Search Documents

By Muhlis Nezihi Saridede, Burak Birol

"Plastic wastes become a huge problem day after day due to the growth of plastic industry. Hence, plastic wastes are used as a raw material for other industries to eliminate this problem. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), which is a commonly used for plastic bottles, may be used as a reductant for iron production because of its C and H content. In this study, composite pellets containing iron ore concentrate, flux and reductant were prepared. Crystallized PET bottles and coke were used as reductant after ground. The prepared pellets were reduced at 1400°C for 30 min. and iron nuggets were produced successfully. Usage of waste PET purely as reductant in composite pellets gives a higher metallization degree and proper carbon content than coke or PET and coke mixture.IntroductionPlastics can be seen everywhere, especially at packaging industry in our common life. The increase of plastic usage ends up with an important problem, the increase of plastic wastes. Many studies have been carried out about usage of plastics as reductant in blast furnace such as Ogaki et al.[1], Heo and Baek [2], Saridede [3], Minoru et al.[4], etc. Besides, Kato et al. [5], Nomura and Kato [ 6] and Rongfang et al. [7] have pointed out the use of plastics in coke ovens regarding to its calorific content. In EAF steelmaking, a mixture of coal/coke and plastics can be used as an energy resource instead of only coal or coke. [8] Also, the usage of PET and PC in self-reducing composite pellets increased the reduction rate. [12]PET (Polyethylene terephthalate ), which is commonly used for soft drink plastic bottles, is an important municipal waste due to its C and H content. Its molecular formula is (C10H8O 4)n. Demir and Dincer showed that PET can be crystallized at 250°C to have the ability to be ground to a size of -100 µm. [11]"

Jan 1, 2011

By Na Wang, Chao Du, Hongmin Zhu, Kai Huang, Shuqiang Jiao

"Niobium aluminides were directly synthesized by a sodiothermic reduction process of NbC15 - AlCb which was dispersed into LiCl - KCl - NaCl - CaCb melts. The melt supplied a homogenous reaction medium which was substantially beneficial to the co-reduction of Nb and Al to form niobium aluminides in situ. The reduction was performed at 500°C for 4 hours. The products were analyzed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscope (SEM). The corresponding results indicated that niobium aluminides powders were successfully synthesized.1. IntroductionNiobium aluminides have received considerable attention as high-temperature structural materials, due to their high melting points, relatively low density, high strength, excellent oxidation and creep resistance [1-4]. Figure 1 shows that there are three intermetallic compounds in the Nb - Al binary [5], which includes Nb3Al (A15 structure, Cr3Si type), Nb2Al (D8b structure, cr-CrFe type) and NbAb (D022 structure, TiAb type). These niobium aluminides have been used in turbine blades or in stationary gas turbines [6-8]. However, despite their attractive features, the ir applications are still limited by the long and costly fabrication process [9, 10].Niobium aluminides were industrially fabricated by the mechanically alloyed process [11-13]. Traditionally, niobium is extracted from Nb2O 5 or K2NbF7 by a metallothermic reduction process while aluminum is produced by the Hall-Heroult process of Ah03 electrolysis. Based on the extraction of Nb and Al, respectively, niobium aluminides is synthesized by a mechanical powder alloying process. The present process for making niobium aluminides requires a set of complicated equipment, has high production cost and time consuming [14, 15].The purpose of this work is to present the simple, economic and direct synthesis of niobium aluminides powders utilizing a sodiothermic reduction from NbC15 - Al Cb dispersed into molten salts."

Jan 1, 2011

By D. Norman, D. J. Hughes, R. Dashwood, I. McGregor, N. D. Raath

"This paper develops a methodology for predicting spot weld fractures in automotive boron steel grades, such that fracture modes can be predicted accurately in a vehicle or sub-assembly structure. To achieve this, it was necessary to understand the range of complex fracture modes observed in boron steel spot welds and how these are linked to the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) microstructures and hardness distributions and residual stress.Material data for the HAZ was extracted by simulating the spot welding process using a Gleeble machine; achieving specific weld microstructure in a larger volume which was used in destructive testing. Neutron diffraction was employed to accurately characterize the post-weld residual stresses found inside the weld. The constitutive relations of specific areas in the HAZ where fracture is thought to occur is being incorporated into finite element software to improve fracture prediction of boron steel welds.IntroductionWith the drive for light-weighting and improving passenger safety, lighter and stronger materials are being continuously sought in the automotive industry. The application of boron steel in the Body-In-White (BIW) meets both these criteria by down-gauging thickness of the steel and increasing the strength. As an example, when applied to crash-relevant areas in cars, components have an ultimate tensile strength of 1500 MPa, minimum springback and reduced sheet thickness.To achieve high strength and low springback, boron steel components must be formed and hardened at the same time. This is typically achieved by austenitizing the steel around 900 °C and simultaneously quenching and forming, usually with a hydraulic press and tool-set. Trace amounts of boron, typically 0.005wt%, increase the hardenability of the steel dramatically. This is attributed to the grain boundary segregation of boron, which hinders the formation of ferrite during cooling and forces the transformation of austenite to martensite at high cooling rates, a minimum of25 °C/s."

Jan 1, 2013

By S. J. Ojolo, B. E. Ebiobi, J. A. Kehinde

"Anaerobic digestion is being taken seriously because of increasing concerns about the environmental hazards of wastes. The production of biogas, as an alternative source of energy was investigated in a designed and fabricated 200litre biogas reactor. The digester was operated on a batch-fed basis, and the feed stock was cassava waste which is readily available in Nigerian farms. The main aim was to explore other renewable sources as a means of less dependence on fossil fuels. A total of 1.94dm3/60kg waste of biogas was produced in 40 days of hydraulic retention time (HRT) with the average yield of 0.048dm3/day. The gas burned with a bluish colour indicating presence of methane (CH4). Temperature during the period of experiment varied between 27 and 330C. The pH of the slurry after the experiments averaged 3.21.1. INTRODUCTIONAnaerobic digestion and biogas production are promising means of achieving multiple environmental benefits and producing an energy carrier from renewable resources (Borjesson and Berglund, 2005).Biogas is one of the by-products of anaerobic decomposition of organic matter by microorganisms, mainly bacterial, a process referred to as anaerobic digestion.Biogas is produced by the process of anaerobic digestion of organic material by anaerobes. Biogas can be produced either from biodegradable waste materials or by the use of energy crops fed into anaerobic digester.Biogas, also called digester gas typically refers to methane produced by the fermentation of organic matter including manure, wastewater, sludge, municipal solid waste or any other biodegradable feedstock under anaerobic conditions. The content of biogas varies with the material being decomposed, and the environmental conditions involved. The gas generally composes of methane, carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and hydrogen sulphide (Anunputtikul and Rodtong, 2004). Potentially, all organic waste materials contain adequate quantities of the materials essential for the growth and metabolism of the anaerobic bacterial in biogas production."

Jan 1, 2008

By Bernd Kopacek

"Nowadays more and more consumers substitute their conventional TV-sets and computer monitors by LCD panels. In the near future huge amounts of LCDs will start coming back to recycling. As LCDs with hazardous mercury backlight lamps are used an appropriate recycling technology has to be implemented.IntroductionLiquid Crystal Displays (LCDs) are widely used in notebooks, organizers, mobile phones, pocket calculators, measuring and control instruments, electronic games, hand-held miniature TVs, audio-video equipment, large signboards, automotive displays and more and more also for PC monitors and TVs.According to a study from Stanford Resources (San Jose, California) the annual value of LCDproducts reached 35 billion EUR in 2002, about 30% of this within the European Union, representing a total area of 2,1 million m2 Liquid Crystal Displays. An annual increase rate of about 15% is estimated for the next years (up to 4,1 million m2 in 2005).As LCDs are already on the market for several years, larger quantities of the more than 2,5 billion LCDs are coming into their End-of-Life stage for treatment. In 2005 this figure will become even more dramatic - 40.000 tons of LCD-modules contained in 2 million tons of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) or about 30% of total WEEE within EU. An amount which is representing 400 million EUR costs for incineration.Currently the only method used to deal with redundant LCD units is incineration or landfill. Both are expensive and causes emissions into the atmosphere (global warming) respectively water contamination (Class II) and difficulties in biodegradation. Up to now there is no recycling solution for LC-Displays available.As a consequence European Commission requests the disassembly of LCDs with an area bigger than 100 cm2 in the Directive 2002/96/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE Directive) of February 13, 2003."

Jan 1, 2008

By Somayeh Dashti, Ehsan Vahidi, Fereshteh Rashchi

"The main goals in zinc electrowinning process are decreasing of power consumption and increasing of current efficiency. In this study, the electrowinning of zinc in the presence of different additives in electrolyte were established and Arabic Gum, Gelatine, sodium lauryl sulphate and l-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hydrogen sulfate in the five levels using Taguchi method was examined. In our previous researches, using orthogonal array, effect of zinc electrowinning parameters such as anode type, current density, sulphuric acid concentration, temperature and zinc ion concentration was studied and the optimized conditions for zinc electrowinning was obtained. Anode composition: Pb-Ag 0.5%-Sn2%-Sb1%, current density (A/m2):500, acid concentration (g/1):165, temperature: 60°C, zinc ion concentration (g/1):70. The main goals in zinc electrowinning process are decreasing of power consumption and increasing of current efficiency. ln this research, the effect of four additives: Gum Arabic, Gelatine, sodium lauryl sulphate and an organic material in the four levels with Taguchi method was examined. ln fact the effect of electrolyte environment and determining the best electrolyte under the optimized conditions is the main aim of this study.IntroductionDue to its low cost and abundance, zinc is widely used in the production of brass, galvanized steel, sacrificed anodes and primary and secondary batteries [I]. Some 80% of world primary zinc production is derived via roast-leach-electrowinning processes [2-4]. In the electrowinning process to both improve final product quality and current efficiency the leachate should be purified [5].To produce zinc a current method is to extractit from acidic zinc sulphate solutions by electrolysis with aluminum cathodes and insoluble lead-based anodes [6]. Though the electrolytic processing of zinc has been performed for many years, there are still current efficiency problems in the cathodic process. These low efficiencies (88- 93%) have a serious impact on the costs associated with the energy consumption. On the other hand, these low efficiencies increase energy consumption and decrease the quality of the surface morphology [7- 8]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Asok Kumar Das

"In steel making ferroalloys occupies a commanding role for production of varied quality of steel. Ferroalloys enable alloying elements such as chromium, silicon, manganese, vanadium etc to be safely and economically introduced into metallurgical processes thus giving certain desirable properties of the alloyed metal. Their importance grew with the progress of the steel metallurgy which implied more diversified alloying elements, in better controlled quantities, in purer steel. The ferroalloy industry became a key supplier to the steel industry. Production of ferroalloys generally involves the use of Electric Arc furnace(EAF) into which raw materials(e.g. various metal ores, quartz, coke, lime etc ) with relatively fluctuating physical compositions are loaded. Due to this, one of the major environmental impacts of producing ferroalloys is the emission of dust and fume from the smelting process. INTRODUCTIONFerro Alloys are essential ingredients used for refining, de-oxidation, desulphurization and alloying addition in the production of different types of steel and hence Ferro Alloy industry forms a back bone of iron and steel in the world. Indian ferro alloy industry is more than 45 years old. It produces most of the bulk ferro alloys and a large number of special ferro alloys. The present installed capacity of the Indian ferro alloy industry is sufficient to meet the requirement of existing level of indigenous steel production of about 46 million tonnes. Revised National Steel Policy – 2008 envisages production of more than 100 million tonnes of steel by the year 2011-12, at proportionate annual growth rate per annum. The focus of the policy is to achieve global competitiveness not only in terms of cost, quality and product-mix but also in terms of global benchmarks of efficiency and productivity. In order to achieve the objectives of National Steel Policy and also to meet the requirement of ferro alloys, the Indian Ferro Alloy Industry has to gear up in terms of enhancement in production capacity, sourcing of raw materials, up gradation of technology, improvement in productivity, automation / mechanization, customer satisfaction etc."

Jan 1, 2008

By Jean Igor Margem., Lucas Barbosa de Souza Martins, Frederico Muylaert Margem, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Artur Camposo Pereira, Rômulo Leite Loiola

"The fibers extracted from the stem of the bamboo plant have been investigated as possible reinforcement composites due to their relatively high tensile strength. Although previous works have already been conducted about the mechanical properties, up to now a dimensional characterization of the distribution and the effect of diameter on the elastic modulus of bamboo fiber of the specimen dendrocalmus giganteus has not been performed. The aim of the present work was to statistically characterize the distribution of the diameter of a lot of bamboo fibers of that specimen. Based on this characterization, diameter intervals were set and the dependence of the Elastic Modulus (E) of theses fibers with a corresponding diameter was analyzed by the Weibull Method. The results indicated an inverse dependence, in which the highest Elastic Modulus were obtained for the thinnest fibers. Moreover, it was found that a mathematical hyperbolic relationship fit well this inverse correlation between the Elastic Modulus and the bamboo fibers diameters.IntroductionBamboo is a well known grass-type plant with a hard and stiff stem or culm that can reach, in some species, more than 10 cm in cross section diameter and stand several meters height. Owing to its low density, approximately 0.9 g/cm3, bamboo culms have been used in house construction from scaffoldings to panels. As an abundant natural resource in tropical and temperate regions, specially in Asia and South America, bamboo is also a substitute for wood and plastics in furniture and lightweight parts of automobile [1,2]. The cylindrical shape of the culm is, however, a limitation for its direct use in engineering systems. Consequently, research works have been conducted on bamboo fibers stripped off from the culm as reinforcement of polymer composites. [1-12]. According to Shin et al [3] bamboo fiber-epoxy laminates can be made into specific sizes and shapes, preserving the natural microstructural properties. These fiber composites overcome the limitation of the culm's cylindrical macrostructure. As a further advantage, Shin et al [3] indicated that cracking and bioerosion caused by insect pests is prevented."

Jan 1, 2013

By Viktor Ashikhin, Pavel Arkhipov, Yurii Zaikov

"Lead alloys electro-winning from chloride melts was under investigation. Impurities concentration in cathode lead is strongly depended on temperature, electrolyte composition, anode current density. The equilibrium electrode potentials of lead-antimony alloys with the various content of electropositive metal in the alloy were investigated in the wide temperature interval. Thermodynamic properties of Pb-Sb alloys containing 20-95 mol% of Pb were studied by EMF method in temperature interval 723-873K in molten mixture of potassium and lead chlorides. Partial and integral thermodynamic characteristics were calculated. Small negative deviations from Raul’s law were found. Anode processes were investigated. The lead dissolution was found to be the only process in certain interval of current densities and electropositive metal content in alloy.IntroductionAt present human race is facing the problem of pollution by lead and its compounds and also the pollution influence on population health all over the world. One of the solution ways is the recycling lead containing technical wastes by ecologically clean technologies.World scientific community pays much attention to the electrolysis of molten salts. The usage of salt mixtures, as electrolytes, discovers new possibilities in the production of metals, metal compounds and alloys. ?????????? of the electrolysis at the temperature 50 - 200 °? above the melting temperature of chosen salt mixture allow to unbreaks processes, that undergo in the pre-electrode layer. The rate of the electrodepositing of elements are much higher than in the water electrolytes. At present there are technologies developed for production of metals (Ta, Nb, Ti, Zr, Hf, Ca, Al, Mg, Be, Li and others) by the electrolysis of the melts. Electrolysis of melts might be used in order to convert different technological formations containing lead and other nonferrous metals, that produced by different enterprises. According to the level of the influence on the living organisms lead is in the group of highly dangerous substances alongside with arsenic, cadmium, mercury, selenium, zinc, etc. Toxity and ability to accumulate in the human organism are two main sources of danger for the human being."

Jan 1, 2008

By Georgeta Rata, Cornelia Petroman, Ioan Petroman

"Proper training and education in the field of recycling and waste treatment are inconceivable without the proper teaching of the terminology specific to both recycling (aerospace products recycling, automotive recycling, general recycling, recycling behaviour, recycling schemes, recycling systems, and waste recycling) and waste (characterization of waste, electronic waste, heavy-metal containing waste, monitoring of waste, radioactive waste, solid waste, waste collection, waste conversion, waste recycling, waste reutilization, waste stabilization, waste storage, and waste treatment) in both the students’ mother tongue and in English for Special Purposes (ESP) as a second language (with focus on the structuring of the specific terminology). Including linguistic approaches among the possible approaches of environmental protection and material sustainability means including linguistics among the various disciplines addressing energy supply, cement and building materials, metallurgy, chemistry, glassware, pulp and paper industry, machinery, automobile and electronic industries, collection, and sorting, further treatment and final disposal of post-consumer material.IntroductionCultural and technical changes have produced more novel artefacts than novel activities or novel properties, generating new vocabulary needs that are readily answered by new words (nouns).The purpose of this research is to show that ‘waste words’ – phrasal words (items that have the internal structure of phrases but function syntactically as words, e.g., cattle waste) and particularly compound nouns (words formed by combining roots, that tend to have a meaning that is more or less idiosyncratic or unpredictable, e.g., wastepaper ‘discarded paper’) – used in the study of the English of recycling, waste treatment, and clean technologies can be misleading for both native and non-native students and/or users of English because their structure alone does not allow instant, proper understanding of their meaning.Our hypothesis is that this inconvenient can be overcome by getting to reach the proper meaning of these new words. Or, arriving at the precise meanings of the ‘waste words’ depends on our knowledge of the world (for example, wastepaper indicates that some used paper is discarded and not wasted) rather than on purely linguistic knowledge."

Jan 1, 2008

By Bora Derin, Adnan Aydin, Onuralp Yucel, Hakan Morcali

"The steelmaking industry which uses electric arc furnaces (EAF) generates approximately 250.000 tons of EAF flue dusts annually in Turkey. These flue dusts contain valuable metals such as zinc, iron and lead. For example, if these flue dusts can be treated efficiently, disposal problems certainly decreases and annually almost 40.000-75.000 tons of zinc can be recovered. In this study, powder and pellet forms of EAF flue dusts taken from a steel mill were carbothermally treated in a temperature controlled pilot scale rotary furnace via carbothermal reduction in order to investigate the reduction behavior of Zn and Pb. Temperature (900-1000 and 1100 °C) and time (0-90 minutes) were selected as reaction parameters. The chemical analysis was performed for the sample residues.IntroductionTurkey’s steel production reached to 23.3 million tons in 2006. There are three integrated steel plants of which capacities vary from 0.7 to 3 million tons per year and seventeen EAF steel plants of which capacities vary from 0.06 to 2 million tons per year [1]. When it is considered that more than 74 % of the Turkish steel production is produced by EAF method and approximately 10 - 15 kg of dust is formed per ton of steel during this process, the amount of annual generated EAF dust may be estimated at approximately 0.25 million tons. EAF dust which contains valuable metals such as zinc, lead, iron, cadmium, and chromium, is considered as hazardous waste product in steelmaking industry. If these flue dusts can be treated efficiently, not only the disposal problems certainly decrease, but also annually almost 40.000-75.000 tons of zinc can be recovered. Many studies which exist on recovering of the valuable metals from EAF dust, propose and practice many hydro-metallurgical and pyro-metallurgical treatments [2- 7]. In this study a laboratory scale work were performed to investigate reduction behavior of zinc and lead in EAF dust by carbothermal process in a rotary furnace."

Jan 1, 2008

By Zhu Fangyi

"The article introduces the process EAF with De-P hot metal charging for Melting Stainless Steel in Baosteel stainless steel Branch. Based on the practice of production, the main effect on the Cr Loss during EAF with De-P Hot Metal Charging Melting Stainless Steel including using oxygen, the material charging and making slag are theoretically analyzed. The optimization of using oxygen can reduce the oxidation of Cr during EAF Melting Stainless Steel. The optimization of material charging, especially Si content is suitable can reduce the loss of Cr. Effective reduction can realize the lowest Cr oxide in slag. Based on the character of the process EAF with De-P hot metal charging for Melting Stainless Steel, applied the integrated control method, the Cr loss during EAF melting stainless steel decreased 43.10%. 1 INTRODUCTION EAF with De-P HM charging for melting stainless steel is a technology for stainless steel making. Practice prove that the new process can shorten tap to tap time, reduce the special power consumption, dilute the impurity element from the stainless steel scrap that is propitious to produce the high quality stainless steel, alleviate the shortage of stainless steel scrap to the production. As a new technology, the process has some technical problems and difficulties. The proportion of Cr alloy charging exceeds 20% during EAF with De-P hot metal charging melting stainless steel. As Cr alloy is difficult melting and easy oxidation, too much Cr alloy charging result in Cr loss too much and tap to tap time too long for EAF production. By applying the new technology, Baosteel stainless steel branch has increased the technology level and economy index. Now the content of Cr oxide in slag reduce from 8.59% to less than 6.0%. The Cr loss during EAF melting stainless steel decreased 43.10%. According to the practice application, the process of EAF with De-P HM melting stainless steel are theoretically analyzed. The main factors affecting the Cr loss during EAF with De-P hot metal charging melting stainless steel are discussed."

Jan 1, 2008

By Caisa Samuelsson, Sina Mostaghel, Theo Lehner

"Rönnskär smelter of Boliden Mineral AB, Sweden, is well known for recycling of base and precious metals. Slag from the electrical furnace is processed at the fuming plant to produce zinc clinker. The granulated slag is a by-product used as e.g. construction material. In this paper, influences of Al2O3 on mineralogy of the slag, which can affect its chemical and physical properties, are investigated. Different mixtures of Al2O3/fumed slag were prepared. Re-melting was carried out in a Thermo-Gravimetry (TG) furnace with an inert atmosphere. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffractometer (XRD) were then applied for the analyses. Investigations depict that addition of alumina to slag, results in an increase in the number of spinels and a transformation from iron rich to aluminum rich spinels. Anorthite (CaAl2Si2O8) will also be formed.IntroductionRönnskär smelter of Boliden Mineral AB is located in north of Sweden; the main products of this smelter are: Copper, Zinc clinker, Lead, Gold, and Silver, while sulphuric acid, liquid sulphuric dioxide, and Iron sand are some of the by-products. Reducing the energy consumption and decreasing the usage of finite natural resources are becoming more and more important for the Rönnskär smelter; this result in use of different recycling and scrap materials. Metal residues, from brass foundries, steel mills, and electronic scrap are recycled at Rönnskär smelter [1]. Most of the electronic scraps contain mixtures of various metals together with plastics and ceramics, which can affect the composition and properties of the slag considerably [2]. At the same time, treatment of slag and controlling its composition and properties are of much interest for Base Metals producers from different aspects. Composition of slag influences the physical properties such as: 1) Liquidus temperature [3-4] 2) Viscosity, which controls separation of valuable metals, especially copper by gravity separation [2] and also heat and mass transfer [5] 3) Electrical conductivity [6]."

Jan 1, 2008

By Felipe P. D. Lopes, Jr. dos Santos, Sergio N. Monteiro, Frederico M. Margem

"Continuous and aligned fiber composites provide the highest possible reinforcement for a polymeric matrix. In particular, the impact resistance is significantly increased in comparison with a low energy absorbed brittle polymer. For this reason, investigations have been carried out with both synthetic and natural fibers as a way to improve the toughness of polymeric composites. Among the natural fibers, ramie was not yet been studied for its reinforcement effect to make tougher polyester composites. Thus, the present work assesses the impact toughness of polyester composites incorporated with different amounts of ramie waste fibers.IntroductionIn most engineering and other technological areas, the use of materials associated with low energy processing conditions is gaining attention for the possible environmental benefits. This offered an incentive towards the substitution of natural renewable and biodegradable materials for the traditional energy intensive synthetic materials [1]. Natural fibers from both origins: animal, such as silk and wool, and vegetable, such as cotton and jute, are typical examples of those environmentally friendly materials. Low cost and highly reduced processing machinery wear are important advantages of the natural fibers over the most common synthetic ones such as glass fiber and nylon. For these reasons, polymeric composites reinforced with natural lignocellulosic fibers have nowadays been the subject of investigation [2,3].The mechanical strength is one important property of lignocellulosic composites to access the possibility of uses like structural materials for building parts such as doors and panels, as well as furniture. In this case, mechanically strong fibers like sisal, jute, curaua and ramie [4-7] are most convenient. Moreover, the relatively low fiber/matrix interfacial shear stress in these composites is associated with higher impact energy. In fact, a greater energy has to be expended for the rupture of a weak interface. The many cracks that are formed by impact tend to branch during the fiber pullout from the matrix [8]. A larger number of cracks correspond to a greater fracture surface and consequently higher toughness."

Jan 1, 2008

By Alejandro R. Alonso, Lizet Alvarado, Gretchen T. Lapidus

"Cobalt and lithium recovery from spent Li-ion secondary batteries has been increasingly studied in recent years due to the high value of both metals and the low proven reserves for lithium. The standard method employed until now has been the deactivation and crushing of the batteries, followed by leaching of the L1C0O2 spinel from the battery cathode using acid solutions, such as 1.5 to 2.0 M HC1 or H2SO4, in a temperature range from 120°C to 250°C. Once leached, the cobalt is separated by electrodeposition and the lithium by precipitation, using large amounts of carbonate to bring the solution to alkaline pH values. In the present work, citric-thiosulfate solutions are used for the spinel leach at room temperature, favoring a reductive environment at room temperature, which stabilizes the cobalt(II) as cobalt citrate and lithium(I) at pH 5, and recovers approximately 99% of both metals.IntroductionThe Li-ion batteries industry has become an important economic sector in recent years. This type of battery is the most promising system for energy storage, because of its high efficiency in charge-discharge cycles, and its adaptability to many configurations. The demand will probably increase because of the need for mobile energy sources in many types of devices ranging from cell phones, tablets, and laptops to medical, navigation and sophisticated communication equipment and even in automobiles.One major problem related to the use of these batteries is the method employed for recycling the components, mostly cobalt and lithium. Currently, there are two processes employed on an industrial scale: the Sony/Sumimoto process, used since 1990 [1] and the Toxco Process [2]. In the first case, incineration is used to open the batteries and at same time volatilize the organic solvents. After that, the metals (copper, iron and aluminum) are physically separated. The cobalt and lithium are recovered as oxides and then thermally treated in order to recycle them for new batteries manufacture."

Jan 1, 2012

By Felipe P. D. Lopes, Jr. dos Santos, Sergio N. Monteiro, Frederico M. Margem

"Natural fibers are gaining attention as a class of low cost, biodegradable and renewable materials that also exhibit some interesting properties for specific applications. In particular, the incorporation of some natural fibers in polymeric matrix composites is nowadays providing opportunity of manufacturing a variety of industrial items, for instance automobile interior components. Among these fibers, ramie (Boehmeria nivea) is one of the least investigated and only recently was studied as polymeric composite reinforcement. Therefore, the objective of this work was to evaluate the possibility of ramie waste reinforced polyester composites to replace conventional building materials, such as plywood, plastic boards and gypsum panels in terms of a cost-benefit analysis.IntroductionThere is a growing concern over the environmental questions that are presently affecting our society in a global sale such as climate changes and generalized pollution. Among the solutions for these questions, the replacement of energy intensive materials, especially those long term degradable such as the synthetic fibers, is already being considered [1]. As a consequence, the past decades have witnessed an increase in research devoted to new biodegradable materials obtained from natural resources mainly the biomass. Important examples are the renewable natural fibers as well as composites incorporated with them [2,3]. In addition to their friendly status with respect to the environment, well know natural fibers like jute, sisal, wood, coir, hemp and flax are relatively low cost and recyclable. In recent works [4,5], the use of these cultivated and abundant lignocellulosic fibers was investigated as the reinforcement phase in polymeric composites.Other less know lignocellulosic fibers have also been recently investigated [6,7]. These are fibers that likewise show a potential of incorporation into the polymeric matrix of composite materials. Most of these less know fibers are typical of tropical regions and, in principle, their application in industrialized composites would represent job opportunities for developing countries in Africa, South Asia and Latin America."

Jan 1, 2008

By A. D. Neuman, C. C. Davis, M. R. Lopez, A. C. Martinez, T. A. Nothwang, S. L. Voit

"One of the thrust areas for the Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) program is the development of actinide bearing fuels for transmutation in a fast reactor. Mixed Oxide (MOX) fuel has an extensive fast reactor irradiation history and thus is being considered for use as a baseline composition from which minor actinides (MA) can be incorporated for use as a transmutation fuel. This study involves characterization of precursor powders and pellets to be inserted into the Advanced Test Reactor in Idaho. These pellets will have three compositions: one standard MOX composition, (U80Pu20)O1.98, and two compositions of MA-MOX with oxygen to metal ratios (O/M) of (U75Pu20Am3Np2)O1.98 and (U75Pu20Am3Np2)O1.95. The precursor powders, which consisted of, highly enriched uranium oxide, HEUO2, depleted uranium oxide, DUO2, neptunium oxide, NpO2, americium oxide, AmO2, and plutonium oxide, PuO2, were characterized using a field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEG-SEM) for particle morphology, size, and size distribution prior to pellet production.IntroductionThe Global Nuclear Energy Partnership (GNEP) was created in order for “fuel-cycle supplier” nations to provide assured supplies of nuclear fuel to “fuel-cycle customer” nations. The customer nations would utilize the fuel for electricity generation and subsequently return it to the supplier nation after it is spent. This spent fuel would then be reprocessed by the supplier nation in order to recycle the actinide constituents, mainly uranium and plutonium, in advanced nuclear power reactors, and thus reducing waste volumes [1, 2]. Nuclear materials would also be strictly controlled through the International Atomic Energy Agency. One of the thrust areas for the GNEP program is the development of these actinide bearing fuels for transmutation in a fast reactor under the U.S. Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative (AFCI) in order to transmute long-lived transuranic actinide isotopes into shorter-lived fission products [3]."

Jan 1, 2008

By Andy Judge

"In traditional Permanent Magnet Machines, such as electric motors and generators, power is transmitted by magnetic flux passing through an air gap, which has a very low magnetic permeability, limiting performance. However, reducing the air gap through traditional means carries risks in manufacturing, with tight tolerances and associated costs, and reliability, with thermal and dynamic effects requiring adequate clearance. Using a magnetically permeable, high thermal conductivity material has the potential to improve magnetic performance, while at the same time offering performance advantages in heat transfer.Ferrofluids can be used to improve permeability in the rotor I stator gap. However, there are several tradeoffs in this approach. Fluid immersion comes with an increase in fluid friction loss compared to the windage losses of a traditional system. Isolating the rotating components from the ferrofluid can offset this effect. Also, while the magnetic effect can be positive for gap permeability, leakage flux can increase, and saturation can limit gains. These effects must be taken into account for a system optimized for ferrofluid immersion.IntroductionPermanent Magnet Machines (PMM's) convert electrical energy to mechanical energy in motor applications, or, for generator applications, convert mechanical energy to electrical energy through means of passing alternately polarized magnets past electrical coils. Looking at a simplified version of a PMM, where Rx is magnetic reluctance and <l>x is magnetic flux, we have the circuit shown in Figure 1."

Jan 1, 2013

By Martín Reyes

Iron concentration by ion flotation techniques, from sulfate solutions in presence of zinc was studied in a laboratory flotation column by continuous mode using a synthesized sand shell plate sparger, an anionic collector, promoters, and surfactant propylenglicol 400. Effects of experimental parameters, such as the concentration of reagent: potassium amyl xanthate and dithiophosphate, superficial gas velocity, and superficial liquid velocity were studied in terms of the recovery and enrichment of Fe (III). The results show that the iron elimination from the solution in the presence and absence of zinc (II) are of 59 % and 72 % respectively. The flotation efficiencies decrease with an increase of the concentration of xanthate and air flow rate. The best recovery was achieved, at Jg 0.1 cm/s, Jl 0.72 cm/s and a mixture of xanthate and dithiophosphate as promoter. It was also demonstrated that it is possible to selectively separate and concentrate iron (III) from solutions containing zinc. The behavior of iron ion flotation in a flotation column is reported in this research as a gas hold up, superficial gas velocity, bubble size and superficial bubbles area flux function. The results show that the extraction of aqueous ions of metal iron by ion flotation is strongly affected by: [C], Jg (cm/s), eg (%), Db (mm), Jl (cm/s), y Sb (s-1).

Jan 1, 2009

By N. A. Vatolin, L. I. Leontjev, S. V. Shavrin

The ever growing interest to the complex iron ores may be attributed to possible production of the naturally alloyed metals and the efficient recovery of the associated elements. However, the conventional technique for complex ore processing is complicated and in some cases even impossible. A pyrometallurgical benefiation of such ores without melted slag formation has been advanced. A version of the technique assumes pellet production with metal coagulated within a slag shell on grinding the pellets, the metal phase is mechanically separated from the slag shell. The technique has been run up with ferro chromo nickel, high-titanium, high-magnesia, alumina phosphorus ores and concentrates. Another version of the pyrometallurgical benefication without melted slag formation in a rotary kiln has been developed from the schemes for processing red mud of alumina manufacture and high-titanium concentrates. Means have been put up to improve schemes available for lex iron ore processing with primary emphasis on material pretreatment before blast furnace and steelmaking processes. Vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite conentrate oxidized pellets possess low strength at reduction. The technique suggested for pelletizing in the controlled atmosphere improves the afore said pellet metallurgical properties. Prodution of metallized pellets in a conveyor roasting machine holds considerable promise for blast furnace and steelmaking processes. In processing the high-sulphur iron ores still another technique is proposed to roast the fluxed pellets with 95% and more desulphuration.

Jan 1, 1988