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By Baozhong Ma, Yonglu Zhang, Yongqiang Yang, Chengyan Wang, Yongqiang Chen

During the past decades, slurry electrolysis (SE) has been implemented commercially for the processing of bismuthinite and complex Pb-Cu bearing gold concentrates. Recently, SE was proven effective for the treatment of As-rich antimonic gold concentrates. Laboratory test results suggest over 98% of the antimony was extracted, while the extraction of arsenic and gold was less than 0.5%, and that of iron was less than 6%. Moreover, the cathode antimony contained over 98% antimony and less than 0.3% arsenic. Considering the disadvantages of traditional 3 kA slurry electrolysis baths, such as smaller electrode area, reduced capacity, and greater electrode deterioration, the authors have developed an innovative 12 kA slurry electrolysis bath equipped with mesh and fence type titanium alloy electrodes. Furthermore, the technique was successfully used within a pilot scale plant yielding results similar to those observed in the laboratory. The technique yielded ametallic antimony ingot of 99.9% purity after arsenic removal via the addition of Na2CO3.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. Krishna, Jayagopal Uchi1, Shanta Sastry, B. M. Satish

"A well-considered composite of ZA-27 reinforced with weight percentage 0, 2, 4, and 6% of alwninite particulate has been made by compocasting technique. The elastic properties of ZA- 27 /alwniniute particulate composite were determined by using U1M. The results showed that the modulus of elasticity and UTS of the composite gradually increases with increase in the wt.% of reinforcement. However, the overall ductility decreased monotonically with an increase in reinforcement. The results of these tests· as well as the predictions of several model~ for composite strengthening available in the literature were compared with experimental results. The data observed from Young's modulus by measurements studies were compared with theoretical results predicted by Eshelby model.IntroductionMetal matrix composites (MMCs) have received increasing attention in _the recent decades as engineering materials. The introduction of a ceramic reinforcement into a metal matrix produces a composite material resulting in an attractive combination of physical and mechanical properties that cannot be obtained with monolithic alloys. Particulate reinf9rced MMCs among the discontinuously reinforced MMCs have attracted quite a lot of attention both in the industrial sectors and the academic communities. There is an increasing need for knowledge about the processing techniques and mechanical behavior of particulate MMCs in view of their production getting enhanced and their commercial applications becoming wider [I]. Interest in particulate reinforced MMCs is mainly due to easy availability of particles and economical processing techniqu"

Jan 1, 2000

By Jinrong Zhang

Major components of soil were tested for their ability to attenuate cyanide. Feldspar, kaolinite, plagioclase and bauxite are found to degrade cyanide at an appreciable amount mainly through adsorption. A soil near a mining site in northern Nevada was studied in detail using a tall column. Many species of cyanide were anlyzed to determine the mechanisms of the reactions of cyanide with soil. Volatilization, adsorption, oxidation, precipitation and complexing were quantitatively identified, being 5 to 10, 11.7, 4.2, 7.3 and 4 per cent of the total cyanide added, respectively. It is found that the oxidation of cyanide to cyanate is due to the catalytic effect of nickel and copper leached from the soil. Precipitation of metal-cyanide complexes occurred at low pH values.

Jan 1, 1991

By C. J. Beyke

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed a process for the selective recovery of Pb metal from a mixed Pb-Zn concentrate. The concentrate was leached in recycled H2SiF6 at atmospheric pressure and 95° C with a redox potential of 570 mV (Eh). Eighty-five pct of the Pb was selectively leached from the concentrate while 87 pct of the Zn remained in the residue. Pressure leaching of the concentrate was slightly less successful, with 78 pct of the Pb leaching from the concentrate and 80 pct of the Zn remaining in the residue. Pure Pb metal was successfully electrowon from a purified PbSiF6-H2SiF6 solution with 96 pct current efficiency and 0.69-kW.h/kg energy consumption.

Jan 1, 1991

By L. Lewczuk

A detailed mineralogical and liberation study was performed on the iron ore mill products from the Scully concentrator of Wabush Mines, Newfoundland. Automated image analysis techniques were applied to deter-mine grain size distribution and liberation of all mineral components of the ore. As a result of the study it was indicated that iron recovery can be improved and the Mn minerals reduced in the iron ore concentrate by (a) increasing spiral middlings, (b) regrinding the middlings, and (c) separating the Mn minerals from the iron minerals in the reground middlings.

Jan 1, 1988

By Cesar Garban

The samples of the washings are characterized of the ore for physical, chemical and metalurgical properties for representivity. the optimum values are determined for the recuperation of gold of the washings of the gold ore from the zone El Callao, Venezuela by acidic solutions of thiourea of the following parameters: Ph , contact time, composition of the liquid mixture, ratio of solid to liquid, grade of liberation, in an apparatus designed for contacting solid powder of the mineral with liquid solution of thiourea mantained in suspension by bubles of compressed air. The experimental results showed that the velocity of lixivation in primier time of (20) minutes is rapid and practically 2/3 part of the reaction is completed. For experimental design of parameters, the optimum conditions of recuperation of gold determind in this experimental investigation are:

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 B. Abedian, L. M. Racz, S. R. Berry, R. W. Hyers

"The presented work represents an effort to improve understanding and prediction of turbulent flow inside electromagnetically-levitated droplets. We show that the flow field in a test case, a nickel droplet levitated under microgravity conditions, is a low Reynolds number turbulent flow, i.e. in the transitional regime between laminar and turbulent. Past research efforts have used laminar, enhanced viscosity, and k - E turbulence models to describe these flows. In our study, we compare the RNG algorithm to laminar and k - E turbulence model results. We show that accurate description of the turbulent eddy viscosity µr is critical in order to obtain realistic velocity fields, and that µr cannot be uniform in levitated droplets. In the RNG method there are no characteristic length or time scales associated with the flow, thus allowing such anisotropic features to be captured. We perform calculations and analyses for two cases (1) a small, non-deforming, spherical nickel droplet and (2) a deforming, oscillating droplet. In addition to flow field calculations, we compare numerically-obtained surface tension and viscosity values to those obtained experimentally by the oscillating drop technique.IntroductionElectromagnetic levitation (EML) is a containerless processing technique for conductive materials. Its advantages are the avoidance of contamination or chemical reaction at container walls and the ability to perform long-term experiments in a metastable state. Because of its current limitation to small sample sizes, its primary use is in the laboratory. One application of interest is the measurement of thermophysical properties of undercooled liquid metals [1, 2, 3, 4]. In EML, a sample weighing approximately 1 gram is positioned inside an electromagnetic field generated by alternating currents flowing through an axisymmetric water-cooled copper coil. The coil must be designed appropriately so that thesample levitates in a stable manner.Traditionally, mathematical modeling has been performed in tandem with both earth-and spacebound electromagnetic levitation experiments, in order to determine the effect of the magnetic field on material and flow characteristics [5, 6, 7, 8]. These calculations are important because they allow design, planning, and correct interpretation of experiments. In addition, the calculations are of fundamental scientific interest, as they can be applied to other electromagnetic materials processing applications [9]."

Jan 1, 1999

By Vaughan R. Voller

"Numerical methods for dealing with a temperature dependent conductivity are discussed. An approach based on a local application of a Kirchhoff transformation at the discrete level is presented. The application of this transformation - that does not require any inversion- is demonstrated on solving a two-dimensional test problem.IntroductionMuch is said in the recent literature on the modeling necessity of obtaining appropriate thermo-physical properties; in particular the requirement to account for properties that are ""strong"" functions of the depended variables, e.g., Temperature. Of course obtaining appropriate thermo-physical properties serves no purpose unless they can be accurately integrated into a discrete numerical calculation. The purpose of this paper is to examine how temperature dependent conductivities that exhibit discontinuities or rapid changes can be handled in a numerical code.The discussion will be made in the context of a control volume finite element method [1]. After a brief outline of control volume finite element fundamentals basic methods of dealing with discontinuous or rapidly changing thermal conductivity are discussed. This is followed by the presentation of the recently proposed local Kirchhoff method [2,3], The paper concludes with an investigation of the performance of the various conductivity schemes in solving two dimensional problems. This testing clearly shows the advantages (accuracy and implementation) in using the local Kirchhoff method."

Jan 1, 2001

The direct removal of lead ions from D2EHPA-kerosene using metallic zinc as the reducing agent was evaluated. The electrochemical process, called galvanic stripping, is a potential alternative stripping technique when standard chemical methods are not adequate. Four parameters found to be important in the rate of lead removal were studied in a factorially designed experiment. The variable evaluated included D2EHPA concentration, temperature, zinc surface area and solution agitation. Temperature and surface area were found to be the most significant, while agitation and D2EHPA concentration had less influence on the reaction. An activation energy of 22.5 Kcal/mole was calculated indicating a chemically-controlled process. The reaction was also sensitive to the concentration of oxygen in the system. The zinc required was considerably in excess of stoichiometry, possibly due to the dissolution and redeposition of lead: In general, the results were encouraging and demonstrated that lead impurities could be removed from D2EHPA using cementation type reactions.

Jan 1, 1995

By R. G. Reddy

To better understand the behavior of bacterial-mineral interfacial reactions, a thermodynamic model based on the- studies of bacteria adhesion on mineral surfaces has been evaluated. The bacteria adhesion to the mineral surface would be increased by l ' d1;1creasing the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion and it would be reduced if the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion of the system is increased. From the combination -of Young's equation and equation of state, the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion -for bacterium-mineral system- was calculated. Influence of liquid surface tension, mineral surface tension on the change in Gibbs free energy of adhesion and consequently bacteria behavior on mineral systems- has been discussed.

Jan 1, 1991

By Nathalie Neveux

For the first time, dehydrated ferrous sulfate was successfully used for the dry synthesis of potassium ferrate. In addition, ferrate ion is stabilized as a solid solution where hexavalent iron is partially substituted by S(V1) leading to a sulfato-ferrate having the following formula K2(Fe,S)04. This substance has an efficient life time of about six months. Ferrate ion is a powerful oxidant ( EO = 2.2V ), a bactericidal agent and possesses coagulant, flocculant properties. Its reduction generates nascent oxygen, hydroxyl groups and Fe(OH)3. Alkali metal ferrate is probably the future global agent for water treatment. Applications of this material in the field of urban and industrial effluents treatment have been investigated. Heavy metals cations such as Cu, Cd, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, ... were successfully removed. The results of sulfato-ferrate use for cyanide destruction, decrease in COD, soil, discoloration of pulp and paper effluents will be summarized.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. L. Jambor

Previous crystal-structure determination of magnesian annabergite (Ni,MgMAsO4)2 8H2O indicated that ordering of Ni and Mg occurs in non-equivalent octahedral sites; such ordering supports the possibility of miscibility gaps on the Ni3(AsO4)2 8H2O -MgiAs04)2 8H2O. (annabergite-hornesite) join. In a predecessor study based on analyses of natural specimens, it was proposed that solid solution is incomplete both for annabergite-hornesite and annabergite-erythrite [Co, (AsO4)2 8H2O]. In the current study, syntheses by use of a slow-addition technique and aging of the precipitates indicated that the annabergite-erythrite solid solution is complete, and that no miscibility gap is present on the annabergite-hornesite join to at least 58 mol % Mg. Thus, interpretation of the compositions of these phases in oxidized mill-tailings impoundments can be done with the normal precautions for homogeneity, and without the added concern of the possible presence of miscibility gaps in the ternary system.

Jan 1, 1995

By Amir Rehmat

The Institute of Gas Technology has developed a fluidized-bed process for recovering direct reduced iron from blast furnace flue dust a material currently considered to be a waste from the iron and steel industry. In the process, a portion of the carbon in the flue dust is combusted to supply energy for the endothermic reaction between carbon and steam. The reaction produces reducing gases comprised of carbon monoxide and hydrogen both of which react with iron oxides to produce reduced iron. Up to 95 percent of the iron oxides contained in the waste stream can be reduced to elemental iron. The vitiated reducing gases emanating from the process can be used as fuel in the plant. The yield of iron depends upon the quantity of iron oxide present in the flue dust and generally ranges from 20 to 30 percent of the waste stream. The investment cost estimated for a single processing train dedicated to one steel plant can be recovered in less than one year.

Jan 1, 1996

By Takaaki Ishikawa

The distribution equilibria of lead, zinc and copper between CaO-Si02-Ah03 melts and liquid copper were measured at 1623K under a controlled H2-C02 atmosphere. The distribution ratios were plotted against the oxygen partial pressure, and reasonable oxide forms dissolved in the melts were estimated from the slopes of the plots. The activity coefficients of zinc oxide (ZnO), lead oxide (PbO) and cuprous oxide (CuO0.5) increased with increasing slag basicity, defined by XCao/Xsio2 The temperature dependence of the activity coefficients was also measured.

Jan 1, 2003

By Yong J. Kim, J. M. Park

"Solid/melt interface shape during continuous casting process has a strong influence on the resulting microstructure of the ingot. The interface shape is primarily governed by the heat flow condition between the molten metal and mold (or container). The roll of the microstructural transition resulting from various solid/melt interface shapes is discussed using the Sn-22.6wt%Pb alloy. Three different types of mold such as cold mold, resistantly heated mold, and electromagnetically heated mold were used to generate those interfaces having different curvatures. Experimental measurements of complete temperature profile along the axis and surface of the ingot during downward continuous casting are presented to determine the solid/melt interface geometry. The results provide an explanation of the ingot property with emphasis on microstructure.IntroductionA large scale of continuous casting process of alloys often has a rather deep V channel type of solid/melt interface resulting from a limited heat flow condition. As a result, the deep V type solid/melt interface shape entraps defects such as pores and inclusions and also creates canter segregation. In order to reduce the defects concentration, electromagnetic stirring(EMS) mechanism has been applied to the melt in the channel[l]. Speith and Bungeroth introduced first experimental EMS device to the continuous caster in 1952.[2] Today, with wide ranges of benefit, a large variety of such technique is available. Electromagnetic field on the melt can be divided into three aspects. First, eddy current is induced on the metal surface by alternating magnetic field with high frequency, which results in heating the metal. Second, electromagnetic body force which is generated by the magnetic field and the eddy current reduces the melt pressure on mold or support the melt not to contact with the mold[3,4,5]. This force is used for electromagnetic casting process(EMC). Finally, it causes stirring in the melt. Many research efforts have been done on the EMC process to improve surface quality of slab[6] and control meniscus shape where three phases such as melt, solidified metal, and mold powder coexist[7,8]. However, the eddy current heating effect on the surface of the ingot was less considered. It is worth noting that induced eddy current on the surface of slab melts the solidified shell and thus changes the heat flow condition between the mold and melt. Mold heating effect was first proposed by A. Ohno[9] and its processing conditions were identified in details[ 10, 11]. The so-called Ohno process is based on the fact that by keeping the mold temperature slightly above the melting temperature of the liquid, no grain can be nucleated on the mold wall[12]."

Jan 1, 1998

By Takaaki Ishikawa

The distribution equilibria of lead, zinc and copper between CaO-Si02-Ah03 melts and liquid copper were measured at 1623K under a controlled H2-C02 atmosphere. The distribution ratios were plotted against the oxygen partial pressure, and reasonable oxide forms dissolved in the melts were estimated from the slopes of the plots. The activity coefficients of zinc oxide (ZnO), lead oxide (PbO) and cuprous oxide (CuOQs) increased with increasing slag basicity, defined by Xcao /XSiO, The temperature dependence of the activity coefficients was also measured.

Jan 1, 2003

By Oleg Ostrovski

Industrial pyrometallurgical processes in ferrous metallurgy are based on carbothermal reduction of metal oxides. Carbothermal reduction of stable oxides requires high temperatures. Lowtemperature reduction can be implemented by using methane-containing gas with high carbon activity, or by carbothermal reduction under reduced CO partial pressure. Under standard conditions, methane is thermodynamically unstable above 550 °C and decomposes to solid carbon and hydrogen. At appropriate CH4/H2 ratio and temperature, carbon activity in the methane-containing gas phase can be well above unity relative to graphite, which provides favorable thermodynamic conditions for reduction. To maintain these conditions, the rate of reduction/carburisation should be higher than the rate of solid carbon deposition. The paper discusses reduction of pure manganese and chromium oxides at relatively low temperatures, and constraints in reduction of manganese and chromium ores. Reduction of metal oxides by carbon in hydrogen as an alternative use of natural gas is also discussed.

Jan 1, 2014

By Willy Persson

A common feature of the kinds and amounts of impurities present most pyrometallurgical, processes is injection of oxygen to, remove various in the feed. The degree of success of a specific process step relies critically on control of the instantaneous oxygen potential/oxidation stage, throughout the step as well as upon termination of the step. This will, for instance, determine the distribution of impurities between metal and slag. As long as the operation is perturbation free -detailed analysis of all additions and application of advanced models often yield satisfactory control means However, a pyrometallurgical process is seldom free from disturbances, which reduces the accuracy of the static models and leads to inconsistencies in scheduled route might be uncontrollable changes in quality and quantity of feed, operator interventions and shift changes, timing of cranes, lining wear and accretions etc. The implementation of dynamic, control to correct for disturbances and, more generally for process optimization, requires continuous on-line information on, the actual status of the process. The implementation of sensors for continuous process monitoring, e.g., as regards the instantaneously prevailing oxygen potential or oxidation stage, has been hampered by the highly aggressive environment in smelters; This is. where remote-sensing techniques based on optics and spectroscopy, have proven to form invaluable, tools towards the realization of dynamic production control. Since about 15 years Semtch has developed and industrialized a remote-sensing technology, based on ,optics and spectroscopy, for continuous on-line process monitoring and production control of various pyrometallurgical processes. The presentation will discuss applicability aspects with examples and experiences from installations and tests in ferrous and non-ferrous industry. Keywords: Applied spectroscopy, Metallurgy, Process monitoring, Production. Control

Jan 1, 2003

By Renxing Li, Yongyong Gong, Yufeng Cheng, Zhenxing Yin, Xin Cao, Qijie Zhai

"The influence of electric current pulse (ECP) on the solidification structure of SUS430 ferritic stainless steel (FSS) was investigated in the current study. The technology of ECP has been widely used to improve the properties of metals with relatively low cost. The parallel electrodes were inserted into the free melt surface to constitute a current loop. The different influences of three parameters on solidification structure were studied by changing the peak current value, frequency and treating time respectively. The results indicated that the ECP significantly increased the number of equiaxed grains of SUS430 FSS. The as-cast structure without ECP treating was almost wholly columnar, while the number of equiaxed grains of the specimen, which was treated 3min with a peak current of 400kIA, increased to 2698 in the observed surface. To get the best refinement, an optimum range of these three parameters is required and the peak current value plays the most important role.IntroductionFor the lack of nickel resource and the pressure of environment protection, ferritic stainless steel is increasingly adopted to replace the austenite stainless steel because of its low nickel content and good mechanical properties. SUS430 steel is a typical example with excellent performance and relatively low price to replace the application of austenitic stainless steel[1-3]. This type of steel with high thermal conductivity coefficient, low expansion coefficient, good oxidation resistance, excellent stress corrosion resistance and other fantastic characteristics is often used to make components which need to have resistances for atmosphere, water, steam and oxidizing acid corrosion[4]. Since the developing of columnar grains and low toughness at high temperature, its products are easily crinkled and cracked during the subsequent rolling process[5]. The application of ferritic stainless steel is limited by these defects[6-8]."

Jan 1, 2012