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By P. Thapliyal

The petroleum refining industry generates over a million tons of spent catalyst per year, containing valuable metals. Currently, these materials are recycled to smelting furnaces, but the fundamental mechanisms controlling the recovery processes are poorly understood. Furthermore, submerged injection of finely divided materials is potentially a means to obtain high recoveries of pay metals. In this study, a catalyst containing 10% Ni and 1% Co was injected into 45 kg heats of matte. A copper matte was chosen so that the nickel and cobalt recoveries were measurable. It was found that the recovery ranged from 40 to 700Al, increasing with catalyst feed rate, decreasing with catalyst particle size and decreasing with the oxygen content of the carrier gas. A mathematical model was developed to account for the results, and to permit extrapolation to nickel mattes. The industrial implications are discussed.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. Drozd

Multi-use pad operators require an efficient and economic method to destroy cyanide in their process residues so new material can be stored on the pad and leached. Operators of the dedicated or single-use pads require an effective cyanide destruction method for pad closure. Cyanide destruction can be accomplished by utilizing oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide or calcium hypochlorite, or by utilizing ferrous sulfate which sequesters the cyanide in strong acid dissociable complex. Ferrous sulfate can be the preferred method of cyanide destruction because it is a less costly chemical, reaction rates are almost immediate and unlike oxidants, it can penetrate the total depth of a pile without being destroyed by side reactions. Literature indicates that the (Fe(CN)6)-4 com~lex is produced slowly but it appears that complexes such as Fe(CN)4(H20)2-or Fe(CN)4(OH)2)-4, are formed quickly and should have no U.V. sensitifity, unlike (Fe(CN)6)-4. Stoichiometry of the testwork indicates that Fe«CN)4(OH)2)-4 complex may be the species formed. The usage of ferrous sulfate has the advantage of being able to bring ~ level down that divalent metal ions such as Cu++, Cd++, Hg++, Pb++ and Zn will form insoluble complexes and precipitate from solutions does not destroy weak acid dissolvable complexes and can leave a heavy metal problem behind after cyanide destruction.

Jan 1, 1990

By Bora Derin

The synthesis of titanium diboride (TiB2) by carbothermal reductions of TiO2 and B2O3 was investigated. For this aim, TiO2, B2O3 and carbon black powders were dried, weighed out and mixed in stoichiometric molar proportions (TiO2:B2O3:C = 1:1:5). The experiments were carried out in a graphite resistance furnace in argon media using different range of temperature (1400- 1700 °C) and time (0 and 15 min). The phase analyses observation of the products were examined by using XRD.

Jan 1, 2008

By F. J. Tavera

The column flotation technology, at first developed for application in mineral dressing, has received special attention in processing of non-mineral dispersions as a result of its low cost, high efficiency and relatively simple operation. This paper presents the results from the operation of a laboratory flotation column for the separation of vegetable oil and soap from aqueous industrial effluents, The flotation system was operated under continuous countercurrent conditions without and with additions of a cationic collector. The experiments show that it is possible to separate about 80% of the organic phase in a rougher flotation stage. These results suggest that the recovery of the organic phase is highly dependant on the dispersion characteristics (i.e. bubble size, gas holdup and bubble surface area flux) and the existing an optimum bubble size from which either smaller or larger, the recovery of the organic decreases.

Jan 1, 2003

By Payal Bakshi, Sangeeta Tiwari, Mohini Saxena, Anusha Sharma

"Recycling and reuse is perhaps the most favorable and beneficial way to solve the problem of industrial waste disposal. However, the use of industrial wastes like fly ash, tailings etc is in practice for brick manufacturing, land filling, embankments filling etc. These existing practices do not add enough value to the wastes. Moreover, some wastes may have very good potential to be incorporated in valuable products like paints. This study reveals about the value addition of industrial wastes like fly ash, copper tailing and blue dust as an extender in paints. Comparative properties and characteristics of these three wastes for application in paints are discussed. Fly ash, copper tailing and blue dust were characterized for physical, chemical and mineralogical properties and used in different paint formulation based on their potential to the particular application. Fly ash has been found very useful in enamel, primers and flat paints while copper tailing was found suitable in oil based paint formulations. The performance of fly ash and copper tailing paints were evaluated by comparing with those of conventional whiting extender. Blue dust was compared with conventional iron oxide for use in priming coats. The extender properties of these new material and paints prepared out of blue dust, fly ash, copper tailing, were found better than the existing related materials.IntroductionIndustrial development and environmental reforms should run parallel to benefit each other. This is the best policy, which must be adopted by industries for the sustainability of the current modern life. The high degree of industrialization and urbanization adds scads of waste resulting problem of pollution and challenges of their safe disposal. The nature of waste depends on the process that produces waste as its by-product. Therefore, policies/plans are prepared by keeping the view of possible potential hazards. Among the different wastes some are generated in the industries, which have great importance in the country’s economy, like fly ash waste from thermal power industry and mining waste. In India the total contribution of thermal power in the total electricity generation is more than 70% and it produces about 123 million ton of the fly ash annually [1]. On the other hand mining plus extraction of ferrous and nonferrous metals also produce waste in million tonnes of categories [2]. Since the generation of this waste is very high they cover large land area for their disposal and dumping [3]. The storage of this waste in the dumping sites for long time duration may cause problem of land, surface water, ground water and fertile soil contamination [4]. As far as Indian fly ash is concerned it does not contain toxic element over the limits of hazardous waste [5]. However, in general most of the metals deposits are found in the form of pyrite based ores. Mining wastes contain toxic elements e.g. heavy metals in varying amount, which get mobilized when pyrite get oxidized to sulphate producing sulphuric acid [6,7]. These ores contain very less amount of targeted metals in themselves thus they require extensive preprocesses for concentration of the metals [8]."

Jan 1, 2008

By Sung Tae Kim

The viscosity is one of the most critical properties of slags and thus its influence on the physicochemical phenomena in metallurgical processes has been issued for last decades. The viscosity of ferrous- and non-ferrous metallurgical slags can be understood via structural investigation with spectroscopic methodologies including x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, infrared- and Raman spectroscopy, and solid state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, etc. Therefore, the reaction kinetics such as desulfurization in ladle metallurgical furnace, reduction of FeO and MnO in electric arc furnace is strongly dependent on the viscosity of the slags. The rates of oxide (inclusion and refractory) dissolution into the slags and fluxes are governed by the viscosity. Alternatively, the structure of aluminosilicate melts also affects the thermochemical properties such as sulfide capacity, etc. These diverse applications of the viscosity-structure relationship to ferrous- and non-ferrous metallurgical processes were reviewed.

By Xiao Songwen

Based on the anion coordination polyhedron growth unit theory, the polymorph transformation mechanism of antimony white (Sb2O3) in hydro-process was investigated. The new findings had been verified in the commercial-scale test and it was shown that adding a small amount of tartrate ions was economical and effective for polymorph transformation of antimony white in hydro-process.

Jan 1, 2003

By Meyer Steinberg

"Some early experiences of a Cooper Union Chemical Engineer on the Manhattan project and his latest studies on CO2 Greenhouse Gas Mitigation Technologies are presented. Mitigating Global Greenhouse effect while maintaining a fossil fuel economy, requires improving the efficiency of conversion and utilization of fossil fuels, use of high hydrogen content fossil fuels, decarbonization of fossil fuels and sequestration of carbon and CO2 applied to all energy consuming sectors of the economy including electric power generation, materials production, transportation and industrial domestic heating. Decarbonization means removal of carbon as C or CO2 either before or after fossil fuel utilization and sequestration means long term disposal of C or CO2. The review will cover the principles of removal and recovery from power plant, stacks, the oceanographic and geological disposal of CO2 and the conversion of CO2 to gaseous and liquid transportation fuels. The global economic aspects of CO2 mitigation technologies are touched upon.IntroductionThis is an odyssey of a chemical engineer. My career started with the production of U235 at the Gaseous Diffusion Plant in Oak Ridge, Tennessee and the production of PU-239 metal at Los Alamos on the Manhattan Project. After 40 years at Brookhaven National Laboratory, I wound up performing studies on CO2 mitigation technologies. The following is a power point presentation on the subject of global warmingThe DOE is proposing to increase its sequestration development program in order to maintain the utilization of our vast resources in coal both for power and for transportation fuel production. Congress is considering steps to promote energy efficiency in attempts to solve not only the CO2 problem, but also the prime problem of energy supply. We will be promoting increases in energy efficiency as time goes on."

Jan 1, 2008

By Hideki Yarnarnoto

The simultaneous removal for NH4+ and PO43- in aqueous solution was carried out by using Ca type zeolite synthesized from coal fly ash. The effect of pH on the cation exchange capacity and adsorption properties of the obtained zeolite, the simultaneous removal of NH4' and ~04'. in various solutions and the mechanism of simultaneous removal were investigated respectivel? ,The Ca type zeolite used in this study can simultaneously remove NH4+ and PO43- In aqueous solution without releasing counter ion, and this method gives great advantage over the other ordinary removal methods.

Jan 1, 2002

By Mick O'Meara

Metal Organic Chemical Vapour Deposition (MOCVD) is used in the production of computer circuit boards and metal shapes in nickel, gold, copper, cobalt, etc. All varieties of .MOCVD use the decomposition of a vapour of organometallic compounds to produce different forms of ultra-pure metals, or alloys. CVD Manufacturing's proprietary MOCVD process has been adapted and developed to produce commercially ultra-pure metal shapes, metal powders, and metal foams. Therefore, it is a purification process. The typical process has three steps. First, a volatile metal organic compound is produced from volumetrically contaminated metals, metal oxides, etc. Typical feed materials are metal powders, ores, concentrates, or a slurry of metals and contaminants. Secondly, the volatile. metal organic compound is purified by fractional distillation. Thirdly, the purified metal organic compound is decomposed into different forms of ultra-pure metals, such as net shapes, powders, or metal foams. A mixture of metals can be purified either by the selective production of volatile materials, or a separation can be achieved during the second step, in the fractional distillation stage. The purification and recycling of metals by the MOCVD process will be discussed, particularly with regard to nickel, aluminum, gold, the platinum group and other metals.

Jan 1, 2000

By Helmut Attlfellner

The selection of the best process for the oxygen generator for a metallurgical process requires the determination of all aspects which impact the economics of this facility. Concepts and features of modern air separation plants will be presented based on installed facilities for various metallurgical processes. The special features of advanced automation' of oxygen generators with load following and optimization of power consumption, automatic restart and unattended remote controlled operation will be investigated.

Jan 1, 1992

By E. S. Peterson

The selective separations of trace metals- and organics from water are processes of importance to industry. The application of a new metals capture technology coupled with polymer membrane technology has proven to be one avenue to accomplish such selective separations. The polymers used in these studies are polyphosphazenes. Polyphosphazene polymers consist of an alternating backbone of nitrogen and phosphorus atoms. The polymers have high thermal and chemical stabilities. Experiments at the Idaho National Engineering Laboratory demonstrate that polyphosphazene membranes coupled with Chromato Chem,"Chelation Chromatography" process are capable of removing both chlorinated hydrocarbons and metal ions from process streams. These results point to a wide range of potential industrial and environmental applications for such systems. Data will be presented which show the efficiency and selectivity of separations, postulated separation mechanisms, and the initial designs of industrial demonstration units which are currently under construction. Parts of this work have been performed under a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) between ChromatoChem, Inc. and Idaho National Engineering Laboratory (INEL). The work at INEL was been sponsored by the United States Department of Energy's Office of Industrial Technologies

Jan 1, 1995

By Sheng Dai, Yuan Lee, Haiming Xiao, J. P. Young

"There are numerous analytical applications of scatter-emission and/or absorption spectroscopy applied to liquids and solids in the temperature range of 0 to 350°C. In this paper an all-silica fiberoptic probe is described which is useful for spectral analyses from 0 to 1600 K and can be used in harsh chemical environments. The probe has been used for Raman spectral analyses of many molten salt and solid material systems to 1000°C. It has applications for such studies at higher temperature ranges. The instrumentation required along with the demonstrated and proposed applications of the all-silica probe are presented and discussed.IntroductionThere are many kinds of scatter-emission spectroscopies that are of value for analytical measurements. Fluorescence, reflectance, arc or spark emission are descriptors for some of these. Raman scatter spectroscopy is also quite a useful technique for analytical measurements.In Figure 1, we give a simplified explanation of the Raman effect. If one shines monochromatic light into a sample, light may be absorbed, exciting the sample to some virtual state. We know from experience that almost all of the light is re-emitted in the same wavelength range. This is called Rayleigh or Mei scattering and is designated in the figure by the arrows in both examples that point up and down from the same lower energy state. A very small percentage (the order of 10-4%) of the monochromatic light is re-emitted leaving the sample at a vibrationally-excited state. Thus, this light is at a distinctly lower energy compared to the exciting radiation. This is called a Stokes shift and is represented in the left-hand example by an arrow descending to a more energetic vibrational state. If the sample is not at a temperature of absolute zero, some of this vibrationally excited state will be thermally populated. That portion of the sample still absorbs and re-emits exciting radiation as Rayleigh scattered light, but a small percentage of the exciting light is re-emitted as the sample relaxes to the lower vibrational state. The energy of this light is of higher energy and is called an anti-Stokes shift, depicted in the example to the right. Notice that the energy separation of the Stokes or anti-Stokes shifted emission from that of the exciting radiation is the same, and expressed in ~cm-I. The intensity of either shifted emission is a function of the population of the vibrational energy states; therefore, the ratio of the intensity of Stokes to anti-Stokes signal varies with absolute temperature. We will come back to this point later."

Jan 1, 1997

By Manju Gurung, Birendra Babu Adhikari, Keisuke Ohto, Hidetaka Kawakita, Katsutoshi Inoue, Shafiq Alam

Novel bio-adsorbent gel was prepared by immobilizing functional groups of glycidyltrimethyl ammonium chloride, a kind of quaternary ammonium chloride, onto polymer matrices of persimmon extract for the recovery of precious metals such as palladium(II) and platinum(IV) from chloride media. It was found that this adsorption gel exhibits high selectivity to gold(III), palladium(II) and platinum(IV) over base metals such as copper(II) and iron(III) while crude persimmon extract, the feed material, exhibits high selectivity only for gold(III). From the adsorption isotherms study, the maximum adsorption capacities for gold(III), palladium(II) and platinum(IV) were evaluated as 3.30, 1.67 and 1.00 mol/kg, respectively. Those for palladium(II) and platinum(IV) are higher than those of simple quaternary ammonium chloride type of chemically modified persimmon tannin gel and commercially available anion exchange resin.

Jan 1, 2016

By Rumen Markov, Lubomir Kuzev

"The treatment technologies for municipal solid waste (MSW) are effective mainly for components sized over 40 – 50 mm. This fraction is separated by screening in the beginning of the process. Usually the undersized product is deposited without additional treatment. Its quantity is variable from several up to 30 – 40 % of the total MSW. Both oversized and undersized fractions are formed by all types of primary matter. Adapted technologies from mineral processing will provide a suitable technology for treatment of MSW under 40 – 50 mm. The MSW content depends on the geographical location, the degree of urbanization and other factors. The methods can be applied for separations of different components suitable for recycling or other utilization are: • Separation by density; • Separation in thin liquid layer; • Selective grinding and screening; • Flotation, etc. Introduction Municipal solid waste (MSW) represents an integral part of public urbanization. However, there are some drawbacks stemming from MSW, in regard to its collection, transport and elimination. Different approaches exits worldwide for tackling the problems arising from MSW. For a short period of time, the attitude towards MSW has evolved in several levels, each further level being characterized by higher percentage of utilization of MSW components. Thus, the bottom line has been shifted from safety storage towards processing that includes recycling and maximal utilization of MSW components. Technologic processes applied for treatment of MSW have a common feature – that the fine components, having sizes under 20 mm, 30 mm, 40 mm, or 50 mm are excluded from treatment process trough screening, and in most cases diverted without any additional treatment to preliminary prepared storage sites. MSW in Sofia – current situation The amount of MSW collected daily in Sofia as around 1000 t/24 h. It is stored or baled. Baling is a spare alternative of storage, since baling insures only temporal keeping of MSW, till the building of suitable storage site where the bales will be transported and buried. The morphologic composition of MSW in Sofia has been determined several times at different time intervals, from some Bulgarian organizations as well as from the Japanese organization JICA. So far, however, there is still a lack of enough systematical and comprehensive study. Generalized results from the studies on the MSW components, as well as some important parameters are given in Table 1."

Jan 1, 2008

By Tiejun Chun, Jian Pan, Deqing Zhu, Vinicius Mendes

"Fine manganese fines are characterized by large amount and low price compared to lump manganese ores. However, fine manganese must be agglomerated as EAF (electric arc furnace) feed. In this paper, high quality fired pellets were produced by simulating grate-kiln process to supply the feed for EAF from some imported manganese ore fines containing high combined water. Manganese ore fines assaying 44.47wt%Mn, 5.89wt%Fe, 12.09%LOI and with 72.7wt% ranging between 0.5mm and 8mm, are pretreated up to the particle size of 84.7wt% passing 0.074mm by HPGR (high press grinding roller) twice in open circuit. The finely ground manganese fines were mixed with 1.2wt% bentonite, balled at 15% moisture for 7min in disc pelletizer. The drop numbers, compressive strength and thermal shock temperature of green balls reach 11 times/0.5m, 11 N/pellet and 360oC, respectively. After the green balls drying in the oven, the dry pellets were preheated at 1050oC for 12 min and then fired at 1300oC for 12 min in electric tube furnace. The compressive strength of fired pellets reaches 2621 N/pellet. Therefore, these pellets are high quality burden for blast furnace or EAF due to high mechanical strength and high Mn grade of 49.11wt% and low detrimental elements.IntroductionManganese, mainly using as deoxidizing agent, desulfurization agent and alloying elements, is widely used in the steel company. With the rapid development of iron and steel industry in China, domestic manganese ores cannot meet the requirement, resulting large quantities manganese ores import to China [1-4]. Compared to lump manganese ores, fine manganese ores containing high combined water are characterized by large amount and low price. However, they must be agglomerated as EAF (electric arc furnace) feed. There are three ways to agglomerate the manganese fine ores, sintering, briquetting and pelletizing [5-6]. Compared to the other two methods, pelletizing technology possesses the following superiorities, such as uniform size distribution of product, stabilizing chemical composition of product and lower energy consumption in producing. Therefore, pelletizing is a superior way to treat the fine manganese ores [7]. The systematic research of producing manganese oxide pellets by fine manganese ores containing high combined water was studied in this paper."

Jan 1, 2011

By Tracie Zoeller, G. Paul Neitzel, Jr. Sanders

"As-cast aluminum alloy microstructures are highly segregated. Coring occurs when solute is rejected during solidification resulting in a non-uniform solute distribution across the dendrite arms. Furthermore, coarse constituent phases are formed in the interdendritic channels as a result of coring. These constituents are either soluble or insoluble and can form from the major solute elements, or the impurity elements iron and silicon. The dissolution of these constituents, or precipitates, is an important consideration in determining the microstructural evolution of an alloy. The properties of an alloy are significantly affected by the morphology of the precipitates. Precipitates can be either beneficial or detrimental to the properties of the alloy. Regardless of the nature of the precipitates present, it is useful to understand the dissolution process. A diffusion-limited dissolution model for planar precipitates is presented and compared to an analytical solution and to models in the literature. Experimental data for the dissolution of AhCu precipitates in a dilute alloy are compared to the proposed model, and found to have good agreement.IntroductionDuring the processing of precipitation hardening alloys, beginning with the solidification step and ending with the final solution heat treatment step, there are a variety of particles that form. Some of these particles must be dissolved and solute redistributed and re-precipitated in a more homogeneous distribution than as it first appears in the as-cast microstructure. The particles can be classified by size as microstructure develops during processing. Coarse particles that form during solidification can either be soluble, partially soluble or insoluble. These particles can be the result of coring of the major solute elements as well as the limited solubility of elements such as iron and silicon. Iron and silicon can combine with the major solute elements such as copper in 2xxx alloys forming coarse phases often referred to as constituents. Figure l(a) shows the as cast microstructure with the constituent phases, Al2Cu and the insoluble phases containing Al-Fe-Mn-Cu-Si [7]. During preheating the soluble phases such as AhCu that were formed by eutectic decomposition must be taken back into solution, whereas the insoluble phases remain essentially unchanged by most thermal operations. Figure l(b) and (c) show some of these constituents after subsequent preheating steps. In Figure l(b), AhCu platelets are shown and in Figure l(c) the remnants of the AhCu phase are noticeable, along with Mn-bearing dispersoid phases. Reduction in the volume fraction and size of these phases improves the ductility and fracture toughness as well as reducing the inhomogeneities that occur during coring. Also adjacent to the dendrite arm boundaries are smaller AhCu phases that precipitate by a solid-state transformation on cooling to room temperature."

Jan 1, 2004

By William Petruk

The behaviour of sphalerite during mineral beneficiation of base metal ores has been studied at CANMET and other institutes for at least 15 years by determining the liberations of sphalerite in mill products and calculating the recoveries of liberated and unliberated sphalerite in zinc concentrates. Sphalerite in base metal ores commonly occurs as layers and as interstitial material between pyrite. Layered sphalerite is generally liberated during primary grinding, but interstitial sphalerite requires re-grinding to achieve liberation. Around 95% of liberated sphalerite is generally recovered in zinc concentrates frau zinc circuit feeds. A series of tests was conducted on sphalerite in the ore of Brunswick Mining and smelting during a continuous fine tuning operation of the concentrator. It was found that a grind of 80% minus 37 micrometres was required to liberate the interstitial sphalerite. The fine grind increased Zn recoveries from 75% to 78-80%, but produced liberated slimed sphalerite which was lost. Since regrinding to a fine grain size is needed to obtain the desired sphalerite liberation, a method of recovering the slimed sphalerite is required.

Jan 1, 1990

By Jenifer S. Heath

Human health risk assessments can be used in mine permitting, and are frequently used to investigate areas of potential contamination and as a basis for remediation decision making. While some states and US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) Regions have their own guidance for the conduct of human health risk assessments, USEPA Headquarters guidance and the underlying science are changing and advancing rapidly. Even outside the US, USEPA guidance can affect risk assessment costs and conclusions, which in turn can affect cleanup costs or permitting options. This paper summarizes recent USEPA guidance and scientific evidence related to human health risk assessment for mining sites. This paper is designed for non-risk assessors, and so focuses on the potential applications and implications of the new guidance rather than the mathematical and theoretical details.

Jan 1, 1999

By Xiaobing Yang, Abhishek Lahiri, Animesh Jha

"In the FFC-Cambridge process, the cathodic dissociation of oxide and CO/CO2 production on carbon anode is the basis for metal production in a CaCl2 bath. By using an inert intermetallic anode, the CO2 evolution can be eliminated altogether with acceleration in the electro-reduction kinetics. At present the process suffers from slow reduction kinetics of TiO2 to Ti metal, which can be enhanced significantly by the incorporation of alkali species in the TiO2 pellet at the cathode and in the CaCl2 bath in the presence of an intermetallic inert anode. Nearly full metallization with greater than 99% of Ti metal containing 1500 ppm of oxygen is possible to achieve in less than 16 hours of electro-reduction. Analyses of phase composition and the microstructures morphology in fully metallized pellets revealed the presence of localized solidified Ti layer, indicating that fast reduction process also involved formation of liquid phase as middle stage reaction. In addition, in situ creation of porosity and maintain higher current level during electrolysis process were two key factors to fully reduction of TiO2.IntroductionDuring cathodic dissociation of TiO2 in a CaCl2 bath and anodic evolution of CO2 on a carbon anode, which is the basis for the FFC Cambridge process [1], the rate of metallization slows down due to the formation of CaTiO3 at the reaction interface. Calcium and alkaline earth perovskites are known for their poor electrical conductivity which adversely affects the overall electro-reduction. One of the ways to increase the porosity is via the addition of polyethylene precursors in the pellet or by directly starting from perovskite [2, 3]. The experimental evidences shown in the literature confirm although the speed of reaction increases, but a complete or near complete metallization is not possible by enhancing the in-situ porosity alone, as the insulating perovskite is very slow to decompose under the equilibrium that prevails in the cell. Plethoric evidences on carbon anode show with the current decrease gradually, and finally stabilize at a very low value between 0.2 and 0.4 A, which is a testimony of the presence of perovskite insulating barrier in the current path. Our aim in this paper is to demonstrate the mechanism of enhanced electro-reduction when alkali ions are present in the oxide pellet at cathode and in the bath. We also show for the first time the use of an intermetallic anode for Ti-metal production using the FFC Cambridge process."

Jan 1, 2009