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By A. De, J. S. Zuback, T. Mukherjee, T. DebRoy

For successful commercial applications of additive manufacturing, metallic parts need to be defect free, structurally sound and reliable. However, additively manufactured metallic parts are susceptible to distortion, lack of fusion defects and compositional changes. Methods to measure susceptibilities of various alloys to these defects are needed but not currently available. Here we show that the necessary theories can be developed based on a well-tested numerical heat transfer and fluid flow model and decades of research in the field of welding. The proposed theories are validated with experimental results reported in the literature.

Jan 1, 2016

By Marcio B. Fonseca

Nickel-cobalt laterite deposits have become the focus of attention for hydrometallurgical processing. Following the lessons of the second generation high pressure acid leach (HPAL) projects in Western Australia other Ni-Co laterite projects are now evaluating potential HPAL projects with a rigorous integrated approach that begins with geological modeling, resource estimation and metallurgical studies. The Vermelho nickel-cobalt laterite deposit has been under exploration and study for several years with investigations of various metallurgical processes. Recent HPAL studies have indicated that the nickel and cobalt laterite at this deposit is amenable to upgrading by silica rejection followed by pressure leaching. These studies have required a detailed geological investigation to generate a new resource model. The recent development of a sophisticated geological model integrated with a multi-element resource estimation for this complex tropical nickel laterite deposit in northern Brazil provides an example of the contribution of geology at the critical project stage where process technology decisions are made on relatively small samples of the total resource.\ Keywords: Ni Laterite, Geological Modeling, Resource Estimation

Jan 1, 2004

By R. C. Hubli

A chemical model has been developed to investigate the dissolution of sulphide minerals in brine solutions containing copper and iron chlorides. The model has been employed to study the dissolution .of synthetic NiS using different initial concentrations of Cu(II), Cu(I), Fe(III) and temperature. The speciation of copper with particular reference to the formation of hydroxy-chlorides as a function of total chloride and H+ has been computed. The model predictions are in agreement with experimental results. It has been found that addition of Fe(III) results in the maintenance of a high Cu(II)/Cu(I) ratio leading to enhanced rates of dissolution and suppresses the loss of Cu(II) due to the formation of hydroxyl-complexes.

Jan 1, 1997

By R. E. Burleigh

'Gold-telluride mineralization was deposited in quartz veins which cut a Late Cretaceous tonalite pluton emplaced near the southern margin of the Peninsular tectono-stratigraphic terrane in south-central Alaska. The gold-bearing veins formed shortly after the development of a widespread Cu-Mo sheeted quartz vein system. Early mineral assemblages consist of quartz, white mica, pyrite, and arsenopyrite (wall rock only). Subsequently, pyrite. sphalerite, chalcopyrite, zoned tetrahedrite and gold precipitated within multiply fractured veins. Late stage galena, tellurides (altaite, nagyagite, coloradoite), and Pb-Sb or Pb-Cu-Bi sulfosalta with gold constitute bonanza ore assemblages that are variably associated with quartz, white mica, ankerite, and calcite. Fluid inclusion evidence coupled with mineral assemblage paragenesis suggests the depletion of volatiles (C02, H2S) and cooling resulted in the precipitation of high grade gold mineral assemblages.

Jan 1, 1988

By William E. Torres

The Southern Peru Limited smelter, in Ilo, operates two reverberatory furnaces, seven Peirce-Smith converters, one Teniente Converter, two casting wheels and a single contact acid plant. The Teniente Converter was commissioned in August 1995 and was designed to smelt 744 dry metric tons (820 dry short tons) of concentrate per day. The process off-gas is collected in a water-cooled hood, cooled in a spray chamber, and cleaned in a Joy electrostatic precipitator for further treatment in the Acid Plant. This paper presents the current Teniente Converter operating practices and control philosophy. Relevant improvements and modifications to achieve a 379 day campaign without tuyere replacement and a daily average smelting rate of 862 dry metric tons (940 dry short tons) of concentrate are discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By E. Fregeau-Wu

The mineralogy and grain size distribution of phases in a steelmaking slag and experimental products from the heating of the slag under various conditions were determined to explore the possibility of recycling of the iron and manganese to the blast furnace. The steelmaking slags consisted of three major phases: dicalcium silicate, dicalcium ferrite, and Mg-Mn-wustite. Most of the phosphorus was contained in the dicalcium silicate and to lesser extent in the dicalcium ferrite. Due to the fine grain size of the dicalcium silicate, grinding and magnetic separation required pretreatment to increase the grain size and hence the liberation. Experiments on a steelmaking slag were conducted by heating the slag to 1633-1748°K( and slow-cooling in an inert atmosphere at various rates with or without the addition of fluorspar (CaF2) as a flux. Grain size distribution analyses of the starting material and the slow-cooled products were performed using the SEM-IPP area scan method and the QEM*SEM linear scan method. Comparable and reproducible results were obtained on the same sample using both methods. A size versus volume percent plot showed the increased grain growth most effectively. Examples of the grain size distributions obtained were used to show that a higher soaking temperature prior to slow-cooling, a slower cooling rate, and the addition of fluorspar to the slag promoted grain growth.

Jan 1, 1989

By J. D. Law

The presence of long-lived radionuclides presents a challenge to the management of radioactive wastes. Separation of the radionuclides from the waste solutions has the potential of significantly decreasing the costs associated with the immobilization and disposal of the waste by minimizing waste volumes. Several solvent extraction processes have been developed at the Idaho National Engineering and Environmental Laboratory for the separation of transuranic elements (TRUs), 90 Sr, and/or 137 Cs from acidic radioactive waste solutions. The TRUEX and POR processes for the separation of TRUs, the SREX process for the separation of 90Sr, the cobalt dicarbollide process for the separation of 137Cs and and a universal solvent extraction process for the simultaneous separation of TRUs, 90Sr, and 137Cs have all been developed in centrifugal contactors using actual liquid radioactive waste solutions and simulated dissolved calcine waste solution. In addition, the behavior of metals with each of the solvent extraction processes was evaluated. This article summarizes the most recent results of the each of the flowsheet demonstrations and provides Information on the centrifugal contactor equipment used for the testing.

Jan 1, 1999

By C. D. Adams, R. T. Tuenge, C. N. King, J. A. Samuels, B. F. Espinoza, R. C. Dye, C. F. Schaus, D. C. Smith, N. M. Peachey

"Recently, doped calcium thiogallate (CaGa2S4) phosphors have been investigated for use in electroluminescent flat panel displays. The current technique used for the deposition of thin film calcium thiogallate is sputtering. Unfortunately, this requires a high temperature annealing process to provide the desired crystallinity of the phosphor. Recent efforts have focused on the possible use of metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) to produce the CaGa2S4 layer. The use of MOCVD provides an attractive alternative to sputtering since it does not require heating above the strain point temperatures of the glass substrates used for the display panels. To accomplish this, the deposition of both Ga2S3 and CaS is investigated as these compounds are intermediate steps in the development of the phosphor deposition. Uniform, crystalline films of both Ga2S3 and CaS were deposited and the process shows promise for successful deposition of the CaGa2S4 phosphor.IntroductionThe lack of a satisfactory blue phosphor having sufficiently high luminances at low power has hampered the development of high resolution flat panel displays. Recently, a new series of blue emitting materials have been investigated for use in thin film electroluminescent (TFEL) devices. l ,2,3 These phosphors are based on a series of alkaline earth thiogallate host materials of the form MGa2S4:RE where M can be either calcium, strontium, zinc, or barium and RE is a rare earth ion. A full-color VGA TFEL panel using CaGa2S4:Ce as the blue phosphor has recently been fabricated and tested. l This FPD provided a luminance of 10 cdlm2 at 60 Hz. The enhanced blue in this display allowed its color capabilities to approach those of the conventional CRT.The method of depositing the phosphor onto the display panels in these test devices has been sputtering. Unfortunately the phosphor as deposited does not possess the crystalline properties required for optimum luminance. The crystalline structure is achieved by subsequent annealing of the deposited material. Although this post deposition anneal provides the desired crystal structure, it occurs above the strain point temperature of ordinary glass. Consequently, the implementation of these phosphors requires the use of glasses capable of withstanding high temperatures, adding to the cost of the final display unit."

Jan 1, 1994

By Russell E. Clemons

Coarse-crystalline granite, quartz syenite, syenite, meladiorite, and anorthosite in the Florida Mountains, southeast of Deming, New Mexico, were originally mapped as Precambrian. They were remapped in 1971 and some of them described as Mesozoic intrusives. Several subsequent papers presented Precambrian and Ordovician ages. Zinc, lead, copper, silver, gold, manganese, fluorite, and barite mineralization in the Florida Mountains invite more extensive exploration. Clarification of ages of rocks and periods of alteration and mineralization are necessary for efficient exploration. Field observations combined with petrographic studies strongly suggest that all the coarse plutonic rocks are Precambrian and most were altered extensively by late Tertiary hydrothermal activity.

Jan 1, 1982

By K. G. F. Janssens

In the process of annealing a deformed metal the microstructure changes due to concurrent recrystallization, grain growth and precipitation. It is common knowledge that all three of these microstructural transformations show a strong dependence on each other, and that an overall model must take the relevant interactions into account. Aiming at the development of an approach which is useful in the more general case, a computational model is being developed which allows the prediction of the three dimensional grain topology and orientation distribution function of any metal submitted to subsequent deformation and annealing, taking into account concurrent recrystallization, grain growth and precipitation and starting from a statistical representation of the deformed microstructure. In this contribution a case study is presented which illustrates the potential and limits of the state of the art in the field. Keywords: Microstructure Evolution Modeling, Irregular Cellular Automata, Deformation, Precipitation, Recrystallization, Grain Growth

Jan 1, 2003

By Takashi Nakamura

Dismantling and detachment of parts from e-scrap are essential and involve higher cost techniques in pretreatment processes for physical separation. New techniques are desired for effective recycling of minor rare metals, therefore, we are trying to develop new detachment processes such as a new break down process. The principal of this new process is an electrical disintegration by electric pulse. E-scrap is broken down by high voltage electric pulses in water. IC chips and LSI can be detached from printed circuit boards under proper conditions. Ta- capacitors are also broken down to plastic parts and Ta sinter with lead wire. This is very useful in terms of pretreatment for e-scrap recycling. Also in the case of metallurgical production, with its intrinsic potential of smelting, extraction, enrichment and separation methods, play an important role in the context of minor rare metals.

Jan 1, 2015

By Björn Lindquist

Boliden has developed a number of specialised technologies for smelter gas handling and effluent treatment. These technologies will be described. Special attention will be given to the high-pressure venturi, Editube wet electrostatic precipitator, mercury removal processes, and two-stage effluent treatment.

Jan 1, 2002

By C. Lupi

"The energy consumption of copper production by electrowinning, generally represents more than 1/4 of the total energy requirement in hydrometallurgical traditional process (roasting, leaching, purification and electrowinning). The considerable saving can be achieved just in this step that requires about 2.2 kWhlkg of the produced copper. To save energy the cell voltage, or more appropriately its anodic component, can be reduced: that is because the anodic voltage represents the main component of cell voltage and so it is largely responsible for the excessive energy consumption in copper sulphate electrowinning.In this work some ways are studied to lower the anodic voltage. First the cobalt ions were added to the sulphate solution in order to study the catalytic effect on oxygen discharge. Then lead alloys anodes (Pb-Ag, Pb-Sb-Ag and Pb-Ca) were used to promote a better oxygen evolution as a result of a different anodic surface. Their behaviour was compared with the PbSb traditional ones. Finally, as already pointed out by several authors for zinc electrowinning, ethylene glycol was employed as anodic depolariser in order to verify its effectiveness in the case of copper electrowinning. By combining all the above-mentioned ways, energy saving ranging from 20% to 27% is achieved.All the tests were carried out on a laboratory pilot-plant for long time to simulate the industrial conditions. The obtained copper deposits were observed by SEM to highlight their morphology."

Jan 1, 1997

By Neng-Wen Yu, Shau-Jun Zhu, Ji-He Wei

The desulfurization process by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining of molten steel and its mechanism have been considered and analyzed. Based on the two-resistance mass transfer theory and the mass balance of sulfur in the system, a kinetic model for the process has been developed. The related parameters of the model, including the mass transfer coefficients and the effective amount of powder in the molten steel being treated for desulfurization, have been more reasonably determined. Modeling and predictions of the process of injecting and blowing the lime-based powder flux under assumed operating modes with the different initial contents of sulfur and amounts of powder injected and blown in a RH degasser of 300 t capacity have been carried out using the model. The relevant circulation rate of the liquid steel and the powder injection and blowing rate were taken to be 100 t/min and 150 kg/min, respectively. The initial contents of sulfur in the liquid steel to be treated and the amounts of powder injection and blowing were respectively assumed to be 0.007, 0.006, 0.005, 0.004, 0.003, 0.002 mass-% and 10, 8, 6, 5, 4, 3 kg/t-steel. The total treatment time for desulfurization under each mode was set up at 24 min, equivalent to eight circulation cycles of the liquid steel to be treated. The results indicated that the predictions made with this model are in good agreement with some data of the industrial experiments and practice. Injecting and blowing the lime-based powder flux with the composition of 85 mass-% lime (CaO) + 15 mass-% fluorspar (CaF2) of 3-5 kg/t-steel, it is possible to decrease the sulfur content in the molten steel to ultralow level below (5-10)x10·4 mass-% from (60-80)x 10·4 mass-%. The total treatment time needed will appropriately be 12-20 min. Intensifying the powder injection and blowing operation and increasing the circulation rate of the liquid steel may effectively' raise the rate of the process in RH refining. The model may be expected to offer some useful information and a reliable basis for determining the reasonable process parameters and help in optimizing the technology of desulfurization by powder injection and blowing in the RH refining of molten steel.

Jan 1, 2000

By P. D. Nolan

Smelters operating under pollution control orders have become increasingly dependent upon the reliable operation of sulphuric acid plants and no factor affects the long term reliability of those plants more than efficient gas cleaning. The sources and characteristics of contaminants in smelter of fgases and the conventional approaches to removing these contaminants to accepted levels are discussed. New technology is described which offers advantages of lower capital cost, lower operating cost and reduced space requirements over the conventional approaches. This new technology has been developed by LAB s.a. and is licensed for metallurgical gas applications by Chemetics International Company.

Jan 1, 1983

By A. Slotwinski, R. E. Barry, M. M. Menon, P. T. Spampinato

"A coherent FM laser radar based sensor for remote metrology of plasma facing material surfaces in a fusion reactor is described. The sensor is capable of 3-D mapping of surfaces, based on a series of precise range measurements from large distances (up to 20 m). Other features include the ability to operate under adverse environmental conditions involving very high gamma radiation (3xI04 Gy/hr), ultra-high-vacuum (<I0-5 Pa), and high temperature (200°C). The paper describes the basic principles of the sensor, together with experimental results obtained with the sensor. The ability of the sensor for remote rendering of ""visual quality"" images without the need for any external illumination is also illustrated.IntroductionMeasurement of the features of large area surfaces (-1500 m2) to sub-millimeter accuracy, from relatively large distances (20 m), is necessary in the case of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER -a 1500 MW fusion reactor that is currently in the design phase). Furthermore, the measurements may have to be performed after the reactor is temporarily shut down. During such shut-downs, the ITER in-vessel environment will be highly radioactive due to neutron activation of the reactor wall (gamma radiation field of 3xl04 Gy/hr), the vessel will be maintained under ultra-clean vacuum conditions (<10-5 Pa), and the plasma facing surfaces will be maintained at elevated temperature (200°C). Therefore, the precision measurements must be conducted remotely, and because of the large dimensions of the fusion reactor and the limited number of access ports, the measurements must be done from large distances. The reactor vessel is a large toroid. Fig. 1 shows the cross section of the toroidal vacuum vessel, and the location of the metrology probe. Because of the very large surface area involved, fast scanning capability is also needed to reduce the reactor down-time."

Jan 1, 1997

By C. E. Abbey

Cobalt, iron and manganese play various roles in copper electrowinning using lead–calcium–tin alloyed anodes. Cobalt catalyzes electrochemical water decomposition resulting in lower anode potential and reduced corrosion rates. Iron reduces cathodic current efficiency, but is used to reduce higher oxidation states of manganese that oxidize organics in solvent extraction. Manganese also produces anode scale and is generally considered a problematic impurity. The effect of the combined interaction of these three metal ions on the anode potential has not been quantified yet. The current work used a three factor, two level, three replicate central composite design of experiments to analyze the effects and potential interactions among cobalt, iron and manganese. The experiments consisted of chronopotentiometric analysis to assess anode potential after 24 h of operation. Higher [Co], lower [Mn] and either high or low [Fe] yielded lower anode potentials. Two regression models were developed to predict anode potential as a function of [Co], [Fe] and [Mn]. A method to estimate electrical energy consumption for copper electrowinning is also presented.

By Cecil Harriss

Philip Environmental Services Corporation&apos;s (Philip&apos;s) innovative fluidized bed thermal desorption system recovers mercury from contaminated soil. Referred to as the Thermal Recycling System, Philip has constructed a mobile thermal desorption system that has a processing rate up to five tons per hour. The system includes a continuous-feed system, all radiant heat, inert gas atmosphere, hot gas filter, two-stage cooling, and a water treatment system. Based on treatability studies, the processed soil can meet cleanup objectives as low as two milligrams per kilogram and passes the mercury toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test.

Jan 1, 1996

By Jörg Buchmayer, Menno Eisenga, Erik Muijsenberg

"In the past decade, advanced multiple input/multiple output (MIMO) process control systems have found their way into high temperature melting processes. Today a growing number of high temperature melters have been equipped with a supervisory control system. Daily regulation of fossil fuel firing and electric energy supply to stabilize temperatures is no longer in the hands of the operator, but fully taken over automatically by the ES III™ MPC controller, which provides consistent process control, 24 hours per day, focused to operate the entire glass production process in the most efficient way. The presentation will show practical results and benefits achieved in the high temperature glass and cement industry.IntroductionThe Expert System, either version ESII™ or ESIII™, provides supervisory multi-variable model based predictive control in time and space This definition is not very understandable to people who are not familiar with advanced process control, thus let's try to explain it word by word.The word supervisory means that the Expert System implementation preserves the primary control level: all devices (PLCs, internal switches) as well as up to date control mechanisms (PID loops, availability to change inputs manually). ES III™ can even use primary control level elements as part of the advanced process control.The next word, multi-variable, means that multiple inputs can be handled at the same time to affect multiple outputs. This property is very important for supervisory control of the glass melting and conditioning processes. For example, in a float furnace the total amount of gas is only one of the inputs that affect the crown temperatures. The next one is batch feed rate. And batch composition (the next one) is maybe even more important. An ambient temperature also correlates with crown temperatures. So it can be concluded that crown temperatures are affected not only by one variable ""total gas"", but by many more. On the other hand, there are usually several crown temperatures with different importance for process control. And we have not discussed yet the effects of glass level, canal temperatures, oxy-boosting, etc. All of them affect (or are affected by) process control too. Overall, the process control is a complex problem where multiple inputs and outputs play strongly together at various levels of importance."

Jan 1, 2012

By T. J. White

Each year, thousands of tons of toxic concentrates are produced as the unwanted byproducts of industrial operations and smelting activities. The fate of these materials remains open, as in general their consumption is limited and potential markets contracting. Xtaltite (pronounced crystal-tight) is a Synthetic Mineral Immobilization Technology (SMITE) optimized for the concentration, detoxification and consolidation of toxic metal wastes. In this approach, we seek to mimic nature to produce durable synthetic minerals that survive for aeons in well characterized geological settings. This approach has high public acceptability because the concept is easily understood by the layperson and the long term stability of the waste form may be predicted with confidence. In addition, where Xtaltite is used for mine backfill, a system of ecologically sustainable mining development is established. This paper details the design and fabrication of Xtaltite under oxidizing and reducing conditions. To illustrate and contrast these stabilization regimes, specific reference will be made to the treatment of thallium, chrom~um and arsenic wastes. Waste form performance under TCLP, dynamic boiling water tests and in other leaching media will be compared and discussed with respect to their relevance to different disposal options.

Jan 1, 1995