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By W. Drummond

The cooling of smelter gases by air dilution, adiabatic evaporative cooling and indirect heat exchange is discussed with reference to the ,process, to the subsequent cleaning of the gas and to the use of the heat extracted from the gas. The method of reducing the effect of acidic ,sulphide formation on the corrosive properties of the gas and the dust and the development of surface cleaning mechanisms are discussed. The development of indirect recuperators using air, water or steam cooling, made 'possible by the control of surface fouling is traced. The application of the modern Waste Heat Boiler to the new sulphide smelting processes is discussed with respect to the natural and forced circulation concepts. Case histories are presented to illustrate mistakes made with respect to designs produced without recourse to sensitivity analysis and without an appreciation of "worst process conditions".

Jan 1, 1992

By Linda C. White

The use of red mud, a waste product of the ?Bayer? process for bauxite refining, was investigated for its arsenic removal effectiveness from aqueous solutions under various conditions. Red mud efficiently removed As(III) between a pH range of 7.6 and 9; and As(V) in the pH range between 5.5 and 6. Pre-washing of the red mud with salt water considerably improved its arsenic adsorption capabilities. With appropriate red mud dosage, the residual arsenic in solution was decreased below the regulated acceptable arsenic limit (0.1 mg/L) from aqueous industrial wastes. The arsenic adsorption followed first-order rate kinetics and fitted the Langmuir isotherm model. Results suggest that red mud is potentially a useful adsorbent for removal of arsenic from contaminated water or industrial waste solutions.

Jan 1, 2003

By Adelana Adetunji

Ilmenite ore samples obtained from Dankoli in Zamfara, North Western Nigeria has been characterized using Energy Dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) technique, X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and the Neutron Activation Analysis (NAA) technique. The major constituents in the ore were quantitatively found to be TiO2 and Fe2O3 in concentrations of about 60wt% and 31wt% respectively. These occur in the forms of magnesian ilmenite (Fe, Mg)(Ti, Fe)O3, pure ilmenite (FeTiO3), and barium copper yttrium oxide (Ba2Cu3YO6.56) minerals. Other constituents/impurities in minor or trace quantities include MnO, Ta2O5, Nb2O5, Wo, SnO2, Hf, Zn, V, Zr, Co, Pb, Br, Al, Rb, Y, Th and U.

Jan 1, 2006

By W. Drummond

The cooling of smelter gases by air dilution, adiabatic evaporative cooling and indirect heat exchange is discussed with reference to the process, to the subsequent cleaning of the gas. and to the use of the heat extracted from the gas. The method of reducing the effect of acidic sulphide formation on the corrosive properties of the gas and the dust and the development of surface cleaning mechanisms?are discussed. The development of indirect recuperators using air, water or steam cooling, made possible by the control of surface fouling is traced. The application of the modern Waste Heat Boiler to the new sulphide smelting processes is discussed with respect to the natural and forced circulation concepts. Case histories are presented to illustrate mistakes made with respect to designs produced without recourse to sensitivity analysis and without an appreciation of "worst process? conditions".

Jan 1, 1992

By S. H. Castro

The El Teniente molybdenite plant (Chile), with a nominal capacity of 3,200 tpd of bulk Cu-Mo concentrate, produced approximately 3,385 metric tonnes of Mo during 1998 by using the phosphate Nokes process (LR-744 reagent). This is the only Chilean moly plant which traditionally has depressed copper and iron sulfides with LR 744 reagent, which is a hydrolysis product of P2S5 and NaOH. El Teniente's ore Mo grade is 0.02%Mo and is concentrated to 0.45%-0.50% Mo in bulk Cu-Mo flotation. Subsequently, molybdenite is floated by selective flotation to depress Cu and Fe sulfides, such as chalcopyrite, bornite, digenite and pyrite, to produce typically a 49%-50%Mo molybdenite concentrate. An optimisation program during the last two years was undertaken to improve molybdenite recoveries. Current molybdenite plant technology at El Teniente and use of phosphate Nokes in the process process is reported. Use of phosphate Nokes reagent has increased average Mo recovery from 70.5% in 1977 to a mean 74.7% for the first 4 months of 1999. The global Mo recovery, including bulk flotation, incresed from 42.3% in 1997 to 46.8% in 1998, with a projection of 55.5% for 1999. Mo production per year has increased from 3,181 tons in 1997 to 3,385 tons in 1998 and a projected 4,000 tons for 1999.

Jan 1, 1999

By Elders. Wilfred A.

Petrological and geochemical methods, the utility of which has long been established in the mining industry, are proving useful and cost-effective in elucidating the thermal evolution of active geothermal fields. In return, they yield insights into sulfide-silicate equilibria, mass and energy transfer in convecting hydrothermal systems, and the genesis of hydrothermal ore bodies. Within the Plio-Pleistocene sediments of the delta of the Colorado River, in the Salton Trough, several active geothermal systems are known. Temperatures vary from 100-365°C, at less than 2 km depth, and salinities vary from 3,000 to 280,000 ppm, total dissolved solids. The hydrothermal alteration causes marked induration of the sediments, producing greenschist facies metamorphic minerals, including hydrothermal ore minerals. Subsurface authigenic minerals show strong correlation with increasing temperature. A typical sequence in sandstones is (below 150°=C) montmoril-lonite-kaolinite, (above 180°C) chlorite + illite, (above 225°C) calc-alumino-silicates, (above 325°C) biotite. There is a transition from porosity-dominated\to fracture-dominated permeability in the hottest and deepest geothermal reservoirs. This regular series of minerals provides a practical tool during exploration drilling. From drill cuttings, we can make predictions on reservoir temperatures, useful in making decisions on well completion. Other types of geothermometry we have employed include light stable isotopes, fluid inclusions and vitrinite reflectance measurements. A combination of these techniques not only improves our temperature predictions, but together with fission tack annealing studies, permits us to model the dynamics of temperature change and fluid flow in these geothermal reservoirs.

Jan 1, 1981

By Jorge A. S. Tenorio, Girley F. Rodrigues, Joner O. Alves, Denise C. R. Espinosa

"Rock wools are mineral fibers composed of amorphous silicates, due to their thermo-acoustic characteristics this material has a broad consumer market in the construction, automotive, and electric-electronics industries. This work studied the recovery of wastes from ornamental rocks (granite and marble) as partial raw materials in the production of rock wools. Residues from granite and marble cuttings are industrial wastes with considerable production and limited applications. These wastes should be appropriately managed because when discharged in rivers or lakes can cause siltation, and also they can cause serious human health problems, such as silicosis. Samples of produced materials with thickness smaller than 500µm were characterized by chemical analyses, XRD, and DTA. Results showed that the rock wools produced using granite or marble wastes have important properties, especially the melting point. This process decreases the extraction of mineral resources and provides a profitable destination for the ornamental rock wastes.IntroductionThe ornamental rocks industry is a sector with large production of wastes. During the granite and marble extraction processes and specifically during the rocks cutting (see Figure 1), approximately 35 tons of powdered rock per month can be produced. These residues should be appropriately managed, because when discharged in rivers, lakes or watersheds, they can cause siltation. Also, these wastes can cause serious human health problems, such as silicosis [1].Currently, the granite and marble wastes are mainly used in civil construction to produce materials in the form of mortar, bricks and tiles. However, due the current produced volumes and the average growth of world production estimated at 6% per year, new applications for these wastes are necessary [2]."

Jan 1, 2011

By Deepak Malhotra

Rosario Dominicana, S.A., operates a gold processing complex at Pueblo Viejo, northwest of Santo Domingo (Dominican Republic). The plant processes approximately 10,000 mtpd of oxide gold-bearing ore with a work index of 11 kWh/mt. The ore hardness has increased to about 17 kWh/mt. Metallurgical auditing of the plant was conducted? to find ways to modify the circuit to process hard ore without sacrificing throughput. In addition, unit operations were optimized to increase recovery and reduce operating cost,. The results of modifications made in the plant are discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 1989

By Jiu-ju Cai, Wen-caho Liu, Fei Liu

"With the northern cities of China as study objects, and to confirm Ground-source heat pump system of the environmental benefit and the developing direction. In this paper LCA was applied to the environmental benefit Ground-source heat pump System from raw materials acquisition to system production, utilization and disposal. The conclusion shows that Ground-source heat pump system of the environmental benefit in the northern cities of China. The result showed that Ground-source heat pump system had remarkable environmental benefit. 1. Introduction Life cycle assessment Originate in the sixties of last century, what it paid close attention to is to obtain processing from products raw materials, the processing of products produces, products transportation, products use and maintain to the influence to environment of course. It is a products -oriented environmental management style, it is the environmental management mode of meeting the needs of sustainable development strategy [1]. The research object was in the city and lie in the North of China, would undertake Beijing Olympic Games some football matches in the second half of 08, in order to improve the local environment, adjust the energy structure, reduce the heating consumption of urban coal in the centre, eliminate the coal-burning boiler under 10 tons, since 2005, the local government promotes and utilizes actively the heat pump technology in the source substitute the heating of coal-burning boiler. At present, this area is adopted the technological heating area of heat pump of source reach 20 million square meters, account for this area heat 11.2% of area always, it is estimated, by 2010, adopt the technological heating area of heat pump of source will reach 65 million square meters, the proportion of the area rises to about 30% to account for this area and always heat [2 ]. Study to the whole lifespan of heating system of heat pump of ground source of this area on the basis of LCA method, obtain the products impact on environment of different stages and environmental benefit, find out and reduce or dispel the measure of the influence, improve the environmental benefit of the ground source heat pump heating system.2. MethodologyThe research approach used in this research is the Life cycle assessment, the frame of the research approach is goal and scope definition, the inventory analysis, impact assessment, interpretation.[3][4][5]"

Jan 1, 2008

By E. Legault-Seguin

The current industrial practice in the processing of nickeliferous laterites involves the precipitation and releaching of Ni and Co to allow separation from the major impurities of Mn, Mg and Ca. A direct solvent extraction process has significant advantages over this practice, which suffers from difficult and costly precipitation steps, lower recovery and inherently complex flowsheets. The present investigation involves the examination of Cyanex 272, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 as extractants for the direct extraction of Ni and Co from major impurities associated with laterite leaching, i.e. Mn, Mg and Ca. For Co extraction, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302 are superior to Cyanex 272, because they are able to selectively separate Co from Mn, Mg and Ca. Cyanex 272 offers complete extraction of Co from Ni and Ca, but Mn and Mg pose difficulty. Ni can only be extracted selectively with Cyanex 301, thus another extractant selective for Ni, such as Versatic 10 or Cyanex 301, is needed to recover Ni if Cyanex 302 or Cyanex 272 is used for the initial extraction.

Jan 1, 2004

By William Petruk

The behaviour of sphalerite during mineral beneficiation of base metal ores has been studied at CANMET and other institutes for at least 15 years by determining the liberations of sphalerite in mill products and calculating the recoveries of liberated and unliberated sphalerite in zinc concentrates. Sphalerite in base metal ores commonly occurs as layers and as interstitial material between pyrite. Layered sphalerite is generally liberated during primary grinding, but interstitial sphalerite requires re-grinding to achieve liberation. Around 95% of liberated sphalerite is generally recovered in zinc concentrates frau zinc circuit feeds. A series of tests was conducted on sphalerite in the ore of Brunswick Mining and smelting during a continuous fine tuning operation of the concentrator. It was found that a grind of 80% minus 37 micrometres was required to liberate the interstitial sphalerite. The fine grind increased Zn recoveries from 75% to 78-80%, but produced liberated slimed sphalerite which was lost. Since regrinding to a fine grain size is needed to obtain the desired sphalerite liberation, a method of recovering the slimed sphalerite is required.

Jan 1, 1990

By Nobuyuki Higashiyama, Ikuo Yonezu

"Hydrogen-absorbing alloys containing rare-earth elements are used in high capacity nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries,' hydrogen storage systems for portable fuel cells, and refrigeration systems. New hydrogen-absorbing alloys containing rare-earth elements have also been developed and introduced into these applications. High performance in nickel-metal hydride secondary batteries is strongly demanded because of the remarkable advancements in portable electric appliances. A large hydrogen absorption capacity, high electrochemical reactivity and superior corrosion resistance in an alkaline solution are required for hydrogen-absorbing alloys used in nickel-metal hydride batteries. The aim of this investigation is to improve the performance of conventional LaNi5 type hydrogen-absorbing alloys. For example, Mm(Ni-Co-Al-Mn)„ type hydrogen-absorbing alloys with various non-stoichiometric compositions were developed. In addition, a new process of rapid quenching process was applied for preparing these hydrogen-absorbing alloys in order to improve their performance.IntroductionRecently, the trend in electronic appliances toward portability has increased the demand for high capacity of secondary batteries as power sources. Since nickel-metal hydride batteries were first commercialized in 1990 in Japan, they have become increasingly popular as power sources for cellular phones, portable computers, electric shavers, and other, products.The performance of a nickel-metal hydride battery, such as its discharge capacity, high rate capability, and charge-discharge cycle life, strongly depends on the characteristics of the hydrogen-absorbing alloy negative electrode. Many types of hydrogen-absorbing alloys have been developed so far. For a hydrogen absorbing alloy to be used as the negative electrode material, (1) it must allow a large amount of hydrogen to be absorbed and desorbed in an alkaline solution, (2) its reaction rate should be high, and. (3) it must have long term durability under repeated charge-discharge cycling. However, LaNi5, a typical rare earth-nickel type alloy, shows significant capacity deterioration during repeated charge-discharge cycling. Therefore the first step in its development was to obtain sufficient corrosion resistance of the LaNi5 alloy for its use as an electrode material. A partial replacement of nickel with cobalt and a substitution of the lanthanum- content with misch metal (Mm), a mixture of rare earth elements such as lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium and neodymium, were very useful in improving the charge-discharge cycle life. However, the discharge capacity of the alloy was still not sufficient for a practical battery. A study of the effect of the partial substitution of aluminum and manganese showed that the best alloy composition was Mm(Ni-Co-Al-Mn)x, as follows.The stoichiometry x of Mm(Ni-Co-Al-Mn)x largely affects the discharge capacity and cycle life. Theose alloys with non-stoichiometric alloys with the compositions of [Mm(Ni-Co-AMn)x: 4.7<x<4.8] have a large capacity and a long cycle life. Nogami' et al. reported that 'a non-stoichiometric alloy with a Mm(Ni-Co-Al-Mn)x (x=4.76) composition showed approximately 10% higher discharge capacity than the stoichiometric alloy (x=5) [1] and greater influence of x on the electrochemical properties of multi-component AB„ type hydrogen-absorbing alloys for batteries."

Jan 1, 2000

By Gabriel Zarate

Mantoverde is a heap leach-SX-EW plant that was commissioned in December 1995 at a production rate of 42,130 tonnes of copper per year and 5.4 million tonnes of ore per year. Copper production was steadily increased reaching a maximum of 62,239 tonnes in 2012 for an ore throughput of 10,5 million tonnes. In order to get these production and throughput rates, a number of changes have been made in the metallurgical parameters of the plant operation since the start up, among them particle size, heap height, acid addition distribution in curing and leaching solution, leach cycles and pad type. Most of the modifications have been implemented after carrying out extensive column test work programs. The modifications implemented and the results obtained, as well as the test work programs carried out, are discussed in this paper.

By M. Tomita

One of the most essential factors for a custom smelter to strengthen its competitive power is to Improve its comparative standing in purchase of concentrates from the world market. It is especially critical for Japanese smelters who depend almost 90% of their raw materials on import. In order to accomplish this breakthrough, the development of the new technology which enables us to treat concentrates containing higher Impurities is inevitable. Nippon Mining Company Ltd. made an intensive research on processing complex ore for three years from 1979, and successfully developed an original hydrometallurgical process to treat converter dust for eliminating impurities from the copper smelting circuit. The commercial plant was constructed at the Saganoseki Smelter & Refinery in 1982, and its nine years operation has been satisfactorily proven the advantages of the technology. The concept of this process and its operational performance are discussed.

Jan 1, 1992

By Debbie Marshall

Process water is an important consideration in the development of a nickel laterite project. Depending on the location of the ore body, sufficient fresh water may not be available and it may be necessary to use seawater (or saline groundwater) for ore preparation. This introduces various species, which have major effects on materials of construction and leaching chemistry. This paper summarizes batch testwork completed at the Falconbridge Technology Center. The leaching behaviour of eleven different laterite ore samples were compared using seawater and fresh water. For brevity, six of the eleven samples are reported here-the other five samples showed similar results. Each ore type was leached under identical conditions in both freshwater and seawater and the leaching chemistry compared. The batch test results were confirmed in a continuous pilot plant, and leach kinetics for the two systems were compared. Keywords: high pressure acid leaching, laterites

Jan 1, 2004

By J. E. Wey

Extraction of cobalt from cobalt sulfide and cobaltite flotation concentrate from the Blackbird Mine, Idaho, was investigated using an adapted strain of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans. Cobalt extractions as high as 100% were realized in the inoculated experiments, whereas only 4% extraction was obtained in the sterile run. The influence of pulp density on the rate and extent of cobalt extraction was also determined. It was found that the extraction of cobalt followed predominantly the indirect mode of bacterial activity. In this process, ferric iron oxidizes cobaltite to cobalt sulfate and ferric arsenate while being reduced to its ferrous state; the bacteria continuously re-oxidize ferrous to ferric iron. Electrochemical measurements using cyclic voltammetry suggested that cobaltite oxidation involved a number of intermediate reactions.

Jan 1, 1993

By A. H. -J. Siegmund

Since the last survey of lead smelters in 1987, the lead industry has experienced many changes. Technological innovations, in combination with a dramatic shift in the market structure as well as more stringent government regulations, caused major upheavals in many different areas. Therefore, a new survey was performed to review the progress in the technology of lead recovery over the least decade. The newly conducted survey reflects all current phases of the world's primary lead production, from charge preparation to refined metal shipment. It was prepared by sending questionnaires to individual companies, and the detailed statistical data of this survey are presented. In considering the data developed from the survey, it should be recognized that the primary lead industry is at a crossroad where novel technologies will gradually substitute the sinter machine - blast furnace operation in the new millennium.

Jan 1, 2000

By Gerson de Araújo Filho

This paper shows the use of tires as fuel to be employed into blast furnaces. The tires can substitute coal or even charcoal in the blast furnaces tuyeres. The injection into tuyeres, besides the contribution for energy generation, can also produce gas for iron oxide reduction. The tires, as powder to be injected into blast furnaces, contributes for an environmental use of this waste, which helps to obtain a high value product as well. So, the advantage of using such material is that it is waste and has lower cost for preparation. The obtained results showed that the tires have good combustibility. This one was obtained in a model that simulates the same conditions occurring in the blast furnaces tuyeres; these used raw materiais include tires and mixtures of tires with coal or even with charcoal.

Jan 1, 2006

By Bryn Harris

Much has been written over the past twenty years on the removal and chemical stabilization of arsenic from metallurgical process solutions. This paper reviews again the latest developments in this field, and concludes as before that the high-iron arsenical ferrihydrites, together with the high temperature arsenic minerals, scorodite and Type II, remain as the best and most viable vehicles for industrial control and disposal. However, a cautionary note is introduced, in that chemical environments cannot be considered in isolation, and that cogniscence has to be taken of microbiological activity in determining the disposal method. Data are also presented on a survey of industrial practice, which shows that arsenical ferrihydrite is by far the most widely-practiced and accepted method used worldwide. Finally, the disaster in Bangladesh is briefly discussed with reference to lessons that the metallurgical community might learn from this.

Jan 1, 2003

By R. Cheng

The kinetics of the solvent extraction of ythium from HCl solution with mono-2-ethyl hexyl phosphonic acid mono-2-ethyl hexyl ester (HEHEHP) have been studied using a rotating diffusion cell (RDC). The effects of rotation speed, pH, ymium and extractant concentrations and temperature on the rate of extraction were examined. The rate of extraction of ythium appears to be controlled by an interfacial reaction of metal ion and extractant. The concentration of the latter is determined mainly by diffusion through the membrane. The contributions of the rates of diffusion in the diffusion layer, diffusion in the membrane and chemical reaction at the interface to the overall rate have been calculated on the basis of a kinetic model.

Jan 1, 1992