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By Luiz R. P. De Andrade Lima

This paper presents a mathematical model for the oxide copper ore heap leaching process. The data used in the model include physical-chemical, .geometrical and operational data, as: leachable metals ore contents, .flow rate and acid concentration, parameters of passivity, ore size distribution, the average residence time of the solution in the heap, height, irrigated area and weight of ore in the heap. In this model the heap is divided into horizontal and plane layers of constant area. The flow of the liquid in the heap is considered unidirectional and the solid-fluid reaction model is considered under diffusive control. The average residence time of the solution into the heap and the apparent effective diffusivity of the acid through the ore particles have .a significant influence on the rate of the copper extraction and its concentration in the pregnant solution; therefore these parameters are used in the model calibration. When this algorithm was applied to a laboratory test, the results showed that the model is adequate to predict the process performance.

Jan 1, 1999

Lance based copper-nickel matte converters have become an established technology in the field of base metal sulphide smelting and converting. An Ausmmelt® converter is currently being constructed at Anglo Platinum in South Africa to convert a nickel-copper rich matte containing platinum group metals (PGM's). The accurate prediction of the matte chemistry is required to control the composition at the endpoint which influences segregation of PGM's during the subsequent slow cooling and magnetic separation processes. A hybrid modelling approach is introduced in this paper that incorporates both the effect of thermochemistry and system dynamics. It will be shown how the model relates to fundamental conservation laws, while still providing enough flexibility to adapt to changing operating conditions. It will also show how off-line modelling can be incorporated into a robust on-line model. Based on the data from many pilot plant trials, the model prediction performance is shown to be within the accuracy requirement set by industry and therefore constitutes a reliable basis for model based control. The final generic model structure takes on the form of an thermodynamically integrated ARMAX hybrid model. The final model has the advantages of being dynamic, adaptive, robust and it can be related to thermochemical fundamentals.

Jan 1, 2002

By J. H. de. Visser

The transfer of molten metal in smelting or refining operations is typically performed in open trough-type launders that are constructed of either water-cooled copper troughs or refractory lined steel jackets. This transfer can be either continuous or batch. Batch operations transfer metal through an open launder. The uncovered launder has many operational and environmental drawbacks. In order to improve workplace hygiene, designs have evolved toward ventilated launder covers that .are connected to secondary exhaust systems that use negative pressure under the cover removing fume and hot gases to secondary fume control devices. In smelting operations, a variety of covers have been employed which insulate the launder and contain the fumes and also provide additional heat along the length of the launder through a series of premix or inspiration-type burners that add combustion products to the normal fume load in the launder. Cover designs have proven to be inadequate in that hinged unventilated covers hinder convenient access while heated ventilated covers are costly to maintain. Covers that employ refractory bricks and overhead enclosure-type exhaust hoods have been somewhat successful, but restrict operator movement and require large volumes of exhaust air. An example is given of a cover and off-gas system for launders that is designed to provide superior insulation and heating capabilities, as well: as better control of the fume gases-and ease of maintenance. The cover system must maintain the balance between maintaining launder heat and fume removal. The construction of the covers must be able to withstand high internal temperatures and maintain its structural properties.

Jan 1, 1999

By T. Takasu

Overall productivity in copper refining is currently determined by the electrorefining process. Previous research showed that forced convection of the electrolyte improves the morphology of the copper deposit on the cathode and suppresses passivation of the anode. In this paper, electrorefining experiments under forced convection were carried out in the presence of As, Sb and Bi impurities, both in electrolyte and in the anode, to determine the effect of the impurities on the electrorefining process. The concentrations of the impurities in the deposit increased with increasing current density without forced convection. An increase in the fluid velocity suppressed the increase in impurity concentration. These concentrations were high, especially in the initial stage of deposition without forced convection, corresponding to a decrease in the cathode potential measured during that period. This indicates that the enrichment of impurities was induced electrochemically. The reason for the decrease in cathode potential was the low concentration of copper ions on the electrode surface because of ion consumption by the electrolysis. The forced convection of the electrolyte enhanced the ionic mass transfer and thus suppressed the polarization and deposition of the impurities. The fluid motion was shown to be effective in achieving electrolysis under high current density conditions.

Jan 1, 1999

By T. A. Edison

A distinct hydrocarbon maturation anomaly coincides with the Gold Acres open pit, Nevada (Figure 1). Both atomic hydrogen to carbon (H-C) ratios and reflectance measurements of contained organic matter indicate significantly higher maturity in samples collected within the confines of the open pit than in samples from the surrounding region (not shown in Figure 1).

Jan 1, 1987

The Port Kembla Copper (PKC) copper smelting facilities were commissioned during 2000. Numerous difficulties were encountered during the commissioning such as multiple reactor tuyere line failures, absorbing acid tower refractory collapse, and Noranda Reactor and Mitsubishi Converter process control problems. These problems are described along with the actions taken to overcome them. Process development is described particularly for the Mitsubishi Converter and Acid Plant.

Jan 1, 2002

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 J. A. Sanhueza

The environmental regulations and terms issued by the Chilean Government for all copper concentrate smelters have been a very important reason for permitting project developments that drastically decrease the sulfur emissions due to the pirometallurgycal copper process. A remarkable case of the Hernan Videla Lira Copper smelter, located on the Copiapó Valley and very near some housing-sets of a city of high development, are described. Results of this project's implementation of the control and reduction of off gas emissions, the control and monitoring system, the community conflicts, and the strategy to comply with the demands established by the state environmental institutions, are presented.

Jan 1, 1999

By W. John Rankin

Professionals, technical and non-technical, working in the mineral and metal commodity industries need to understand the concept of sustainability and its implications for the industry. Undergraduate courses have not done this well in the past. Much has been written in this field, and there have been great advances in understanding. However, much of what has been published is superficial and sometimes misleading, and there is as yet no coherent, single account that can serve as an introduction or overview for mineral industry graduates. This paper presents an outline which can guide readers in developing an understanding of the topic and its relevance to their work. Key references are provided, particularly those accessible on the internet, which will serve to introduce the reader to the important principles and understandings. The guide should also be useful to academics preparing students to work in the minerals and metal production sectors.

Jan 1, 2010

By Tong Deng

Clean processing of copper converter slags for reclaiming cobalt and copper could be a challenge. An innovative and environmentally benign approach for recovering metal values from such a slag was developed in the present work. Curing the slag with sulfuric acid, without re-smelting or roasting as currently practiced in the industry, made it amenable to leaching, and more than 95% of the cobalt and up to 90% of the copper was extracted, together with iron, by water leaching, leaving silica behind in a residue. Copper in the leach liquor was recovered by cementation with iron, and the dissolved iron crystallized as ferrous sulfate monohydrate. Cobalt in the pregnant solution rich in iron was recovered by either cementation or sulfide precipitation. Chemical and mineralogical characterization of the slag and its products were examined and compared to determine the nature of the changes occurring during curing and leaching. Operating variables were also investigated and optimized.

Jan 1, 2003

By Kimio Itagaki

As a fundamental study for smelting the copper matte with high contents of arsenic and antimony in a strongly reducing condition, phase relations between the liquid matte and copper-rich alloy phases in the Cu-Fe-S-As or -Sb quaternary system and between the liquid matte and iron-rich alloy phases in the Cu-Fe-S-As or -Sb system saturated with carbon were determined at 1473 K by a quenching method. Activities of arsenic and antimony in these systems were also measured at 1473K by Knudsen cell-mass spectrometry. Furthermore, distribution ratios of silver, gold and platinum between the liquid matte and copper-rich or iron-rich alloy phases were determined in relation to the arsenic or antimony content in the systems. On the basis of these data, the elimination of arsenic and antimony from the matte to the iron-rich alloy (speiss) and the recovery of precious metals in reduction smelting of the copper matte were evaluated. It was suggested that the addition of pig iron to make a strongly reducing condition and form the iron-rich alloy, which is fluid at smelting temperatures, will be useful for fixing arsenic in the speiss.

Jan 1, 2006

By Jakub Kaczorowski

In the production of Mn-alloys, the Boudouard reaction significantly influences the mass and energy balance. The endothermic nature of this reaction requires more energy for the process, while the direct consumption of carbon is reflected in the greater demand for carbonaceous raw materials. Therefore, it is desirable to eliminate or suppress the reaction. The kinetics of the Boudouard reaction are a function of many factors, of which coke properties and the conditions around the particles (i.e. temperature, gas composition) seem to be the most important. In the present study properties of selected single source and commercial metallurgical cokes are compared with reactivity results. The single source cokes represent a single coal that has been carbonized in a laboratory scale furnace. The commercial cokes are products of carbonization of coal blends under industrial conditions. The coke properties include proximate, ultimate and ash analysis. Also, coke petrography with carbon forms is included. The reactivity tests were performed on different particle sizes at various temperatures, gas compositions and gas flow rates. The experimental parameters were chosen to simulate the conditions in an industrial furnace. The results show that highly graphitized structure of cokes, minimal surface area and a low concentration of ash retard the reactivity. Of the other factors, the temperature and the gas composition have the greatest impact on the reactivity.

Jan 1, 2006

By Biserka Lucheva, Tzonio Tzonev

"Recycling of aluminum scrap and dross is significant in the economic and energy saving, as well as in the environmental protection. Recovery of metal aluminum depends on many factors. The aim of this work is to investigate experimentally the metal recovery under different conditions. The processing of aluminum dross was carried out in DC electric arc rotary furnace. The optimal technological parameters are determined. It is turned out that the presence of crushing refractory bodies during the processing of the aluminum dross in the rotary furnace increases the degree of aluminum recovery with about 10 %.IntroductionCompact and granular aluminum dross are used for the fulfillment of the experiments, which were obtained by salt free melting of aluminum scrap. The only preliminary preparation of the compact dross is crushing them into proper size, in compliance with the size of the opening for furnace charging and removing of fraction – 1 mm. The granular dross is subjected to sieving also with the purpose to remove the fraction – 1 mm. In these conditions the content of the metal phase in the compact dross is 72 %, and in the granular – 77 %. The processing of aluminum dross was carried out in DC electric arc rotary furnace (Figure 1).The purpose of this research is to investigate experimentally the metal recovery under different conditions and to establish the dominant factors, which need to be controlled."

Jan 1, 2008

By P. J. Harrington

The recovery and recycling of low concentration metal and other ions has traditionally been carried out using adsorption or ion exchange processes which, however, become uneconomical at higher concentrations, such as those that occur with many intermediate or waste streams where recycling is now being required. This paper describes the development of a process based on non-dispersive solvent extraction for the recovery of chromium (VI) from electroplating rinse water. During the chromium plating of steel, the concentration of chromium (VI) in the rinse bath rises to concentrations in the order of 100 mg/L when it becomes unusable and is then disposed of. The aim of this work was to investigate processes for recovery and recycling of the chromium in the rinse bath. The recovered chromium is required to be concentrated and purified before reuse. Tertiary amines have been shown capable of concentrating and purifying the chromium (VI) in solution. However, solvent extraction processes that have been applied to the recovery and reuse of metals from waste streams have had only limited success in the past, primarily because of the relatively high solvent losses when existing contacting equipment is used on low feed concentrations. Attempts to eliminate losses by immobilizing these complexing agents on substrates have not been successful. In order to control the losses and maintain specificity, a hollow fibre-contained liquid membrane has recently been trailed in a pilot plant to recover chromium from chromium plating waste streams. Details of the trial and modeling of the results are presented, and show that the level of losses is significantly reduced. However, issues relating to fouling still need to be addressed. This type of equipment has many applications in the recovery and recycling of a range of materials in the manufacturing processes.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. I. Chalmers

The Brockman rare-metals and rare earth resource is located within volcanic and volcanogenic sediments of the later Proterozoic Halls Creek Group in the East Kimberley region of Western Australia. Exploration including surface trenching, percussion and diamond drilling has defined a major resource of rare-metals and heavy rare earth elements. The host&apos; is a steeply dipping ash-flow tuff, described informally as the Niobium Tuff, enriched in zirconium, hafnium, yttrium, niobium, tantalum, rare earth elements, gallium and beryllium. The mineralization is fine- grained (<20 micrometres) and is the result of alteration and re- mobilization of comparatively simple precursor minerals such as columbite and zircon by fluorine-rich deuteric solutions that were retained in the tuff following eruption. The ultra fine-grained structure of the tuff precludes mineral liberation and separation by physical methods. However, values can be converted to water soluble sulphates by reacting with concentrated sulphuric acid at 250°C. The solution containing aluminium, niobium, tantalum, zirconium, hafnium, yttrium, rare earths and gallium can then be processed to pure products in a sequence of solvent extraction and ion-exchange steps. As a result of these processing techniques, the commercial products obtainable from the resource include mixed rare earth and yttrium concentrates, zirconium-hafnium concentrate, niobium-tantalum concentrate and ceramic grade alumina. Further separation could result in high purity products suitable for ceramic and electronic applications.

Jan 1, 1992

By A. N. Lasseigne

Hydrogen storage capabilities of LaNi5 intermetallic compounds were investigated utilizing the combination of thermoelectric power, Beeghly Ester-Halogen digestion, and Leco hydrogen determination. Thermoelectric power has demonstrated a rapid hydrogen assessment capability and can achieve the equivalent of the pressure-composition-temperature (activity) diagram. Effective use of hydrogen storage materials occurs in the two-phase, alpha+beta region of the PCT diagram. A thorough assessment of the content of each phase in this two-phase region to optimize performance of the hydrogen storage materials is described. Practices using the combination of these three analytical practices for rapid characterization of LaNi5intermetallic alloys are discussed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Laurentiu Nastac

"The importance of investigating solute redistribution during the unidirectional solidification of multi-component alloys is broadly discussed in the literature. A previously developed analytical model that was experimentally validated for Al-Cu, Sn- Bi and Fe-Si dilute binary alloy systems is used in this article to study in detail the solute redistribution, the liquid/solid interface stability based on an extended transient constitutional undercooling criterion and the size of the initial transient region during the unidirectional solidification of Ti-6-4 and Ti-17 alloys. A comparison between Ti-6-4 and Ti-17 alloy systems with respect to interface stability and the size of the initial transient region is also provided. The effective partition coefficients of the alloying elements in these alloys were determined based on specially designed experimental measurements.IntroductionThe importance of investigating solute redistribution during alloy solidification is broadly discussed in the literature [1-5]. One of the relevant applications of this study would be the mathematical modeling of equiaxed and columnar solidification of multicomponent alloys. This includes the instability of the solid/liquid interface. There are several mass and heat transfer processes that involve the calculation of solute redistribution during directional solidification such as industrial directional solidification processes, continuous casting, remelting processes, Czochralski crystal growth technique, floating zone techniques, etc."

Jan 1, 2012

By J. C. Agarwal

Rare earth metal alloys are becoming increasingly important, particularly those of neodymium, because of their magnetic properties. This paper will present a generalized approach to the production economics of the metallic rare earth alloys. With appropriate regard for the chemistry of different rare earths and the large impact of economies of scale, it is possible to make fairly accurate estimates of the production costs of other rare earth alloys as well.

Jan 1, 1989

By Marcelo E. Andia

In Chile, a significant amount of mining takes place in varied geographical environments. Mining activity extends from copper and gold deposits located in the Atacama Desert 4.500 meters above sea level to underground coal workings beneath the sea floor. This diversity in location and environment presents many challenges in the development of competitive and environmentally sustainable mining activities. An important future issue will be how to close these mines in an appropriate way once economically exploitable ore reserves have been exhausted. This poses challenges for both the government and companies alike, considering that Chilean law currently lacks legislation specific to mine closure. This paper examines the risks associated with mine closure based on international experience, and identifies those risks specific to Chilean regions. The main regions in Chile where mine closure legislation should be applied are identified.

Jan 1, 1999

By Peter Forschner

Classical Mixing Theory is based on applying many fundamental correlations to standard baffled dished bottomed vertical cylindrical vessels with high degrees of symmetry. Horizontal autoclaves operating at elevated temperatures and pressures have been used for more than two decades. All compartments and especially the first and last compartments are asymmetrical. To date no comparison of the effects of the asymmetric geometry on mixing system design and scale-up has been published. The results of investigating solids suspension, mixing time, momentum transfer from the impeller to feed slurry and feed inlet location in the first autoclave compartment are presented as influences on residence time distribution. CFD modeling was developed and verified with the test apparatus.

Jan 1, 2003