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By Sylvain Gouttebroze, Mohammed M'Hamdi

In a previous work, a small scale Bridgman furnace has been used to study silicon bi-grain crystallization at different cooling rate. This work expands the analysis by studying the mechanical interaction between the crucible and ingot during the solidification and cooling. The thermal model is based on a 2D-axisymetric heat-transfer model. The flux histories are then transferred to the ingot-crucible 3D-model. Anisotropic Elastic and Crystal Plasticity model are used to model the silicon deformation. Four different assumptions are applied to model the mechanical contact crucible-ingot and three grain misorientations are considered. The results show the strong impact of the alumina crucible contraction on the stresses and deformations in the silicon ingot.

Jan 1, 2015

By Y. H. Wang, S. Kou

"Three-dimensional weld pool convection was computer simulated using dimensionless variables. The electromagnetic force, the buoyancy force and the surface tension gradient on the pool surface were treated through the use of the dimensionless electromagnetic force, the Grashof number and the Marangoni number. Other typical dimensionless numbers such as the Prandtl number and the Peclet number were also used. The calculated and experimentally observed fusion boundaries were compared. The convection patterns were shown and the effect of the Marangoni number was demonstrated. IntroductionSeveral weld pool convection models have been developed by Oreper et al. (1,2), Chan et al. (3) and Kou et al. (4). These models describe two dimensional convection in stationary weld pools in a semi-infinite workpiece. Since the vast majority of arc welding practices involve a moving heat source and weld pool, and the workpieces are finite in thickness rather than semi -infinite, a 3-D convection model for a moving heat source and a workpiece of finite thickness is expected to be much more useful.Weld pool convection can strongly affect the structure and properties of the resultant welds. Variations in weld characteristics which are likely to occur from changes in weld pool convection are: weld penetration, macrosegregation, gas porosity, solidification structure, undercutting and surface smoothness. Apparently, the quantitative understanding of convection and heat flow in weld pools is of considerable practical interest. Mathematical models describing convection and heat flow in weld pools are essential, not only because of the quantitative understanding they provide, but also because of the difficulties associated with the experimental measurements of weld pool convection. These difficulties are mainly due to the fact that only surface flow, rather than the overall convection pattern in the weld pool, can be observed. In fact, due to arc glow even the observation of surface flow can be rather inconvenient."

Jan 1, 1986

By Yuzo Hiroshige, Masayuki Kyoi, Tomonori Saeki, Masahide Okamoto, Toru H. Okabe, Yu Miyamoto, Tomohiko Akahori, Takeshi Nemoto

We report Hitachi's approach to establish the recycling process for rare-earth metals in magnet. We have developed a process to disassemble the used electric products to collect the magnets, a process to remove the surface plating film of the magnet, and processes to separate rare-earth metals from the magnet. All processes are operated without chemical solutions in order to minimize the environmental impact due to the waste water emission. For the disassemble process, we have developed an equipment to generate continuous shock on the electric products to loosen screws. A sand blast technique is applied for the plating removal process. Rare earth metals in the magnets are extracted by immersion of the magnets in molten magnesium. The extracted rare-earth metals are separated from Mg by evaporation of Mg. The overall yield of recovery is 86.8 %. The purity of the final rare-earth metal is 98.8 %.

Jan 1, 2014

By Finn Olesen, Melina Garcia, Mark William Kennedy

"Furnace resistance is a function of the complex interrelationship between many factors including: operating practice, slag conductivity, temperature, power intensity, and geometry (electrode shape, diameter, spacing, immersion, slag depth, etc.).Accurate prediction of resistance is critical for success of the overall furnace design. The sizing of electrodes, columns, bus-bars, and transformers are all impacted. Estimation of minimum and maximum resistance or maximum operational current, as well as the maximum operating voltage are of fundamental importance.Various mathematical tools have been developed to assist designers with the selection of furnace dimensions and the prediction of resistance. Elkem found the methods of Downing and Urban 1965 and Westly 1975, to be particularly useful.In the current paper, comparisons are drawn between data from spent aluminum pot lining (SPL) demonstration testing at Elkem Bjolvefossen and predictions based on these classical tools and 3D finite element modeling (FEM) with COMSOL.®"

Jan 1, 2012

By Matthew Jeffrey

Leaching, cementation, electroplating and flotation are all electrochemical phenomenon. They are also key processes in the hydrometallurgical treatment of metals. Unfortunately electrochemical methods tend to be under-utilized when studying these processes and one possible reason for this is the confusion surrounding the large number of electrochemical techniques available. In this paper four former PhD students of Professor Ian Ritchie present an insight into how one electrochemical technique can be used to compliment rate/kinetic studies. The paper details how to perform the experiments, interpret data, and recognize complications with the results. Examples where this approach has been highly successful are presented, and include: cementation of zinc by aluminium, cementation of copper by nickel, cyanide leaching of gold and the cementation of gold thiourea by mild steel. The examples illustrate that this universal approach adopted by Ian Ritchie provides the key to understanding the mechanism of many hydrometallurgical reactions.

Jan 1, 2003

By R. A. Masumura, C. S. Pande, D. Agassi

"Grain size has a different effects on the critical current density (Jc) of high and low transition temperature (Tc) superconductors. In high Tc superconductors, the critical current density Jc across grain boundaries depends sensitively on the misorientation 8. It was pointed out by Pande that this dependence is directly related to dislocation structure of the grain boundaries i.e., it is due to dislocation cores and stresses. These ideas are developed further in this paper leading to a relation between Jc and 8. The analytical result is compared with the experimental results on bicrystals and used to explain the difference in behavior between high and low Tc superconductors.IntroductionThe grain size distribution and its evolution with time and temperature is important in determining the properties of high and low transition temperature (T c) superconductors. The distribution is a convenient function to characterize the processing of a high Tc material during sintering. For example, it is known that the maximum density of ceramic materials is obtained when the grain growth is reduced but grain boundaries are still mobile. For practical superconductors, the processing parameters are selected to achieve optimum properties: highest possible T c and maximum critical current (Jc). In terms of an average grain size, the requirements for optimum T c and Jc are sometime in conflict. In A15 type superconductors and even in NbTi, larger Jc have been measured in smaller rather than larger grain sized material. Conversely, in a high Tc materials like YBa2Cu307, higher Jc have been found in larger grain sized or single crystal specimens.Extended defects such as grain boundaries in low T c superconductors can be effective pinning agents for magnetic flux lines, thereby increasing the transport critical current density of these materials [1]. On the other hand, the transport critical currents in polycrystals of high Tc superconductors such as YBa2Cu307 is found to be relatively small (much smaller than those in single crystals of the same material) [2]. It is now known that grain boundaries in high Tc polycrystals can in many cases form ""weak links"" reducing the critical current density across them. This phenomenon can be studied more precisely by experiments on bicrystals, where there is only one grain boundary. It is found that the critical current density is quite sensitive to the misorientation angle of the bicrystal [3,4]. Although the original experiments were conducted on YBa2Cu307, other Tc superconductors have been shown to give the same result [5]."

Jan 1, 1994

By Donald L. Stewart, Ken Overfield, Edward M. Williams

"Recent increases in energy cost have lead to a renewed focus on energy efficiency during aluminum melting operations to reduce fuel usage. The goals of a batch melting operation are to melt the charge using the minimum required energy, to melt the metal to the required temperature within the required timeframe, and to avoid generating unwanted contaminants by overheating the charge.The heat transfer efficiency of a conventional hydrocarbon fired aluminum melting furnace varies over the course of the melt cycle, depending on the conditions in the furnace. The purpose of this work was to develop a method of determining the transient heat transfer efficiency throughout the furnace cycle and to take advantage of this knowledge to optimize the melting process through furnace controls and proper production operations. This furnace survey methodology has been developed and used to evaluate a number of furnaces.Description of a Typical Batch Melting Furnace CycleA typical batch melting furnace cycle will consist of three stages:1. Charging – Solid metal charged through an open roof, solid or molten charged through an open door, and/or molten poured through a furnace blister2. Melting – From the time the door or roof is closed and the burners are turned to high fire until the charge is all liquid and has reached a temperature suitable for alloying (typically ~1350 °F / 730 °C)3. Holding – From the end of the melting stage until transfer or casting is completeIn some cases, further charging can take place after the melting cycle has started. This can happen when the entire solid charge will not fit in the furnace in one load, or if additional molten metal is added while the charge is melting. The bulk of the energy used in the melter is consumed during the melting cycle. The thermodynamic minimum energy requirements for melting pure aluminum are:• Energy required to heat pure aluminum from room temperature to the melting point at 1220°F (660°C) is 288 BTU/lb (670 kJ/kg)• Energy required to change state of pure aluminum from solid to liquid (heat of fusion) is 171 BTU/lb (397 kJ/kg)• Energy required to heat molten from melting point at 1220°F (660°C) to 1350°F (730°C) is 36 BTU/lb (83 kJ/kg)• Total energy required to melt a solid charge from room temperature to 1350°F (730°C ) is 495 BTU/lb (1151 kJ/kg)"

Jan 1, 2009

By John O. Marsden

In early 1998, Phelps Dodge embarked upon a program to investigate alternative technology for the extraction and recovery of copper, and other metal values, from copper concentrates. A review of all of the available process alternatives indicated that many were unsuitable for large-scale commercial application and others were clearly targeted at niche applications where contaminants (and consequently smelter penalties) were driving the decision-making. The result of this development program is the world?s first commercial application of high temperature pressure leaching of chalcopyrite concentrate at Bagdad, Arizona, which was commissioned in the second quarter of 2003. Other related processes are in various stages of development. In addition to the obvious considerations, the economic aspects of this technology have been considered in detail at each step in the development of the program. The technology developments in this area are reviewed with emphasis on the economic viability and commercial application.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. J. Cassidy

This document discusses commercial strategies and applications of specialty processing plants for the recycling of nickel, copper, zinc and cobalt bearing by-products. For this discussion, I will focus on materials originating from the metal plating, electronic circuit board· and chemical industries. The review of select processes and the required service, sourcing, material handling, processing and marketing strategies necessary for a successful recycling program are highlighted. Materials discussed in this summary include filtercakes, filters, dusts, spent catalysts, spent solutions and solids. Both pyrometallurgical and hyrometallurgical applications to these materials are addressed. A comparison of targeted finished markets, including smelter feeds and value added products are also reviewed.

Jan 1, 2000

By Thomas Brynjulfsen, Merete Tangstad, Eli Ringdalen

Manganese ore fines cannot be added to the submerged arc furnace directly as they will prevent even gas flow through the burden. Low gas permeability in the burden will lower the degree of pre-reduction of ore subsequently increase the carbon and energy consumption of the process. In order to utilize manganese ore fines in the furnace, they are typically agglomerated into sinter. In this work, the melting and reduction properties of Gabonese sinter and Gabonese ore have been investigated in pilot scale experiments. Two experiments were conducted, one with 100% sinter as manganese source and one with 50/50 sinter and ore. Lime was used to achieve a charge basicity of 0.72 in both experiments. The composition of slag samples from the excavation of the furnace was established using EPMA(WDS), and the composition of the tapped slag and metal was found using XRF. It was found that while the coke-bed size would determine the tapped slag composition, the melting behavior of the Mn source would determine the mixing with lime.

Jan 1, 2014

By Byung-Su Kim

Most electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) treatment processes employ carbon as a reducing agent for the zinc oxide in the EAFD. In the present work, the reduction reaction of zinc oxide with carbon in the present of various additives was studied. The effects of temperature and the additives of calcium carbonate, magnetite, and mill scale on the kinetics of the reduction reaction were measured in the temperature range of 1173 K - 1373 K under nitrogen atmosphere using a weight-loss technique. The mill scale is one of byproducts generated from the steel rolling process. From the experimental results, it was concluded that all three additives accelerates the reaction rate of zinc oxide with carbon, but the effect of addition of calcium carbonate is the highest. It was also found that magnetite, mill scale, and calcium carbonate in the reduction reaction of zinc oxide with carbon promotes the carbon gasification reaction.

Jan 1, 2006

By Zongshu Zou, Qiang Li, Mingming Li, Mingxia Feng

The impingement onto the surface of bath by top-blown jets is a significant process characteristic in BOF and EAF steelmaking process. The cavity is one of the most important outcomes of the interaction and plays an important role on reaction kinetics and reactors performance. But to date, the understanding to cavity is still so limited. In present study, a water model for a BOF converter is established and the dimension of cavity profile is investigated. The effects of lance height, gas flow rate, nozzle inclination angle and the amounts of slag are discussed. The results show that penetration depth increases with the increase of gas flow rate and the amount of slag, and the decrease of lance height and nozzle inclination angle. Furthermore, a theoretical model of cavity dimension is proposed for multiply jets impinging liquid bath on the basis of energy balance at the stagnation point of cavity.

Jan 1, 2015

By Kouichi Nakano

Austenitic stainless steel, which includes nickel for stabilizing austenitic structure, is used for various purposes, for example, for structural material, corrosion-resistant material, biomaterial etc. Nickel is set as one of the rare metals and economizing on nickel as the natural resources is required. On the other hand, nickel is one of the metals that cause metallic allergy frequently. Therefore, high nitrogen stainless steel, where nitrogen stabilizes austenitic structure instead of nickel, has been developed in Japan and some of the foreign countries for the above reason. When high nitrogen stainless steel is fused and bonded, dissolved nitrogen is released to the atmospheric area, and some of the material properties will change. In this study, we bonded high nitrogen stainless steel by stud welding process, which is able to bond at short time, and we evaluate joint performance. We have got some interesting results from the other tests and examinations.

Jan 1, 2016

By Kerri-Ann Hue, Kerry Hasapidis, Ken Babcock, Patrick O'Hagan

"Metallic nanoparticles exhibit properties that are significantly different from individual atoms or bulk materials. Their applications are diverse and have varying uses in areas such as cancer treatment, biochemical sensors, nanoelectronics, and drug delivery. For each application extensive characterization must be performed in order to probe the unique properties of these nanoparticles. In this study, ultra-high resolution mass sensors consisting of MEMs-fabricated, suspended microchannel resonators (SMRs) were used to determine the size and concentration of metallic nanoparticles. With femtogram (10- 15 g) mass resolution, ultra-high resolution mass sensors can weigh individual particles suspended in fluid, and so measure their mass, density, and size. Particle size analysis with these sensors provides excellent accuracy and resolution compared to mature technologies such as light scattering. This technique also provides quantitative information via the ability count particles.IntroductionThe unique electronic, chemical, and optical properties associated with nanoparticles vary with their size, shape, and composition[ 1-4]. These properties are attributed to increased surface area and nanosized mean free path of electrons to the particle surface. Nanoparticle colloidal solutions have been prepared and are commercially available. In recent years, noble metals such as gold, copper, and silver have been extensively researched[5-7]. In order to tailor the optical, electronic, and electrical properties of nanoparticles, size and shape must be controlled. For many applications a monodisperse colloidal solution is ideal. Methods of size characterization include Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), and Electrophoretic Mobility Measurements to name a few[6, 8]. Although TEM can provide shape and size distributions, sample preparation requires that samples be dried on a metal grid and cannot be analyzed in solution. DLS uses curve fitting algorithms that while useful for determining mean particle diameters are not ideal for polydisperse colloidal solutions. New technologies are therefore needed to accurately determine the particle size distributions of metallic nanoparticles."

Jan 1, 2011

By Seshadri Seetharaman, Nurni N. Viswanathan, Haijuan Wang

"In order to make the stainless steel making process efficient and environment friendly, it is essential to minimize the loss of chromium to the slag phase. With a view to investigate the advantages of using CO2 to attain moderate oxygen partial pressures in the oxidant gas during the decarburizations of stainless steel, the present experiments were carried out to understand the oxidation kinetics of Fe-Cr alloys and Fe-V alloy with gas mixtures containing CO2. In the present work, the oxidation behavior of Fe-Cr and Fe-V was examined by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Various mixtures of O2 and CO2 were used as the oxidant gas and the oxidation rate was followed by the weight changes as a function of time.The experiments demonstrated that the oxidation rate is independent of temperature at present experimental situation, but has strongly related to the Cr-content of the alloy as well as the oxygen partial pressure in the oxidant gas mixture. The wetting of alumina by the iron drop and the change of the drop shape during the course of the oxidation were investigated by X-ray radiography."

Jan 1, 2010

By Gerhard Meyer

A new instrument for the determination of iron., zinc, calcium, and other metals independently directly in the fumes emitted from steelmaking processes is described. Based on the well- accepted method of X-ray fluorescence, the instrument can detect numerous metals simultaneously in the fume as well as report their concentration on a mass per unit time basis real time to a control room computer. The instrument mounts on the wall of the fume duct and can., via a small opening, directly view the hot exhaust plum inside the duct. The concentration of metal in the fume over time has been shown to change dramatically depending on process variables. Variables such as oxygen flow rate, lance height and nozzle configuration., slag condition., and episodic scrap addition can affect the presence of metal particles and fume in the exhaust. An analysis response time of 6 seconds enables better control of the steelmaking process thereby conserving primary resources and reducing environmental impact.

Jan 1, 2001

By Angus Hellawell

The application of the common tangent principle to free energy - composition surfaces is considered. It is shown that the construction requires that single phase surfaces on either side of a two phase volume must always exhibit the same sign of curvature - contrary to that shown in many published phase diagrams. In general, these curvatures will be such that the surfaces are mutually concave towards the more stable phase. A number of examples are discussed.

Jan 1, 1991

By A. V. Kuznetsov, R. I. Kamkin, V. M. Paretskiy, A. Y. Mamaev, V. P. Bystrov, A. S. Vernigora

"Vanukov furnace technology is an efficient, proven pyrometallurgical injection technology, used extensively in Russia and Kazakhstan for a number of different applications. The technology was most widely adopted for processing copper sulfide concentrates for matte in smelters in Norilsk, Revda (Russia) and Balkhash (Kazakhstan). The following applications also were developed and tested at industrial scale: treatment of sulfide lead and lead-zinc concentrates, laterite nickel ore, production of cast iron, treatment of antimony gold-containing ores, and municipal solid waste. In this paper, current experience of Vanukov furnace application to these technologies is described with a number of general development trends and new areas of application.IntroductionAt the present time, the Vanukov process, developed at the Moscow State Institute of Steel and Alloys at the Department of metallurgy of non-ferrous, rare and noble metals with collaboration with other research organizations, is a highly efficient technological solution for processing different kinds of raw materials. The process was invented by Professor Andrey Vladimirovich Vanukov, whose research work began in 1949. From 1956 to 1975 test runs of the technology were carried out at the smelters in Norilsk and Balkhash. In 1976 a pilot Vanukov furnace was built in Ryazan. Furnace designs was modified to suit the various test programs. A major objective of each experiment was the determination of optimal working conditions for processing different types of raw materials such as copper, copper-nickel, copper-zinc, lead or pyrite concentrates, and materials containing secondary lead and zinc. After the death of Andrey Vladimirovich Vanukov in 1986, this technology and furnaces based on the technology were named after him: “Vanukov process” and “Vanukov furnace”. Today, the following furnaces based on Vanukov technology are either working or were tested at semi-industrial scale: three in Norilsk, two in Revda (Russia) and two in Balkhash (Kazakhstan) for treatment of copper sulfide concentrates for matte, one in Orsk (Russia) for processing laterite nickel ore, one in the Buruktal plant (Russia) for antimony gold-containing ores for antimony oxide sublimates and gold-containing metallic antimony, and one in China for processing sulfide lead and lead-zinc concentrates for production of black lead and zinc-containing sublimates."

Jan 1, 2011

By Ana P. Paiva, Marc F. Comella, Sandra S. Reis, Joao N. Reis, M. Soledade Santos

"In this work, the influence of the malonamide structure, acidity of the aqueous phase and diluent on the equilibrium interfacial tension (IT) of N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-diphenylmalonamide (DMDPHMA) and N,N'-dimethyl-N,N'-dicyclohexylmalonamide (DMDCHMA) in 1,2- dichloroethane (1,2-DCE), and DMDCHMA in toluene, with aqueous HCl, were investigated. IT isotherms were determined using the Du N ouy ring method. Densities of the organic phases were determined, and used to screen solute-diluent interactions. Formation of third phases was never observed; furthermore, ITs increase with the phase separation period, constant values being obtained for separation periods larger than 1000 seconds. Each malonamide interfacial efficiency at the oil/water interface is interpreted in terms of malonamide basicity, diluent polarity and malonamide - hydrochloric acid- diluent interfacial interactions.IntroductionFor several years now, N,N'-tetrasubstituted malonamide derivatives have been extensively investigated as liquid-liquid extraction agents since they were first proposed as the organic components of the DIAMEX process, with the aim of advantageously replacing tributylphosphate in PUREX [1]. Therefore, a significant part of research studies with malonamides appearing in the literature deal with the extraction of major and minor actinides in real or simulated spent nuclear fuels in nitric acid solutions [2]. Under typical experimental process conditions, the tendency shown by some N,N'-tetrasubstituted malonamide derivatives to aggregate in the organic phase, leading in a few cases to the formation of undesirable third phases, has been remarked and consequently thoroughly investigated [3, 4]. The increasing use of chloride streams as hydrometallurgical aqueous feeds is becoming a reality, and this fact is obviously deeply founded on an extensive research carried out to recover value-adding metals from these media. Following this trend, a number of N,N'-tetrasubstituted malonamides have already been screened for the recovery of iron(III) [5, 6] and platinum-group metals [7] from hydrochloric acid solutions. The results obtained are quite promising either in terms of total metal ion recoveries or selectivity patterns achieved. The formation of a third phase when iron(III) was extracted by the tested N,N'-tetrasubstituted malonamide derivatives has never been observed under the adopted experimental conditions, and the extraction data collected would need to be reinterpreted accordingly if any aggregation phenomena involving the considered extraction systems were to take place."

Jan 1, 2011

By K. Gao, R. Dry

"Carbon boil, which results in excessive spitting and even complete destruction of a metal drop, could significantly influence the efficiency of direct smelting processes. Carbon boil has been studied as a function of some key parameters such as melt sulfur content, oxygen partial pressure, and melt area/volume ratio. The time of carbon boil was determined using a CCO camera coupled with a time/date generator connected in parallel to a video recorder and a computer. The time of carbon boil was in the range ~5 - 15 seconds under the conditions in this study. A mechanism for carbon boil has been proposed.IntroductionThe occurrence of carbon boil in molten iron drops can result in excessive spitting and sometimes even complete destruction of a metal drop. In direct iron smelting processes, this could significantly influence the decarburisation of liquid metal and the post combustion and hence may influence the efficiency of smelting processes. The generation and consequent ejection of metal droplets into the gas phase occurs due to the intense turbulence in the bath which results from the injection of gases and coal. The aim of this investigation is to understand the fundamentals governing the carbon boil phenomenon under direct iron smelting conditions to assist control of process efficiency.Carbon boil phenomenon has been studied as a function of some key parameters such as melt sulfur content, oxygen partial pressure and melt area/volume ratio. The time for the occurrence of carbon boil has been determined in this study at 1440 °C using a novel approach which includes utilisation of a CCD camera coupled with a time/date generator connected in parallel to a video recorder and a computer. This arrangement permits the capture of the entire sequence of events leading up to carbon boil and therefore the determination of time of boil which is in the range -5 - 15 seconds under the conditions in this study."

Jan 1, 1996