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By Cheng Pan, Qiugang Yuan, Xuewei Lv, Mei Liu, Enguang Guo

Land-based nickel resources include nickel sulfide and nickel laterite. With the consumption of high grade nickel sulfide, use of nickel laterite has received more and more attention. The mineralogy and sintering behavior of limonitic nickel laterite with high iron and low nickel and silica was studied to offer technical support for producing ferronickel through sintering–blast furnace route. The mineralogy results showed that the main phases in this kind of nickel laterite are goethite (FeO(OH)), gibbsite (Al(OH)3) and NiFe2O4. The TGA (Thermogravimetric Analysis) and DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimetry) revealed hydroxide minerals in addition to absorbed water. After the sintering experiments the chemical composition, phases present (XRD analysis) and physical properties of the sinter were studied. The content of FeO in the sinter increased with increasing basicity up to 1.3, and then decreased with further increase in basicity. The yield of sinter increased (from 73% to 80%) with increase in the basicity from 1.1 to 1.7, and then the yield decreased with the further increase in basicity. Mg(Ni)(Fe,Al)2O4 is the main phase in the sinter while MgCaSiO4 and Fe2SiO4 is the main binder phase when the basicity is 1.1~1.5, and MgCaSiO4, Fe2SiO4 and SFCA is the main binder phase when the basicity is 1.7~2.1.

Jan 1, 2014

By Kenji Monden

"The creep properties of tin-based lead-free solders Sn3.0AgO.5Cu and SnO.7CuO.1Ni and lead solders 10Sn90Pb and 50Sn50Pb were investigated at temperatures between 298 K and 398 K. The creep-rupture time decreases with increasing initial stress and temperature. The analysis of the solder creep curves uses the Omega method. The creep rate E is expressed by following formula: 1n ? = 1n ?0 + O?, where ?0 and O are experimentally determined. The parameter Eo increases with increasing initial stress and temperature. The activation energy for ?0 is 108 kJ/mol for Sn3.0Ag0.5Cu and 85 kJ/mol for SnO.7CuO.INi. These energies suggest that the lattice diffusion of tin is dominant. The energy of 1OSn90Pb is 37 kJ/mol and that of 50Sn50Pb is 67 kJ/mol. The creep-rupture time is calculated using the parameters, ?0 and O. The calculated creep-rupture time is in good agreement with the measured creep-rupture time.IntroductionLead-free solders are replacing traditional tin-lead solders as part of a major trend toward protecting the earth's environment. However, tin-lead solders are currently needed for a high temperature range. Since creep is the main deformation mechanism in solder joints, understanding a constitutive model for creep and examining creep data for solders are important for reliability analysis of solder joints. A steady-state creep equation is generally used for solders [1,2], and it supposes that the secondary-, or minimum-, creep rate occupies the entire creep life. However, secondary creep accounts for only about 15 % to 40 % of the entire creep life for solders. Thus, the equation may not represent the entire creep life."

Jan 1, 2012

By Derek Fray

Molten salts have been used for the extraction of metals since the 19th century but, recently, many interesting processes have been investigated using mixtures of molten salts and different cathodic materials. In several existing processes, the cation is simply discharged from melt but, in some cases, complications arise when the electrode potentials of the cations are relatively close. For example, the co-deposition of sodium with aluminium in the Hall-Heroult process is discussed in terms of electrode potentials of the components in the molten electrolyte. Similar considerations will also be given to the anodic reactions with respect to chlorine, oxygen, carbon dioxide or monoxide evolution from chloride-oxide melts. In some cases, the cathodic product interacts with the cathode to produce new and exciting products such as nanotubes from carbon or titanates and reduced titanium oxides from titanium dioxide. Depending on the electrode potentials, it is also possible to completely change the cathodic reaction from discharge of the cation in the salt to ionisation of the anions in the cathode. Examples are given of the reduction of metal oxides to produce metals, high technology alloys and nanomaterials and the cathodic refining of liquid metals.

Jan 1, 2006

By Jr. Robison

"Aluminothermic (""thermite"") smelting became commercial with the development of tonnage aluminum, and prospered producing metals and alloys with higher cleanliness, consistency and elemental control than competing technologies. We explore the scope of thermite smelting, and metallothermic smelting in general; the thermochemistry of the process; and its advantages and limitations as applied to industrial production. We review currently-produced products of thermite smelting in several forms and a wide range of heat sizes. As these products serve several industries, we relate the demands of those industries to the requirements imposed on the thermite process, leading to process dynamics and mechanisms to control/alter those dynamics. We review ways to lower the process costs by altering process stoichiometry, using other energy sources and utilizing less costly materials while considering effects on product quality and customer requirements. Finally, we examine overall emissions control and waste disposal.IntroductionAluminothermic smelting is the reduction of various oxides by aluminum to produce metals or alloys with varying levels of residual aluminum. One of the earliest uses of the process was the production of liquid iron to weld railroad rails, later modified in ""thermite grenades"" used to ""spike"" artillery pieces in World War II. Then during the 50's, 60's and 70's the growth of jet aircraft created a demand for new superalloys and titanium alloys, both requiring master alloys for efficient production. Aluminothermic smelting grew with the aerospace industry and with the expansion of microalloyed steels. It is very much a niche industry, dependent on the specialized demands of the specialty steel, superalloy and titanium industries. In this paper we introduce the characteristics of aluminothermic smelting, the scope of smelting operations, the markets served, and the environmental aspects of the process, as seen through the eyes of a company using aluminothermic smelting for over fifty years"

Jan 1, 2012

By T. L. Baum

External oxidation during in-line heat treatment of TRIP steels can cause problems for the subsequent coating process. This research aims to elucidate the kinetic rates of internal oxidation, external oxidation and decarburization and their interdependence under different gas atmospheres and temperatures. A rolled steel sample chemistry of 0.14 wt.% C, 1.8 wt% Mn, 0.6 wt.% Si and 1 wt.% Al is used as a case study. Thermogravimetric techniques are used to examine the net mass change in a sample during heat treatment and the results show an initial mass decrease and later an increase for particular partial pressures of H2O. SEM-EDS, optical microscopy and glancing-angle x-ray are used to quantify the microstructure. The cross-section of the samples have 4 distinct zones: (i) an external scale, rich in fayalite, (ii) an internally oxidized region with Al, Si and Mn oxides in an Fe matrix, (iii) a decarburized steel region, characterized by large ferrite grains and low carbon content, and (iv) a relatively unaffected steel core with a structure similar to the starting material.

Jan 1, 2006

By Ashish D. Patel, Ramesh S. Minisandram

"Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) is the final and, hence, critical melting step for the production of a sound, segregation-free ingot for the manufacture of alloys used in rotating components in aircraft engines. A mathematical model for this process has been developed by the Specialty Metal Processing Consortium (SMPC). The model predicts temperature distribution in the solidifying ingot, flow in the molten metal pool, and the electromagnetic field in the ingot. These predictions may be used to estimate the effect of melting parameters on the pool profile in the ingot. In this paper, typical pool shapes and flow fields during VAR of Alloy 718 and Ti-6Al-4V are presented. The differences in the pool profile are primarily due to vastly different melting conditions. The model predictions are compared to the observed pool shapes from industrial-size VAR ingots.1. IntroductionVacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) is a process in which an electrode is melted in vacuum by the heat from a DC electric arc. Metal droplets from the electrode fall into the molten metal pool, which solidifies in a water-cooled copper crucible to form the ingot, as shown in Figure I. The ingot obtained from VAR is sound, and has superior cleanliness and chemical homogeneity. Hence, the process is the final melting process for most nickel-base superalloys and titanium alloys used in the manufacture of critical rotating components (discs & blades) of aircraft engines. Modeling of this process provides an insight into the effect of melting parameters on the molten metal pool in the solidifying ingot, which is a key first step in process optimization and defect prevention. In this paper, typical pool shapes, both measured and predicted, for VAR of Alloy 718 and Ti-6Al-4Vare presented. Alloy 718 is the most common VAR-processed nickel-base superalloy; whereas Ti-6Al-4V is the ''workhorse"" alloy for titanium-based alloys."

Jan 1, 2004

By J. R. Donald

Surface and interfacial phenomena play a significant role in refractory performance. For example, the wettability of the refractory material with slag, matte, and metal influences infiltration and interfacial reactions. Yet, very little fundamental information regarding the surface properties of refractory materials and slag is available. Thus, in the present work, the sessile drop technique incorporating a high temperature furnace equipped with X-ray fluorescope was employed to investigate the surface and interfacial phenomena of fayalite-type slags on solid alumina at 1200?C. The iron to silica (Fe/SiO,) ratios employed were 1.4 and 2.0, and the oxygen potentials used were log p02 =-11 and log p02=-9 atmospheres. The contact angle between the fayalite-type slags and the alumina were determined to be relatively low, at about 16.9 to 19.6 degrees under the experimental conditions. The surface tension of fayalite slag (Fe/SiO2=1.4) at an oxygen potential of log -11 was 0.298, which agreed with the work of previous researchers. The surface tension of the fayalite was observed to increase with time. The spinel FeAl2O4. was determined to be the product of the interfacial reaction, and 8.8 to 15.8 mass percent alumina was dissolved into the slag after 40 minutes.

Jan 1, 1996

By R. P. King

The linear intercept distributions provide unambiguous and accurate characterizations of the texture of mineralogical materials. The relation between the measured linear intercept distributions and the spatial correlation function is shown to be given by: in the Laplace Transform domain. The linear intercept distributions of the two phases in a low- grade chromite-serpentinite ore were measured. and the spatial correlation functions for both phases were evaluated using the above relation. The correlation functions are the primary relations for integral geometric models of mineralogical texture and this work demonstrates the relation between the 10 stereological model and the 3D integral geometry model for mineral liberation.

Jan 1, 1991

By David G. Dixon, Ahmad Ghahremaninezhad, Edouard Asselin

"In this study pertaining to the electrochemistry of chalcopyrite, the active/passive behavior of a chalcopyrite electrode in 0.5M sulfuric acid solution was investigated. Potentiostatic and potentiodynamic polarization and multi-cyclic voltanunetry were conducted to analyze the electrodissolution parameters of the electrode.The potentiodynamic and potentiostatic polarizations of chalcopyrite revealed the formation of a passive film on the surface of chalcopyrite. From the potentiostatic study in the passive potential region, a decrease in the dissolution current density by increasing the potential was observed. From this, it was concluded that the passive film is an n-type semiconductor and cation interstitial defects or anion vacancies are the charge carriers. From multi-cyclic voltammetry studies, four cathodic peaks at - 0.37, 0.30, -0.10 and-0.20 YsHE were detected on the surface of a passivated chalcopyrite electrode. The cathodic peaks at 0.37 and 0.30 V were connected to ferric to ferrous reduction and copper sulfide formation, respectively. The peaks at -0.10 and - 0.20 were related to chalcopyrite reduction. The products of the chalcopyrite reduction reactions were suggested to be Cu2S, Cu9fesS16 and Cu5feS4 and evolution of hydrogen sulfide gas (H2S).IntroductionChalcopyrite is the most abundant copper bearing mineral in the world and its dissolution behavior represents the most important technological consideration in the hydrometallurgical extraction of copper [I]. Since the current pyrometallurgical methods for copper extraction from chalcopyrite have environmental issues, many studies have considered the leaching and dissolution of CuFeS2 in different aqueous media [2-5]. The main problem associated with leaching processes is the slow dissolution rate of the mineral [6]. During the dissolution process, increasing the potential of the chalcopyrite in the anodic direction will cause the formation of surface layers which hinder the dissolution rate of the mineral [7]. The precise composition of the layers is in dispute. Previous studies have concluded that these layers could be sulfur [8-9], precipitated iron compounds [8], a solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) - which slows the rate of electron transfer- [10], a metal deficient sulfide [ll], or polysulfidic in nature [12-13]. In order to increase the leaching kinetics of chalcopyrite, the characterization of the layers formed during dissolution is essential and electrochemical methods are important to this end. Studies by Biegler [14] show nucleation and growth of a thin two-dimensional sulfide phase on the surface of chalcopyrite during the exposure of a polished sample in HzS04 solution or air. More studies by Biegler and Swift [15] have shown evidence for nucleation and growth of a 3-dimensional phase at low anodic potentials (around 200 mV vs. OCP). The current-time behavior of the dissolution process in this potential area has the characteristics of expansion and overlap of localized dissolution centers."

Jan 1, 2012

By Stephen K. Pave1

Over 1,100 tons per day of Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (FCCU) catalyst is used worldwide. During the cracking reaction, catalyst is contaminated by deposited metals including nickel, vanadium, potassium, copper, iron, sodium, etc. To compensate for contaminants, a portion of the circulating catalyst inventory is withdrawn for disposal and fresh catalyst is added. The DEMETR process takes spent FCCU catalyst and removes a portion of the metal contaminants, enabling the refiner to recycle demetallized catalyst, thus reducing the solid waste from the refinery. Through August, 1993, the operation of one unit for one refiner has resulted in the recycling of over 7,500 tons of spent catalyst.

Jan 1, 1994

The present work is mainly focused on developing intermetallic inert anodes for aluminum electrolysis. The anode alloy based on Al-Ti-Cu system was prepared by casting, followed by the application of a protective coating. Behaviour of corrosion and the passivation under anodic condition was characterized using the electrochemical and microscopic techniques. The results obtained clearly demonstrate that the oxide coating can provide good corrosion resistance via surface passivation of alloy anodes, rendering them inert in cryolite melt.

Jan 1, 2006

By Runsheng Xu, Haiyang Wang, Pengcheng Zhang, Tengfei Song

Semi coke, a byproduct in the chemical industry, is a new fuel for blast furnace injection in China. In this study, semi coke and bitumite were milled into different size, ranged from 0.147mm to under 0.074mm. The content of volatile matter and ash, which affect the combustibility of semi coke, were measured using muffle furnace. The mixture, in which the proportion of coal in different sizes changed, was blend by semi coke and bitumite with different size. Activation energy calculation and the comprehensive combustion characteristic index of all kinds of blends was also discussed. The result obtained by Thermogravimetry –Derivative Thermogravimetry curves indicates that the smaller the size of mixture is, the lower for the characteristic temperature, and the better for its combustibility, Semi coke can be a substitute for anthracite in blast furnace injection.

Jan 1, 2015

By Norihiko Fukatsu, Takashi Iwamoto, Noriaki Kurita, Koji Katahira, Kunihiro Koide, Teruo Ohashi

"The galvanic cell-type hydrogen sensor employing CaZro.9Ino.t03-a. as the solid electrolyte was designed for the measurement of hydrogen activities in molten copper under industrial .conditions. The sensor probe consists of the cap-shaped solid electrolyte with porous platinum electrode on the inside and alumina refractory tube. The gas mixture of the composition 4%H2-0.5%02-Ar was made to flow on the inside electrode. The hydrogen sensor probe was inserted directly into molten copper and the melt was used as the outer electrode. The effect of oxygen activity gradient to EMF was eliminated theoretically by measuring the oxygen activity in the melt simultaneously with an oxygen sensor. The high stability of output and excellent response to the change of hydrogen activity were obtained over the wide range of industrial copper melting conditions.IntroductionIn the metal casting process, hydrogen easily dissolves in molten metals from water vapor in the surrounding atmosphere. Owing to the large difference in hydrogen solubility between liquid and solid metal, dissolved hydrogen becomes a cause of the defects of blowholes in castings or ingots. It is necessary to control the hydrogen content in the molten metals [l]. Using proton-conducting ceramics as a solid electrolyte, high temperature-type hydrogen sensor can be constructed [2]. SrCe03- and BaCe03-based perovskite-type oxides exhibit appreciable proton conduction under hydrogen containing atmosphere at high temperature [3-5]. A hydrogen sensor for molten aluminum using CaZro.91no.103-a. has been developed and widely used in the ·process control in the aluminum melting industry [6,7]. The same type of hydrogen sensor has also been expected in the copper melting industry. .. However, CaZro.91no.103-a shows ·not only proton but also oxide ion conduction in the high temperature and at low oxygen activies like the copper melting· conditions. Then we studied the oxide ion conduction in CaZro.91no.103-a. iit · detail [8]. From the consideration on the EMF of the galvanic cell employing this material as electrolyte, it was shown that the unknown hydrogen activity may be precisely determined from cell potential which is corrected for the effect of oxygen potential gradient And the hydrogen sensor based in this principle was constructed and tested in laboratory-scale [9,10]. We repeated the similar tests in factory-scale and developed the sensor system for practical uses [11, 12]. In this report, the structure and system of the hydrogen sensor for molten copper will be introduced first. The reliability of the sensor will then be demonstrated from the results of experiments for sensor probes carried out in TYK's laboratory."

Jan 1, 2000

By Patrick R. Taylor

A kinetic study of the fluosilicic acid leaching of galena was performed under the presence of different oxidants. Fluosilicic acid concentration, agitation speed, concentration of solids and particle size, type and concentration of oxidant, and temperature were the variables studied. Hydrogen peroxide was found to be the most effective oxidant, its effectiveness being proportional to its concentration. As expected, an increase of leaching temperature increased the overall extraction and extraction rate. The same was found by decreasing the galena particle size. It is thought that leaching using hydrogen peroxide is controlled by fluid film mass transfer due to the calculated apparent activation energy. Reaction by-products such as sulfur and sulfur compounds retard the leaching rate. A mathematical model is proposed and compared to experimental results.

Jan 1, 2003

By Gunther Schimmel

Ag exudation in four different alloys (Ag-Cd, Ag-Sn, Ag-Sn-In and Ag-Zn) is characterized. The amount of exuded material is correlated with the volume increase due to oxide formation in dependence of the alloy concentration and different densities of the oxide and matrix phases. It is shown that all four alloys show similar amounts of volume increases, but different amounts of exuded material. It is concluded that internal stresses due to the volume increase cannot be the dominant driving force for Ag exudation. A gradient in the chemical potential of Ag that originates from the O concentration gradient inherent to internal oxidation is suggested as driving force. The exudation behavior is thus governed by the variation of the activity of Ag in the Ag fcc phase in the Ag-Me-O system that differs between the alloying systems.

Jan 1, 2010

By Natasa Mitevska

The statistical analysis of the slag composition influence on copper losses to discard slag in the reverberatory furnaces No.1 and No.2 in the RTB BOR, Copper Smelter and Refinery (Yugoslavia) is presented in this paper. The model for the slag basicity calculation is determined, and connected to the copper distribution coefficients between the matte and slag phase. The influence of all components on the slag structure is also illustrated.

Jan 1, 2003

By Luciano B. Oliveira, Luis G. C. Marques, Sergio N. Monteiro, Marcos V. M. Fagundes

"Biodiesel production is normally associated with large plantations of oily vegetables such as soybean and colza, in large rural areas. However, in the municipal limits of the city of Rio de Janeiro, southeast of Brazil, biodiesel is being produced from wastes commonly generated by typical urban activities such as sewage sludge, discarded fat from meat markets and post-used cooking oils. In the present work, the experience of producing biodiesel from urban wastes in Rio de Janeiro is assessed. The type of precursor materials, equipments and logistics are presented. The environmental and economical advantages as well as the drawbacks are discussed.IntroductionThe interest for a liquid fuel that could substitute those obtained from petroleum started more than one hundred years ago when Rudolph Diesel tested his no-spark internal combustion engine, impelled by compression, with peanut oil. By that time, petroleum was beginning to be extracted in large scale and no one was concerned with the future environmental problems and its eventual depletion. In the last century, the successful association of petroleum based fuels with the automotive industry was an almost insurmountable obstacle to any attempt to use nonmineral oils [1]. In addition to the greater efficiency and, by then, lower price of the diesel from petroleum, the use of plain vegetable oils introduced undesirable carbon deposits and reduced the engine lifetime. Today, the situation is reverse. The continuous increase in the price of petroleum and, above all, its contribution to climate changes are strongly motivating the use of biofuels to replace those obtained from fossil fuels such as petroleum, natural gas and coal [2].In the case of the common petroleum derived diesel, many countries are now engaged in large scale substitution programs. The USA should produce more than 700 million litters of biodiesel, while the European Community is expected too produce around 6.5 billion litters in 2008. In Brazil, the federal biodiesel program imposed a minimum of 2% addition to the common diesel. This would demand a production of 800 million litters in 2008 [3]. The Brazilian biodiesel is made from a diversified source of vegetables mainly castor bean, African palm and soybean. The main producers are agrobusiness firms located in large rural areas of the Brazilian hinterland [4]."

Jan 1, 2008

By Xuyang Liu, Xuewei Lv, Chenguang Bai, Meilong Hu

"The electro-deoxidation process for ilmenite concentrate in molten salt was studied by cyclic voltammetry and AC impedance spectroscopy. The results from cyclic voltammetry are consistent with those of AC impedance spectroscopy. The results showed that the electro-deoxidation process for ilmenite concentrate consists of two steps. In the first step, Fe is reduced from the ilmenite concentrate. The second reaction is the decomposition of TiCh. CaTiCh is an intermediate product. At low voltage, the electrochemical reaction is the main step. With the increasing potential, the diffusion of ion is the main rate controlling step for the electro-deoxidation of FeTiO3.IntroductionTitania and titanium-rich products are mainly prepared from ilmenite concentrates (FeTi03), which contain about 40%-60% T1O2 after ore dressing and other physical or chemical processes [1]. At present, the main methods to prepare titania are the sulfuric acid process and the chloride process, but the sulfuric acid process consumes a large amount of sulfuric acid and the materials requirements for the chloride process are strict [2], Since the Electro-Deoxidization in Molten Salt (FFC) method was put forward in 2000, many researchers have successfully extracted the metal and alloys by this method, such as Ti, Cr, Tb, Si, Al-Si, TiV, FeTi, etc. [3-7], FeTi alloy is a typical hydrogen storage material, and because of its favorable properties, the preparation of FeTi alloy has become a hot research topic [7-9]. However, the mechanism of electro-deoxidization has not been studied thoroughly [10-11]. Therefore, in this study, the electro-deoxidation process for titanium concentrate was investigated by electrochemical methods, and the study makes a contribution to improving the current efficiency of the electrolysis."

Jan 1, 2012

By Kurt A. M. Westerlund

The basic function of primary gas handling downstream non-ferrous pyro-metallurgical processes is cooling hot sticky gases to treatable temperature levels (e.g. entering ESP). That means managing efficient the critical gaseous components from a molten via a sticky to a solid phase. The article outlines the modem gas cooling methods combined with efficient heat recovery. Examples of the alternative use of recovered steam energy are outlined; as e.g. drying of concentrate and power generation. The heat transfer impact of the insulating dust is called fouling and circumstances causing fouling are described. Modem cooling surface design and cleaning techniques to keep fouling in reasonable limits are described. Leakage- and false air ingress into the gas handling lines often limits smelting capacity. The objective is generally to minimize the infiltration of air but it still takes place at open interfaces (e.g. at reactor hood, feed port). Leakage air at furnace roofs for example can be reduced to a minimum by adopting the pressure gas sealing used at present In-Bath-Lance furnaces. Modernization and optimization methods to de-bottleneck existing waste heat boiler gas cooling capacity by highly efficient surface cleaning systems and false air avoiding (e.g. bundle roof boxes, dust discharge) are detailed described.

Jan 1, 1999

By Margarete Kalin

Mine abandonment is associated with the securing of access to underground workings, shafts, raises and adits. Waste rock piles and tailings are generally contoured and revegetated. When the waste materials contain pyritic material seepages can often emerge long after the physical reclamation work has been carried out. Their extent and origin has to be delineated to facilitate remedial measures. The depth to which the seepages extended can be determined with an electromagnetic (EM) survey. This paper reports on the experience gained using a winter and a summer EM survey correlated with measurements of specific conductivity at the sediment water interface. Lake sediments and ponds which represent a homogenous background material are good media, where specific conductivity and electromagnetic conductivity can be correlated. The origin of the seepage within the recontoured mine site requires detailed site knowledge, as many anomalies in heterogenous materials such as represented by a mine site are evident.

Jan 1, 1994