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By Juan Patricio Ibáñez

Separation of arsenic and copper from Cu-As-H2S04 electrolytes by electrodialysis has been investigated at room temperature. The effects of current density and pH were studied. An arsenic-free copper solution was obtained for all the tested conditions. The transport efficiency for copper ions was found to be higher than 98% after 3 hours' test. Transport of arsenic and copper through the ion exchange membranes was increased by increasing pH and current density. Solution pH was found to be a key parameter for the separation process, since it controls the speciation of the ions to be transported and the formation of unwanted precipitates which reduce the global efficiency of the electrodialysis process. The main conclusion is that electrodialysis is a promising technique to be used in separating and/or concentrating ions of interest in copper electrometallurgy.

Jan 1, 2003

By Kazuya Kitatani, Gen Sasaki, Naoto Ohta, Hideharu Fukunaga, Makoto Yoshida, Jin Pan, Kenya Nagahisa, Toshihiro Ishikawa

"A sintered SiC (Tyranno-SA) fiber-reinforced MAS glass matrix composite was fabricated by using a slurry infiltration method and hot-pressing. The microstructure and mechanical properties were investigated: To prepare the preform, the MAS glass slurry including a dispersing agent was infiltrated into a bundle of the fibers. The preform was then hot-pressed under the conditions of 1473 K, 30 MPa, 3.6 ksec. A unidirectionally-reinforced oxide matrix composite with 50% Vf. of the fiber and a density of 2.84 g/cm3 was obtained. As the mechanical properties at room temperature, the three-point flexural strength- and quasi-static adsorbed energy were 500 MPa arid 6,000 J/m2, respectively. Without graphite or an h-BN pre-coating on the surface of the fiber, pull-out and bridging of the fibers from the matrix was found, and this leads to a high value of the adsorbed energy. By TEM observation, nano-scale crystalline products were found between the fibers and the glass matrix. The push-out test reveals that this layer causes the appropriate debonding of the interface during the fracture process of the composite.Introduction It is known that the CFCCs (continuous-fiber-reinforced ceramic matrix composites) are characterized by their non-linear fracture behavior, which is' hardly found in monolithic ceramic materials. It is inevitable for the CFCCs to exhibit a large fracture toughness so 'that debonding of the fiber/matrix interface; pull-out and bridging of the fibers then' occurs during the fracture process. This series of fracture behavior is known as the so-called ""the mechanism of toughening of the CFCCs"". Thus, different from the MMCs in which strong interfacial bonding is necessary, the interfacial strength of the CFCCs has to be controlled. As techniques for controlling the interfacial strength, it is also known that both a CVD-graphite coating and an h-BN coating are effective to induce the mechanism of toughening[1,2]. In the case, of the Si-C-O or Si-Ti-C-O fibers/glass or crystalline oxide matrix composites, it is reported that the formation of the in-situ graphite layer, which is also effective to increase the fracture toughness of the CFCCs, is often found during the fabrication process such as hot-pressing. The lower the crystallinity of the Si-C-O fibers, the higher is the tendency to form the in-situ graphite layer as found by the chemical reaction between the fibers and the glass matrices[3-12]. On the-other hand crystallized stoichiometric 'SiC fibers are attractive for high temperature service because of the higher phase stability compared to the Si¬C-O or Si-Ti-C-O fibers. However, in the previous, studies, the mechanical properties and the interfacial chemical reaction of the crystallized SiC fibers / glass matrix Composites have still been unknown. In this study, a polycrystalline 'sintered SiC fiber-reinforced MAS glass composite was fabricated. The mechanical properties and microstructure were then investigated. The slurry infiltration technique followed by hot-pressing was used to prepare the composites. The formation of the in-situ graphite layer and the relationship between microstructure and mechanical properties at room temperature were examined by the TEM observation of the fiber/matrix interface."

Jan 1, 2000

By Jay. M. Khodadadi, Josef Štetina, František Kavicka

"With the aid of the proper original numerical model of solidification the instruction for preparation of input parameters for numerical simulation of technological processes, with change of the phase or structure, will be presented. A method of calculation analysis of influence of therrpophysical properties of materials entering the system of casting-mould-cores environment, and also of boundary conditions on the required simulation accuracy will be suggested. For the cast material, the influence of heat .conductivity, specific heat capacity, density and latent heat of phase transformation also has been analysed. For metallic or non-metallic moulding material"" the influence of the see main parameters has been analysed and, furthermore, their combination, influence of thermal conductivity, and of heat storage. The order of influence of all quoted parameters of a casting and moulding material was established. For example heat conductivity in the liquid state is on the last place. From the boundary conditions the -most important influence on the total solidification time and · on the mechanism of forming of temperature field has the ·boundary condition on the casting mould boundary, then follows the boundary condition on the level of a molten metal. The negligible influence has the boundary condition on the mould frame and on the bottom.IntroductionThe original and universal mathematical model of solidification, cooling and heating has been set up and checked, in order to be capable of analysing a one- to three-dimensional steady or unsteady temperature field of the casting-mould-environment system and, namely, of the system as a whole or its arbitrary parts, during any industrial technological process whose individual processes could be solidification, cooling, heating, refrigeration and others, in any sequence or singly. The model enables the simulation of traditional and also non-traditional technologies of casting in foundries, metallurgical plants, forging operations, heat treatment processes, etc. If solidification is not the matter, the metal part of the system need not be called the casting but a component, a block, a forging and the like."

Jan 1, 2000

By K. Osseo-Asare

Aqueous stability diagrams (25°C) are presented for the systems M-H2O and M-Oxalate-H2O where M=Sm, Nd, Co, and Fe. With the aid of these diagrams (i.e., Eh-pH and log[Metal]- log[Oxalate]), the solution-chemical constraints on metal dissolution and precipitation are identified. By comparing the corresponding stability diagrams, conceptual flowsheets are developed for metal recovery from Sm-Co and Nd-Fe-B magnet scrap.

Jan 1, 1997

By Patrick R. Taylor

Iron phosphate glasses are promising host matrices for vitrifying actinide rich nuclear wastes materials because of their high solubility of actinide oxides, high chemical durability, and relatively low melting temperatures. An iron phosphate waste form was developed at the University of Missouri-Rolla. The structure and property of the waste form were well characterized by materials techniques. However, to scale the process and advance it to commercial viability, it is necessary to understand the processing parameters, such as the partitioning of waste elements and the viscosity as a function of temperature. Viscosity of 40 Fe203 - 60 P205 mole % iron phosphate melts (prepared with phosphorous pentoxide and ferric oxide) at 1000-1200 C was measured by the rotating-spindle method. It was discovered that this fluid has non-Newtonian behavior. Experiments were performed to study flow properties following the Standard Test methods for Rheological Properties of Non-Newtonian Materials by Rotational (Brookfield) Viscometer (ASTM D 2196-86). Samples prepared using ammonium phosphate and ferric oxide showed Newtonian behavior and the temperature dependence of the viscosity was studied over the range of 1000 to 1200 degrees C. The difference in flow behavior between the two fluids was analyzed in terms of preparation conditions and variation in the final composition and phases. The partitioning behavior of waste elements in the iron phosphate glass was studied by melting in a high temperature furnace and JCP analysis. The experimental results show that the solubility of Ce and Sr in phosphate glasses is significantly higher than the solubility associated with borosilicate glasses. This strengthens the conclusion that iron phosphate may be a viable alternative to borosilicate glass for immobilization of high heavy-metal-content wastes and actinide rich wastes.

Jan 1, 2002

By Fuqiang Zheng, Feng Chen, Wenting Duan, Yufeng Guo, Tao Jiang

High-quality titanium-rich material is of significance in the development of titanium industry as it is the main raw material to produce sponge titanium and titanium white using chloride process. Activation roasting of titanium slag with high Ca and Mg contents as adding H3PO4 followed by acid leaching was investigated to prepare titanium-rich material. The effects of H3PO4 dosage, roasting temperature and time, hydrochloric acid quantity, acid leaching temperature and time on TiO2 grade and removal of impurities were studied. The results show that after the finely ground titanium slag roasted with 8% H3PO4 at 1000 for 2h, most Mg impurities in anosovite solid solution structure were converted into simple acid–soluble compounds. The impurities such as Ca and Mg obviously decreased when the hydrochloric acid concentration was 20%, leaching at 100 °C for 2h, from which a titanium-rich material containing 82.56% TiO2 and 1.15% (CaO+MgO) was obtained.

Jan 1, 2016

By Masayuki Kudoh, Kiyotaka Matsuura

"Molten aluminum and nickel cast onto a steel block exothermically react and produce molten nickel monoaluminide, NiAI, which is simultaneously joined to the steel. The heat of the exothermic reaction is transferred to the steel block, and steel near the surface of the block is melted. The depth of the melted steel increases with both the initial temperature of the steel block and the thickness of the produced NiAI. Iron from the melted steel dissolves in the molten NiAI, and an intermetallic compound of NiAI-Fe pseudo-binary system is produced. During solidification of the intermetallic compound, it is strongly joined to the steel. The Ni.Al-Fe intermetallic compound has an excellent resistance to oxidation and corrosion.IntroductionAn intermetallic compound of nickel monoaluminide, NiAl, offers many advantages over conventional superalloys, such as higher melting temperature, lower density, greater specific modulus and higher thermal conductivity [1]. NiAl also exhibits excellent high-temperature oxidation resistance when doped with zirconium or hafnium, and excellent high-temperature corrosion resistance when doped with chromium or yttrium, that are superior to existing high temperature alloys or coating materials [1-4]. On the other hand, NiAI is significantly brittle at temperatures below 600 K [5-7], which is the most sigriificant disadvantage of NiAI. A possible way to overcome the disadvantage and to utilize NiAl as an environmental-resisting high-temperature structural material may be joining of NiAl to a ductile material."

Jan 1, 2000

By Takayuki Ichikawa

Hydrogen storage properties of ballmilled mixtures composed of the hydrogenated nano-structured carbon (CnanoHx) and lithium hydride (LiH) were examined by thermal and optical spectroscopic analyses. LiH needs higher temperature than 600°C for hydrogen desorption even under vacuum condition, while CnanoHx, which was mechanochemically synthesized from graphite powder by ballmilling under hydrogen atmosphere, reveals hydrogen and hydrocarbons desorption in wide temperature range from 300 to 800°C. Nevertheless, the composite of CnanoHxand LiH prepared by ballmilling desorbs hydrogen in relatively lower temperature range from 150 to 450°C. These phenomena indicate that the thermally liberated hydrocarbon radicals immediately react with LiH and release hydrogen instead of hydrocarbons emission, because CnanoHx contains hydrocarbon groups at the edge of nano-meter sized graphenes, which are recognized as IR active C-H stretching mode, and LiH is well-known as an ionic crystal. Furthermore, it is of interest that a nanostructural feature persists in this composite even after annealing at 350°C, which shows excellent cycle properties as hydrogen storage media.

Jan 1, 2006

By L. Deininger

The QSL plant in the existing "Betzelius" Stolberg GmbH lead smelter in StolberglGermany was commissioned in August, 1990. Following some modifications to the process and equipment which had become necessary in line with the implementation of this new techno- logy, conclusive operating results are now available. These will be reported together with a short description of the plant design. In May 1992, raw material feeding to the QSL reactor in the new lead smelter of Korea Zinc Co. in OnsanlKorea was started. As all the experience gained up to that point in time in the Stolberg plant had already been incorporated in this plant prior to start-up, it reached stable, satisfactory operating conditions in a short period of time. After an introductory description of the plant important operating results will be reported. The operating experience gained in the two plants fully confirms the correctness of the in- ventors' creative ideas in the 70s. The QSL process meets all demands made on modern, ecologically compatible and energy-saving lead production technology. The paper ends with suggestions on how the QSL process will be optimized further in the future.

Jan 1, 1994

By Xin Wang, Hongmin Zhu, Shuqiang Jiao

"The behavior of electrochemically depositing silicon in a molten high-melting-point fluoride electrolyte was studied at 1300 °C. The cathodic product was characterized by XRD, SEM and EDS. Though the analysis of structure and composition of deposition, it could certify that silicon deposited on the Mo rod and alloyed with molybdenum. A series of tests had been performed on the cathodic behavior of Si4+ ions in BaF 2-CaF 2-Na2S iF 6 molten salt. The influence of electrochemical parameters on the cathodic deposition of silicon was also investigated. The electrochemical behavior of Si4+ ions in applied fluoride melts was observed to proceed according to one-step reaction.IntroductionGreenhouse warming has been a serious global issue. lt is increasingly urgent for clean and renewable energy. Effective utilization of clean and inexhaustible solar energy has become very important. Solar cell (especially poly-Si solar cell) production has significantly increased this decade, as there is a growing demand for clean energy. Since the early 1980s, the annual growth of the photovoltaic (PY) solar cell industry is more than 30%. More than 90% of the annual solar cell production is based on crystalline silicon wafers. This rapid growth leads to a shortage of silicon of the adequate quality and price for the continued growth of this industry [I , 2J. The most conunonly used technology to produce silicon is the so-called Siemens process. This technology, involves the forming of gaseous Si compounds such as trichlorosilane (SiHCli) or silane (SiH4) with subsequent thermal decomposition of these back to Si. This technology is associated with transformations from solid to gas, and then back to solid phase, which lead to high irreversible thermodynamic losses and subsequent high energy consumption, the energy cost being around 200kWh/kg Si [3l_ The purity of the material from this process is very high (9 to 11 N). In general, what is needed for solar cell purposes are reported to require 4 to 6 N quality. To promote continued growth of the silicon-based PY industry, there is need for a low-energy silicon production process which can produce large amounts of silicon with an acceptable quality and a lower price particularly."

Jan 1, 2012

By Gökhan Hardal, Berat Yüksel Price

Negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors are required to have good electrical stability for many domestic and industrial applications. The aging phenomenon of NTC thermistors can be described as the change in electrical resistance due to thermal stress with time. In this study, Ni0.5CoxMn2.5−xO4 (x = 0.5, 0.8 and 1.1) ceramics were fabricated by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The powder mixtures of manganese, cobalt and nickel oxides were ball-milled for 5 h. The powders were calcinated at 900 °C for 2 h. The samples were sintered at 1100 °C for 5 h. To investigate the aging behaviour, the samples were held at 150 °C for 400 h. Aging in the samples were calculated by the following equation; ΔR/R0 = (R − R0)/R0 in which R0 is the resistance at 25 °C before the aging test, and R is the resistance at 25 °C after the aging test.

Mar 1, 2017

By Kurt Westerlund

Three. years operating experience of the FLUXFLOW waste heat boiler (WHB) 20.000 nm /h at Boliden Ronnskar Sweden on a TBRC smelting palena (PbS). Operating experience from the Kivset flash WHB 11.900 nm /h at Samim, Porto Vesme, Sardinia, Italy. Conceptual features of the 93.600 nm3 /h FLUXFLOW (WHB) on the Isasmelt smelting in melt furnace for 180.000 t Cu/a at Mount Isa, Australia.

Jan 1, 1992

By F. J. Tavera

A study on the electro kinetics of lead carbonate, silica, and alumina, in aqueous media was carried out at different pH values. The behavior of potential was determined for these species in the pH range between 3 and 12. Homocoagulation of lead carbonate in aqueous media is analyzed at its isoelectrical point. Lead carbonate heterocoagulation is analyzed with silica, alumina, and silica ? alumina mixtures at low pH values. The experimental results are considered for their possible application to treat residual water polluted with lead.

Jan 1, 2006

By Y. Fautrelle, F. Felten, O. Metais, Y. Du Terrail

"We deal with the prediction of electromagnetically-driven turbulent flows by means of a Large-Eddy- Simulation method (LES). The model is applied in the case of a liquid metal pool submitted to a polyphase linear electromagnetic stirrer. We investigate two cases: (i) the frequency of the magnetic field is equal to 50 Hz; in that case the effects of the pulsating part of the Lorentz forces may be neglected; (ii) the frequency of the magnetic field is low (f= 1 Hz), then the oscillating part of the electromagnetic forces is taken into account. The LES predictions agree well with the mean velocity measurements, as does the standard k-a model. However, as for the turbulent kinetic energy predictions, there is a large discrepancy between the two models. When the oscillating part of the Lorentz forces is taken into account, the computations show that the fluid flow is sensitive to the unsteady part of the forces. We find that the mean velocity is not affected by the fluctuating component of the force. As for the turbulence parameters, the presence of the pulsating part leads to a significant reduction of the turbulent kinetic energy, whilst the turbulence length scale decreases.IntroductionElectromagnetic stirring is commonly used in various metallurgical processes. In continuous casting for example, it may improve the structure of the solidified metal products. Fluid flows generated by electromagnetic stirrers have been extensively investigated (1 ). As for numerical predictions, many works have been published on the subject. In most of the previous works, onepoint closure models have been used. The most used model is the well-known k-i:: model. Those models yield fairly good results as for the mean velocity prediction. However, it has two main drawbacks:(i) the turbulence is not predicted accurately,(ii) it is not well fitted for unstationary flows as well as transitional turbulent motions, where theReynolds number is moderate."

Jan 1, 1999

By J. P. Downey, T. Salisbury, M. Berlin, E. Rosenberg, G. Pinson, R. Christianson, K. Gleason, W. Gleason, S. Davis

"The Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processing is developing membrane production technology based on autocatalytic reduction of palladium from solution onto a unique, porous substrate. Surface membranes and catalytic structures are critically important to applications that range from hydrogen purification membranes to petroleum refining. Autocatalytic reduction processes represent a cost effective method of producing stable surface layered structures that have good working lives. These attributes are particularly important in the production of palladium alloy purification membranes used in hydrogen production. Although considerable research has investigated the interaction of hydrogen and palladium alloys, the mechanisms in play while the membranes form are not well understood. Preliminary research has identified three distinct deposition mechanisms and it appears that substantial control over the resulting membrane is possible.IntroductionPalladium-based membranes separate hydrogen from other gases because hydrogen is uniquely soluble in and readily passes through bulk palladium. As currently produced, palladium-based membranes are expensive and have short service lives. These circumstances are due in part to the lack of a complete understanding of palladium or palladium alloy deposition. The Center for Advanced Mineral and Metallurgical Processes (CAMP), in collaboration with the Metallurgical and Materials Engineering Department at Montana Tech and the Chemistry Department at the University of Montana, is engaged in the development of new methods and materials for hydrogen purification membrane production.In membrane production, the palladium requirement depends on substrate surface properties such as surface chemistry, porosity, and roughness. Thin, defect-free membranes have been successfully produced on substrates of porous glass, alumina, and stainless steel. However, the differences in the thermal expansion coefficients of palladium membranes and porous glass or alumina substrates cause problems at operating temperatures. The use of stainless steel substrates is advantageous because stainless steels have thermal expansion coefficients similar to that of palladium and they are stable at the required operating temperatures (Wicke, E., Brodowsky, H. and Ziichner, H. ). Stainless steel is also readily available and relatively inexpensive."

Jan 1, 2012

By Kurt Westerlund

Three years operating experience of the FLUXFLOW waste heat boiler (WHB) 20.000 nm3/0h at Boliden Rönnskär Sweden on a TBRC smelting galena (PbS). Operating experience from the Kivset flash WHB 11.900 nm3/h at Samim, Porto Vesme, Sardinia, Italy. Conceptual features of the 93.600 nm3/h FLUXFLOW (WHB) on the Isasmelt smelting in melt furnace for 180.000 t Cu/a at Mount Isa, Australia.

Jan 1, 1992

By Wu Liu

A modified falling ball technique for measuring the viscosity of liquids is described. It consists of recording the weight vs. time of a crucible holding the liquid of unknown viscosity, as a solid ball, or liquid drop, is let to fall through the liquid. This method does not require measurements at constant terminal velocity, as the conventional falling ball technique. Also, measurements do not depend on visual observation, which is not possible in opaque liquids or containers. The effect of process parameters on the utility of this method and its potential application to liquid systems of metallurgical interest were analyzed theoretically. The paper also com- pares the gravimetric method to the conventional falling ball technique for measuring viscosity.

Jan 1, 1992

By Ennio Bonetti

The technological applications of MgH2 hydrides for hydrogen storage demand the overcoming of some critical issues: an improvement of the reaction kinetics and a reduction of the desorption temperature. The synthesis of nanocrystalline MgH2 by reactive milling and inert gas condensation and a proper metal catalyst addition, constitute recently employed strategies. In the investigation of the hydrogen short and long-range dynamics, sorption kinetics and nanostructure stability, the mechanical spectroscopy offers some specific advantages. In the present research this technique was employed with other experimental approaches (XRD DSC) to investigate relaxational and structural damping processes in nanocrystalline MgH2 with added catalysts (Fe). Time/temperature variation of the dynamic elasticity moduli and mechanical quality factor are correlated to hydrogen anelastic relaxation processes and concomitant structural transformation of MgH2 to Mg associated to long range H diffusion. Results are discussed with reference to microstructural modification strategies able to assist hydrogen release.

Jan 1, 2006

By Marcelo R. Esquivel

A MmNi5 alloy is synthesized by a combination of mechanical milling and low temperature heating processes. Synthesis time is 40 h for powders milled in a low energy ball mill at room temperature. A reduction in milling time is obtained if massive sample is mechanically milled at shorter times (2 h to 10 h) and heated at temperatures lower (600 ºC) than the usual temperatures used in equilibrium methods (>800 ºC). The alloy formation is detected even at a combination of temperatures as low as 200 ºC and milling times as short as 5 h. The temporal evolution of mechanical milling process was followed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to detect the main stages of milling. Four stages were detected: Initial, Intermediate, Final and Completion. These stages were correlated to an enhancement of the synthesis method by combination of times of milling shorter than 10 h and temperatures of heating lower than 600 ºC.

Jan 1, 2006

By V. Blet

Rare earth elements (REE) are regarded today as highly critical raw materials but currently lack suitable recycling processes. A combined hydro- and pyrometallurgical process aimed at REE recovery from used NdFeB permanent magnets was recently developed by the CEA. The process integrates the physico-chemical treatment of magnets, followed by a solvent extraction step for the recovery and intra-REE separation using a selective extractant. A subsequent pyrometallurgical treatment via molten chloride salt electrolysis allowed the isolation of pure Dy metal. Technical-economic assessment and life-cycle analysis were also conducted. Following this first successful demonstration, a new project aimed at the recovery of REE from end-of-life nickel-metal-hydride batteries is currently being developed in association with industrial and academic partners. The project aims at evaluating from an experimental and economic perspective different processes converging at the production of value-added products such as cermet materials for catalytic applications, purified REO concentrates, or metallic alloys.