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By Matthew Jeffrey

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

Jan 1, 2003

By R. M. Luna-Sánchez

Electrochemical studies, particularly Evans? diagrams, have been employed in hydrometallurgy to simulate and explain the redox phenomena that take place at mineral and metal surfaces during operations such as leaching and cementation. However, despite their utility, in some cases, the combination of the cathodic and anodic branches, determined separately, does not reproduce the chemical environment present when both processes occur simultaneously on a specific surface. In the present paper, limitations of Evans? diagrams are analyzed through two examples: silver sulfide cyanidation and gold cementation on zinc. In both cases, the surface kinetics are sensitive to the local pH and cyanide levels. When the electrochemical oxidation of silver sulfide or the reduction of gold are performed in the absence of its corresponding redox reaction, the local pH obtained does not simulate the real situation and the combined reaction kinetics may be very different from those determined from the Evans? diagrams.

Jan 1, 2003

By Frédéric Pineau, Guillaume D'Amours

Semisolid metal processing of metallic alloys takes advantage of the thixotropic behavior of material with non-dendritic microstructure to produce near-net-shape components with improved mechanical properties. The much higher apparent viscosity of the semisolid billet limits the risk of oxide formed on the free surfaces to become incorporated into the easting during the process. But, the external-skin on the periphery of the billet, which is often partially solidified and contaminated with lubricants, should not be included into the casting as this can be a cause of reject for most structural parts. In this paper, a preliminary model is set-up using the LS-DYNA SPH formulation to follow the paths of the skin. Calculations carried out show that this approach appears to be very promising to predict the paths of contaminated skins into semisolid castings. It can then be utilized to design suitable molds and gating systems.

Jan 1, 2012

By Toru Taniguchi

In the Mitsubishi smelting furnace, copper concentrate, silica sand and water granulated slag from the converting furnace are injected through the process lances, together with oxygen enriched air, into the melt. Because bath smelting is used, the rates of particles/melt and gas/melt reactions are high enough and therefore tine grinding of the solid materials is' not necessary. Among these reactions, the dissolution rate of silica sand is the slowest and limits the overall reactions in the smelting furnace. Information on the dissolution rate of silica sand plays an important role for design of a new furnace. Theoretical calculations of the dissolution rate .of silica particles have been reported elsewhere. The authors conducted cold model experiments and could verify the calculation. In this paper, the dependence of dissolution rates of particles on the gas blowing rate, particle size and solid penetration depth in the bath is discussed.

Jan 1, 2002

By S. Pirzada, P. R. Taylor

A reactor was designed and constructed to perform experiments on the generation of value added products using a plasma heat source. The engineering drawings were developed to include multiple sample ports for temperature and velocity measurements and view ports were designed to allow the Physics group to make optical measurements. Two methods for feeding solids into the system were developed and installed. Preliminary experiments were performed to characterize the system at various flow rates and power settings. Experiments were performed using zinc metal and oxygen to form zinc oxide. The particles that were generated were characterized chemically using atomic absorption and x-ray diffraction; and physically using scanning electron microscopy. The particles appear to be of value added size; but there is a tendency for the fine particles to adhere to one another forming agglomerates. Additional experimental work will continue the evaluation of the major parameters.

Jan 1, 1988

By T. C. Tseng

Austenitization is a critical stage in heat treatment of steels. The available kinetic data in reference to various initial microstructures are very limited, particularly at high heating rates. In this study, integrated experimental and computational approaches have been conducted to quantify the progress of austenitization and the attained microstructure. In particular, the study is concentrated on cementite and carbide dissolution in two steel grades. Various computational methods are developed to facilitate the study: (l) an algorithm for direct determination of kinetics data as well as progress of transformation from high-rate dilatometer tests; and (2) a suite of mesoscale computational models for particle dissolution, elements diffusion, mechanics, thermodynamic and the resulting kinetics of transfonnation. Critical exprimentation is carried out using advanced techniques in microstructure characterization, chemical analysis, and Gleeble thermal-mechanical simulator on specimens of well-controlled initial microstructures. Keynotes: Cementite, Carbite, Dissolution, Steels, Austenitization

Jan 1, 2003

By D. L. Stewart

"Melt loss is usually one of the highest individual cost items in the operation of ah ingot casting facility. While melt loss and the resulting cost for the entire facility is usually well known (at least via standard cost accounting), dross generation and melt loss for individual unit operations within the plant are usually not known. Thus, the financial impact of various practices, alloys and scrap types is not known. Development of an accurate, relatively low-cost technique for measurement of melt loss at commercial scale would aid in understanding melt loss for existing units, as well as evaluation of the melt loss impact of alternate processes.This paper will describe a methodology developed at Alcoa for accurate and inexpensive measurement of melt loss at commercial scale. The methodology has been used to evaluate the impact of scrap type, melting practices, and dross treatment technology on melt loss."

Jan 1, 2000

By Vinay Kumar, Jae-Chun Lee, Abhishek Kumar, Manis Kumar Jha

However, India is rich in ores and mineral, but E-waste recycling is necessary due to the report of national and international studies, which cautioned on the generation, treatment and accumulation of e-waste in India. Current data indicate that the total domestic e-waste generation including imports is around 382979 MT, however waste available for recycling and actually recycled are 144143 MT and 19000 MT, respectively. In which recycling by non-formal and formal sector are 95% and 5%, respectively. On the other hand, India has developed expertise in handling verities of metallic wastes in an organized and safe manner. The development of individual process or combined processes for handling the e-waste is underway. Eco- friendly and energy-saving processes are necessary to comply with stringent environmental regulations. The paper includes the recent trend of e-waste generation, recycling process and its future prospects particularly in India.

Jan 1, 2011

By Byung-Su Kim

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

Jan 1, 2006

By Weyman Dunaway

This paper will present a description of the development and commissioning of the world?s most efficient process for manufacturing high purity aqueous zinc bromide. The method for making aqueous zinc bromide from metallic zinc and bromine comprises contacting zinc with bromine dissolved in a reaction solvent containing a metal halide salt. The reaction temperature is maintained at less than 60°C. The reaction solvent preferably comprises an alkali, alkaline earth, or transition metal halide; the halide salt preferably comprises a chloride or a bromide. One preferred method includes the step of recirculating the zinc bromide product stream back to the reaction vessel. The reaction vessel can be either a one stage or a multiple stage reactor. The resulting product stream is a high density aqueous zinc bromide solution. The process is so novel that Tetra Technologies, Inc. was awarded US Patent Number 6,036,937.

Jan 1, 2006

By Jean-Louis Dirion, Guy Depelsenaire, Patrick Sharrock, Souhila Kribi, Ange Nzihou, Jocelyn Ramaroson

"This study assesses the Novosol® process, an emerging technology developed by Solvay to treat heavy metals from dredged sediments using phosphoric acid. The main goal is to convert toxic metal ions, such as Pb2+, Cd2+, Zn2+ and Cu2+ to insoluble metallic phosphates. The effectiveness of the treatment was evaluated by performing the chemical reaction in a tubular reactor, followed by convective drying and maturation of the treated sediment at ambient temperature and finally thermal destruction of the organic matter by calcinations (500°C-700°C). Selected variables (acid concentration, volume fraction of solids, flow rate, drying and calcination temperature and time) were investigated. Laboratory scale experiments were carried out with various combinations of these parameters. The influence of the quantity of acid and the temperature of calcinations on physical properties of the sediment and stabilization of the heavy metals are discussed. Introduction The French territory counts 525 000 km of rivers which transport each year on average 6 million m3 of sediments. Their deposit causes the silting of channels, rivers and lakes. This completely natural phenomenon is exacerbated by the introduction of industrial and urban wastes into the erosion and sedimentation process. This silting leads to clogging of rivers, with a reduction in their flow rates. Consecutively, other problems appear, such as flooding risks, decrease of biological purification capacity and associated loss of the biodiversity. The presence of toxic compounds (from industrial, household or agricultural origins) in the sediments worsens the situation, and requires curing to restore the natural environment and its function. The dredged sediments are either spread on agricultural land, land tipped, confined or sent for chemical or physical treatment [12]. The first research programmes on toxic sediments appeared at the end of the Eighties in the United States, in Canada, in the Netherlands and in Germany. Several techniques of treatment were developed for the sediments; these techniques can be used alone or in combination. These techniques include extraction and concentration of the pollutants: the pollutants are isolated from the sedimentary matrix and the sediment is decontaminated. In some cases of organic contaminations, the pollutants are destroyed by chemical oxidation or biodegradation and in other cases, the contaminated material is either stabilized (mixed with hydraulic binders), or destroyed (incineration) [14,15]. Phytoremediation by afforestation has also been reported [19]."

Jan 1, 2008

By C. Wieckert

Concentrated solar energy can be used as heat source for the production of metals. One of the most promising respective processes, the solar carbothermic production of Zn from ZnO, is investigated within the European research project SOLZINC, a cooperation of institutes and industries from France, Germany, Israel, Sweden and Switzerland. The solar produced Zn can be used as commodity or as an energy carrier for further processing on demand to electricity in Zn-air fuel cells/batteries or to generate hydrogen by reaction with steam. In both cases the Zn is oxidized to form ZnO, which can be recycled back to the solar plant. In these cyclic processes Zn acts as a means to store and eventually transport solar energy. Second product of the solar process step is a CO-rich offgas, which may e.g. drive a gas engine or may be shifted to hydrogen in a conventional reaction with steam. A pilot plant using 300kW concentrated solar power input has been constructed and operated successfully. 86mass-% of ZnO mixed with 14mass-% of charcoal are reacted to produce Zn and CO at a temperature of about 1200°C, yielding about 50 kg gaseous Zn per hour. Zn-dust with 95% purity is recovered from the offgas system that was designed to produce Zn for Zn-air fuel cells. Based on the results and findings from the pilot plant, a two tons Zn/h solar demonstration plant has been designed conceptually. Cost studies have been performed and scenarios for producing electricity or H2 via these ZnO/Zn-cyclic processes are evaluated.

Jan 1, 2006

By John Jiang, Yeonuk Choi, Olivia Wang, Gus Van Weert

"As part of a general review of processing double refractory ores through Barrick Gold's autoclaves/CIL facility at Goldstrike, Nevada, blanking the gold cyanide adsorbing native carbon in the ore with hard (m.p. >55°C) paraffin wax was proposed. To avoid interference from other ore constituents in the exploratory testwork, commercial activated carbon was substituted for native carbon in the ore to establish the best conditions for de-activation of carbon with molten wax.IntroductionDouble refractory gold ores present two barriers to gold extraction. The first is generally a physical barrier: the gold is encapsulated or dispersed in a matrix which is impervious to the gold lixiviant. In most cases, including the Goldstrike deposit, this involves a pyrite or arsenopyrite matrix, although minor gold may also be dispersed in competent silica (quartz) or iron oxides. Gold can be rendered accessible by oxidative destruction of such sulphide matrices. At Goldstrike this is practised by roasting and autoclave oxidation (POX). It is the latter route to which this paper refers.The second barrier refers more correctly to gold recovery. Gold may be extracted from the autoclave oxidized solids with cyanide, forming a gold cyanide complex. One characteristic of this complex is that it adsorbs on graphitic surfaces. This behaviour is used advantageously on a large scale by gold millers, who use man made activated carbon particles to remove the gold from solution during leaching: the Carbon-In-Leach, or CIL process. The gold bearing carbon particles are larger than the ore solids and can be separately recovered by screening. Goldstrike uses the CIL technology to recover gold after autoclave oxidation."

Jan 1, 2012

By D. Georgiou

Direct sulphuric acid leaching of nickeliferous limonites is the process of choice to recover nickel and cobalt from equatorially located lateritic ores. These ores are rich-in-iron (-45 wt%) existing in the form of goethite enriched with nickel. The merit of this process is due to its high nickel selectivity because of simultaneous iron separation and acid regeneration. Under acid leaching conditions (-250 to 270°C) iron follows an acid dissolution-hydrolytic precipitation path yielding a very low concentration level depending on temperature and acidity of the final leach liquor. The primary precipitation product of iron is hematite which also forms as a scale on reactor internals along with co-existing aluminum. In this paper, an overview of the behaviour of iron solid products under process conditions is made. The evolution of goethite to hematite transformation, as well as the role of iron in reactor scale production, are studied using SEM/EDX characterization techniques.

Jan 1, 1995

By Aliye Arabaci

In the present investigation, an attempt has been made to study the reduction behavior of composite pellets consisting two different types of iron oxide fines (high and low grade) and coke or lignite fines as reducing agents. The reduction experiments were carried out under isothermal conditions and constant flow of nitrogen gas in the temperature range of 900 ? 1100 oC. The variables investigated are the reduction temperature, Cfix/Fe3O4 ratio, reduction time and reductant type. In the experiments carried out with Sivas Divrigi A head magnetite ores (high grade) at a temperature of 1100 oC, for 40 minutes and on the condition that Cfix/Fe3O4 ratio is 0.2, in which lignite and coke fines were used as reductant, degree of reduction was obtained as 91 % and 86 %, respectively. Whereas, in the experiments realized with Malatya-Hekimhan-Hasançelebi magnetite ores (low grade) on the same conditions by using lignite as the reductant, around 60 % degree of reduction was found.

Jan 1, 2008

By Tingyao Liu, Lihui Han, Qing Liu, Bao Wang, Teng Yang, Yong Sheng

This paper mainly investigates the mass transfer phenomena of rare-earth concentrate from leaching process in Rushton stirred tank reactor with rotate speed of 100-600 rpm. In the research, a certain amount of sphere particles with 50-450 μm in diameter is treated as the mineral particles. Comparison of laboratory experiment data with numerical simulation is performed. The results show that the critical impeller speed for complete dispersion is 300 rpm. And the maximum value of turbulence kinetic energy appeared 15 mm away from paddle, where the mixing time is decreased 55% and 80%, respectively, when mineral particles are injected into stirred tank through one or four filling ports. Moreover, with mixing process going on, the numbers of particles near the paddle region accounts for as much as 58% of the total amount. Meanwhile, following the particle diameter increasing, the particle concentration of the upper part of stirred tank reactor is increased.

Jan 1, 2015

By Brian Cochran, C. Edward Eckert

"EXECUTIVE SUMMARYINTRODUCTIONThe commercial incentives for using molten aluminum in casting operations are numerous and substantial. Although these incentives apply broadly to both shape castings (foundry) operations and wrought alloy production, the merit of a particular motive is indeed downstream processing sensitive. Melting cost reduction is a universal incentive that impacts on essentially all aluminum products. At a natural gas burner cost of $4.50 per therm, for example, the reverberatory furnace energy cost is at least $0.01 per pound of aluminum melted, exclusive of melt loss, fixed costs, and other expenses. The Aluminum Statistical Review' cited 3.188 million metric tons of secondary aluminum that was recovered by the industry in 1995. This represents a re-melt energy cost of over $70 million. Other incentives to use molten secondary aluminum include throughput enhancement, metal chemistry assurances, environmental considerations, and the avoidance of an in-house scrap processing operation.A traditional disincentive to use molten secondary aluminum is metal quality. If a particular secondary processing operation was successful in achieving and preserving an acceptable metal quality level prior to shipment, the subsequent metal transfer and ladle delivery events would frequently obviate these efforts. For example, a metal superheat on the order of several hundred degrees is required for an unheated transfer ladle to travel 3 to 4 hours to a customer location. The rate of the y-alumina formation reaction approximately doubles for every 120°F increase in temperature, therefore, the effect of excess superheat on melt loss and metal quality is considerable. Linear oxidation reactions, such as magnesia formation in magnesium containing alloys, are influenced to an even greater extent by temperature.The typical quality detractor events are:"

Jan 1, 2000

By C. R. Bennett

The first phase in the design, development and implementation of a comprehensive computational model of a copper stockpile leach process is presented. The model accounts for transport phenomena through the stockpile, reaction kinetics for the important mineral species, oxygen and bacterial effects on the leach reactions, plus heat, energy and acid balances for the overall leach process. The paper describes the formulation of the leach process model and its implementation in PHYSICA+, a computational fluid dynamic (CFD) software environment. The model draws on a number of phenomena to represent the competing physical and chemical features active in the process model. The phenomena are essentially represented by a three-phase (solid-liquid-gas) multi-component transport system; novel algorithms and procedures are required to solve the model equations, including a methodology for dealing with multiple chemical species with different reaction rates in ore represented by multiple particle size fractions. Some initial validation results and application simulations are shown to illustrate the potential of the model.

Jan 1, 2003

By Toshihiro Tanaka

The information on viscosity and surface tension of molten slag is indispensable to design new refining procedures in ferrous and non-ferrous processes. For example, the authors have tried to develop "Capillary Refining" to remove impurities in liquid metals by applying capillary absorption of molten slag with those impurities into solid fluxes which have a lot of small capillary tubes. It is necessary to adjust the above physico-chemical properties to adequate conditions on the capillary penetration. In the present paper, we discuss our recent trial to predict surface tension and viscosity of molten slag in multi-component systems. We have derived a thermodynamic model to predict the surface tension of molten slag by using ionic size, molar volume and surface tension of pure components. In addition, we have applied neural network computation to evaluate the viscosity of molten slag. We found good agreement of the calculated results with experimental values of the surface tension as well as the viscosity in various slag systems.

Jan 1, 2006

By I. S. Escobar

Copper, particularly the oxygen-free grade Cu-OFP, is a candidate material for containers for the long-term isolation and disposal of high-level radioactive waste (HLW) in underground repositories. After having been buried for a few hundred years, all oxygen will have been consumed in the repository, and corrosion of the copper will be caused entirely by contact with dissolved sulfides. Chloride is another potential corrodant, but in deep repositories where groundwater is neutral or slightly alkaline, the effect of chlorides can be ignored on thermodynamic grounds. Thus, the corrosion of copper in the presence of sulfide ion and under reducing conditions has been studied using cyclic voltammetry and Tafel slope measurements. It is possible to determine the effect of sulphide ion on copper corrosion resistance which is minimized at low temperature and also at low sulphide concentration. The presence of anions such as HCO3 under environmental conditions produces a beneficial effect because these ions are inhibitors.

Jan 1, 1999