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By Toshiyuki Kozuka

CdTe semi-conducting materials have been expected as solar cell materials because its theoretical energy conversion ratio is very high. The actual efficiency still low, however, many research works have been done in order to improve the efficiency. And crystal orientation is one of possibilities for that. In this work, a new method using intense magnetic field for a control of texture of CdTe crystals will be proposed, where the CdTe film was electro-deposited under an intense magnetic field. CdTe is less affected by magnetic field, because of its cubic structure, but Cd or Te has hexagonal structure, which is sensitive for magnetic field. In this paper, crystal orientation of Cd or Te film, which can be utilized as basic layer for CdTe deposition, will be developed.

Jan 1, 2006

By Nobuhiro Ishikawa

The in-situ observation of the effect of impurities on the reduction process of iron oxides by C in TEM was carried out. A few wt% of CaO or AbO, was used as impurities in FeO was prepared. Some precipitates grew into the C layer expect for using 3.0wtCa. The reaction between FeO and carbon was much different from using pure FeO at about 800-1 lOOK. The rate of reaction became much slower including Ca and almost no reaction was happened with the concentration of CaO up to 3.0wt%. On the contrary, AbO, had ahuost no effect on the reaction. The results indicated that Ca suppressed the reaction and the effect of Al was much less. The precipitates which grew into C layer accompanied almost no Ca and AI. Only Fe was detected in the precipitates.

Jan 1, 2008

By C. O. Bounds

The performance of AB5-type alloys for hydrogen absorption including the electrochemical absorption as an electrode for rechargeable batteries has been demonstrated' to be a complex function of the composition, microstructure and surface condition. The compositional studies have focused primarily on substitutions for Ni on the B-site (e.g. Co, Al, Mn, etc.). This current study examines the effect of rare earth substitutions for La on the A-site and considers both other "light" rare earths (Ce, Nd, Pr) and "heavy" rare earths (Dy, Sm, etc.).

Jan 1, 1997

By Pierre-François Bareel

EU legislation imposes ambitious recycling targets for various consumer goods. End-of-Life Vehicles (ELVs), scrap iron and various proportions of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) are processed by shredding plants which recover most of the metals but produce Shredder Residues (SR) which are landfilled. They represent 20 to 25 wt.% of the shredder input. Energy issues for the coarse fraction of SR are now largely studied. However, below 2 mm, the calorific value falls off drastically. These Fine Shredder Residues (FSR) represent up to 55 wt.% of the total SR. To meet European objectives other alternatives to landfilling must be considered for the FSR. The present paper describes a study carried out to characterise the FSR and investigates ways to process them and produce marketable products. Applying Gy's theory, a sampling procedure was conducted over two years to statistically quantify the variability of the physical and chemical properties of FSR produced by a Belgian post-shredding treatment plant. Macroscopic characterisation has led to the identification of four material categories which could be separated according to their physical properties: ferrous metals (more or less oxidised), non-ferrous metals, an organic fraction (plastics, rubber, textiles, foams, wood) and a minerals fraction (glass, ceramic, concrete). The entrainment of small metallic particles within the pores of organic fragments will affect the quality of the separations.

Jan 1, 2006

By D. Valic

In 1997, 9.2 million tonnes of mined, recoverable copper was produced, of which, 1.8 million tonnes or 19.4% was produced by leaching, solvent extraction and electrowinning. The amount of copper produced by this method grew faster than those attained from concentrate smelting, signifying the growing importance of this low-cost production method. Statistical experimental design, unlike traditional approaches, allows for proper distribution of experiments within the boundaries of factors being studied such that the number of experiments required to develop a sound relationship between the factors and a response is minimized. In the past, very little use has been made of statistical experimental design in copper electrowinning studies. Traditional one- variable-at-a-time approaches are widely employed for this purpose. The present study employs a factorial experimental design to relate current efficiency with current density (180 and 300 A/m2), copper concentration (25 and 65 gL), and temperature (40 and 60 °C). Pure synthetic electrolyte with a constant acid concentration of 180 g/L was used throughout the study. The designed study produced a linear relationship where the independent variables of current density, copper concentration, and temperature, and their interactions, were found statistically significant. It was shown that current efficiency could not solely be used as a predictor of copper cathode quality. The quality of the deposit is difficult to be incorporated into a model or relation. It was determined that other measures, such as cathode morphology and crystal structure should be considered. This was done through XRD and SEM analysis.

Jan 1, 1999

By M. S. Moats

A considerable amount of research has been conducted to determine the causes of anode passivation. Chemical and electrochemical reactions that occur after passivation have received little attention. Chronopotentiometry, linear sweep voltammetry, cyclic voltammetry, and impedance spectroscopy have been used to elucidate three reactions that occur after passivation of commercial copper anodes. These involve the dissolution of silver and subsequent cementation and transformation of selenides, the oxidation of lead sulfate to lead oxide, and oxygen evolution. The amount of silver dissolution depends on the silver content of the anode, the time to passivation, and the molar ratio of Ag/(Se+Te). The oxidation of lead from PbSO4 to PbOx explains a potential plateau of oxygen evolution. Silver affects the duration of oxygen evolution on the PbOx. Anodes containing kupferglimmer display a characteristic oxygen evolution potential. It is believed that kupferglimmer provides a lower overpotential for oxygen evolution than the other slime phases or passivated surface.

Jan 1, 1999

By Francis Vanbellen

Umicore Precious Metals Refining operates an integrated precious metals smelting and refining plant in Hoboken, Belgium. Once a smelter and refiner of complex concentrates, the plant today?s feed consists exclusively of industrial and consumer recycled products, making it the world?s largest recycling facility for precious metals. Unlike the fairy tale of the Frog Prince, it took much more than a princess? kiss to successfully realize this makeover. A completely renewed plant has been built over the past decade. The most visible technological innovation was the commissioning of the Pb-Cu smelter. Its flexibility towards very different types of feed makes it perfectly suited as main entry to the Hoboken flow sheet. A new Cu-leaching & electro winning plant and precious metals refinery make up the Precious Metals Operations (PMO) whose targets are fast throughput and maximized yields for gold, silver and the platinum group metals. The Base Metals Operations (BMO), flexibly process the by-products from the PMO, valorizing ?impurities? like indium, tellurium, selenium and others. Off gas and waste water treatments ensure compliance with strict environmental standards. Precious metals recycling is an art that goes beyond mastering a unique flow sheet. Umicore Precious Metals Refining offers a complete recycling service, taking care of sampling and assaying, metals management and logistics. The quality of this integral service is recognized through the attribution of ISO certifications for our operational activities, sampling and the environmental care. And it?s an art that follows Michelangelo?s experience: ?Art is 5% of inspiration and 95% of transpiration.?

Jan 1, 2006

By Leszek Hoser

Polycrystalline oxide superconductors that have the perovskite structure, that are oxygen deficient, and that have compositions based. on the so-called. 1-2-3 (YBa2Cu3O7) compound, were investigated.. The materials exhibit a high critical transition to superconductivity at temperatures near 90oK. It was determined that maintaining the oxygen content within the correct range in connection with an appropriate amount of CU ions in the crystal lattice leads to high-critical temperature (Tc:) superconducting properties. High-Tc: superconductors with a critical temperature in the range of 100°K were developed. Further investigations, based. on the theoretical examinations of the origin of superconductivity, have been performed and are discussed..

Jan 1, 1989

By J. E. Murphy

Neodymium was electrowon into a Mg-Cd molten cathode at 650 °C from NdC1,-KC1 electrolyte. With the chloride system, neodymium was deposited into the molten alloy cathode until the neodymium concentration reached 20 wt pct. The alloy was then vacuum melted to remove the Mg and Cd. The current efficiency exceeded 80 pct under optimum conditions and the purity of the metal was 99.9 pct after vacuum melting. As an alternative approach, neodymium was electrowon at 1,030 °C from Nd,O, dissolved in a molten fluoride eleotrolyte. With the oxide-fluoride electrolyte, the metal was electrowon in a molten state with current efficiencies up to 60 pct. The purity of the metal was 99.8 pct with oxygen and carbon as major impurities. A number of problems were encountered including anode effect, low oxide solubility in the electrolyte, high neodymium metal solubility in the electrolyte, and reactivity of the metal with the cell materials. Approaches to improved cell, operation and prospects for commercial adoption of the electrolytic production of neodymium metal are discussed.

Jan 1, 1995

By F. Qian

Direct impingement of molten metal baths by a gas jet is commonly encountered in such processes as BOF and electric arc furnace steelmaking. Shape and local fluid mechanics in the impinging region is important because it determines the interaction of the metal pool with the surroundings. Goal of the present work is to characterize and understand the interfaces at the impinging region. Using a physical model consisting of water/corn oil and water/kerosene as surrogates for metal/slag, interface shapes for slag-gas, slag-metal and metal-gas are investigated. Influence of transport properties of the two liquids on the shape and flow fields are also experimentally determined under various impinging jet conditions, namely jet momentum and jet height. The viscosity of the slag layer (corn oil or kerosene) has the most significant effect on the interface shape and the induced flow fields. The interface shapes were measured both photographically and by using a surface- tracking resistance probe. The limiting condition at which the jet breaks through the corn oil or kerosene layer and reaches the water layer was determined experimentally

Jan 1, 1994

By F. Sekula

Tetrahedrite and siderite are two main valuable minerals present in the silver Mária Bana deposit. The tetrahedrite concentrate prepared from it by flotation has certain specific properties from the metallurgical point of view. Siderite is concentrated in the flotation tailings. The paper presents results of the laboratory and pilot-plant testing of the combined hydrometallurgical and pyrometallurgical methods proposed for treatment of the tetrahedrite concentrate and siderite waste. The testing conditions were based on thermodynamic analysis of the reactions that proceed in the process. The proposed technology makes it possible to separate copper from sulphur, mercury and iron in a straightforward way. Copper, after its refining, can be subsequently treated in the finishing operations. At the same time it is a valuable source of precious and noble metals. The siderite-containing flotation tailings can be converted to iron of the technical purity and slag. The proposed method is a good starting point for the development of the closed-cycle technology.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. Beckennann, C. Y. Wang

"Computer simulations of structural and compositional development in equiaxed dendritic alloy solidification are performed using a recently developed multi phase model. The model not only accounts for the transport phenomena occurring on the macroscopic (system) scale, but includes also the grain nucleation and growth mechanisms taking place at various microscopic length scales. In this paper, a numerical technique consisting of a fully implicit control-volume based finite difference method and a multiple time step scheme is developed for accurate and efficient simulations of both micro- and macro-phenomena. Sample numerical results are presented to reveal the effects of liquid now and crystal sedimentation on segregation and the final grain size distribution. In particular, the importance of the interplay between the dendrite microstructure and multiphase now patterns is shown.IntroductionIn recent years, modeling of equiaxed dendritic solidification without convection has experienced considerable progress (1,2]. Nucleation and growth kinetic laws have been coupled with transient heat conduction calculations to determine the solidification microstructure. However, modeling of equiaxed dendritic solidification with melt convection and solid movement has not been attempted so far, largely because of the complications associated with the transport of free equiaxed crystals in the melt. The gravity-induced transport of free crystals is fundamental to the development and extent of the equiaxed zone and also greatly affects the columnar to equiaxed transition. Another possible effect of crystal sedimentation or floatation is to cause severe macrosegregation as well as structural inhomogeneities. The only study available in the literature that accounts for both liquid convection and solid transport is by Ni and Beckermann (3], but deals with globulitic structures (as opposed to dendritic)"

Jan 1, 1994

By M. Rosales

By a physical and mathematical modeling, the behavior of the tri-dimensional waving, and the movement of the gases at the Teniente Converter was studied. The mathematical model considers the condensed phases of white metal and slag, along the gas phase, and includes the k-e model for the turbulence description. Both the physical model and the mathematical model allow to conclude that from a fluidynamic stand point the Teniente Converter clearly can melt 3000 tpd of concentrates. Also, both models are suitable to predict the slag fluidynamics and its spacial distribution inside the Teniente Converter, and the splashing in the tuyere zone as well.

Jan 1, 2006

By Manuel Zamalloa

The outstanding metallurgical performance of the Noranda continuous converter (NCv) in operation since November 1997 has allowed the company to meet production and environmental targets. This achievement positions this new technology as a strong alternative continuous converting technology for copper production. Knowledge of slag chemistry has been important in this respect. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the effect of key parameters including temperature, oxygen potential, slag composition and levels of copper oxide in slag on the conditions leading to magnetite precipitation, as well as on the conditions affecting the liquidus ranges of NCv slag. The above variables are evaluated using industrial data and thermodynamic predictions. Practical implications of customizing operational fluxing procedures to determine optimum operating windows are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1999

By Maria Salazar-Villalpando, Todd H. Gardner

"Efficient utilization of CO2 can help to decrease global warming. Methane reforming using carbon dioxide has been of interest for many years, but recently that interest has experienced a rapid increase for both environmental and commercial reasons. The use of CO2 provides a source of clean oxygen, which eliminates the need for costly oxygen separation plants. The product of dry reforming is useful syn-gas, which can be used to generate electrical power in a SOFC or in the production of synthetic fuels (hydrocarbons and alcohols). Hexaaluminate catalysts prepared at NETL may represent a product that can be utilized for the conversion of CO2 to syn-gas. In this work, transition metals dispersed in barium hexaaluminate have shown to be promising new catalysts for dry methane reforming. In this investigation, a series of BaNixAl12-yO19-d catalysts with varying Ni content were prepared by co-precipitation followed by calcination at 1400°C. CO2 reduction by dry methane reforming was carried out to determine catalyst performance as a function of temperature and carbon formation was also quantified after the reforming tests. Results of catalysts characterization, dispersion and surface area, were correlated to catalytic performance.IntroductionEfficient utilization of CO2 can help to decrease global warming. Methane reforming using carbon dioxide has been of interest for many years, but recently that interest has experienced a rapid increase for both environmental and commercial reasons. The use of CO2 provides a source of clean oxygen, which eliminates the need for costly oxygen separation plants. The product of dry reforming is useful syn-gas, which can be used to generate electrical power in a SOFC or in the production of synthetic fuels (hydrocarbons and alcohols). The dry reforming reaction has been known for a long time. Recent publications have reported studies over several catalysts. For example, the CO2 reforming of CH4 over mesoporous nanocrystalline zirconium powders (ZrO2–3%M2Ox; M: Ce, La and K) at 700ºC have shown methane conversion up to 60% (1). Similarly, the effect of Ni content (1–12 wt%) on the surface and catalytic behavior of bimetallic PtNi catalysts supported on ZSM-5 for reforming of methane with CO2 has been studied and report shows a maximum conversion of 16% and catalyst deactivation was observed during the first hour of time on stream (2). In another report, (3) Ni/a-Al2O3 catalyst was tested for syn-gas generation at 750ºC. The maximum methane conversion was 25%."

Jan 1, 2008

By Dieter Offenthaler

Catalysts used in petroleum industry often contain valuable amounts of PGMs. The typical recycling route for those materials is the pyrometallurgical one, but this treatment way offers limited flexibility with respect to small charge weights. A new process, combining a pyrometallurgical pre-treatment step of the ceramic carriers with a hydrometallurgical leaching procedure overcomes this disadvantage. It not only allows the economical treatment of even very small charge weights, but also gives the possibility to maximize the PGM yield by individually adapting the process to the different charge materials. Due to an ingenious process design, where all leaching agents and effluents are recycled in a closed loop and therefore no waste waters leave the process, process operation becomes very economical. However, the temperature-time-regime in the pyrometallurgical pre-treatment step is of major importance for the success of the whole process. Therefore various investigations have been done to identify how the different process variables in the pyrometallurgical pre-treatment influence the subsequent leaching procedure. It turned out, that the adjustment of the correct phase-modification in the ceramic carrier materials during the pyrometallurgical treatment is the key factor of this process step. Although it is a troublesome issue to exactly adjust the correct phase modifications, it is the prerequisite to take advantage of the benefits of this new process concept.

Jan 1, 2006

By Huanyu Zhang, Quanqiang Ma, Huiqing Tang

Improvement of the coke quality for blast furnace (BF) iron making by hydrothermal oxidation treatment on coke quality was investigated. Results show that, under subcritical condition, sulfur removal rate is 15% and the weight loss is 3%; under supercritical condition, both sulfur removal rate and mass loss rate increase with the increase of H2O2 concentration. In the experimental conditions, sulfur removal rate and mass loss rates were 45% and 17%, respectively. Hydrothermal oxidation treatment could reduce the CO2 reactivity of the coke and the treatment under supercritical condition is more effective. Hydrothermal oxidation treatment could improve the graphitization of the coke and smoothness of pore boundary in the coke and the treatment under supercritical condition is more effective.

Jan 1, 2016

By Dinabandhu Ghosh

The stability diagram of the ternary system Ti-C-O is drawn in the present work for four temperatures, 1473 K, 1573 K, 1673 K and 1873 K, showing the stability fields of TiC, Ti, TiO, Ti2O3 and TiO2. An analysis of the system reveals that it is not possible to produce Ti in a carbon-saturated system; instead, the stable product is TiC. However, Ti can be an equilibrium product in a carbon-unsaturated system at prohibitively low values of pCO and pCO2; for example, at 1873 K, these limiting values are: pCO = 10-6.76 atm and pCO2 = 10-13.36 atm, which, when exceeded, produce TiC and TiO respectively. The magnesiothermic reduction is examined through the stability diagram (log pO2 vs. 1/T) of the system Ti-Mg-O, drawn for a number of pMg values, presenting the pairwise stability fields such as Mg(l) + Ti(s), Mg(v) + Ti(s), MgO(s) + Ti(s), etc. The diagram shows that magnesium reduction of TiO to Ti is possible only at T < 1641 K with pMg = 1 atm and only at T < 1569 K with pMg = 0.5 atm. An experimental scheme for Mg vapor reduction of TiO2 is proposed in which an argon stream is passed over a Mg(liquid) evaporator at temperature T1 (say, 1234 K); the resulting Ar-Mg mixture at 1 atm is subsequently flown over a bed of TiO2 at temperature T2. A thermodynamic analysis establishes that complete reduction to Ti is possible and that the best results are obtained when T1 = T2.

Jan 1, 2006

By Harold R. Kokal

Lisakovsky is a 3-billion ton oolitic iron ore deposit in north-central Kazakhstan operated by Orken LLP, a subsidiary of Ispat Karmet and the LNM Group. The iron oxide minerals are goethite and limonite. The gangue occurs as discrete quartz grains and an unidentified form of colloidal silica-alumina. The concentrate produced contains about 49.5 percent iron (Fe) and 0.6-0.8 percent phosphorus (P) or 10-20 times the acceptable phosphorus level. The phosphorus is intimately associated with the iron oxide and colloidal gangue, no discrete phosphorus minerals are found, and beneficiation is not possible. Therefore, to reduce the phosphorus, a hydrometallurgical process that includes roasting followed by leaching in dilute sulfuric acid has been developed. Phosphorus extraction is 70-90 percent, with only a minor loss of iron. The process has been tested in the laboratory and in a pilot plant at 50-300 kg/h. Construction of a 900,000 t/y demonstration plant is underway.

Jan 1, 2003

By Dinesh Agrawal

Microwave energy has been in use for variety of applications for over 50 years. These applications include communication, food processing, wood drying, rubber vulcanization, medical therapy, polymers, etc. In the last two decades microwave heating has been also applied very effectively and efficiently to heat and sinter ceramic materials. Microwave heating is recognized for its various advantages, such as: time and energy saving, very rapid heating rates, considerably reduced processing cycle time and temperature, fine microstructures and improved mechanical properties, better product performance, etc. The most recent application of microwaves has been in the field of metallic materials for sintering, brazing/joining and melting. Several common steel compositions, pure metals and refractory metals have been sintered in microwaves to nearly full density with improved mechanical properties. Many commercial powder-metal components of various alloy compositions including iron and steel, copper, aluminum, nickel, Mo, Co, Ti, W, Sn, etc., and their alloys have also been sintered in microwaves producing better properties than their conventional counterparts by using a 2.45 GHz multimode microwave system. This work has been further extended to join and braze bulk metal pieces, especially super alloy based turbine blades. Further, in a specially designed microwave cavity, even the bulk metals can be made to couple with the microwave field and melted. The implications of these findings are obvious in the field of powder metal technology.

Jan 1, 2006