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By Junfu Chen, Jiann-Yang Hwang, Yong Zhou, Lijun Lu, Likun Lia, Jixiong Liu

The sheet-like NiS-ZnS heterostructured composites were prepared by the microwave hydrothermal. The fabrication of the heterojunctions broadened the range of light response of ZnS. The photoexcited electrons of ZnS migrated to the redox potential of NiS/Ni2S under visible light irradiation, which can facilitate the effective separation of photogenerated electrons and holes in space. The visible photocatalytic activity towards hydrogen production for NiS/ZnS nanosheet heterostructed composites without co-catalyst achieved 0.28 mmol h–1, and the quantum efficiency was up to 18.6% under the wavelength with 420 nm visible light irradiation.

Jan 1, 2015

By Hai-Peng Guo, Lu Jiang, Xiao-Man Yan, Bing Xie, Hong-Yi Li

Traditional, calcium compounds cannot be used in vanadium extraction processing due to the limitation of sodium roasting technology, which results in unsatisfied dephosphorization for vanadium-containing hot metal in converter and thus increasing the dephosphorization burden for subsequent steelmaking. The calcium roasting technology is an alternative for vanadium extraction and allows adding lime into vanadium slag in converter. In the present study, vanadium was leached by soda from roasted vanadium slag with high calcium content. Effects of roasting temperature and time, leaching temperature, Na2CO3 concentration andliquid to solid ratio on vanadium leaching rate were studied. The results show that 94% of vanadium was extracted by roasting the vanadium slag at 950℃ for 2.5h and then leaching in 160g/L Na2CO3 liquid at 95℃ for 1h with liquid to solid ratio of 10:1 ml/g. Impurities of Si and P reacted with calcium and formed insoluble Ca2SiO4 and Ca3(PO4)2 respectively.

Jan 1, 2015

By S. Yin, A. Bogno, H. Henein, P. Natzke

Impulse Atomization (IA) (a single fluid atomization technique) was used to rapidly solidify Al- 4.5wt%Cu and Al-4.5wt%Cu-0.4wt%Sc under argon atmosphere. In addition to the IA-generated droplets, the same technique was used to produce strips by Spray Deposition (SD) of the same alloys on a copper substrate with and without oil coating. The rapid solidification microstructures were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). From the SEM images, the amount of eutectic and the secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) were measured. These SDAS results lead to the estimation of cooling rate. The eutectic fraction coupled with the metastable extension of the solidus and liquidus lines of Al-Cu (Sc) phase diagram lead to the estimation of primary and eutectic undercoolings. A comparison of the solidification path of the droplets and the strips was done as well as the analysis of the effects of scandium.

Jan 1, 2015

By Manjie Li, Mingrui Yang, Haijun Peng, Shuxing Qiu, Wei Liu, Shengfu Zhang

It is important to produce and utilize highly reactive coke in order to reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emissions through improving shaft efficiency in blast furnace. The present study aimed to investigate the transformation of iron minerals and properties of iron coke (the coke mixed iron ore fines). Along with the increase of iron ore fines, cold strength displayed a slight downtrend and the pore structure wasn’t inferred to be a major factor affected the properties of iron coke. During carbonization, the majority of mixed iron oxides were reduced to metallic iron by CO and H2 and the degree of metallization achieved to approximately 75%. Nevertheless, produced metallic iron was oxidized by pure CO2 during gasification. Iron coke reactivity index (ICRI) was obviously enhanced and the iron coke strength after reaction (ICSR) drastically decreases, which were also significantly influenced by crystal structure of carbon.

Jan 1, 2015

By Zhen Zhang, Jiang Diao, Tao Zhang, Yi Ren, Lu Jiang, Xiao-Man Yan, Bing Xie

The precipitation behavior of phosphorus enrichment phase was investigated by slag modification with Al2O3. The mineral phase of the original slag and modified slags were measured by mineral phase microscope, SEM+EDS and XRD. The mechanism of Al2O3 modification was discussed according to the thermodynamic theory analysis software (Factsage version 6.3). The results show that the high phosphorus solid solution (nˊ2CaO·SiO2-3CaO·P2O5) was generated by the continuous reaction of nC2S-C3P (nˊ＜n) solid solution and Al2O3 under 1350℃. The amount of initially precipitated solid solution (nC2S-C3P) was reduced and even disappeared with the increasing of Al2O3. If the addition of Al2O3 is enough in the slag, the high phosphorus solid solution (nˊC2S-C3P) that generated by the above mentioned reaction will continue to react with Al2O3 to produce Ca2Al2SiO7 and even C3P, which was demonstrated that the addition of Al2O3 has a positive influence on the precipitation of phosphorus enrichment phase.

Jan 1, 2015

By Jian Li, P. Liu, R. Zhang and J. Lo

In the past decades, focused ion beam (FIB) has evolved into a powerful microscope that provides capabilities that no other microscopes can offer. The combination of high-resolution imaging and stress-free ion beam cross sectioning provides valuable microstructure information both at the specimen surface and beneath. FIB techniques are also the preferred method to prepare site-specific transmission electron microscope (TEM) specimens. CanmetMATERIALS owns a world-class microscopy facility, where advanced microscopy work provides strong supports to research programs that cover a wide range of subject areas. This paper is aimed to provide a few practical examples of FIB applications in microstructure characterizations that include cross-sectioning and imaging, serial sectioning, and advanced TEM specimen preparation in materials research at CanmetMATERIALS.

Jan 1, 2015

By Xiaojie Gao, Jingshe Li, Chengsong Liu, Haiyan Tang

In order to clarify the reaction between MnO-SiO2 oxides with low FeO content and Fe-Mn-Si alloy, two diffusion couples were produced by the new method using confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM). The interface of the alloy and oxide, content of Mn and Si in the alloy near the interface, size distribution and composition of the particles which precipitated in the alloy were observed and analyzed using the electron probe microanalysis (EPMA). Results show that though the FeO content in the oxides decrease to 1% which is lower than the equilibrium with the molten steel at 1873K, the diffusion of oxygen from oxide to alloy still exists during the heat treatment at 1473K and causes shorter Particle Precipitated Zone (PPZ) and Manganese Depleted Zone (MDZ) normally for the reduction of diffusion flux of oxygen.

Jan 1, 2015

By Fuming Wang, Lifu Hu, Changrong Li, Ruipeng Pang

The solidification structure of 430 ferritic stainless steel has been calculated in the solidification process by using 3D-CAFE model under the condition of water cooling. The calculated results consistent with those obtained from experiment. Under watercooling condition, the solidification structure consists of chilled layer, columnar grain zone, transition zone and equiaxed grain zone

Jan 1, 2015

By Xiao-hui Fan, Xu-ling Chen, Zhi-yuan Yu1, Guanghui Li, Min Gan, Yun-song Huang, Tao Jiang

Compared with the traditional de-NOx processes by cleaning the waste gas, a new approach for reducing the formation of NOx during sintering process is proposed. Since more than 90vol% of NOx comes from the fuel combustion, the influence of sintering coke breeze pretreated by CO(NH2)2 additive on the NOx emission is researched. As adding CO(NH2)2, the reduction agents (NHi) are generated during the pyrolysis of CO(NH2)2, which reinforce the NOx reduction, And the appropriate content of CO(NH2)2 is 1.0 mass% of coke breeze.

Jan 1, 2015

By Thenepalli Thriveni, Ch. Ramakrishna, Yujin Jegal, Ji Whan Ahn, Jyothi Rajesh Kumar

In alumina production or alumina refining, bauxite is converted to alumina (aluminium oxide) The rare-earth elements (REEs) are a group of 17 chemically similar metallic elements (15 lanthanides, including scandium and yttrium). Rare earth elements play a key role in many industrial applications, petroleum refining, clean energy, automobile, electronics, and defense applications. These rare earths are essential to the success of green technologies. China today controls more than 95 percent of the rare-earth supplies and nearly all rare-earth refining and after 2009 year rare earths crisis raises due to China’s export restrictions and growing internal demand for rare earth elements. The extraction of gallium and yttrium from Korean red mud (KC red mud) by selective acid leaching was explored. The recovery of gallium and yttrium from a leach solution of the Korean red mud using solvent extraction was studied. A number of extractants were investigated for the extraction of those mentioned two rare earth elements and also we proposed a flow sheet of rare earth elements respectively. The toxic heavy metals presented in KC red mud were removed by CO2 stabilization.

Jan 1, 2015

By Warren J. Bruckard, Mark I. Pownceby, Sazzad Ahmad, M. Akbar Rhamdhani

Rutile is the preferred feedstock for producing high-grade TiO2 pigment but due to decreasing resources, alternative materials such as ilmenite is now used to produce a synthetic rutile (SR) feedstock. This requires removal of impurities (e.g. Fe, Mg, Mn) which, for a primary ilmenite is straightforward process. Processing of weathered ilmenite however, is complex, especially when chrome-bearing impurities are present since minor chromium downgrades the SR market value as it imparts color to the final TiO2 pigment, Chrome-bearing spinels are a problem in weathered ilmenites from the Murray Basin, Australia as their physical and chemical properties overlap with ilmenite making separation difficult. In this paper, different sulfidation process routes for weathered ilmenites are analyzed for their applicability to Murray Basin deposits as a mean of remove chrome spinel impurities. Thermodynamic and experimental studies indicated that selective sulfidation of chrome-bearing spinel can be achieved under controlled pO2 and pS2 processing conditions thereby making them amenable to separation.

Jan 1, 2015

By Gervais Soucy, François Quesnel, Pierre Hovington, Wen Zhu, Karim Zaghib, Jocelyn Veilleux

The properties of lithium titanates anodes in Li-ion batteries are highly dependent on their secondary constituents. While their main phase is usually constituted of Li4Ti5O12, significant quantity of lithium titanates compounds of various stoichiometry are often present, due to either the processing, usage or aging of the material. These may go underreported, as many of these spectrums overlap or display low signal in X-ray diffraction (XRD). Samples of nanosized lithium titanates synthetized by inductive plasma were characterized by XRD and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), as they provide a regular yet typical crystallite size and shape including multiple phases. A Rietveld refinement was developed to extract the composition of these samples. Mass balance through further annealing and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) enthalpy measurements from phase transformations were also used as identification and validation techniques.

Jan 1, 2015

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

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

Jan 1, 2015

By Duclerc Fernandes Parra, Washington Luiz Oliani, Christiano Gianesi Bastos Andrade, Ademar Benevolo Lugão, Danilo Marin Fermino, Francisco R. Valenzuela Diaz

This work concerns the study of the effect of discarded bond paper on the mechanical behavior of polypropylene/organophilic clay nanocomposites. A brown polycationic bentonite from the state of Paraíba, Brazil, was treated with sodium carbonate to transform it into a bentonite that swells in water and then treated with hexadecyltrimethylammonium ammonium chloride to transform it into a bentonite that swells in organic liquids. Polypropylene with 3 % polypropylene graft compatibilizer (PP-g-AM) was mixed with 1 % and 2 % by weight of discarded bond paper and with 1% and 2% by weight of organophilic clay using a twin-screw extruder. The specimens were prepared by the injection process. The clay as received and after organophilization was characterized by XRD, SEM, and capacity of swelling in water and in organic solvents. The nanocomposite specimens were characterized by XRD and thermal analysis. The mechanical behavior of the injected specimens was evaluated by strength, flexural and impact tests. The nanocomposites showed improved mechanical properties compared with the polymer without filler.

Jan 1, 2015

By Xu Zhang, Xuewei Lv, Guibao Qiu

Slag foaming phenomenon is of vital importance to the mass and energy transfer in metallurgical processes. A considerable extensively studies carried out via out-gas in the past cannot simulate well the foaming phenomenon formed in the blast furnace where high TiO2 iron ore is used. A gas reaction was designed in the water-glycerol system to simulate the inner-gas system. This study investigated the influences of solution viscosity, particle concentration and particle size on foaming caused by endogenetic gas. The results show that the foaming height decreases with the increase of solution viscosity, which means reduced foaming ability, more difficult foaming elimination process and prolonged time for natural defoaming. With increasing the solid particle content, the foam height presents a trend which increases firstly and then decreases. Under a certain solid particle content, foaming height decreases with the increase of solid particle size, indicating a weak foaming ability.

Jan 1, 2015

By Yuanbo Zhang, Zhixiong You, FENG ZHOU, Guanghui Li, Zhengwei Yu, Zhiwei Peng

Reduction disintegration of sinter significantly affects the coke consumption and productivity of blast furnace smelting. As we know, the reduction disintegration index (RDI+3.15) of sinter obtained from titanomagnetite concentrate is relatively worse than those from ordinary iron ores. In this study, the effect of sintering parameters, mainly involving coke breeze dosage and basicity on sintering indexes was investigated using titanomagnetite concentrate as raw material in an experimental-scale pot. Subsequently, RDI+3.15 of the sinter was detected according to the Chinese standard of GB/T13242-91. The results show that RDI+3.15 rises with the increase of coke breeze dosage, while it decreases with increasing basicity from 0.5 to 2.0 and then increases in the basicity range of 2.0-3.0. Finally, the microstructure of sinter before and after reduction was studied. And the mechanism of reduction disintegration was preliminary revealed by analyzing the morphologies and distributions of minerals in the sinter.

Jan 1, 2015

By Yong-ming Chen, Chao-bo Tang, Yun Li, Long-gang Ye, Sheng-hai Yang, Hao-tian Xue

In order to achieve high recovery of Cu and Co during cobalt-bearing copper sulphide ore smelting process, reducing agent (coke) and sulphidizing agent (pyrite) were added into molten smelter slag for reducing-sulphidizing smelting to product Cu-Co matte. Effects of reductive atmosphere, pyrite dosage, smelting temperature and smelting duration on Cu, Co, Fe distribution behaviours were investigated. The results show that the distributions of Cu and Co are mainly enriched in Cu-Co matte, and the distribution ratio, LCu and LCo, improve with increasing of coke amount or pyrite addition, whereas above 6 wt.% coke or 20 wt.% pyrite, Cu and Co tend to transfer from matte to cleaned slag. A properly high temperature(1300) and smelting duration(3h) are beneficial to the enhancement of the distribution ratio of valuable metals, and under the given set of conditions, LCu > LCo generally. However, an undesired high Fe contents in matte limit further increase of LCu and LCo.

Jan 1, 2015

By Kexin Jiao, Huichang Song, Zhijia Zhang, Jianliang Zhang, Zhengjian Liu

A clear understanding of iron carburization reaction occurring between molten iron and carbonaceous materials is of great importance in blast furnace, and it is one of the hot spots that ironmaking workers pay close attention to. Although carburization rates between iron and coke have been studied, the factors directly controlling it have not been clearly identified. This study focused on the kinetics analysis of iron carburization reaction. Sulfur content was determined as having positive influence on graphite carburizing reaction rate in the range of 0.02% - 0.06%. The values of apparent activation energy calculated by the experiment are consistent with the existing literature, which in turn proved the reliability of the experimental data.

Jan 1, 2015

By Enrui Dai, Weibing Chen, Bin Yang, Wenhui Ma, Haisheng Fang, Hui Wang

LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C composite was prepared by an improved solid-state method and the effect of calcination temperature on properties of the obtained materials was investigated. The results showed that increasing calcination temperature from 600 to 700 oC improved the performance of the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C due to enhanced crystallinity and increased conductivity, but further increase in calcination temperature to 800 oC led to degraded performance due to particle growth and decrease in porosity. Therefore, the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C composite prepared at 700 oC exhibited the best electrochemical performance, and could deliver a high capacity of 152 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, 147 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 114 mAh g−1 at 10 C. In addition, the performance of the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C and LiMn0.8Fe0.19Mg0.01PO4/C was compared when they were obtained at the optimum calcination temperature.

Jan 1, 2015

By Shengli Wu, Fengjie Zhang, Feng Chang, Hua Lu, Kaiping Du

In order to make a complete understanding of steel plant metallurgical dusts and to realize the goal of zero-waste, a study of their properties was undertaken. For these purposes, samples of two sintering dusts (SD), two blast furnace dusts (BFD), and one electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) taken from the regular production process were subjected to a series of tests. The tests were carried out by using granulometry analysis, chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy via SEM (EDS), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The dominant elements having an advantage of reuse are Fe, K, Cl, Zn, C. The dominant mineralogical phases identified in sintering dust are KCl, Fe2O3, CaCO3, CaMg(CO3)2, NaCl, SiO2. Mineralogical phases exist in blast furnace dust are Fe2O3, Fe3O4, with small amount of KCl and kaolinite coexist. While in electric arc furnace dust, Fe3O4, ZnFe2O4, CaCO3, CaO, Ca(OH)2 are detected.

Jan 1, 2015