03 has presented a vast interest because of its special electrical, magnetic and catalytic properties [1-4]. The catalyst LaCo03 can be prepared by means of several methods such as spray drying, freeze drying and also co-precipitation [5-12]. Some methods including hydrothermal, sol gel and citrate [13] This material usually has been synthesized by ceramic method and certainly the high temperature for the calcination operation. [14]. Lanthanum catalysts have been researched because of having such an active state [15]. One of the unique properties of this catalyst is the simultaneous conversion of pollutant elements. Nowadays CO oxidation has important applications in environment protection, such as indoor air cleaning and automotive exhaust treatment. LaCoO3 is one of the most important catalysts for CO oxidation."

Jan 1, 2013

By Joel K. Witt

San Manuel Oxide operations of BHP Copper, located in Southeastern Arizona, operates a leach-solvent extraction/electrowinning (SXEW) facility that produces high quality cathode copper from low-grade oxide ores. Permanent heap leaching and in-situ leaching methods accomplish the dissolution of copper from the oxide ores. Open pit mining and heap leach construction took place from 1985 to 1995. Run-of-mine oxide ore from the pit was hauled to the heap dumps and leached by the soaking cure and continuous irrigation method. Solution application to the heaps still continues and acid soluble copper recovery has reached 86%. This paper presents and discusses the current operating practices and innovations applied to the leach facilities to maximize copper recovery from the heap leached residue. Factors such as irrigation methods, solution chemistry, sideslope treatment, post curing, lixiviant acid strength, and "rice paddies" irrigation, will be discussed. Heap leach solution control and sampling methodologies will be also presented.

Jan 1, 1999

By James B. Pfeiffer

TETRA Technologies, Inc., has applied its HDSIM metals precipitation system to treat a waste stream containing scrubber blowdown and process water from a smelter operation. The combined stream contained cadmium, lead, selenium, arsenic and zinc, plus some iron and copper. Treatment requirements included meeting stringent mass flow limitations for specific heavy metals. The HDS ? system can reduce the arsenic from 600 ppm to less than one ppm. The process generates a dense sludge that can be reprocessed in a smelter, eliminating the liability associated with landfilling. Flow diagrams and process details are discussed.

Jan 1, 1994

By Victor Bredykhin

The reasons of formation low quality cathode deposits and conditions of the anode passivation in electrorefining of copper silver alloys with increased (more then 5%) silver content in electrolyte, g/l: Cu - 40; H2SO4-50; 150 and 250; T= 401C have been investigated. As it is shown, increased acidity, anodic current density and silver content in anodes favor passivation. The assumption is made that the ingress of silver on cathodeis the most probable reason of growing dendrites on cathode. We have determined that addition of ethylene carbonic acid to electrolyte in the amount of 3,5 ÷ 10 ml/l suppresses the dendrite formation.

Jan 1, 2006

By Philip L. Sibrell

A new process utilizing pulsed fluidized limestone beds was tested for the remediation of acid mine drainage at the Friendship Hill National Historic Site, in southwestern Pennsylvania. A 230 liter-per-minute treatment system was constructed and operated over a fourteen-month period from June 2000 through September 2001. Over this period of time, 50,000 metric tons of limestone were used to treat 50 million liters of water. The influent water pH was 2.5 and acidity was 1000 mg/L as CaCO3. Despite the high potential for armoring at the site, effluent pH during normal plant operation ranged from 5.7 to 7.8 and averaged 6.8. As a result of the high influent acidity, sufficient CO2 was generated and recycled to provide a net alkaline discharge with about 50 mg/L as CaCO3 alkalinity. Additions of commercial CO2 increased effluent alkalinity to as high as 300 mg/L, and could be a useful process management tool for transient high flows or acidities. Metal removal rates were 95% for aluminum (60 mg/L in influent), 50 to 90% for iron (Fe), depending on the ratio of ferrous to ferric iron, which varied seasonally (200 mg/L in influent), and <10% of manganese (Mn) (10 mg/L in influent). Ferrous iron and Mn removal was incomplete because of the high pH required for precipitation of these species. Iron removal could be improved by increased aeration following neutralization, and Mn removal could be effected by a post treatment passive settling/oxidation pond. Metal hydroxide sludges were settled in settling tanks, and then hauled from the site for aesthetic purposes. Over 450 metric tons of sludge were removed from the water over the life of the project. The dried sludge was tested by the Toxicity Characteristics Leaching Protocol (TCLP) and was found to be non-hazardous. Treatment costs were $43,000 per year and $1.08 per m3, but could be decreased to $22,000 and $0.51 per m3 by decreasing labor use and by on-site sludge handling. These results confirm the utility of the new process in treatment of acid impaired waters that were previously not amenable to low cost limestone treatment.

Jan 1, 2003

By F. Sekula

Tetrahedrite and siderite are two main valuable minerals present in the silver Mária Bana deposit. The tetrahedrite concentrate prepared from it by flotation has certain specific properties from the metallurgical point of view. Siderite is concentrated in the flotation tailings. The paper presents results of the laboratory and pilot-plant testing of the combined hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods proposed for treatment of the tetrahedrite concentrate and siderite waste. The testing conditions were based on thermodynamic analysis of the reactions that proceed in the process. The proposed technology makes it possible to separate copper from sulphur, mercury and iron in a straightforward way. Copper, after its refining, can be subsequently treated in the finishing operations. At the same time it is a valuable source of precious and noble metals. The siderite-containing flotation tailings can be converted to iron of the technical purity and slag. The proposed method is a good starting point for the development of the closed-cycle technology.

Jan 1, 2006

By Byung-Su Kim

The reaction between calcium sulfate and hydrogen is of interest both as a means of regenerating calcium sulfide as a reductant of sulhr dioxide to elemental sulhr and for producing elemental sulhr from gypsum. This reaction was investigated using a thermogravimetric analysis technique in the absence and presence of nickel catalyst. The reaction temperature was varied between 973 and 1153 K, while the hydrogen partial pressures of 12.9 - 86.1 kPa were utilized. At 1073 K and a hydrogen partial pressure of 86.1 kPa, 60 % of the original calcium sulfate in the absence, and 95 % in the presence, of the nickel catalyst was converted to calcium sulfide in one hour.

Jan 1, 1999

By C. J. Newman

The new Kennecott Utah Copper smelter, started in 1995, was designed to be the cleanest smelter environmentally in the world. The plant is operating at production rates above the original design capacity. Copper concentrate is smelted in an Outokumpu flash smelting furnace. Matte is granulated and processed using Kennecott-Outokumpu flash converting. Copper anodes are processed in a modernized copper refinery using the Kidd Process while anode slimes are processed for precious metals recovery using a unique hydro-metallurgical process. To allow the production of high quality cathode, using modem smelting and converting technology to minimize emissions, impurity control had to be carefully addressed. All process bleed streams from the smelter and refinery are treated in a hydro-metallurgical plant to fix impurities in a stable form, allow for the rejection of impurities as required and recover valuable metals. Special technology was developed for the copper refinery to ensure production of high quality cathode from anodes containing high levels of impurities. The smelter routinely achieves a sulfur capture in excess of 99.9% which is equal to less than 2 kg of SO2 per tonne of copper produced. This paper describes the design of the smelter and refinery and includes recent production and emission data and modifications carried out to allow operation at above the original design rates. It emphasizes the unique features required to achieve environmental and quality goals and compares environmental performance data to that published on other smelting operations. The processing of intermediate streams, the management of recycled materials and the impurity control strategy will be covered in detail.

Jan 1, 1999

By Corby G. Anderson

Laboratory testing, interpretation and application of metallurgical technologies can be tedious, time consuming and costly. This paper outlines the use of proven statistical design of experimentation software for rapid optimization of laboratory testing and operating plants with limited representative sample utilization. This results in less costly required testing, a more thorough understanding of results and the ability to simultaneously optimize several variables and outcomes at once. At the Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing, this testing methodology has been used successfully in many metallurgical development and plant optimization projects thereby confirming its real world utility and application. Accordingly, several applied examples in flotation and hydrometallurgy will be outlined in this paper. This will include flotation testing of a copper gold ore, flotation testing of a copper, cobalt and gold ore, optimization of an industrial hydrometallurgical jarosite circuit and optimization of industrial nitrogen species catalyzed pressure leaching of a copper enargite concentrate.

Jan 1, 2006

By Roberto Parada

In a long term program for the optimization of the Outokumpu Flash Smelting Furnace at Chagres Smelter many different subprograms are being developed. One of them is the design and application of a sampling method that can allow the direct diagnostic of the quality of the copper concentrates combustion. We present in this paper the evolution of the sampling devices used in a ten months of continuous sampling campaigns and an example for the sulfur elimination and magnetite formation in the flame from 60 cm to 100 cm under the burner. These type of information combined with the appropriate mathematical modeling of the combustion must propose some considerations to correct the classic criteria in the preparation of the charge for the smelting of copper concentrates based only on the mass and energy balance from the chemical and mineralogy composition of the concentrates.

Jan 1, 2006

By Shengqin Zhang, Jagannath Pal, Yousef Mohassab, Hong Yong Sohn, Mohamed Elzohiery

The kinetics of magnetite reduction with mixtures of hydrogen and CO of various compositions has been investigated as part of the development of a flash ironmaking process at the University of Utah. This new process bypasses the cokemaking and pelletization or sintering steps required for the blast furnace. The particle kinetics were studied using magnetite concentrate particles of different sizes. Reduction degree of 60% was achieved in a few seconds in at 1350 oC using CO reductant alone and over 90% when H2 + CO gas mixture was used. The effects of reductant partial pressures, temperature, and particle size on the reduction kinetics were studied.

Jan 1, 2016

By F. Begazo

The most common approach to increase production in copper refineries is to increase current densities. However, if these increases are not well thought out beforehand and are not properly and effectively controlled, the end results could be reduced plant performance and a deterioration in cathode quality. Both of these factors result in lower efficiencies and increased costs. At the Ilo Refinery of Southern Peru Copper Corporation, a modernization and expansion program was implemented shortly after the Refinery was purchased from Minero Peru, in 1994. This program was intended to increase production from 195,200 mtpy of cathode to 227,000 mtpy over a 3-year period. Part of this production increase would come from increasing current density. During the period from 1994 to 1997, current density at the Ilo Refinery was increased from 218 A/m2 to 230 A/m2, while plant efficiencies were maintained at consistently high levels. The current efficiencies were maintained at >97.5% and time efficiencies were maintained at >98%. During 1998, additional increases in current density were implemented while the high plant performance was maintained at the same levels. By the end of 1998, the current density was 241 A/m2, while current efficiency and time efficiency of 98% were maintained. This paper describes the control processes used at the Ilo Refinery to maintain high plant performance levels while increasing the current density. Additionally, expected plant performances from extended test programs at current densities up to 280 A/m2, for future production increases, are reviewed and discussed.

Jan 1, 1999