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By Yang Cui

The partition ratios of lead and antimony between liquid copper and MgO saturated Cu2O-CaO-SiO2 flux and their removal rate by using CuCl-based flux were measured between 1423 K and 1573 K. For Cu2O-CaO-MgOsatd. system, the partition ratio of Pb was not affected by the CaO content at 1573 K, while that of Sb increased with increasing CaO content. The maximum value was 160 at the CaO content of 15.4 mass%. For Cu2O-CaO-SiO2-MgOsatd. system, two liquid phases of calcium silicate rich phase and Cu2O rich phase were observed at 1573 K. The partition ratios of Pb and Sb between calcium silicate phase and liquid copper depended on the (mass%CaO)/(mass%SiO2) ratio. When the (mass%CaO)/(mass%SiO2) ratio increased, the partition ratio of Pb decreased and that of Sb increased. For CuCl flux, the removal of Pb from liquid copper at 1473 K was possible, and a relatively low concentration could be reached. Moreover, most of lead as metal chloride vaporized from flux. For the removal of antimony from liquid copper at 1423 K, it was difficult by CuCl flux, and the removal ratio was approximately 20% for 75 minutes. However, the addition of CaO or Na2CO3 to CuCl flux was relatively effective to remove antimony, and the concentration of antimony reached a relatively low value after 15 minutes by using CuCl-CaO or CuCl-Na2CO3fluxes. Moreover, a small part of antimony as chloride vaporized from flux.

Jan 1, 2006

By K. Noda

Tamano Smelter of Hibi Kyodo Smelting Co., Ltd. is carrying out a low cost production using a Tamano Type Flash Smelting Furnace (T-FSF), which is an improved version of Outokumpu Type Flash Smelting Furnace but without slag cleaning furnace and also by developing its own coke combustion technology. Coke combustion technology that is the basis of the system has been improved several times and, at present, it has evolved to a stage where it can be reproduced on the Computer guided system for Coke Combustion in the T-FSF (CCCT) using a general- purpose computer. This CCCT is featured by 'its trend control and predicting function, and an operator can freely control the operation parameters so as to control the operation flexibly. We have recently developed an overall energy reduction system covering the Smelting Plant to Sulfuric Acid Plant, which we call an Optimum Low Cost Operation System (OLCO) to reconsider the energy costs including coke, heavy fuel oil, and electric power. In this report, we would like to present the recent operation of T-FSF based on CCCT as well as the optimum energy operation utilizing OLCO system.

Jan 1, 2002

By Yoshio Waseda

A laser flash method has been applied to obtain the thermal diffusivity values of Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 alloy in the liquid, glassy, crystallized and supercooled liquid states. The electrical resistivity of this particular alloy was measured in the glassy, and crystallized states by a direct current four probe technique. A specific heat of Zr55Al10Ni5Cu30 alloy was also determined by a differential scanning calorimeter in the glassy state. On the other hand, thermal diffusivity values for two alloys of Zr60Al15Ni25 and Zr65Al7.5Cu27.5 were measured in the crystallized and liquid states. The thermal diffusivity values of three Zr-based alloys in the liquid state are summarized in the linear equations with positive temperature dependency and it is noted that the lower the thermal diffusivity values of Zr-based alloys at liquidus temperature, the lower the critical cooling rate to obtain metallic glass phase becomes. The thermal diffusivity values of Zr-based alloys were compared with those of Pd-based alloy case. These results suggest that thermal diffusivity of alloy liquids might be an indicator of the glass-forming ability of Zr-based and Pd-based alloys.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. I. Zinigrad

A model of an ideal associated solution is presented. This model takes into account the existence of complexes of various compositions, sizes and geometries and allows calculating thermodynamic properties and phase diagrams of binary alloys. The model has been used formerly to calculate thermodynamic parameters and the position of the liquidus line for binary eutectic systems and also those having a stable compound in the solid phase. In all the cases the model parameters were not adjusted rather estimated from melting temperatures of the components. The recent studies dealt with the influence of arbitrary-stoichiometry associates on the equilibrium thermodynamic properties of liquid alloys. The application of the model to eutectic systems and systems having an unlimited solubility in solid and liquid states close to liquidus has been considered. It was shown that if the difference in melting temperatures of the components was small, different types of fusibility diagrams were possible: eutectic diagrams, cigar-shaped diagrams or diagrams with upper or lower azeotropic points. Peritectic transformations could take place when the difference in melting temperatures of the components was large. The present work is devoted to calculation of phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of binary systems on the basis of chrome.

Jan 1, 2006

By Pinakin C. Chaubal

Today?s steel industry is in a vibrant and resurgent mode. This transformation has been in the making for some time now. Over the last few decades, the industry was steadily transforming itself into becoming a high tech industry. New technology was adopted, efficiencies were enhanced, lean manufacturing concepts were brought in and a strong customer focus was developed. Today?s mills employ sophisticated instrumentation, computerized monitoring, on-line smart systems etc. driving processes that are producing at rates of many tons/minute. All this is not possible without judiciously using the latest available technologies in various fields and developing a more sophisticated work force. Prof. Sohn has been a pioneer in driving the concept of process engineering in process metallurgy. In this paper the focus is on some aspects of process engineering ? primarily process modeling - as applied to iron and steelmaking processes. Examples are shown to demonstrate how problems have been addressed. Some thoughts on future directions are presented.

Jan 1, 2006

By L. Ivanova, V. Tsukerman

"Dynamics of general economic growth is to a considerable extent determined by results of research, technical and innovation policies in the Arctic zone of Russia. Evaluating contribution of innovation-technological development of the economy in growth of the country’s GDP, scholars assign 70-80% to this factor’s share.Mineral formations, accumulated during industrial epoch, affect significantly economic and ecological situation in the Arctic region. On the one hand, production wastes destroy the region’s environment. On the other hand, technogenic mineral formations contain a lot of valuable scarce components. The amount of solid wastes increases annually.Transition to innovation economy provides re-comprehension of mining enterprises in society. Actions should be directed to radical renovation of production technologies. It will ensure rapid growth of competitiveness, increased demand and stronger position at the international market. Development of innovation technologies can be provided at the expense of active state and private innovation activities.IntroductionIn northern regions it is necessary to carry to the basic organizational-economic conditions of realization of industrial innovative policy: - orientation to all-round support of the basic and improving innovations making a basis of modern technological way; - a combination of state regulation of innovative activity to effective functioning a competitive market mechanism; - assistance to development of innovative activity in region, to the international transfer of technologies and To investment cooperation, protection of interests of national innovative business. Strategy of industrial development of regions of the North, connected with transition from conceptual resource-export and export-oriented models to resource-innovative model and in the further - is innovative-technological in view of a real condition of industrial productions, realization of domestic and foreign technologies and their subsequent development is considered."

Jan 1, 2008

By S. J. Kohut

Until recently SX-EW technology has only been used to produce conventional cathode for the cyclical commodity marketplace. Unlike electrorefining, SX-EW lends itself to the integration with the downstream manufacturing technologies for direct mine site production of value added products. The integration of SX-EW and downstream manufacturing results in the elimination of redundant process steps, the cost savings, and the access to value added product markets which can buffer the producer from swings in the cathode market. SX-EW production of copper powder and powder-based products has been demonstrated at the pilot plant level. The SX-EW process has been successfully redesigned to meet the more specific demands of engineered products. Challenges include the solution purity, the cell ventilation, the high current density operation and the product handling. Successful demonstration of mine site production of value added SX- EW products opens up new non-commodity marketplaces to the mining industry.

Jan 1, 1999

By K. O. Fagerlund

Theoretically and experimentally determined copper matte settling rate in iron silicate slag has been discussed. Separation and settling rate measurements of sand, homogenised slag and 25%Cu concentrate, 63%Cu industrial, and 71%Cu synthetic copper mattes were carried out by mixing crushed slag and matte samples with silica sand in an alumina crucible and melting at 1300-1350°C. Two different types of slag compositions were employed, with Fe/SiO2-ratio 1.4 and 1.7. The separation rate was followed by taking samples from the .melt. As expected, the settling rate of copper matte in fayalite slag depended on the slag composition, where the increasing silica decreased the matte settling rate. Microanalysis of solidified slags showed that the rate of separation of low grade matte was low compared with high grade matte and the presence of a very small size fraction of matte droplets in slag remained unsettled in stagnant fluid. The production of sulfur dioxide gas inside the molten bath was found to be possible up to a certain iron sulfide content in the matte. Also, copper matte settling rates in industrial furnaces have been discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By C. K. Gupta

Electrometallurgical processes have a definite place in the extraction technology of rare earth metals and alloys. Some of the advantages of the molten-salt electrometallurgical processes include fast electrode reaction, providing accurately controlled large amount of energy to a relatively small reactor volume, negligible over voltage, simplicity of operation, and possibility of accomplishing continuous or semicontinuoue operations. This paper provides a vivid account of the theoretical and practical aspects of electrometallurgical processes for the production and processing of some of the rare earth metals and alloys. Reference has been drawn to the work reported on electrometallurgical processes as applied to the preparation of lanthanum, cerium and misch metal from author's laboratory.

Jan 1, 1992

By Fernanda Margarido

Recovery of metals contained in the electrode materials of batteries was studied considering an integrated recycling process constituted by physical and chemical operations. The physical treatment included the shredding of the spent batteries, followed by a wet sieving operation of the fragmented material. The physical behavior of Ni-Cd and Zn-Mn based (alkaline and saline) system batteries was studied and compared. In that sense, shredding operation was performed and the sieving of shredded fractions was accomplished to evaluate the efficiency of the separation of electrodes and scrap. For Ni-Cd batteries the loss of electrode material with the supra fraction (scrap) after the shredding operation was lesser than the Zn-Mn batteries. Especially for saline-type batteries, the electrode attached to the scrap was substantial leading to important losses. This difference can be explained by the composition of the case materials and the internal physical constitution of the electrodes. The wet sieving studies carried out allowed optimizing the separation of the electrode fine fractions from the scrap materials through the analysis of selectivity Cd/Fe or Zn/Fe. For Ni-Cd batteries, maximum selectivity was achieved for the granulometry of 1.4 mm, while for alkaline and saline systems best selectivity were obtained at 2.8 mm and 5.6 mm, respectively. This process allowed the recovery of about 70% of electrodes for Ni-Cd and alkaline systems, and 50% for saline batteries, with less than 5% of scrap as contaminant. This physical step can be considered as a pre-treatment of this type of waste material envisaging its valorization by chemical treatment, as improves the concentration of the elements of interest and decreases the iron content.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. M. Acuna

Scarcity of high grade copper low impurity content ores is a reality and processing of low grade dirty concentrates is a need. In spite of this fact, innovative strategies have to be looked at to comply with day to day more stringent environmental regulations. From this perspective the production of matte grades over 70% in copper presents several merits, but it must be contrasted with the fractional distribution of impurities reporting to the condensed phases. Converting of white metal high in arsenic content results in moderate fraction of arsenic to gas, but high deportment to blister. Therefore, production of anode copper, as required by the electrolytic refinery, may result in several operational difficulties. Furthermore, by recycling the flue dust and slag produced in the smelting-fire refining cycle, the arsenic content in the feed to smelting increases and so does in the resulting anode copper. The Teniente Converter, as a smelting unity, has probed suitable for production of high matte grade near white metal composition but regarding distribution behaviour of impurities there is lack of reliable data, specially when processing concentrates over 1% in arsenic content. In the new scenario, i.e. low grade copper high arsenic content concentrates, to fully asses the merits of this technology the effect of matte grade, secondary materials recycling and arsenic in feed upon the distribution coefficient of arsenic between slag and matte, mainly, must be evaluated both from a theoretical approach and by use of industrial data. Based on available data correlations of distribution coefficient, matte grade and matte/slag ratios with arsenic in feed and copper content in slag are worked out. Based on these results suggestions as to matte grades facilitating to deal more efficiently with the handling of smelting byproducts are proposed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Fu-Shen Zhang, Mengjun Chen, Jianxin Zhu

"In China, hazardous e-waste—cathode ray tube (CRT) glass is usually left around, and it is likely to contact with water resources directly. To identify the real leaching characteristics and bioavailabilities of heavy metals Pb and Ba contained in CRT glass in the nature environment, experiments were carried out by simulating the nature environment. The results indicated that Pb and Ba contained in CRT glass were stable in most conditions, which only showed obvious leaching toxicities in strong acidic/alkali conditions. EDTA and DTPA extractable Pb and Ba amounts were extremely high, e.g., EDTA extractable Pb of color funnel glass was up to 1960.07 ìg/kg, indicating that the potential bioavailability of waste CRT glass is very high. IntroductionIn recent years, cathode ray tube (CRT) contained monitors or TV sets has been substituted by novel and better electronic and electric equipments such as LCD and PDP, leaving huge amounts of end-of-life CRTs. 50~85% of the total weight of a computer monitor or a TV set is glass'1-21, which was classified to three categories: black & white glass (BW), color panel glass (CP) and color funnel glass (CF), according to their chemical compositions'3' (Méar et ai, 2006). In order to provide shielding from X-rays generated during the picture projection process, lead, barium and strontium oxides were used in the glass. In general, a color CRT contains 1.6-3.2 kg of lead'4'. Concerning the high toxicity of lead, these waste glasses have posed a potential risk to the environment and human health and researches on these glasses have been attracting wide and tense attention currently."

Jan 1, 2011

By Anders Salwén

In 1975 T. Nishizawa and A. Chiba reported on observed deviations from the ferrite-austenite local equilibrium in several diffusion couples based on the Fe-Cr system. In order to try to verify these results the austenite-to-ferrite transfonnation in a Fe-20 %Cr-Invalid Code [Fe-]-%Cr diffusion couple held at 1100 for 100 hours has been simulated. The simulation model is based on the postulated principle of maximum dissipation rate of Gibbs energy during transformation, which allows non-equilibrium interface conditions. Keynotes: Computer Simulation, Austenite-to-Ferrite Transfonnation, Diffusion Couple

Jan 1, 2003

By Milance Mitovski, Milorad Cirkovic, Vlastimir Trujic, Dragana Živkovic

"In this article, it is analysed the possibilitis and the effects utility waste energy of process sulfuric acid production in the existing technical-technological conditions. The utility second process energy, reduction the fuels consumption, reduction environment pollution and its effects are shown, too. High heat quantity is produced as the result of exothermal reactions in the production process of sulfuric acid in Bor. A part of this heat is sufficient for the process development, and significant part of this heat presents low-temperature heat energy that is irretrievable lost. Investigations were carried out based on production of 485 t of monohydrate/day of sulfuric acid. By recovery of this heat quantity for heating purposes, about 20.000 – 25.000 t of coal/year would be saved, what would significantly improve the power efficiency of the smelter copper production. IntroductionTechnological process of copper production in RTB BOR (Serbia) produces a significant quantities of high temperature secondary (waste) heat energy that is uncontrolled “lost” in the vicinity. Secondary heat energy is produced in pyrometallurgical copper production in quantity of 1,621 kWth/kg of dry concentrate or existing heat (that presents a difference of heat at furnace outlet and heat at temperature over temperature of dew point of sulphuric acid gases) in quantity of 1,315 kWth/kg of dry concentrate. For designed capacity of Copper Smelter in Bor, the existing heat power of secondary energy is 92,111 MWt, what is an equivalent to the power of steam-turbo plant where the Rankine-Clausius heating cycle is done, and that is 28,334 MWe."

Jan 1, 2008

By Varadajan Seshadri

Torpedo cars have been extensively used for pig iron desulfurization although its geometry is not considered to be ideal as far as mixing and mass transfer are concerned. Complications arise from scaffolds formed through aggregation of flux, slag and pig iron during operation. Following industry demand a 1:6 torpedo car physical model was operated to assess the optimum refining conditions for pig iron desulfurization. Similarity between the model and prototype were established through Froude and turbulent Reynolds criteria. Mixing times were evaluated by pulse tracer addition and the kinetics of metal/slag interactions were assessed from experiments investigating iodine transfer from kerosene to water. The influence of parameters such as level of metal, gas flow rate, lance penetration, lance orientation, presence of scaffold were evaluated. Mixing times were found to be shorter than regular desulfurization time and also not very sensitive to scaffold presence. Scaffold contributes to the reduction of the useful volume only. Mass transfer at the permanent reactor is more effective when the torpedo is operated at its full capacity. The experiments also highlight the dominance of the transitory reactor as compared with the permanent reactor.

Jan 1, 2006

By Alex Moyano

The Codelco-Chile is considering different processing options for the projected concentrate from the Alejandro Hales mine (former Mansa Mina mine with high arsenic and antimony content of 6% and 0.6%, respectively), that will produce complex blister copper with high impurities contents, higher than the present values produced at the converting process of the Codelco Norte smelter processing only Chuquicamata concentrates. In order to know both the anodic copper quality and the metallurgical implications when a complex blister copper is processed in the refining process of the CN smelter, the Codelco and IM2 ?task force? evaluated positively the refining process for the complex blister copper by addition of alkaline fluxes at laboratory and industrial scale tests. The promising results of the tests done at laboratory scale at the Tohoku University facilities, allowed a large scale test planning to validate the lab-scale results in 3 refining furnaces of 250 t capacity at the CN smelter. The obtained results demonstrate the industrial technical feasibility to process a complex blister copper in the refining furnaces producing an anodic copper quality suitable for the electrolytic process.

Jan 1, 2006

By V. L. Stolyarova

As part of an effort to develop the fluoride electrolysis route for the production of rare earth metals and alloys, a study of the thermodynamic properties of DyF3 has been carried out by Knudsen cell mass spectrometry. A quadrupole mass spectrometer QMS 420 was used in conjunction with the Knudsen cell arrangement. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range 1280-1440 K. Vaporization was carried out from platinum, molybdenum and tantalum cells. The Dy*, DyF+, DyF2+ fragment ions and the DyF3 parent ion were identified in the mass spectrum of the DyF3 vapour. The DyF, vapour pressure was obtained by the complete isothermal vaporizadon method as well as the ion current comparison method, and the enthalpy of sublimation of DyF3 was evaluated. From the DyF3 vapour pressure data obtained at different temperatures, the enthalpies of formation of DyF3 in the gaseous as well as condensed phases have been evaluated. The experimental data are compared with the thermodynamic information available in literature.

Jan 1, 1995

By Ioannis Paspaliaris, Dimitrios I. Gerogiorgis, Dimitrios Panias

"Red mud fiberization is a process with remarkable potential, alleviating environmental pressure by transforming an aluminum by-product into mineral wool, thus to various marketable products. A promising mineral wool process is molten slag fiberization via an impinging air jet, which avoids mechanical wear and rotating parts. The molten slag which remains after pig iron casting flows out of a heated ladle orifice at a high temperature (1600 °C) and adjustable flowrate, and forms a free-falling vertical jet which visibly radiates its excessive heat: at a given distance, a high-velocity impinging air jet meets the vertical melt jet perpendicularly (or at an angle), inducing intensive droplet generation, subsequent fiber elongation, collection and processing.This paper focuses on high-fidelity CFD modeling of the molten jet flow under external cooling: the model encompasses all physicochemical phenomena (melt laminar flow, radiative cooling) and considers several temperature-dependent slag transport properties in order to understand which operational degrees of freedom (manipulated variables) are useful to process optimization."

Jan 1, 2012

By Steven Wright

The extent and the rate of reduction of slags produced from the smelting of recycled lead batteries were investigated under laboratory conditions using graphite as reductant. Simultaneous reduction of PbO, Fe2O3, Sb2O3 and As2O3 occurred at temperatures of 1180 and 1200°C, with Sb and As reporting to the metal phase while the PbO content of the slag was above 2 wt%. Fuming of As from the metal occurred at lower concentrations of lead in the slag. Discard slags with low levels of As, Pb and Sb were produced. Arsenic levels were reduced to less than accurately measurable by ICP analysis, and Sb levels in the final slags were in the range of 0.1 to 0.2 wt%. The kinetic data obtained were analysed and compared with other measurements on lead oxide containing slags. The results showing a dependence of the reduction rate on the oxidation state and the basicity are consistent with other studies on well characterised industrial and. synthetic lead slags. These results indicate that when carbonaceous reductants are used, the rate of interfacial reactions play an important role in enabling the production of environmentally acceptable discard slags.

Jan 1, 1994

The concepts of capacity and basicity have proved extremely useful in dealing with a wide range of solute species in metallurgical slags, and as a result have been widely applied. These two concepts are reviewed, and it is suggested that the Lewis approach to basicity has much to commend it. In some cases, it appears that the term capacity has been used without due consideration being given to the nature of the solution being formed, or even to whether a true solution was being formed at all. This paper proposes a rigorous definition of capacity, based on the true nature of the solution process in slags and glasses, and briefly reviews the repercussions of this approach on data available in the literature and the limitations which it may impose on future investigations in this area.

Jan 1, 1994