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By Ahmad-Bitar¸ Riyad N., Shadia J. Ikhmayies

"CdSi-xTex thin films with O<x<0.3 were prepared on glass substrates by the annealing of CdS:In thin films produced by the spray pyrolysis technique. The annealing was performed in nitrogen atmosphere at 400 --,C in the presence of Te vapor. The compositions of the films were determined by energy dispersive X-ray detection (EDAX) measurements. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the morphology of the films. The transmittance of the films was measured at room temperature in the wavelength range 400-1100 nm and used to produce the absorbance of the films. The first derivative of the absorbance was used to estimate the optical bandgap energy Eg by using the minima in the first derivative. The relation between the bandgap energy and the fraction x was found to fit with a parabola and bandgaps in the range 2.196: =Eg: =2.480 e V were obtained. Urbach tailing in the bandgap was also investigated.IntroductionPolycrystalline thin film CdS/CdTe solar cells are promising candidates for low cost and high efficiency photovoltaic applications. The fabrication process of these cells involves the deposition of a p-type CdTe absorber layer on top of an n-type CdS one which acts as a window. The efficiency of the solar cell is affected by the method of preparation of both layers [1, 2].Interdiffusion processes taking place at the CdS/CdTe interface have largely been realized to significantly affect the device performance [3] by changing the bandgap of both CdTe and CdS which modifies the spectral response of the solar cell [ 4]. The formation of a mixed crystal or a graded layer causes a reduction in the lattice mismatch at the CdS/CdTe junction [5] which is about 9% [ 6] and then a reduction in the number of interfacial states and recombination centers, thus enhancing the solar cell performance [7, 8]. A complete understanding of the properties of the intermixed layers CdSxTe1-x that usually constitutes the interfacial region in the CdS/CdTe solar cell is essential. According to our knowledge, a lot of research was devoted to the investigation of the diffusion of S into CdTe [3-5, 9]; but little on the direct investigation of the diffusion of Te into CdS [6]."

Jan 1, 2011

By J. Wendt, P. R. Sahm, T. Uloth, M. Weck, F. Foertsch

"The FEM program systems CASTS (Computer Aided Solidification TechnologieS) (1) and FINELF (FINite ELement Frontal Solver) are used to optimize a thin walled die casting. After a short description of the programs it will be worked out how to use them not only for simulating solidification processes but also for optimizing the design of workpieces. The calculations will be done for an automobile's support bracket which is manufactured in a well known car factory in Stuttgart, FRG.IntroductionAt the Aachen Foundry Institute the software package CASTS was developped to simulate solidification of castings. In order to optimize the whole manufacturing process it does not appear sufficient any more to take into account only the specific aspects of casting. For instance one has to consider additionally the stress situation under service load. For this reason the Foundry Institute together with the Aachen WZL-Institute (Machine Tool Laboratory) and the car factory mentioned above started to probe into a first step in that direction. Figure 1 shows the support bracket which shall be optimized."

Jan 1, 1986

By C. J. Newman

In January 1999, a redesign of the Kennecott Flash Converting furnace settler was initiated to enhance furnace integrity and extend furnace life. This furnace uses Kennecott-Outokumpu Flash Converting technology to produce copper directly from copper matte. A detailed assessment was made of all technology available around the world before making a decision on the design features to be incorporated in the new design. The new design includes the following: redesign of all sidewall cooling elements to include the latest cooling element technology; redesign of the furnace hearth to include a stadium hearth at the reaction shaft end of the furnace; redesign of the furnace hearth to include a stepped hearth design adjacent to the furnace sidewalls; addition of flat settler roof cooling elements .around the reaction shaft; replacement of reaction shaft transition elements with an improved design and improvements to the furnace cooling element monitoring systems. The Flash Converting furnace was shut down on a planned basis in July 2001 to implement these improvements after 29 months of operation, converting more than 1,000,000 tonnes of matte. During the 30 day shut down, the improvements were successfully completed, with furnace start up in August 2001

Jan 1, 2002

By H. Jiang, S. Yang

"The main processes for nickel metallurgy in China consist of electric arc furnace smelting to produce low grade nickel matte and converter to high grade nickel matte, grinding and flotation to separate nickel sulfide from copper sulfide and direct electrolysis of nickel matte. Systematic studies on the properties of electric furnace slag, smelting process for nickel matte, anodic process of nickel matte, cathodic process of nickel electrolysis have been done in our labs. In addition, an approach to a new hydrometallurgy process for nickel matte has been done. The feature of the new process is one stage acidic leaching of high grade nickel matte. The leaching solution could be purified by deposition way or by solvent extraction way. There are two leaching rate-determing steps, chemistry reaction-determing one at temperatures below 600C and diffusion-determing one at temperatures higher than 600 c. The acidic leaching fraction reacted dvaties with leaching time t according to the equation 1-(1- a ) 1/3=kt. The experimental data also show that the leaching reaction rate varies with concentrations of H+, Cl-, and it is also effected by copper sulfide and Cu++. The Cu++ ion can retard the leaching reaction due to forming a copper sulfide layer on the matte surface and the equation 1- 2/3 a. - (1- a: ) 2/3 akt can be used for the case. However the copper sulfide added into nickel matte can facilitate the leaching process. The research work for nickel metallurgy done by others in China has also been mentioned in this paper.Large scale production of nickel in China started in 1960s.The main processes consist of electric arc furnace smelting to produce low grade nickel matte and converter to high grade nickel matte grinding and floatation to separate copper sulfide from nickel sulfide and direct electrolysis of nickel matte.To reduce nickel loss in slag a reseaech group organized by Jinchuan Company and Central South Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (now the Central South University of Technology) measured the viscosity surface tention density conductance melting point and structure of the slag(I).lt has been found that the physico-chemical properties of the slag depend on the components SiO2 ,MgO and FeO but FeO in the slag is too high and the statistic analysis of data from industry gave an equation to correlate the content of Ni in slag with the content of Ni in matte and the composition of slag again it was pointed out that the content of FeO in slag effected the loss of Ni in slag very much (2). The ratio (FeO+MgO) to SiO2shouid be less than 1.13 and the content of Fe3O4should be as low as possible but the reaction"

Jan 1, 1988

By N. B. Gray, A. E. Guerra, D. E. Morton

"The formation of splash in pyrometallurgical operations that involve the injection of gases into a liquid has been the subject of a number of studies over the last few decades. Given the complexity of the phenomena, there have been some advances in understanding the microscale formation of splash but the ability to accurately predict the amount and character of the splash formed is still in its infancy. First, the macroscale mechanisms for splash formation is very varied. Second, the timescales for splash formation are very small, usually less than 100 milliseconds, making experiments elucidating the formation of splash difficult and costly. Work at the GKW CRC has shown that the microscale mechanism of splash formation is primarily is due to the Kelvin-Helmholtz instability. Substantial progress has been made in understanding the behaviour of large bubbles in effecting splash formation and a simple model has been developed to estimate the behaviour of splash formed from a top submerged lance. Direct numerical computation of splash formation using the GKMAC codes developed at the Centre has been successful in simulating the impact of liquid drops onto a liquid bath.IntroductionInjection of gases into melts is used in the metallurgical industry to promote mixing to ensure acceptable heat and mass transfer rates, conveying solids for alloying, provide efficient contact for gas-melt reactions, and as a reactant. High gas injection rates bring about the formation of splash and slop. Extensive splash formation leads to loss of valuable product, creation of safety hazards, formation of accretion on refractory lining and exhaust ducts, and increased load on dust removal equipment. Many operators and researchers have claimed that splash formation is the limiting factor in many gas injected processes. The problems listed above lead to loss of production and increased maintenance, adding to the cost of processing base metals. Over the last five years, the GKW CRC has been studying the formation of splash from a number of sources. They include the impingment of drops on liquids[ l·2.31, slopping of bath liquidI4.51, breakup of gas bubbles at the liquid-gas interfacel61, shearing of liquids by gases[7·81, and impact of packets of fluids on solidsl81. Theoretically, the extreme deformation of fluid shape and the influence of surface tension makes the simulation of flow resulting from only a drop impacting on a liquid surface a very challenging computational fluid dynamics problem. Recently, we have been successful in simulating the formation of the Rayleigh jet resulting from a drop impact showing the effect of drop Froude number on the shape of the Rayleigh jet."

Jan 1, 1996

By Tao Zhang, Wen-tao YU, Hai-bin ZUO, Jian-Liang Zhang

Sintering-pot tests and metallurgical performances of sinter with 4 kind of different Al2O3 contents are experimented in this paper. Results show: when the Al2O3 contents increase from 2.0% to 3.5%, acicular calcium ferrites in mine phase will be gradually replaced by plate-like iron calcium. The increase of Al2O3 contents will lead to the addition of liquid viscosity and the reduction of permeability of sinter bed. Sintering time will be prolonged. The rate of yield is stable basically but production is low; besides, the increase of liquid viscosity will decrease of drum strength. The change of permeability of the material layer will make RDI +3.15 decrease first and then increase when Al2O3 contents changed from 2.0% to 3.5%. RI of sinter shows a contrary trend because many open voids are formed by deterioration of liquidity first and then pores closed.

Jan 1, 2015

By Xia Lou, Hossein Dashti

Gas hydrates technology has been considered as an alternative method for carbon dioxide (CO2) separation. A wide range of studies have been reported in the past decade on the improvement of the separation efficiency by using chemical additives. While most of these studies have shown improved kinetics, thermodynamics and/or separation efficiency at the laboratory scale, there has been no quantitative analysis of the energy consumption for viable industrial applications. Comparison of the effectiveness of the chemical additives from separate studies or groups also is impossible. The present work is focused on the modelling of the hydrate-based CO2 separation process and provides a quantitative approach that is new in its analysis of the effectiveness of chemical additives in relation to the energy required and the kinetic parameters involved in the process.

Mar 1, 2018

By Nicolas Reynier

The separation of radionuclide during rare earth element (REE) production is an important requirement for developing the Canadian REE mining industry. Separation of actinides from REE is often a large concern in the rare earth industry because of the need to manage the radioactive nuclides. A patented process developed for actinides extraction from radioactive wastes was applied to REE ore. Objectives were to optimize the process for REE leaching from ore, and separate radioactive impurities from sulphuric and nitric liquor by ion exchange (IX). Ore leaching was optimized using a surface response plan to ensure statistical significance. In optimized conditions, solubilization yields ranged from 90–95% for Th, 60–75% for U, 48–55% for LREE, and 59–75% for HREE in sulphuric and nitric media. Both media were compared for radionuclide removal from rich REE-bearing mineral liquor by IX. Actinides separation ranged from 92–97% for Th and 69–96% for U in sulphuric and nitric media.

By Greg Andrews, David Dreisinger

The Foxtrot deposit of Search Minerals contains a range of rare earth element containing minerals including allanite, fergusonite and bastnasite. The Search Minerals Direct Extraction Process for treating these minerals involves coarse crushing of the ore to -6 mesh (3.45 mm), acid treatment at 200 °C in a novel reactor configuration, water leaching, various purification steps to reject iron, aluminum and uranium/thorium (present in small amounts) and finally precipitation of rare earths as an oxalate and calcination to form a mixed rare earth oxide product for refining. The economics of the process are presented.

Mar 1, 2017

By John J. Dunkley

Recent years have seen the increased use of hydrometallurgy in the smelting and refining of metals. However this is often used as a final refining step, following an initial pyrometallurgical smelting process. Huge amounts of material are produced as melts which have to be cast, comminuted, and taken up into solution or leached. A common method is to granulate the melt and then grind it. In the case of metallic melts this can be difficult or unfeasible due to the ductility of the granulated particles. Water atomisation is capable of replacing the granulation and grinding stages with a single process step that can process in excess of 30t/hour of melt into particles as fine as 50 microns. Applications in operation in Co, Cu, Ni, Ag, Au, Pt and Rh refining are discussed together with potential applications in copper smelting.

Jan 1, 2003

By G. Mark Aylmore

Various processes have been developed using a combination of elevated temperature and chemical treatment processing to recover Li from silicate minerals. To facilitate further process development, a comprehensive understanding of the deportment of Li and associated minerals in ore bodies is essential to allow the industry to predict the response of ore reserves to metallurgical treatment options. This paper describes results from the integrated use of the John de Laeter Centre’s state of the art analytical and mass spectrometry techniques to characterise a selection of Li bearing ore bodies and determine their amenability to potential processing options for the extraction of Li. The mineralogy, mineral associations, and liberation characteristics of ore-bearing and gangue minerals were characterised using a combination of the TIMA and XRPD studies. The Li content and distribution within minerals were defined using LA-ICPMS and field emission scanning electron microscopy techniques (EBSD, ToF-SIMS) and atomic probe microscopy.

Several processes are now available for the recovery of free and WAD cyanide from gold plant solutions and pulps. In the past, the incentive for evaluating cyanide recovery in gold plant flowsheets has been economic. In many cases, it has been possible to demonstrate (at least in the laboratory and on paper), an improvement in process economics by; (i) reducing the costs of tailings detoxification, (ii) recycling cyanide at lower cost than the purchase/delivery price of new cyanide, and (iii) generating additional revenue via by¬product sales. Despite these convincing arguments, few cyanide recovery plants have been built at operating gold mines. Also, there is arguably an even more compelling reason for mining companies to consider cyanide recycling. With the growing storm of negative public opinion that the use of cyanide in the mining industry is attracting - following several highly publicized spills over the last couple of years - the time has come for the gold industry to demonstrate environmental diligence and stewardship in the use of this commodity that is so vital for their industry. There is no doubt that the widespread implementation of cyanide recycling will reduce the impact of the cyanidation process on the environment, both by reducing the risk of spills (with less cyanide being transported from manufacturing plants to gold mines), and by reducing the loading of toxic and non-toxic metals and ions in the tailings. In this paper, the various processes that are available for cyanide recovery are discussed, along with the process chemistry. Results of several laboratory and pilot plant trials that have been conducted over the last few years are also presented.

Jan 1, 1998

By David R. Jessey

An ore microscopic and geochemical study of the nickel-cobalt occurrence in the Southeast Missouri Mining District has revealed several significant relationships. Siegenite [(Ni,Co)3S4] is the dominant nickel-cobalt sulfide in the ores, however, several other members of the thiospi¬nel group (AB2S4) occur: carrollite (CuCo2S4), nickelean carrollite [(Co,Ni,Cu)3S4], fletcherite [Cu(Ni,Co)2S4] and polydymite (Ni 3S4). In addition, bravoite [(Ni,Fe)S2], vaesite (NiS2), millerite (NiS) and gersdorffite (NiAsS) are present. Thiospinel composition varies dramatically within the district. Paragenetic studies have shown that the stratigraphically lowest thiospinels are the most cobalt-copper-rich. A detailed ore microscopic study of the AMAX Lead Company Buick mine has also shown significant changes in mineralogical association, texture and grain size of the siegenite along the north-south strike of the major ore bodies. Siegenite commonly replaces and veins chalcopyrite and is subsequently replaced by sphalerite. Less commonly, siegenite and chalcopyrite are observed to form linear replacements along sphalerite grain boundaries. The grain size of the siegenite varies markedly, but in a predictable north-south pattern that is consistent with a genetic model formulated from geo-chemical data. The compositional as well as textural trends displayed by the thiospinel mineralization could be exploited to optimize recovery of any or all thiospinels of economic interest.

Jan 1, 1981

By S. P. Rivers

The stainless steel industry re1ies on nitric-hydrofluoric acid (HNO,/HF) pickling solutions to remove surface contaminants and maintain the corrosion resistance of the steel. More stringent environmental guide1ines are expected to be placed on the disposal of these solutions which could significantly increase processing costs. The U.S. Bureau of Mines has been conducting research to develop a process for recycling depleted pickling solutions, thus reducing the quantity of by product acids generated. Research has shown that F- can be liberated from the predominant iron fluoride species (FeF,&apos;) by using oxalic acid in an electrodialysis cell. Ion selective membranes allow dissolved metals in the depleted solution to be replaced with hydronium ions by metathesis, thereby regenerating the HF. The regenerated HN03/HF is then retained in the pick1ing solution. This paper reports on the research effort at the U.S. Bureau of Mines Rolla Research Center to apply electrodialytic recycling to HN03/HF pickling solutions.

Jan 1, 1993

By Cong Wang, Kexin Jiao, Yongan Zhao, Haibin Zuo, Jianliang Zhang

Traditional refractory materials for blast furnace hearth lining are mainly composed of carbon bricks and the ceramic cup. However, these materials can’t meet the demands for long service life design of blast furnaces. In this paper, a new refractory called carbon composite brick (CCB) was introduced, which combined the advantages of carbon bricks and the ceramic cup. In this case, the resistance of the CCB against corrosion was equal to the ceramic cup and the thermal conductivity of the CCB was equal to carbon bricks. From the results of more than 20 blast furnaces, the CCB could be well used in small blast furnaces and large blast furnaces. In the bad condition of low grade burden and high smelting intensity, the CCB gave full play to the role of cooling system, and effectively resisted the erosion of hot metal to improve the service life of blast furnaces.

Jan 1, 2015

By Z. Zhang, R. G. Reddy

The viscosities of industrial lead slags with various compositions were measured as a function of temperature. It was found that viscosities of lead slags decreased with increasing temperature, and the plots of ln(11) vs. 104tr followed a linear relation over the reported ranges of temperature. Using the data of this study and available other related data from the literature, a viscosity expression was developed as a function of composition and temperature. The calculated results using this viscosity expression are in good agreement with the measured data. The composition dependency of viscosity of lead slags is discussed.

Jan 1, 2000

By Guan-Yong SHI, Cong Wang, Zhi-he DOU, Ting-an ZHANG, Shi-gang FAN

Based on the pre-works, this paper proposed a new short stage process of the intensify aluminothermy reduction by the stage to prepare high titanium ferroalloy with low O and Al contents. We investigated the effects of Al and Ca and Si combination reduction agent, slag type and step-up reduction conditions on the Al content and distribution in the alloy. The results show that the step-up reduction can not only reduce effectively the oxygen content in the alloy, but also reduce effectively Al content. For instance, the oxygen content in high titanium ferroalloy is within 1%~4%, and the Al content is within 1%~5%. Its quality reaches the requirement of high titanium ferroalloy prepared by remelting process.

Jan 1, 2015

By Maria das Graças da Silva Valenzuela, Guillermo Ruperto Martin Cortes, Francisco Rolando Valenzuela-Diaz

Bentonites are an important kind of industrial clays with more than a hundred different uses. In the oil and gas industries they are used as thixotropic additives for drilling fluids and also as sorbents for purification of flows and effluents. Due to the mechanical and thermal properties that they exhibit, bentonites will become in a near future important fillers in clay/polymer nanocomposites which could be used in the oil and gas industry for replacement of various metal components. In this paper a chocolate color bentonite from the state of Paraiba in Brazil was characterized by diverse techniques such as XRD, DSC/TGA, surface area, and cation exchange capacity and it was studied its potential use as thixotropic additive for oil and gas drilling fluids and assorbents of oils. The bentonite showed good potential for use in those applications.

Mar 1, 2018

By R. W. Lawrence

A method by which it is possible at an oxidation potential below 680 mV SHE to achieve quantitative conversion of sulphide sulphur to elemental sulphur instead of sulphate in a biological leach of chalcopyrite and bornite has been investigated. The process chemistry, biological phenomena and process flowsheet options are discussed. Several copper concentrates have been evaluated and have been found to be amenable to th process. Results to study the progression of chalcopyrite decomposition during the leach are presented and mineralogical factors affecting the requirement for silver addition are discussed. A chloride addition method for improving silver recovery is described. The results of a small scale continuous leach test have demonstrated that continuous operation can be carried out with high copper extraction and stoichiometric conversion of sulphide sulphur to elemental sulphur.

Jan 1, 1985

By R. Burkhard

Recovery of metals from complex mixed wastes is a challenging task of modem material and waste management strategies. Thermal methods are an important tool in this respect. Plasma turned out to be particularly useful for treatment of complex or toxic wastes and residuals. In order to study plasma processes at reasonable costs, a pilot plasma plant has been used and wastes like ~pent Raney-Nickel catalysts, copper and ah.:lminum drosses, and. other metal containing wastes were investigated. The paper summarizes the most significant findings

Jan 1, 1995