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By Hiroyuki T. Takeshita

Ca-Ni based alloys were investigated on structures, hydrogenation properties and the effect of additive elements on hydrogenation properties. CaNi, samples were decomposed to form a new hydride with a CsCl-type structure on the constituent metal atoms at high temperatures such as 673K in a hydrogen atmosphere. The candidate of the third element which was added to stabilize the original compound was investigated by using the Miedema's semi- empirical model and, as a result, Pd was chosen. The hydrogenation of CaPd was conducted with a Sieverts' type apparatus and the synthesis of Ca-Ni-Pd ternary alloys was performed by high frequency heating.

Jan 1, 2002

By W. G. Davenport

Changes in copper extraction from 1960 till today are documented. The top ten changes have been: (a) replacement of reverberatory smelting by high intensity oxygen rich smelting (b) growth of the Outokumpu flash smelting to over 50% of the world's smelting capacity (c) successful development of single furnace coppermaking but only for low slag fall concentrates (d) replacement of the batch Peirce-Smith converter by continuous converting, but only in a few cases (e) increased SO2 capture throughout the industry, mainly-as sulfuric acid (f) development of low initiation temperature `big bight' Cs catalysts for treating the continuous high-SO2 strength gases from continuous smelting/converting (g) complete replacement of reverberatory anode scrap and cathode melting furnaces by the Asarco shaft furnace (h) adoption of stainless steel permanent cathodes and automated stripping technology for electrorefining and electrowinning (i) complete elimination of wire bar casting by continuous bar casting/rod rolling (j) development and adoption of extractants for turning weak impure leach solutions into strong pure electrolytes. It is postulated that the biggest possible change over the next 20 years would be complete replacement of smelting/converting by hydrometallurgical processing. However, this seems unlikely due to copper purity, precious metal recovery, and economic concerns. The increasing value of sulfuric acid to many copper companies gives chalcopyrite smelting/oxide-supergene leaching a nice synergy especially with the energy credits now coming from continuous smelters, and their acid plants.

Jan 1, 1999

By Zhucheng Huang, Lingyun Yi, Bin Chai, Tao Jiang

"A high iron content manganese ore was reduced at 900~1200°C and followed by a magnetic separation process. SEM and EDS analyzes were employed to examine the transformation of microstructure and phase in reduced sample and the mechanism was revealed. Results showed that elements enriched during reduction. Iron existed in the metal iron phase and most of oxygen formed compound with manganese. Consequently a clear distinguish between iron phase and manganese minerals formed, which was beneficial to the separation of iron and manganese. But the iron phase can not be monomer dissociation in grinding process and manganese compounds turned into magnetic product as package and mechanic inclusion due to the isomorphism of iron and manganese and the small particle size. And MnO could be found partially in iron phase, which hindered the further separation of manganese and iron.IntroductionManganese is widely used in industry. The amount of manganese used in steel industry is very huge and 90% manganese is used in steel industry. Manganese ore resources are rich in China, yet with fewer rich ore but more low-grade ore which accounts for 93.6% and fine refractory ore. The constitution of the ore is very complex and more than 73% of all the manganese ore contains iron[l,2]. With the increasing of consumption of steel, the demand for manganese is becoming larger and larger and the imported ore accounts for more than 50%. Therefore, how to use the manganese ore efficiently has very significant meaning. The main method is manganese residual, which is simple and stable. However, the development of the method is limited by the quality of manganese ore, the huge amount of manganese residual, the technology of blast furnace process and economics[3,4]. Chemical benefication which may pollute environment and is difficult to recover iron is still being researched[5,6]. The paper investigated the process in which anthracite coal was the reducing agent for coal-based direct reduction and magnetic separation of the ore, and SEM with EDS measurements were employed to examine the transformation of phase in reduced sample and the mechanism was revealed[7,8]."

Jan 1, 2013

By Avijit Moitra

The behavior of the solidifying shell in the early stages of solidification has an important influence on the final quality of continuously-cast steel slabs. In order to understand the thermal and mechanical behavior of the shell, a two-dimensional transient piecewise-coupled finite-element model has been developed. The model simulates a transverse section of the slab as it moves down through the mold and incorporates the effects of heat conduction, solidification, shrinkage, turbulent fluid flow, thermal distortion of the mold and the visco-plastic behavior of the steel. Coupling between the thermal and the mechanical model is based on the mutual dependence of heat transfer across the interface between the shell and the mold and the size of the gap. The effects of mold distortion and taper on the gap size are also included. The effect of fluid flow has been incorporated via a heat flux imposed at the solid-liquid interface, which is obtained from a separate fluid flow model. The high temperature creep and plasticity of the steel is incorporated through a unified constitutive law defining the inelastic strain rates as a function of temperature, time and stress state. The model can be applied to various problems in continuous casting, such as the formation of surface defects and the design of mold taper.

Jan 1, 1992

By Hong Yong Sohn

A novel flash ironmaking technology is under development at the University of Utah under the support of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The history of the development from the conception of the idea to the current status will be discussed. The flash ironmaking process produces iron directly from fine iron ore concentrates without requiring cokemaking and pelletization/sintering, which will enable the technology to significantly reduce energy consumption and carbon dioxide emissions compared with blast furnace ironmaking. Unlike other gas-based ironmaking processes, this technology will not suffer from the problems of solid sticking and fusion. Current work is focused on the method of supplying the energy required to maintain the necessary temperature, as an intermediate step to determine the scalability for larger, industrial-scale pilot trials.

Jan 1, 2014

By Rina Kim

The addition of lead to a gold leaching reactor can effectively accelerate or retard the gold cyanidation reaction. This study explored the effect of lead on the gold dissolution kinetics using cyclic voltammetry (CV) experiments. It was illustrated that the gold leaching kinetics in the cyanide solution enhanced with the addition of lead salt in the low overpotential region (–0.35 V vs. Ag/AgCl). The similar behavior was observed in the presence of ore containing 0.25% galena. In contrast, the gold oxidation kinetics retarded at –0.35 V (vs. Ag/AgCl) in the presence of silicate and lead-bearing mineral under certain conditions. Likewise, the lead addition was not functional for the high sulfur ore. This was attributed to the oxidation of the sulfides to the elemental sulfur, which subsequently formed a passivating layer on the gold surface. The results were evidently affirmed by the electrochemical tests and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) analysis.

By Noriaki Kurita, Norihiko Fulcatsu, Teruo Ohashi

"An electrochemical sensing device for hydrogen in molten metal has now been available owing to the development of the proton conducting solid electrolyte made of ceramics of metal oxide. The structure of the sensor and the theoretical limitations of its applications are discussed based on the electrochemical properties of the electrolyte used. The practical performance of the sensor is reviewed from the results of test measurements at the plants of aluminum and copper melting industries. The effectiveness of the sensor to the process control of continuous casting of copper is also discussed.IntroductionSince the in-line monitoring of the amount of oxygen dissolved in molten metal was realized by using the oxygen concentration cell based on zirconia solid electrolyte a similar method has been expected to be developed for sensing of hydrogen, which is a very important element of gas species in liquid metals, especially, in aluminum and copper. In 1981; Iwahara and coworkers found the dominant proton conduction at a high temperature in some perovskite-type oxide (1). Since then, the effort has been made to apply this proton conducting material as the electrolyte of the hydrogen concentration cell for high temperature use. The hydrogen sensor for liquid aluminum of this kind was first produced in 1991 (2) and released commercially from TYK Co., Ltd. Recently, we have developed the mother one usable at higher temperature such as copper and silver melting processes (3). In this note we discuss their structure, design and applicable limitations based on the electrochemical properties of this new type electrolyte. The performance of the sensor and benefit to use it to control the melting process is also discussed"

Jan 1, 2000

By M. T. Thomas

Sufficient development of the X-Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS), the Auger Electron Spectroscopy (AES), and the Secondary Ion Mass pectroscopy (SIMS) has made these instruments ideal for solving problems related to mineral processing -particularly gold ore processing. XPS can determine both the surface composition and chemistry of ores and tailings, and the various phases within either of them. AES can also determine surface composition with the further advantage of having greater spatial resolution so the surface chemistry associated with specific minerals in the ore can be identified. This identification helps to clarify why some minerals pass through a chemical process unaffected, while others can be successfully treated. SIMS has an elemental sensitivity from one to four orders of magnitude greater than XPS or AES which makes it useful for detecting the presence of some elements in very low concentration (parts per million).

Jan 1, 1981

By Zhigan Deng

Cooling crystallization was used to separate iron (III) and nickel (II) from acidic sulfate solution produced by leaching of molybdenum-nickel black shale. The effect of K2SO4 concentration, crystallization temperature, solution pH and crystallization time on recovery of nickel (II) and precipitation of iron (III) was investigated, in order to obtain effective separation of nickel and iron. The optimum parameters determined were as follows: 200 g/L K2SO4, 10 °C crystallization temperature, solution pH of 0.5 and 24 h crystallization. Under these conditions, 97.6% nickel (II) was recovered as K2Ni(SO4)2, 6H2O crystals and only 2.0% of the total iron (III) was precipitated. Recrystallization yielded K2Ni(SO4)2, 6H2O crystals with a purity of 98.4%.

By Dong Liang, Honggang Zhong, Zhenxing Yin, Qijie Zhai

"2507 super duplex stainless steel (SDSS) has been widely applied in a marine environment, attributing to its excellent pitting corrosion resistance and mechanical properties which are particularly determined by the nitrogen precipitation behaviors and volume fraction of ferrite. In this paper, various cooling rates were obtained by applying four different moulds with the common gating system. By which the influence of cooling rates on nitrogen precipitation behaviors and the ferrite fraction in cast 2507 SDSS was comparatively investigated. The results showed that nitrogen porosity could easily precipitate in cast 2507 SDSS under standard atmospheric pressure. The number of nitrogen holes increased with decreasing the cooling rates, and the holes mainly distributed in three zones, i.e. the interface between the horizontal and vertical columnar grains, top vertical columnar grains and the final solidification region. Additionally, higher ferrite fraction was obtained with lower cooling rates.IntroductionDuplex stainless steels (DSS) have a dual-phase microstructure consisting of ferrite (d) and aus-tenite (?). Due to the combined advantageous properties of d and ? phase, their application rapid-ly increased in industry [1, 2]. Super duplex Stainless Steel (SDSS) is the third generation of du-plex stainless steels, of which the alloy elements Cr, Ni and N content are higher than the stand-ard 2205 DSS. Because it has high contents of alloy elements, the SDSS has better mechanical properties, and its pitting resistance equivalent number (PREN) reached a point 43. Hence SDSS has been used in petroleum chemical industry, the marine equipment and harsh corrosion environments [3]. SDSS contains ferrite stabilizing elements, such as Cr, Mo and Si, and austenite stabilizing elements like Ni, Mn and N [4]. Many researchers have studied the effects of these elements on the stabilization of d and ? phase and the ratio of the two phases. High nitrogen con-tent is another prominent feature of SDSS. Nitrogen addition to SDSS is very effective for improving its mechanical properties [5] and corrosion resistance [6], such as pitting resistance in NOx environment. To increase the nitrogen content in steels, a lot of work had been done. N. Nakamura and S. Takaki [7] examined the behavior of nitrogen absorption in Fe-23Cr alloy powder by sintering in nitrogen gas atmosphere, they found nitrogen content easily up to 1.0 wt. %. Using devised NH3 gas injection system, W. Park et al. [8] successfully produced austenitic Fe–23.5Cr alloys containing over 3 wt. % of nitrogen. Further-more, W.P. Tong et al. [9] stated that nitrogen percent was extraordinary high (about 10 wt. %) in pure iron plate. However, the above methods are difficult to be applied to large-scale industrial production."

Jan 1, 2012

By Tianming Sun, Gabriella Tranell, Ragnhild E. Aune, Mark William Kennedy

Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are critical for the production of many advanced materials and products. Mining and primary production of REEs are generally associated with significant environmental impacts. By recovery of REEs from secondary sources, through recycling or as a byproduct, the adverse environmental impacts may be partly avoided. In the present study apatite concentrate originating from iron ore beneficiation done by LKAB in Kiruna, Sweden, is explored as a possible source for REEs. The composition and distribution of the REEs within the concentrates are studied using ICP-MS, XRD and SEM-EDS/EPMA, as well as the melting point and heat of fusion using DTA-TGA-MS. The behavior of the material during melting has also been studied through wetting and slag saturation experiments. The overall aim of the study is to evaluate the implications for future smelting experiments aimed at concentration and recovery of the REEs.

Jan 1, 2015

By Takaaki Shibata

The Tamano Refinery has developed two new processes for removing the impurities, arsenic, antimony, and bismuth from an electrolyte. The first process involves bleeding the surface electrolyte in the electro-refining cells. The copper concentration level in the outermost layer is lower than that in any of the other layers, while the impurity levels are almost the same in all layers. Bleeding the surface electrolyte increases the amount of impurities removed in the liberator by approximately 20%. The second process involves adsorbing antimony and bismuth from the electrolyte by means of chelating resin. As the electrolyte passes through the packed column of chelating resin, antimony and bismuth are selectively adsorbed. They are then desorbed by means of hydrochloric acid, and then recovered in the form of a highly concentrated antimony chloride solution by means of evaporation. This process almost doubles the capacity for removing antimony from an electrolyte.

Jan 1, 1987

By D. Papazoglou

This work was undertaken to investigate the thermodynamic and kinetic feasibility of using hot sulfur dioxide bearing gases from smelting processes to selectively sulfate the nickel in nickel laterite ores for subsequent extraction in water. The environmental benefits of this approach, as opposed to releasing the gas to the atmosphere, and the economic benefit of directly utilizing the SO2 rather than converting it to sulfuric acid are strong drivers for such a process. A thermodynamic analysis indicated that selective sulfation of the nickel could be feasible under appropriate conditions and these were explored through a series of laboratory scale experiments. Laterite samples were reacted at temperatures between 500 and 800°C with an equilibrated mixture of sulfur dioxide, oxygen and nitrogen in a fixed bed reactor. Tests were conducted on saprolitic ore from Bulong, Western Australia:, limonitic ore from New Caledonia and gamieritic ore from Indonesia. Nickel extractions were highest from the limonite and relatively low from the other ores. The maximum selective extraction of nickel from the limonite in a single stage sulfation was 73%. Sulfation of other elements present in the laterites was also examined. A two-stage process was also identified which involved sulfation using a strong sulfation potenrial followed by weaker sulfation potential to attempt to convert ferric sulfate formed in the first stage to ferric oxide. This increased the extraction for the limonite ore to around 84% Ni, 95% Co and 2% Fe. Direct sulfation of laterite could be feasible in locations where sulfide smelting or roasting operations are relatively close to laterite deposits.

Jan 1, 2003

By William A. Hockings

This report describes the results of laboratory studies on leaching of copper ores.tlf These studies are the first step of a program for the investigation of in situ leaching of tabular, metalliferous ore bodies.(2) The basic steps required in the development of an in situ process are: 1. Leachability - the ability to dissolve the metal values from the ore under in situ conditions must be demonstrated. 2. Ore Preparation - the ore must be prepared so that sufficient contact with the solution can be attained. 3. System Design - integrated in situ systems must be designed and studied for engineering feasibility. 4. Economic Feasibility - the economics of the system must be shown to be economically feasible and competitive. 5. Environmental Feasibility - the loss of reagents into the environment must be investigated. 6. Pilot Scale Testing - the feasibility of the system must be demonstrated on a sufficiently large scale. The studies described in this report were concerned only with the first step of the program, viz., leachability. Native and sulfide copper ores from the Michigan copper district were selected as model ores for these studies. Aqueous amnonia solutions were chosen as the solvents to be investigated. In this study carbonate (CO3, HCO3, H2CO3) was used exclusively as the anion. In keeping with custom it is referred to as carbon dioxide and concentrations are ex- pressed in terms of CO2. When leaching native copper the reaction is

Jan 1, 1976

By W. S. Kirk

World cobalt production in 1987 was estimated to be about 26,600 metric tons (MT) of which Market Economy Country (MEC) production was estimated to be about 22,000 MT. Zaire and Zambia produce about 80 percent of the primary cobalt produced among Market Economy Countries (MEC). Production cutbacks. lowering cobalt grades and mining curtailments in Finland and Zambia in 1987, resulted in lower production than that of 1986. The trend is expected to continue through 1988. Cobalt production from Canadian ores and from Botswana is expected to increase significantly in 1988 as a result of increased nickel production. MEC production in 1988 is estimated to be 22,100 MT, only slightly higher than that of 1987. There are currently no primary cobalt mines. Virtually all cobalt is recovered as a byproduct of copper and/or nickel mining. Zaire, which produces cobalt as a byproduct of copper, is the worlds largest cobalt producer, with over 50 percent of total estimated world cobalt production and nearly 65 percent of MEC production. Zambia follows with about 14 percent and 17 percent, respectively. Zambia's cobalt production also results from copper production.

Jan 1, 1988

By A. Deneys

An experimental technique has been devised for studying the reaction kinetics of the reaction: ZnO + 2Fe0 = Zn(g) + Fe203, by which zinc evolution can occur from a molten slag bath in the absence of a carbonaceous reductant. When studying the reaction kinetics by heating from room temperature, solid state reactions and poorly defined melting points may obscure the starting point of the reaction. In order to eliminate this problem, an experimental technique was devised whereby two molten slags could be melted independently, and then mixed, to provide a well defined starting point from which to begin taking measurements. Two crucibles were mounted in a vertical reaction cylinder. The upper, mild steel, crucible had a bottom pouring plug which was sealed by a steel stopper rod. A fayalite mixture was contained in this crucible. The lower crucible contained an A12O3-CaO-SiO2-ZnO solution. Once the two slags had been melted, the steel stopper rod was removed from the upper crucible. The upper, reduced slag (fayalite in equilibrium with the upper steel crucible), drained into the lower crucible where the two slags were mixed by submerged argon stirring. Dip samples were taken to measure the zinc content of the final mixture as a function of time. The experimental procedure will be described, as well as results of experiments which were conducted on synthetic slags. The system investigated was similar to the lead blast furnace slag which is produced by the primary lead smelters of Missouri, USA.

Jan 1, 1997

By Md. Maniruzzaman

The quenching performance of a liquid quenchant can be controlled by controlling the agitation in the quench tank. Without agitation, a vapor layer or bubbles form at the hot part surface and the natural convention of the quenchant limit the heat extraction rate at the quenched part surface. Resistance to the heat extraction rate can be reduced by breaking the vapor layer or by inducing a turbulent convection at the part surface through agitation (Le. forced circulation of the quenchant). To determine the effects of agitation on the quench performance of a mineral oil based quenchant, the CHTE quench probe system was used with AISI4140 steel probe tip. Quenching performance of the oil is evaluated by computing the effective heat transfer coefficients of the steel probe as a function of surface temperature using Lumped Parameter Analysis. In addition, computational fluid dynamics (CFO) simulation of the quench tank with an impeller type agitator has been done to understand and predict the fluid flow pattern in the tank. CFO simulation also provides insights for determination of optimal location of the impeller and the quench probe tip. Keywords: CHTE Quench Probe, agitation, CFD simulation, liquid quenchant, 4140 steel

Jan 1, 2003

By Susumu Okabe

Top blowing lances are employed by the Mitsubishi Continuous Copper Converter for the continuous supply Of reaction gases into moken bath. In order to minimize the refractory wear caused by the interaction between the furnace lining and the melt splash. optimum furnace design and blowing condition are? required. An empirical equation obtained by the physical model study enables the estimation of the splashing rate on a vel1ical plane at a certain distance from the lance.

Jan 1, 1996

By SIMON TIMBILLAH

The chalcopyrite-molybdenite (Cu-Mo) flotation industry is increasingly turning to organic depressants as suitable replacements for inorganic reagents, such as NaHS, due to environmental and safety concerns as well as high consumption rates of the inorganic reagents. This presents an opportunity for improvements or design and synthesis of alternative reagents. Disodium carboxymethyl trithiocarbonate (Orfom® D8) depressant is an organic depressant with a carboxylate group on one end and a trithiocarbonate group at the other end. Fundamental results are shown regarding the interaction of the Orfom® D8 depressant in the bulk flotation of a Cu-Mo concentrate from an operating North American mine. Cyclic Voltammetry on pure copper and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) measurements on pure chalcopyrite with Orfom® D8 depressant treatment are also reported. Through such characterization techniques a potential adsorption mechanism of Orfom® D8 on the mineral surface was identified and its depressant characteristics in the Cu-Mo flotation systems explained.

By Christiana Mystrioti

Greece is the only EU country with extensive nickel laterite deposits. Since the 1960s, the Greek laterites are treated for ferronickel production via a pyrometallurgical route, which involves pre-reduction of the ore in rotary kilns and reduction smelting in electric arc furnaces. Due to the rising cost of energy and the decreasing grade of mined laterites, the pyrometallurgical treatment is economically marginal. For this reason, alternative treatment processes are currently under investigation. Potential applicability of hydrometallurgical treatment, using either H2SO4 or HCl, under atmospheric pressure conditions, for Ni and Co extraction from two low grade laterite ores, was examined in the present work. The two samples were selected to represent the different mineralogical composition of the saprolitic and limonitic ore deposits of the Greek laterites. The investigated parameters were temperature (65–90 °C), acid concentration (1–4 N) and solid to liquid ratio (10–30% w/v). The results indicated that HCl was more efficient than H2SO4 for the treatment of the saprolitic ore; Ni and Co extractions were very high for both elements, up to 98% and 96% respectively, while H2SO4 could leach efficiently Ni, up to 100%, but extracted only 34% of Co. Hydrochloric acid was also more efficient for the treatment of the limonitic ore, with Ni and Co extractions up to 98.3% and 87.6% respectively. With H2SO4 the maximum extractions were 71.3% for Ni and 52.1% for Co.