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By Hoda Emami

In this study, a combined pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical technique has been designed and used to recover rare earth mixture elements (REE) and cobalt from a NdFeB magnetic waste. while addressing the cost of reagent and process facility. This process can be adjusted to different magnetic wastes regardless of their compositions. Prior to the leaching, the magnet scrap was pretreated by two rounds of roasting (750°C in air) and a mechanical grinding in between, to convert iron metal to ferric oxide. Subsequent leaching was performed using optimized conditions (pH, temperature and retention time) where the extraction ratio of REE to Fe III is the highest. After removing iron content from the leachate (pH ≈ 3), REE was precipitated selectively and purified further. The produced REE concentrate reaches 99% purity with 85% recovery in a single run. The cobalt oxide was isolated from the PLS as a by-product with 99.8% purity.

By G. B. Harris

Much has been written over the past decade concerning the disposal of arsenic from metallurgical processes. In Canada, there are proposed regulations which would classify arsenic in the Primary Group of twenty one persistent, toxic pollutants to be banned or phased out. Since many nickel and cobalt ores, not to mention those of copper, gold and uranium, contain significant amounts of arsenic, it is pertinent to assess the current state-of-the-art of its disposal. The literature is reviewed, and it is demonstrated that from a purely chemical point of view, the family of ferric arsenates largely immobilize arsenic. There is clear evidence from laboratory studies that both crystalline ferric arsenate (scorodite) and amorphous ferric arsenates in which the molar Fe/As ratio is at least three (Fe/As = 3) have very low arsenic solubility; plant data are given to support this. The debate over the long term stability of these compounds continues however; the evidence presented for long term stability and for compound breakdown is critically reviewed in the light? of the recent structural studies, and the role of base metals in these compounds evaluated. Finally, conclusions are drawn as to the viability of a purely chemical process for the long term disposal of arsenic from metallurgical processes.

Jan 1, 1993

By Yukio Ishikawa

Sumitomo Metal Mining Co,. Ltd. (SMM) has been producing 22,000 t/y of electrolytic nickel at Niihama by nickel matte electrorefining process since 1970. Although the matte electrorefining is an established process and the productivity has been greatly improved in the last 20 years, SMM has intensively developed the chloride process for the nickel production since 1970's. The nickel and cobalt refining process involving solvent extraction and electrowinning from the chloride solution has been successfully developed for the treatment of the mixed sulphide in 1975. The first application of chlorine leach to the anode slime has been succeeded since 1986. Based on those technology, the matte chlorine leach electrowinning process (MCLE) has been developed as an alternation to the relatively old technology of matte electrorefining. The new process offers significant cost down and excellent quality of the product. In 1986, the feasibility of MCLE was confirmed by the test work using the integlated pilot plant. The innovation of the chlorine leach process has been undertaken by this work. The new refining process can be divided into three stages including chlorine leach stage, purification stage and electrowinning stage. More than 99 % of nickel was extracted in atmospheric chlorine leach. Although copper ion was used for electron carrier in the chlorine leach, the excess copper from the feed matte is bled off from the leach circuit by de copperizing electrolysis. The copper ion of the pregnant solution is fixed on nickel matte by the cementation reaction. The nickel matte containing copper is processed in the chlorine leach. In the purification circuit, cobalt, iron and other impurities were removed from the nickel chloride solution. The nickel chloride solution is then fed into the electrowinning cell. Based on the process established, the new plant with a capacity of 330 t/M electrolytic nickel was commissioned in order to obtain the engineering data for design of the full scale plant in 1989. The performance of the plant was fully satisfied and the new process demonstrated the potential application of modern process control.

Jan 1, 1992

By H. Castillo

This paper describes the computer simulation of thermal stress fields generated in the quenching of the ns 415 H Steel automotive parts (Valve Lifters), running the ANSYS Multiphysics software of finite element (FEM). Simulation was performed introducing residual stress measurements on specific values areas, like internal pressure condition in the material. The stress condition effect in the material and the properties as temperature function data, were introduced to the FEM software. The thermal stress simulation was made on the 2D system. The parts were austenized to 850 900 °C and then oil quenched, tempered at 150 -200°C, and air cooled. The X-Ray diffraction technique was made to take measurements from residual stresses on valve lifters surfaces. The results analysis showed the ideal stress condition necessary in raw material to reduce the scrap percent in grind operations after hardening heat treating process. Keywords: Thermal Stresses, Temperature profile, Computer Simulation, Finite element analysis, Quenching of steel, Residual Stresses

Jan 1, 2003

By Yuanyuan Zhang, Patrick J. Masset

"The reduction of FexO in slag is one of the fundamental reactions in iron and steelmaking technology, including the blast furnace process (BF). Experiments on the reduction reaction of iron oxide using CaO-SiO2-Al2O3-FexO-C mixtures were carried out using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) under reducing conditions at temperatures up to 1100°C. The composition of the primary slag was chosen so that the FexO concentration varied between 0 and 75 wt % and the CaO/SiO2 ratio being kept constant to 0.90. From the TGA curves recorded isothermally at different temperatures the kinetic parameters of the iron oxide reduction were determined.IntroductionIn blast furnace the iron ores and coke are charged in layers from the top. The reduction of iron oxide by coke is one of the fundamental reactions in the blast furnace process. Although a great amount of work has been done on the topic of reduction of composites [1, 2, 3], gasification of carbon [4, 5] and reduction of iron oxides by CO [4, 5, 6], the mechanism of reduction in iron oxide - carbon powder mixtures is not fully understood. Fruehan [1] and Rao [2] studied the reaction rate of the reduction of iron oxide by different types of carbon and concluded that the reaction mechanism is controlled by the oxidation of carbon at temperatures up to 1200°C. Rao [2] studied the reaction of hematite with graphite as carbon source up to 1080°C. An activation energy close to 300 kJ/mol was calculated within the temperature range of 950°C to 1087°C. In his study, Fruehan [1] determined the rate of reduction of Fe2O3 and FeO by coal, coke and coconut charcoal as carbon sources within the 900°C to 1200°C temperature range. He found that the reduction of Fe2O3 by carbon occurs in two stages and that the reduction of Fe2O3 to FeO is faster than that of FeO to Fe. This is due to the fact that the CO2/CO equilibrium ratio is higher, and hence, the rate of oxidation of carbon is faster. Fortini and Fruehan [3] have studied the reduction reaction of wustite by graphite and wood charcoal. They found that the wustite reduction can have a significant effect on the overall rate of reduction in composites at high temperatures or in the presence of a large excess of carbon. The calculated activation energy of the reduction reaction by wood charcoal was close to 368 kJ/mol, while the activation energy of the reduction reaction by graphite was 444 kJ/mol."

Jan 1, 2011

By John E. Litz

The Denver Process is a chemical/metallurgical process for treating radioactive or mixed wastes by extraction and concentration of the radioactive and/or hazardous component(s). The process was developed at bench scale, evaluated at pilot scale, and will be implemented at full scale to remediate a low-level radioactive sludge. Six unit operations comprise the process: feed handling, leaching, solvent extraction, electrodeposition, precipitation, and tailing preparation. Unit operation design may be modified to tailor the process for varying feed stock composition. Radioactive or mixed waste is reacted with aggressive reagents in an aqueous phase, solubilizing targeted components. These components are then selectively extracted and concentrated in subsequent steps. Waste solids and solution exit the process as non-hazardous non¬radioactive waste. Dehydration of aqueous waste by submerged combustion eliminates aqueous discharge.

Jan 1, 1994

By T. H. Courtney, B. R. Murphy

"Nominal room temperature mechanical alloying (MA) has been used to synthesize the high melting temperature NbC and Cu-NbC composites. Elemental powders of Cu and Nb were alloyed in the presence of either graphite or hexane to form nanocrystalline NbC or a Cu-NbC composite. Through control of hot-isostatic-pressing (H/Ping) parameters, we have been able to minimize microstructural coarsening during densijication, and have processed fully dense bulk compacts of both single phase NbC and two-phase Cu-NbC while maintaining a nanocrystalline or near-nanocrystalline structure. These materials generally exhibit high strength and low fracture toughness. However, mechanical properties vary significantly depending upon the Cu content and the method of NbC synthesis (graphite or hexane).INTRODUCTIONMechanical alloying (MA) has been recently used to synthesize a variety of inorganic solids; sulfides (1-2), nitrides (3), borides (4), and carbides (3, 5-8). One advantage of this processing route is that synthesis of fairly high melting temperature materials takes place at what is nominally room temperature. Another advantage is that the structures generated are often nanocrystalline in scale, with attendant interesting properties. The consolidation of these fine structures into near fully dense or fully dense materials while limiting microstructural coarsening is a challenge that has just recently seen limited success (5, 9). We report here on some recent studies of ours dealing with crystallite size and structural analysis of NbC and CuNbC composites consolidated to full density from mechanically alloyed powders. Bulk mechanical properties and their dependence on milling parameters are also presented."

Jan 1, 1994

By K. Noda

Tamano Smelter of Hibi Kyodo Smelting Co., Ltd. started its operation adopting the Flash Smelting Furnace with Furnace Electrodes (FSFE). Thereafter, it developed a coke combustion technology based on C() concentration control, which made possible a low cost and high productivity operation without using electrodes. However, increase of treated concentrates and upgrading of matte grade for production expansion started to cause difficulties in operation control with then existing operation control system. This paper outlines recent improvements for stable operation of the Tamano Type Flash Smelting Furnace (T-FSF), such as computer aided operation guide system.

Jan 1, 2001

By Makoto Suzuki

After hot rolling, stainless steel strip is processed by the Hot Rolled Annealing and Pickling line (HAP) , where H2SO4 or mixed acid of HNO3 and HF is normally used. In the pickling bath, metal oxide accumulates in the form of sludge, which should be removed from the bath regularly. A new automatic continuous sludge disposal system has been introduced at Chiba Works of Kawasaki Steel Corporation to increase sludge removal efficiency and improve the working environment. The elements of the equipment are as follows. a. Ejectors in pickling bath: to carry the mixed acid into the circulation tank through the piping system. b. Sedimentation bath : to sediment sludge out of the bath. c. Skip conveyer : to convey a specified volume of sludge into a kneading for device for neutralizing. The sludge removal efficiency of this system is very high. and the volume of sludge accumulation in the pickling bath has substantially decreased.

Jan 1, 1996

By Guo Chang Jiang

In order to improve the IIAZ toughness of X-60 pipe steel, the intragranular ferrite plate (IFP) technology was used. The characteristics of IFP is claimed to be much fine ferrite plates appear inside the original austenite grains. By means of suitable Re, Zr, Ti additions in a bath with a higher initial oxygen potential, a good control of the peak temperature and the cooling rate during welding simulation, one can get a %IFP in volume over 50%, and the toughness gets up from 55 J to 160 J. It was found that the inclusions most effective in nucleating IFP are some deformable complex silicates which either entrap Re, Zr, Ti oxides or contain these elements. The greater the number of the evenly distributed and effectively nucleating inclusions, the more the %IFP in volume, and the finer the microstructure of the HAZ, so the better the relevant toughness. Generally, these silicates bahave as fine spheres along a line. The present authors revealed that these fine spheres result from the remelting of the shuttle- like silicates due to heating in the process of welding simulation. These silicates used to get a higher sulphur capacity, so MnS deposits might be observed on the periphery of the silicates. IFP was proved to be directly rooted in the [Mn] depleting zone which locates beside MnS deposits.

Jan 1, 1997

By James T. Skoch

With the ongoing pressure on the secondary aluminum business to limit the amount of waste generated from processing aluminum dross, it becomes very advantageous to preprocess the dross to reduce waste. The advantage of preprocessing is that it significantly reduces the oxides and salt cake generated when melted. Various products can be produced from the oxides for the steel industry. The following paper will demonstrate that removal of oxide fines before melting will result in large volumes of material not being landfilled. We will show that the end result of this technology is to significantly reduce the amount of salt cake sent to a landfill while maximizing the recyclability of the aluminum dross.

Jan 1, 1995

By Li Kaihua, Li Liang, Miao Qingdong, Wang Cong

The current process of production of titanium sponge involves the use of TiCl4 as a feed material and a huge amount of heat is generated during the magnesiothermic reduction process. For this reason, it is possible to agglomerate into a titanium lump with the partial high temperature. And, it is difficult to obtain soft titanium sponge with low content of impurities. In order to solve the current problems in the titanium sponge production process, process optimization experiments study of TiCl4 feeding speed, vacuum distillation temperature, system pressure and time control had been conducted for obtain high quality titanium sponge. Experimental results show that lower feeding speed can improve the output capacity of titanium sponge and softer products can be obtained. The product grade rate of titanium sponge improved significantly.

Jan 1, 2015

By Zhang Libo, Li Wei, Peng Jinhui, Guo Shenghui, L. Jing

Partially stabilized zirconia ceramics (PSZ) were prepared by microwave sintering using natural baddeleyite which was obtained by flotation of baddeleyite ore as starting materials. Because of using natural baddeleyite as raw and the process producing no waste, it realized shorter process, energy savmg, environmentally-friendly and non-damage processing. In this work natural baddeleyite stabilized with 3.8wt.% CaO were sintered at 1300°C for 60min in a multi-mode 2.45GHz microwave furnace. Microwave sintering could fast heating and sintering. Besides that, microwave sintering could heat materials wholly, low the sintering temperature, improve the materials properties and save energy. X-ray spectrum displayed the product composed by the tetragonal phase and monoclinic phase that also showed the product was PSZ. Fine and uniform microstructures were observed in the product through scanning electron microscopy. PSZ which was with high density was confirmed by the method of the Archimedes technique.

Jan 1, 2011

By Shuai Wang, Gang-hua Fu, Lu Yang, Yu-feng Guo, Tao Jiang

The fluorine-bearing iron concentrate is one of the refractory raw materials for pelletization, which is mainly used in Baotou iron and steel company with lots of problems, such as narrow roasting temperature range and low compressive strength of products. According to its specific character, the effects of roasting temperature, time on the compressive strength and microstructure of pellets were researched. The results show that low melting substances formed during the roasting was the dominant reason of those problems. High melting substances were added in the roasting to investigate their effects on the roasting properties of fluorine-bearing iron concentrate pellets. Low melting substances were reduced when chromite was added. The compressive strength of products was 3100N/P when the 2% chromite was added at the roasting temperature of 1150 ºC, which was increased 700 N/P compared with the pellets without chromite, and the roasting temperature range was expanded by 170 ºC.

Jan 1, 2016

By Yanhui Liu, Xuewei Lv, Pingsheng Lai, Chenguang Bai

The purpose of this paper is to study the effect of slag basicity on the Si content in stainless steel master alloys prepared by smelting reduction of Fe-Ni-Cr sinters. Theoretical analysis focusing on the gas, slag and alloy phases of the smelting reduction process at 1600°C was carried out by thermodynamic calculation software----FactSage, showing that the increase of CaO within the slag can result in the decrease of Si within the master alloy. Experiments were also carried out in vacuum melting furnace at 1600°C , and chemical analysis method was used to detect Si content in the alloys. When the MgO content is 9.00%, the experimental results were consistent with the calculated values. However, when the MgO content rises up to 14%, the content of Si in the alloy reaches the maximum when SiO2 equals to 22.81%.

Jan 1, 2016

By D. J. Senor

Closed chamber incineration (CCI) is a novel technique by which irradiated nuclear graphite may be destroyed without the risk of radioactive cation release into the environment. The process utilizes an enclosed combustion chamber coupled with molten carbonate fuel cells (MCFCs). The transport of cations is intrinsically suppressed by the MCFCs, such that only the combustion gases are conducted through for release to the environment. An example CCI design was developed which had as its goal the destruction of graphite fuel elements from the Fort St. Vrain reactor (FSVR). By employing CCI, the volume of high level waste from the FSVR will be reduced by approximately 87 percent. Additionally, the incineration process will convert the Sic coating on the FSVR fuel particles to SiO2, thus creating a form potentially suitable for direct incorporation in a vitrification process stream. The design is compact, efficient, and makes use of currently available technology.

Jan 1, 1994

Reduction of titania and ilmenite ores by Cf4-H2-Ar gas mixture was investigated in a laboratory fixed bed reactor. Titania was reduced to titanium oxycarbide in the temperature range of 12OO-1500°C. At 1400-15000C, the extent of reduction of titania to titanium oxycarbide achieved more than 85% in 90 min. Optimum conditions for titanium oxycarbide synthesis by reduction of titania include temperature in the range of 1300-1450°C, methane content 8 vol% and hydrogen content above 35 vol%. Ilmenite ore was reduced by Cf4-HrAr gas mixture to metallic iron and titanium oxycarbide. Metallic iron catalyzed methane cracking and solid carbon deposition. Titanium oxycarbide formed at temperatures as low as 950°C. The optimum temperature for reduction of ilmenite is 1200°C and the optimum methane content is 8 vol%. Increase in hydrogen content increased both rate and extent of reduction. With 5 vol% CH4-75 vol% Hr20 vol% Ar gas mixture, the reduction of ilmenite completed in 60 min. Reduction of titanium oxides to oxycarbide with following chlorination may be an efficient alternative technology for processing of titanium minerals.

Jan 1, 2001

Mount Isa Mines Limited (MIM) and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) have, over the past 15 years, jointly developed the Isasmelt process. This process is based on the use of the Sirosmelt top-entry, submerged combustion lance, developed by the CSIRO in 1973. While the Isasmelt technology was first applied to lead smelting, it has more recently been adapted to smelt copper concentrate. A 15 t/h demonstration Copper Isasmelt plant was commissioned in MIM's Mount Isa copper smelter in April 1987. The success of the Copper Isasmelt demonstration plant, which smelted over 532,000 metric tons of copper concentrate, has led to the construction of two full-scale furnaces: a 104 t/h furnace in the Mount Isa copper smelter, and a 585,000 t/y (650,000 short t/y) furnace at the Cyprus Miami Mining Corporation smelter at Miami, Arizona. The commissioning of these furnaces commenced in August and June 1992, respectively. The MIM Copper Isasmelt furnace will raise the Mount Isa copper smelter's capacity to 265,000 t/y of copper. The plant includes several innovative features, including: Andritz pressure filters, a rotary holding furnace, and an Ahlstrom flux-flow boiler.

Jan 1, 1993

By Samantha Moodley, Rauf Hurman Eric, Cevat Kucukkaragoz, Aditya Kale

"Two titania slags, rutile and synthetic rutile were chlorinated with petroleum coke and CO in a small bubbling fluidized bed reactor. The study aims to identify differences in chlorination mechanism, compare conversion rates, blowover and the chlorination of impurities for the various titania feedstocks at different temperatures.Chlorination rates were highest at 1000ºC; rutile chlorination significantly increases as temperature increases from 800ºC to 1000ºC. At 1000ºC, synthetic rutile had the highest chlorination conversion rate; this was followed by Slag B which in turn was more reactive than Slag A and rutile. The mechanism for slag, synthetic rutile (SR) and rutile chlorination differs. Synthetic rutile feed is porous, providing a larger surface area for the chlorination reaction, hence the highest conversion rates was attained. Titania slag becomes porous with the initial chlorination of FeO and MnO whilst rutile remains solid. As the porosity of slag particles increases so does its tendency to be elutriated. Ti2O3 is oxidized within the early stages of chlorination during the chlorination of FeO and MnO. Ti2O3 not oxidized is then rapidly chlorinated.IntroductionTitanium dioxide (TiO2) is the most common compound of titanium, about 95 - 98% of extracted titanium minerals is processed into TiO2 white pigment [1]. Two processing routes exist for the production of TiO2 pigments, i.e., sulphate and chloride based processes. In the chloride process, titania feedstock is fed to a fluidized bed reactor together with reductant and chlorine gas. A temperature of 1000 - 1300ºC is maintained in the reaction zone and apart from silica, zirconia, uranium and thorium, virtually all the metal oxides in the feed are converted to their respective chlorides [2]. Chlorine is recovered and recycled back to the reactor."

Jan 1, 2012

By Patricio Barrios

The Rio Tinto Metal (RTMetal) copper smelter, located 5 Km from Huelva, Spain, began operations in 1970. Since then a series of expansions and modifications have allowed a progressive increase in copper production. Environmental considerations having become increasingly important, environmental protection has come to represent an important aspect of the investments in production. As a result, modifications have been carried out in the two existing acid plants: -Modification of the RTM I gas cleaning section to closed circuit. -Substitution of cascade filters and acid lines. -Modification of the RTM I plant to double absorption. The Expansion and Environmental Improvement Project, completed end 1995, will allow 270,000 t Cu and 800,000 t H2SO4 to be produced yearly, at the same time achieving a decrease in specific and overall emissions. RTMetal's goal is to be an efficient smelter, with the avowed intention of respecting the environment and adopting the best available technologies.

Jan 1, 1996