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By John Nauman

Liquid ferrous silicates that are related to cop- per slags have been studied as media for the transfer of heat in pyrometallurgical processes. The effective thermal diffusivities have been measured from 1025Oto 1400°C, and values in the range of 0.004 to 0.007 cm2/ sec have been obtained. The heat-transfer characteristics of these slags have been determined by measuring the rise of temperature of a cold nickel sphere immersed in the liquid slag. The sphere is spun about its vertical axis to obtain a well characterized flow of liquid about the sphere. The principal barrier to the transfer of heat from the bulk slag to the metal sphere is a solid shell of slag that forms around the sphere and subsequently melts. It appears that the detailed nature of this shell is important to theheat- transfer process. A mathematical model is used to predict the rate of heating of the sphere, and to evaluate various aspects of the system that can influence the transfer of heat.

Jan 1, 1976

By Hiroshi Nakazawa

An acid mine drainage in abandoned Horobetsu mine in Hokkaido, Japan, contains arsenic and iron ions; total arsenic ca.10ppm, As(III) ca. 8.5ppm, total iron 379ppm, ferrous iron 266ppm, pH1.8. Arsenic occurs mostly as arsenite (As (III)) or arsenate (As (V)) in natural water. As(III) is more difficult to be remove than As(V), and it is necessary to oxidize As(III) to As(V) for effective removal. 5mL of the mine drainage or its filtrate through the membrane filter (pore size 0.45m) were added to arsenite solutions (pH1.8) with the concentration of 5ppm. After the incubation of 30 days, As(III) was oxidized completely with the addition of the mine drainage while the oxidation did not occur with the addition of filtrate, indicating the microbial oxidation of As(III). In this paper, we have investigated the microbial oxidation of As(III) in acid water below pH2.0.

Jan 1, 2006

By B. J. Beaudry

The effect of various levels of purity of the rare earth fluorides and the calcium reductant used to prepare rare earth metals were determined. Metals which have low melting points such as La, Ce, Pr and Nd are not purified by distillation or sublimation. Impurities in the reactants remain as contaminants in these metals. Gd, Tb, Y and Lu which have slightly higher vapor pressures at their melting points than the first four metals are usually distilled to remove the Ta or W impurity introduced by the crucible and are purified slightly with respect to 0 and N by distillation. Rare earth metals that have high vapor pressures such as Sc, Dy, Ho and Er can be purified with respect to 0, N, C, as well as Ta or W by sublimation. The most volatile rare earth metals Sm, Eu, Tm and Yb are readily purified by sublimation and are usually prepared by a reduction-distillation process directly from the oxide. The importance of each step of the processes in determining the final purity of the individual rare earth metals is discussed.

Jan 1, 1989

By K. A. Elbarawy

Processing of Egyptian barite ore with a composition of 85.5% BaSO4; 2.75%SiO2;1.56%Fe2O3 and 5.1% Al2O3 was performed with the aim to prepare pure barium salts. The process took place through pelletization-solid state reduction and leaching steps. Each of these steps was optimized. Pure barium sulphate (99% < 0.82µm) and carbonate (99%<0.75µm )were the final products. This article deals with the reduction process that occur whn coal was added to the ore during pelletization in the ratio of 5:1 stoichiometry. Optimum reduction of pellets of 8-12mm in diameter was achieved after 60 minutes at 1050oC and under a rate of 5 lmin-1 of nitrogen atmosphere, where 87.79% of the ore was reduced. The kinetic studies showed that the reduction process could be modeled according to the core mechanism of diffusion control in which the effective diffusivity is based on the surface area of unreacted ore. The activation energy calculated was 92.7 kJmol-1.

Jan 1, 2006

By E. A. Thiers

The causes of structural changes in the markets for high technology alloying metals are discussed in terms of technological, economic, and financial trends. Recent market imbalances have affected producers in developed and developing countries differently. Possible response strategies for suppliers in the two types of countries are examined that may alleviate future market imbalances.

Jan 1, 1988

By L. J. Lutz

The U.S. Bureau of Mines has developed an electrorefining process to recover Ni, Co, Cr, and other metals from mixed and contaminated superalloy scrap. The superalloy scrap is cleaned then directly electrodeposited as a Ni -Co deposit. The process recovers approximately 90 pct of the Ni-Co available from the scrap as a 99t pct pure Ni-Co alloy. During electrorefining the electrolyte undergoes a purification process which results in Cr and other refractory metals reporting to the purification residue. Operating data is given for a 3-L compartmented electrolytic cell. Techniques for the removal of Fe, Cr, and trace impurities from the recycled electrolyte are outlined. The economics of a facility producing 15 mt/d of a Ni-Co alloy are also discussed.

Jan 1, 1993

By Chikabumi Yamauchi, Mitsuru Tanahashi, Tsuyoshi Taniguchi, Nobuo Furuta, Toshiharu Fujisawa

"It is essential to clarify the equilibrium relations among nonmetallic inclusions of the Mn0-SiO2-CrOx system and molten stainless steel in order to control non-metallic inclusions formed by the deoxidation of stainless steel with silicon. In the present study, the phase equilibria of the MnO-SiO2-CrOx system were measured by conducting the following experiments under controlled oxygen partial pressure, Po2, at 1873 K:1) Phase equilibria of the MnO-Cr20 3 binary system were measured for Po2 = 2 x 10-6 ~2 x 102 Pa.2) Phase equilibria of the MnO-SiO2-CrOx ternary system were measured for Po2 = 2 X 10-6 Pa.Based on the results, the phase diagram of this ternary system was established under the condition of the Si-deoxidation process of stainless steel (Po2 = 2 x 10-6 Pa and T = 1873 K).IntroductionAt the deoxidation stage in steelmaking process, generally multiple deoxidizers participate in deoxidation reactions, and the composition of deoxidation products ""non-metallic inclusions"" greatly varies depending on deoxidizing efoments and their contents. In order to control non-metallic inclusions formed by the refining process of steel, it is essential to clarify the equilibrium relations among non-metallic inclusions and molten steel.Especially, during the refining process of stainless steel, nonmetallic inclusions in molten steel seem to- change as follows. After the oxidation refining, Mn-chromite is formed in molten steel as non-metallic inclusion. By the deoxidation with silicon addition (mainly less than 1 mass%), Mn-chromite inclusions are changed their compositions to Mn-silicate. Segawa et al.[l] have reported the effect of amount of silicon addition on composition and mass ratio· of non-metallic inclusions during the Sideoxidation process of 18Cr-8Ni stainless steel at 1873 K, as shown in Figuri; L At higher silicon content than 0.5 mass%, only Mn-silicate was identified as non-metallic inclusion. On the other hand, at lower silicon content, both of Mn-chromite (MnO Cr2O 3) and Mn-silicate were identified. However, the thermodynamic and the kinetic analyses of the above-mentioned Sicdeoxidation process have not been made due to lack in the thermodynamic data for the non-metallic inclusions· of the MnO-SiO2-CrOx system, such as the phase diagrams, the activities of the components, and the free energy of intermediate compounds. In relation to the phase diagram of this system, those of the MnO-SiO2 [2] and the SiO2-Cr2O 3 [3] binary systems have been only reported"

Jan 1, 2000

By G. Haesebroek

In L969 Metallurgie Hoboken-Overpelt started an industrial plant for the separation of iron and zinc from a concentrated CoCL2 solution. Iron and zinc are extracted in column contactors by a solvent containing 12 vol % of tertiary amines in xylene. The extracted metals are stripped from the pregnant organic phase by precipitation with a NaOH solution at pH LL. In this paper an overview is given of the industrial process. In order to overcome some drawbacks of this process (low flash point of the diluent, reagent consumption, batchwise stripping) an alternative solvent extraction process has been examined. In this alternative process, iron and zinc are extracted with an or¬ganic phase containing 50 vol % of TBP in Escaid 110. The pregnant solvent is stripped with water in conventional mixer settlers. Despite the ability of this process to overcome most of the inconveniences due to the use of tertiary amines, it suffers from the poor stability of TBP in concentrated chloride solutions, resulting in unavoidable and inacceptable precipitation phenomena in the stripping section.

Jan 1, 1988

By Vladimir Lobanov, Vladimir Skorohodov, Andrew Evdokimov, Ural State Technical University 19, Boris Radionov

"The bulk of raw materials in metallurgy of secondary platinum metals are the wastes such as multilayered ceramic-metal systems, e.g. the spent catalysts of the chemical and petrochemical industry, automobile catalysts, etc. Due high chemical resistance of a ceramic basis the extraction of platinum metals by leaching even at very fine crushing is poor. The study of sorption leaching of platinum and a palladium from the spent automobile catalysts are carried out. The average content of PGM is 0.5%. A few methods of raw materials sampling were compared: 1) direct hydrometallurgical leaching of platinum metals from the fine-grained catalyst and atomic absorption analysis of the obtained solutions; 2) fusion to a metal or sulphidic collector of precious metals with the alloy analysis by direct spectrometry; 3) fusion with dissolution of a precious metals collector and atomic absorption analysis of PGM in solutions. Leaching allows detecting out no more than 90% of a palladium and 80% of platinum. Fusion to a collector gives the best results at the chemical ending. Researches on sorption leaching are executed. Under optimum conditions the extraction of platinum metals to concentrates is comparable with similar indicators of collector fusion.The large part of raw materials in metallurgy of secondary platinum metals are the multilayered or tridimensional ceramic-metal systems, in particular the spent catalysts of the chemical and petrochemical industry, automobile catalysts, ceramic-metal condensers, etc. The content of the sum of PGMs can be from hundreds grams per ton to several percent. For processing of such materials the hydrometallurgical methods of platinum metals leaching by various reagents are used commonly. High chemical resistance of the ceramic basis covering the metal particles causes low recovery even at very fine grinding. Other fundamentally different method of catalysts opening includes dissolution of the ceramic basis in the solutions of hydrofluoric acid and the subsequent recovery of platinum metals from insoluble residue. Application of this method is associated to use of corrosive medias and appropriate equipment. Fusion of the specified materials with collecting of PGM by copper, nickel or lead at the specialized enterprises provides higher extraction in semiproduct. At the same time, complexity and duration of the subsequent extraction of platinum metals concentrates causes high total cost per unit. Thereby this method is economically acceptable only for rather poor raw materials (no more than 0,1%). Undoubtedly, that the raw materials with the high content of PGM are reasonable to process by individual technology. In the present work the processing of some kinds of ceramic-metal raw materials, particularly automobile catalysts (neutralizers) with various collectors at the conditions of a target fusion are investigated."

Jan 1, 2008

By Junji Shibata

The waste acid mixture whose main component is phosphoric acid, is discharged from the etching process in the liquid crystal production industry. In order to separate impurity acids from the phosphoric acid, trioctyl phosphate (TOP) is used as an extractant. TOP can extract acetic and nitric acids selectivity. The extraction and stripping operations are carried out for the acid mixture by beaker-scale experiments and countercurrent multistage operations with mixer-settler equipment. TOP selectively extracts the acetic and nitric acids in the acid mixture. From the results of the McCabe-Thiele analysis obtained by beaker-scale tests, the extraction for acetic and nitric acids are approximately 100%, respectively, by 6-stage extraction with a phase ratio (A/O) of 0.4. On the other hand, almost all of acetic and nitric acids are stripped with water from the organic phase by 4-stage stripping with a phase ratio (A/O) of 1.0. About 95% of acetic and 98% of nitric acids can be removed from the acid mixture without extracting phosphoric acid in case of the mixer-settler equipment operation. There are several steps such as slicing, lapping, chemical etching and mechanical polishing in the silicon wafer production process. The chemical etching step is necessary to remove any damaged layer caused in the slicing and lapping steps. The typical etching liquor is the acid mixture comprising nitric acid, acetic acid and hydrofluoric acid. The waste acid is treated by a neutralization method with a high alkali cost and balky solid residue. A solvent extraction method is applicable to separate and recover each acid. Acetic acid is first separated from the waste liquor using 2-ethlyhexyl alcohols as an extractant. Then, nitric acid is recovered using TBP (Tri-butyl phosphate). Finally hydrofluoric acid is separated with TBP solvent extraction. The expected recovered acids in this process are 2mol/L acetic acid, 6mol/L nitric acid and 6mol/L hydrofluoric acid. The yields of this process are almost 100% for acetic acid and nitric acid. On the other hand, it is important to recover and reuse the metal values contained in various industrial wastes from a viewpoint of environmental preservation. Most industrial products are made through processes to separate impurities in raw materials, solid and liquid wastes being necessarily discharged as industrial wastes. Chemical methods such as solvent extraction, ion exchange and membrane separation, and physical methods such as heavy media separation, magnetic separation and electrostatic separation are considered as the methods for separation and recovery of the metal values from the wastes. Some examples of the application of solvent extraction to the treatment of wastes such as Ni-Co alloy scrap, Sm-Co alloy scrap, fly ash and flue dust, and liquid wastes such as plating solution, the rinse solution, etching solution and pickling solution are introduced.

Jan 1, 2003

By M Phil Schwarz

"A CFD model for the gas-side of an impinging jet iron bath reactor has been developed to assist in the interpretation and design of oxidizing gas-melt reaction rate experiments. Heat transfer and reaction at the surface have been included. A free surface model, which solves for the liquid motion within the bath as well as the gas motion above the bath, has also been developed. This model also predicts extent and shape of the dimple formed on the liquid surface by the impinging jet. Both models have been run for conditions typical of jet impingement experiments using CO2 , H2O and O2• The main conclusions are• Results from the model for gas-side mass transport are in good agreement with the empirical correlation of Belton and Belton (1980)• Experimentally determined rates of decarburization by CO2 should be corrected for mass transfer because the experiments are often carried out under mixed rate control, eg for gas flow rate 10 L/min when the sulphur concentration is lower than 0.045• If the rate constant for oxygen reaction is greater than about 5 mol/m2.s.atm, it cannot be determined using a gas flow rate of 10 L/min or lower because of mass transfer control.• A cavity of depth 4.5 mm is predicted for a gas flow rate of 10 L/min and this substantially changes the flow field (and hence reaction rate) compared with a simulation in which the surface is assumed to be flat."

Jan 1, 1999

By Qin Hua, Xiangru Chen, Qijie Zhai, Yongsheng Yan, Liang Chang

"In this paper, pure bainite ductile iron and their alloying form of 0.2wt% niobium were prepared by a controlled cooling heat-treatment. The effect of niobium alloying on the microstructure, hardness and impact toughness of bainite ductile iron was studied. The results show that adding niobium effectively improves the hardness and toughness of bainite ductile iron. The hardness and the impact toughness of niobium-alloyed bainite ductile iron were investigated by varying the temperature at which samples were fed to the incubator.IntroductionThere are two essential methods to prepare the bainite ductile iron: isothermal quenching [I-31, and alloying [4• 51• Isothermal quenching process is very time and energy consumable, concerned as a high cost technique for mass production. Besides, there are certain limitations on the size and shape of castings in this process. In addition, it potentially harms the environment. As for the alloying, Ni, Mo, and Cu have to be utilized to obtain bainite. However, the large demand and high cost of Ni makes it not feasible in practice.It is well known that niobium can promote the formation of carbon compound, and improves the stability ofundercooled austenite, which is preferred to the increase of the hardenability. Previous studies showed that niobium could refine the grain and improve the mechanical properties of gray cast iron [6-81 • Therefore, in the present work, the effects of niobium and the temperature at which samples were fed to the incubator on the microstructures and properties of niobium alloyed bainite ductile iron were investigated."

Jan 1, 2014

By Peng Peng, Ouo Cheng, Guodong Lai, Lijuan Chu, Zebiao Zhang

"The pressure acid leaching residue of zinc concentrate contains a large quantity of sulfur. The present study attempts to leach sulfur using a mixture of ammonium sulfide and water solution at 25°C. Effects of three leaching variables: ammonium sulfide concentration, leaching time, liquid/solid ratio on the sulfur leaching rate were investigated. The process conditions were optimized using response surface methodology based on the central composite design. From the analysis of variance (ANOVA), the significant factors on response were identified. The optimum conditions for leaching elemental sulfur from pressure acid leaching residue of zinc concentrate were obtained using an ammonium sulfide concentration of 2.5 mol/L, leaching liquid-solid ratio of 6.5:1 and leaching time of 7 min. Under the optimum experimental conditions, a maximum of 98.50% of total sulfur was extracted. The experimental results obtained agreed satisfactorily with the model predictions, with a correlation coefficient (R2) of 0.99.IntroductionSulfur is widely used in agriculture, medicine, rubber, building materials, gunpowder, wine and sugar, and other fields [1]. Currently the world sulfur production is 40Mt, out of which more than 90% is recovered from industrial processes, and 10% is natural [2], This highlights the importance of sulfur recovery. As the pressure leaching technologies [3] continue to mature and are increasingly applied to refining, a large quantity of high-sulfur residue is produced [4-5]. It is desirable to recover sulfur from this residue, so that it is economically advantageous, and reduces environmental pollution [6]."

Jan 1, 2012

By T. V. Jayaraman, Kranti Kumar, Paul Praveen J., Dibakar Das, A. R. James

"Lead free piezoelectric ceramics with high piezoelectric coefficients are in great demand for sensor and actuator applications. Synthesis and characterization study of one such lead free system, barium zirconate titanate - barium calcium titanate [xBZT-(1-x)BCT] (x = 0.5), via solgel method have been carried out. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the formation of single phase BZT-BCT nanoparticles (<50 nm). The as-synthesized powders were calcined at 1000°C and the powders were pressed into cylindrical pellets. Solid-state sintering of the green pellets at 1550°C for 2 hrs resulted in single phase perovskite structure. Hysteresis loops were obtained which indicates the ferroelectric nature ofBZT-BCT. The bulk ceramic samples with the highest sintered density (~93%) were subjected to electrical poling and the piezoelectric properties ( d33, kp, & i:,) were measured. The structure and piezoelectric properties were investigated and correlated for the given composition of the BZT-BCT system.IntroductionPiezoelectric ceramics are widely used in various sensors and actuators and most of the piezoelectric ceramics, which are presently used, are lead based, which contains at least 60% lead (Pb) by weight. The critical disadvantage of these lead based piezoelectric ceramics is their hazardous effect related to the toxicity of lead, which poses a serious environmental concern starting from their processing to the disposal stage[l]. It is well known that a material to be a good piezoelectric it requires a morphotropic phase boundary (MPB) i.e. the composition induced phase transition between any two ferroelectric phases."

Jan 1, 2013

By Peter Olubambi, Babatunde Obadele, Oluwagbenga Johnson

"The microstructure and corrosion behaviour of titanium carbide (TiC) reinforced duplex stainless steel matrix surface composites synthesized by laser melt injection technique was investigated. The surface melting operation was conducted using a 4.4 kW CW Nd:YAG laser with laser power of 1.5 kW, scanning speed of 0.4 to 1.0 m/min, beam size of 3 mm and argon shield gas flow rate of 4 L/min. The morphologies and microstructures of the coatings examined using field emission gun scanning electron microscope (FEGSEM) revealed homogeneous distribution of fine precipitates of TiC in the matrix, while X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirm no phase change. TiC addition to the steels significantly increased hardness value to about 547 Hv0.1 but slightly decreased the corrosion resistance of the steels in 3.5% NaCl possibly due to the intergranular carbide coating that prevented chromium from forming continuous passive oxide layers.IntroductionComposite materials evolve from the idea of combining two basically dissimilar materials with different physical and mechanical properties to arrive at a product whose final properties are superior to those of the individual components [1]. Metal matrix composites (MMCs) are receiving much attention and are the focus of intense research and development worldwide for aerospace, automotive and other applications because of their excellent combination of ductility and toughness of the metallic matrix with high hardness and strength of carbides reinforced in the matrix [2]. Surface modification techniques such as laser, thermal spray, plasma spray, chemical vapour deposition have been use to fabricate MMCs. Laser melt injection (LMI) is a surface modification technique known since the 1980s [3] has been used to improve surface properties of metallic alloys such as aluminium, titanium and steels [4-6]. It involves the lateral injection of carbides, ceramics and cermets blown by a gas stream into a liquid metallic pool, created by laser irradiation of the top surface of the base material."

Jan 1, 2012

By Gökhan Demirci, Ishak Karakaya

"Energy consumption in electrolytic magnesium cells is well above the theoretical values. However, the mechanism of the back reaction, the main cause of the current losses, has not been fully understood yet. Magnesium dissolution into the melt is generally regarded as the limiting step for the back reaction. Accordingly, present cell designs are made with priority given to fast magnesium removal from the cell. However, experimental data and modeling results in this study indicate that the limiting step for the back reaction between magnesium and chlorine is the chlorine dissolution into the electrolyte when physical contact between electrolysis products was eliminated. Effects of chlorine bubbles on the current efficiency and the cell potential were investigated. Results show that the extent of back reaction is proportional to the chlorine surface area in contact with the electrolyte per unit time, and the cell potential increases with the amount of chlorine bubbles inside the electrolyte.1. IntroductionMagnesium is less dense than the electrolyte in electrolytic magnesium production. Therefore, both electrode products, magnesium and the chlorine gas, move upwards inside the molten salt electrolyte during electrolysis. The upward motion of electrode products promotes the most important current loss mechanism, the ""back reaction"". Separation of the highly reactive species; liquid magnesium and the chlorine gas in the cell, to prevent their recombination is one of the main concerns in cell designs. The employment of large inter-electrode distance or a separation wall in early cell designs; decreased the extent of recombination, but increased the cell voltage and energy consumption. Recent cell designs, on the other hand, make use of lifting action of chlorine gas [1,2] by utilizing smaller inter electrode distances to separate the magnesium and chlorine gas faster. Although energy consumption was reduced, but more physical interactions between electrode products make electrolytic magnesium cells still highly inefficient when energy consumptions are compared with the theoretical values. Today, the most efficient industrial cells utilizing high purity feed operate at 10.5-11.5 kWh kg-1 Mg [3-5] and it is considerably higher than the theoretically attainable value of about 6.0 kWh kg-1 [6]. This large gap demonstrates the necessity of more research on physics and chemistry of magnesium cell electrolysis."

Jan 1, 2011

By Vladimir Lobanov, Pritchinm Alexander, Nikifor Ageev

"Sulfuric anhydride is one of the most voluminous technological emissions. The possibility of high-temperature SO2 oxidations without catalyst in presence of calcium-bearing filling materials (CaO, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3) with obtaining of binding material on the basis of waterless calcium sulfate is studied. Due to application package HSC-4 the thermodynamic analysis of the specified interactions is made and following conclusions are drawn: 1) Reactions are feasible in the all range of investigated temperatures (400 – 1000 °?); 2) The best results should be expected at use of ???; 3) The heat of reaction does possible autogenous behavior of process. The researches have shown: 1) Practical possibility of the process; 2) SO2 oxidation without the catalyst is feasible in presence of ???, Ca(OH)2 and CaCO3; 3) The optimum temperature range is 600-800 °?; 4) The content of waterless calcium sulfate in a product reaches 48% that makes it possible to use as the binding material; 5) At excess of ??? the degree of SO2 collection is nearer to 100%. Introduction At processing of sulfide raw materials in metallurgical furnaces the significant amount of sulfur, mainly in the form of sulfuric anhydride is escaped. Rich gases (SO2>3 %) are used for the sulfuric acid or element sulfur production. Chemism of sulfuric acid manufacturing is based on catalytic high-temperature oxidation of anhydride. Poor gases of metal works (SO2 =2,5 %) and power combustion units (SO2 =0,5 %) after clearing discharge into the atmosphere. Commonly, to recovery of weak sulfuric anhydride the chemical and physicochemical methods are applied. A few chemical ways of recycling sulfur dioxide are applied practically. In a number of methods for SO2 recovery a pulp of metals oxides (magnesium, zinc, etc.) with formation of sulfites is used. In other case sulfuric anhydride is catch by weak sulfuric acid in the presence of an oxidizer (pyrolusite ore). Methods of absorption SO2 by solid sorbents, (carbon fibers, silica gels, zeolites) are known and put into practice. Regeneration of the saturated sorbents is realized by thermal decomposition or extraction. Obtained as a result high-concentrated solutions are a commercial product."

Jan 1, 2008

By Michael Heximer, Dominic Verfielst, Timothy Moore

"Teck's Trail Operations recently installed new pressure filters in the cold stage purification step in the zinc leaching plant. Alloy 2205 duplex stainless steel was chosen as the material of construction as it was in use in the hot stage purification operation. Within a year of commissioning, an unacceptably high rate (greater than 1 mm/y) of corrosion was observed on the weld heat affected zone (HAZ). Laboratory and field tests were conducted to establish the conditions under which the corrosion was occurring. The tests isolated the aggressive conditions to a unique combination of materials present during the filter regeneration stage. Furthermore, the change of the duplex grain structure of the alloy during welding resulted in the HAZ being more susceptible to the corrosive environment. A new material of construction was recommended as a result of the investigation.IntroductionThe sulphide leaching plant uses four horizontal tank pressure leaf filters to remove solids precipitated in the cold stage electrolyte purification process. The current filters were installed in 2007, and replaced a bank of filter presses. The material of construction for the filters - alloy 2205 duplex stainless steel - was selected based on its successful use in similar service areas of the leaching plant. However, within the first year, unexpected and rapid corrosion of the filter tank material was observed. Although moderate general corrosion was noted throughout the filters, the attack was particularly aggressive in the areas where intense heat was applied during fabrication, observed at the HAZs caused by welding, and on the exposed edge grain of the duplex plates. On the inaugural annual inspection of the filters in the first year of operation, a corrosion penetration rate of 1.0 to 1.5 mm/y was observed at the HAZs. The parent plate of the pressure tank was a minimum of 6 mm, with a minimum allowable thickness of 3 mm under the ASME pressure tank design rules. Therefore, the projected useful life of the filters could then be roughly calculated to be two to three years. Urgent action was required to understand and correct this problem."

Jan 1, 2012

By Beatriz Ribeiro Nogueira, Vijaya Kumar Rangari, Esperidiana A. B. Moura, Anne Chinellat, Arifa Parveen, Angel Visentim Ortiz

"Composite consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH) with short piassava fibers were prepared by extrusion process and their thermal and morphological behavior were investigated. The EVOH reinforced with 5 and 10 % of pi as sa va (Attaleafunifera Mart) fiber particle, based on the percentage weight ratio (wt %), untreated and treated with a commercial silane coupling agent, were prepared and the influence of fiber loading and the effect of chemical treatment on their thermal and morphological behavior were evaluated by SEM, DSC and TG analyses. Melt flow index (MFI) of the composites have been determined to evaluate the effects of fiber reinforcement on dynamic viscoelastic melt of the EVOH. In addition, piassava fibers characterization by SEM, FTIR, and organic and inorganic composition have also been carried out. The SEM results of the composites showed surface micrographs without microvoids and a good distribution, dispersion and compatibility between the fillers and the EVOH matrix. Concerning the piassava fibers characterization, the results showed that piassava has higher lignin content than cellulose and hemicelluloses, and around 0.7 % of ash with 52 % of silica (Si02). This high concentration of silica is consistent with the SEM analysis of the fiber that showed a large amount of ""silica rings"" encrusted on their surface.IntroductionLately, great worldwide interest has arisen in developing new technologies that enable the use of products with less environmental impact. Effort has been put into seeking natural modifier applications, particularly regarding the use of natural fibers. Special attention has been given to the use of natural vegetable fibers, because of the huge variety of species available. Such vegetable fibers are usually referred to as lignocellulosic materials [1]. This work evaluated the effects of piassava (Attalea funifera Mart.) fiber incorporation in an ethylene and vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH). The EVOH belongs to a family of copolymers with excellent gas barrier properties and resistance to organic compounds, which allow its application in different segments, from food packaging to gas tanks. However, EVOH is very sensitive to moisture, and in conditions of high humidity its gas barrier properties, thermal and mechanical properties are affected."

Jan 1, 2012

By Sergio Sanchez-Segado, Yuan Zhang, Animesh Jha, Ahmad Fahmi Ruzaidi

Niobium and tantalum are considered critical materials because the increasing demand in the energy sector which is reliant on limited abundance of these two metals in minerals. Traditionally, niobium and tantalum mineralsare digested using hydrofluoric acid at moderate temperatures, producing oxy-fluorides which are separated by solvent extraction, involving the use ofhazardous chemicals. The increasing environmental pressures are forcing the industry to search for alternative low carbon processing methods. In this paper alkali roasting based separation and beneficiation, which is not well understood in the literature, is proposed, for which the kinetics and thermodynamic equilibria for the formation of sodium tantalate and niobate with sodium hydroxide are analyzedat the temperature range of 400ºC to 700ºC. The apparent activation energy of formation,changes from 31.0±0.8 to 22.3±1.2 kJ mol-1 and from 23.8±1.2 to110.2±12.8 kJ mol-1, for tantalate and niobate, respectively. The reaction mechanism is examined on the basis of the analysis of reaction products using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD) and X-ray fluorescence (XRF).

Jan 1, 2015