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By P. Wieser, D. Feke

"Priming of filters with small pores is influenced by the surface tension of the liquid metal and may be complicated by freezing • Freezing followed by melting has been observed experimentally. This process has been modeled on the basis of one dimensional heat flow by radiation to the filter and by conduction in the metal. Also considered are super-heat of the metal and the initial filter temperature. The results of the model provide useful guidelines for the application of filters. IntroductionFiltration has been recognized as a valuable method of refining by removing suspended phases from liquid metals or alloys. Woven fiberglass type fabrics and wire screens were used initially in the aluminum industry. With the introduction of the ceramic filters that exhibit improved inertness and refractoryness, filtration has been introduced to higher melting alloys including cast irons, superalloys, stainless steels, as well as low and medium carbon low alloy steels. A considerable literature is delveloping rapidly on the progress in applications and the advances in understanding the mechanisms and effectiveness of filtration processes (1-8).With the use of filtration for different alloy systems for the production of cast to shape parts a bewildering variety of gating system modifications has been developed (Figure 1) to accommodate the installation of filters in the mold. The modifications have two principal purposes: 1) the runner expansion is intended to compensate for the resistance to flow due to the filter and that of the captured inclusions, and 2) the metal reservoir upstream of the filter, provides a temporary by-pass which permits metal to flow across the filter and heat it until priming can be accomplished. priming of.filters by low and medium carbon steel is readily accomplished but, compared to such alloys as cast iron or 19 Cr-9Ni stainless steel, requires greater precautions to avoid failure to prime by excessive freezing on or inside the filter pores. This problem is further examined below:"

Jan 1, 1986

A comprehensive numerical capability for the analysis of Thermal Spray (TS) systems consisting of a three-dimensional compressible, turbulent flow Navier-Stokes model and a multi-phase particle flow model in Lagrangian formulation, was developed. This capability is validated for a set of flow conditions typical for TS. The developed methodology is used for analysis of the JP-5000 TS gun gas and coating powder flow conditions. Modeling and analysis of particle/turbulent eddies interaction is performed. Details of gas flow field, particle temperature, and particle velocity histories, and particle temperature, velocity profiles in the system are presented. For the validation of numerical analysis, the computed results are compared with available experimental measurements. The flow phenomena for different flow parameters are analyzed and explained as the results of gas dynamics and heat and momentum transfer between the gas and particle phases. This methodology can be used for process control and reliability improvement, and has the potential to significantly improve TS gun performance through control of its parameters.

Jan 1, 1996

By C. Segawa

SMM operates an original slime treatment process for recovering precious metals and other metals (Te,Se,Sb,Bi)from the copper and the lead anode tankhouse slimes. In recent years, the amount of slimes has increased and the pyrometallurgical processing units capacity became the bottleneck of the entire plants. For the expansion of the plant, new pyrometallurgical facilities, incorporating a BBOC, was commissioned in 1992 and has now been successfully operated. In addition, unit operations were optimized to increase recovery and reduce operating cost .. The results of modifications made in the plant are discussed in this paper.

Jan 1, 1996

By John B. Dale

A primary objective of copper mining, smelting and refining operations is the cost- effective, efficient, and environmentally-acceptable control of the level of various metal ions throughout the processing and effluent treatment flowsheets. Effective ionic control maximizes product and by-product quality, allows for broad flexibility in sourcing impurity laden ores, minimizes capital and operating costs, and can achieve zero discharge operations. In order to meet increasingly stringent cost, environmental and product quality requirements, separation technologies are needed that can selectively remove and recover deleterious or valuable ions. Ideally, the subsequently obtained salts or metals can be recycled in the process, disposed of in an environmentally acceptable manner, or sold as valuable by-products. The use of MRT, a highly selective separations technology, has been demonstrated to be a cost effective, efficient, and environmentally- sound treatment for a wide range of cations and anions that are commonly found in copper electrorefining and electrowinning circuits, as well as in environmental treatment operations. These include heavy and transition metals, precious metals, halides and alkali/alkaline earths. This paper will review a number of areas of interest including: recovery and refining of platinum group metals from copper anode slimes, recovery of copper from acid mine drainage streams, extraction of Bi, Sb and C1 from copper electrorefining and electrowinning circuits.

Jan 1, 1999

By Varadarajan Seshadri

The performance of mould fluxes in satisfying its quality requirements can have a significant effect on the efficiency of the continuous casting process and on the surface quality of the products. This performance is affected by various parameters including the characteristics of the mould fluxes, the quality of the steel being cast and the operational conditions of the caster. The extremely complex relationships involving the parameters mentioned above make it very difficult to have simple criteria for selecting mould fluxes for casting a certain grade of steel in a continuous casting machine. These difficulties led steelmakers and mould flux suppliers to select mould fluxes based mainly on plant trials. In the present work, a software to help in the analysis and development of mould fluxes for continuous casting was developed. This software includes several models for prediction of mould flux viscosity and consumption. A mathematical model was also used to predict the heat flux through the mould flux. The proposed methodology was applied to continuous casting of crack sensitive steels. Some of the results given by this software are presented, discussed and compared to plant data.

Jan 1, 2003

By Jr. Loper, M. H. Kim, H. H. Jo, C. S. Kang, T. S. Song

"An investigation has been conducted to describe the effect of grain refiner (e.g.,Ti) or modifier (e.g., Sr) on the microstructure of an Al-11.3wt%Si alloy produced by the Ohno horizontal continuous casting process using a heated mold so as to obtain directional solidification at high cooling rate of 300 to 2000°C/s. Experimental results demonstrated that the directionality of the primary a grain was promoted by the addition of0.2 to 0.4%Ti or by the addition of0.02%Sr, whereas the addition of0.6%Ti suppressed this directionality. Feathery a grains were promoted by the addition of 0.2%Ti, while these feathery a grains were suppressed when over 0.4%Ti (grain refinement) or when 0.02%Sr was added. The addition of Ti also resulted in increased coarsening of the eutectic Si in these Al-1 l.3wt%Si alloys.IntroductionThe mechanical properties of conventionally cast Al-Si alloys can be enhanced through judicious control of the casting parameters, by the addition of grain refiners (e.g., Ti) and by the addition of eutectic modifiers (e.g., Sr).[1-3] The Ohno continuous casting process[4-5] uses a heated mold (maintained at a temperature above the alloy liquidus temperature) to produce a casting with a mirror surface free of shrinkage defects. The process is especially suitable for the production of high quality and non-deformable rods of small diameter. This study was conducted at investigate the effects of Ti and Sr on the microstructure of Al-1 l .3wt%Si rods cast by the 01).no process."

Jan 1, 1998

By S. Yokoya

With increasing requirement of steel productivity and quality in continuous casting in the conventional casting system using an immersion nozzle, it is very difficult to establish a reasonable molten flow pattern. In order to overcome this difficulty, we propose a new method of imparting swirling motion onto the flow in the immersion nozzle and to control the flow pattern in the mold. Following results have been obtained during the studies. For the case of slab continuous casting mold: High amplitudes of oscillation with a period of 10 to 15 seconds are observed in the outlet flow of the immersion nozzle and meniscus flow in the conventional casting system, while these phenomena are remarkably suppressed using swirling motion in the immersion nozzle, which leads to very calm and uniform flow pattern at the outlets of the immersion nozzle, in the mold and on the meniscus in the mold; For the case of billet continuous casting mold: (1) heat and mass transfer near the meniscus can be remarkably activated compared with a conventional straight type immersion nozzle without swirl, and (2) Quite different mold flow patterns are observed between the divergent and straight immersion nozzles. Heat and mass transport in the mold using the divergent nozzle is much more reasonable compared to that of straight nozzle. The findings, mentioned above, are very useful to control the flow pattern in the slab, and billet continuous casters. Such effectiveness of swirling flow in the SEN on the mold flow has been put into practical use. As a result, remarkable progress on the quality and production of continuous casting products has been observed in practical application.

Jan 1, 2006

By Matsufumi Takaya, Yukihiro Sakamoto

"Electric field emission properties from CVD diamond fabricated using pulse-modulated microwave plasma CVD were studied. Diamond was synthesized by microwave plasma CVD apparatus equipped with a pulse-modulated microwave power supply. Pulse conditions were varied from 1 to 10 seconds for pulse periods and from 0.1 to lHz for pulse frequency either. Surface morphologies of the deposits were differed by pulse frequency and duty cycle. As a result, FE properties prepared by different pulse duty cycle were different from continuous film which synthesized using continuous microwave significantly. Highest current density was obtained from the uneven morphology diamond film prepared at 17.5% pulse duty cycle.FE properties of the CVD diamond were depended on surface morphologies that related to the pulse conditions.1. IntroductionDiamond has excellent physical and chemical properties as an industrial material. Especially, hydrogen terminated diamond had the negative electron affinity (NEA) 1) and CVD diamond has this NEA property either as deposited 2). So the electron emission source to the FED is expected as one of this application of CVD diamond as cold cathode of electric devices. We studied on FE properties of various CVD diamond, pulse microwave plasma CVD diamond showed better property than those of other CVD diamond 3).This report studied on· the effect of the duty-cycle of pulse modulate microwave condition on FE properties of the diamond fabricated by pulse modulated microwave plasma CVD."

Jan 1, 2000

By Ehsan Vahidi, Fereshteh Rashchi, Ataollah Babakhani, Alireza Zakeri

"The synergistic effect of Cyanex 302 on solvent extraction of nickel and cadmium from sulfate solution with D2EHPA diluted in kerosene was investigated with the aim of increasing separation efficiency. Experiments were carried out within a pH range of 0.1-5.0 using sole D2EHPA and D2EHPA-Cyanex 302 mixtures in different ratios. Increasing Cyanex 302 to D2EHPA ratios in the organic phase caused a left shifting of the extraction isotherm of cadmium and a right shifting of the extraction isotherm of nickel. As a result, optimum separation was found with a Cyanex 302 to D2EHPA ratio of 0.1M:0.5M. In the present system, effect of a modifying reagent such as TBP was studied. The influence of various diluents including kerosene and carbon tetrachloride was also investigated.IntroductionBatteries are popular sources of portable energy. Ni-Cd batteries are manufactured in two main groups of small domestic cells and large industrial batteries with 80% being in domestic use. Ni-Cd cells have various uses, for example in cordless electric utensils, cordless telephones, airplane engine starters, and communicational distribution systems [1].Depleted Ni-Cd batteries are classified as hazardous waste since nickel and cadmium are heavy metals and suspected carcinogens. Given the risk associated with uncontrolled disposal, directions for issuing legislation on disposal and recycling of used batteries have been made in industrialized countries [2]. Recycling of Ni-Cd batteries is important from both economic and environmental points of view. Different methods have been used for recycling these wastes through pyrometallurgy [3], biotechnology [4,5], and hydrometallurgy [1,2].Due to the advantages of hydrometallurgical processes, several studies have been implemented on leaching and solvent extraction (SX) of the used Ni-Cd batteries. Leaching of batteries is usually done in sulfate or chloride media; while solvent extraction has been used in different extractants: two-stage solvent extraction by D2EHPA and Cyanex 272 [6]. Solvent extraction of Cd from leach solutions has been studied using various extractants; Cyanex 301 [1], D2EHPA [7], Cyanex 302 [8], Cyanex 923 [9], Cyanex 272, Tops 99, PC88A [10]. Application of phosphorus based extractants for the solvent extraction studies of Ni such as TOPS 99 [11], D2EHPA [12], Cyanex 272 [2], has been investigated. Separation of Cd(ll), Ni(II), and Co(ll) from chloride leach liquor of spent batteries [13], were explored in the earlier studies. Cd extraction with D2EHPA involves co-extraction of both Ni and Co [14], which causes issues in the separation process efficiency."

Jan 1, 2012

By M. C. Ruiz

The leaching behavior of chalcopyrite concentrate in acidic CuC12-NaCI-O2 solutions was investigated. Experiments were conducted under continuos flow of oxygen at atmospheric pressures. The results indicated that among the variables temperature has the largest influence on the dissolution of chalcopyrite in this medium, and high copper extraction can only be obtained at temperatures near the boiling point of the solution. It was also found that the stirring speed did not influence appreciably the dissolution of chalcopyrite. An increase in the oxygen flow rate up to 0.1 1/min increased the copper extraction. The total chloride concentration affects the dissolution of chalcopyrite up to about 4 M. Copper extraction of 93 % was obtained in leaching chalcopyrite of size fraction -400 # Tyler at 105 OC in 2 hours.

Jan 1, 1997

By Bo Zhou

During secondary aluminum recovery, complex aluminum scraps are melted and refined often in a rotary melting furnace and the aluminum metal has to pass through a molten salt layer and melt down in a bottom aluminum bath. Previous experimental study and industrial observations have indicated that salt shell formation and re-melting on the metal solids in the early stage plays a critical role in the overall melting process of the scrap. In the present paper, mathematical models are developed to simulate the process of salt shell formation and its re melting, as well as aluminum melting in the molten melt. Influence of the salt layer properties, the residence time of the metal particles in the salt layer, the particle size, the temperature of bulk melt were investigated. Reasonable agreement with the measurement data was reached. The developed melting model will be used to construct a population balance model of the scrap melting behavior for a rotary melting furnace, taking into account the distributed characteristics of the scrap. Finally, an overall process model based on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for the rotary furnace will be constructed, coupling with the population balance model for the scrap melting.

Jan 1, 2003

Pyrometallmurgical reactors constitute a key processing component in the total primary and secondary resource cycle, being involved both in primary smelting, converting and extraction, as well as the reprocessing of scrap, from aluminum cans to end-of-life automobiles. To effectively control the overall resource cycle, one needs to take a systems modeling approach of the whole cycle, seeking to also understand the dynamic process behavior of the individual components of the cycle, and then especially the part that contributes most to the chemical conversion, namely the pyrometallurgical reactor. This paper highlights the role of pyrometallurgical thermodynamics, in the whole resource cycle and specifically places equilibrium thermochemistry in the context of process dynamics where large variable inventories are recycled or maintained within the system. This paper will therefore review the semi-empirical dynamic modeling tools, which are used to model complex systems with the specific goal of developing dynamic predictive models, which also include slag-alloy chemistry, towards controlling the recycling in a feed forward manner. To illustrate the primary processing side, high carbon ferrochrome will be presented as a brief case study. It also will show how the distributed nature of the chemistry of melts in the case of primary extraction, and secondary materials such as recycled end-of-life vehicles, have a significant impact on the process outcomes and model predictions. It is therefore argued that the fundamental thermodynamics and kinetics in metallurgical reactors playa final crucial role in modeling the closed material cycle, but only when it is used in conjunction with process systems theory based on reconciled data for parameter estimation and model calibration.

Jan 1, 2003

By Huaming Yang

Infrared materials are a special kind of material widely used in military, biological engineering and chemical industry. However, the problems associated with them such as unstable properties, high cost and a high thermal expansion coefficient seriously restrict the development and the wide application of the traditional infrared materials with the SiC or ZrSiO4 matrix. The ultrafine quartz powder is normally used to prepare the infrared materials by hot-pressing technology. The aim of the paper is to investigate the thermal expansivity, the effect of the SiO2 size and the addition of AI2O) or Fe2O3 on the infrared emissivity of the quartz matrix of the infrared material (QMIM) in a 8-25um wavelength range. The results indicate that 89% of infrared emissivity and 0.4x 10.5°C of thermal expansion coefficient of QMIM can be obtained. The affeeting mechanism of Al2O) and Fe2O3 on the infrared emissivity of QMIM were also discussed.

Jan 1, 2003

By Srinath Viswanathan, Zhijing Zhang, Ramana G. Reddy

"The viscosity measurements were carried out on melts of 380 aluminum alloy containing 20 volume % SiC particulates under various shear rates at different temperatures using a Brookfield viscometer. Results showed that viscosities of the melts increased with decreasing temperature and decreased with increasing shear rate. These results were compared with those of 356 alloy and it was found that the temperature had a more significant effect on viscosity of 356 alloy than that of 380 alloy containing SiC particulates. Based on the present experimental data an empirical viscosity model, which considers the effects of both solid fractions in the melt and shear rate, is proposed.IntroductionDiscontinuously reinforced metal matrix composites materials (MMCs) such as aluminum alloy containing SiC particulates have considerable potential for applications in the automotive industry because of their superior stiffness, higher specific mechanical properties, better dimensional stability and strength retention at elevated temperatures when compared to their monolithic counterparts. They have a great advantage in the specificity of their properties, meaning that specific materials can be engineered for specific applications. With such freedom of design, materials engineers have to accumulate a very large database of mechanical properties. Among these properties, the viscosity of alloy slurries is very important for producing, casting and forming process of metal matrix composites materials because viscosity has a decisive influence on fluid flow. The understanding of the rheological behavior of alloy slurries is necessary for these materials to become economic reality. Therefore, a study was carried out to measure the viscosities of 380 aluminum alloy containing 20 volume % SiC particulates under various shear rates and temperatures. In addition, a viscosity model representing the primary features of the alloy slurries was developed."

Jan 1, 1999

By Gunnar Eriksson

Computer simulation has become an everyday practice in thennodynamic and materials research. Advanced thennochemical algorithms take into account heat transfer effects and salient reaction kinetics when applied for process models. In particular, the combination of mass transfer or overall reaction rates with multi-component Gibbs energy minimisation provides an effective tool for simulation of industrial thennochemical processes and processing of materials. In this work the combination of rate factors with the Gibbs energy technique was studied by using the novel program ChemSheet, which operates through Microsoft's Excel® spreadsheets. Such processes as, for example, CVD of pure silicon production, titania pigment manufacturing, vapour pressure of Mercury in amalgams (in Hg-Iamp manufacturing) and melting behaviour of low-temperature alloys have been modelled. Provided that the thennochemical data is available simulations can be performed with any thennodynamic system. The calculation can be performed as an affinity study without a particular reactor model or with a specific reactor scheme.

Jan 1, 2001

By R. Padilla

In most of the Chilean copper and gold concentrates, arsenic is present mainly as enargite, Cu3AsS4, which at the conventional roasting or smelting temperatures decomposes liberating arsenic as gaseous compounds. The objective of this investigation was to study the decomposition reaction of enargite in an inert atmosphere in the range of 500 °C - 750°C. The results obtained indicated that the decomposition begins at about 525 °C. Two distinct regions in the temperature dependence of the decomposition rate were observed: a low temperature region between 525 °C to 650°C and a high temperature region between 650 °C to 725 °C. The X-ray diffraction analysis suggests that the decomposition of enargite occurs through the formation of intermediate tenantite, according to the following sequential reactions: 4Cu3AsS4(s) ? Cu12 As4S13(s)+ 3/2S2(g) Cu12 AS4S13(s) ? 6Cu2S(s) + 2As2S3(g) + 1/2S2(g) The decomposition kinetics was analyzed by using the model for a topochemical reaction of spherical particles: 1-(1-X) 1/3 = kt, which represented well the data. Apparent activation energies of 113 kJ/mol and 60.5 kJ/mol were found for the low and high temperature regions, respectively.

Jan 1, 1999

By Z. Smieszek, Z. Szota, P. Gajowski

"A new method for measuring the total quantity of suspensions contained in the electrolyte during copper electrorefining has been developed by the Institute of Non-Ferrous Metals, Gliwice. Electrolyte purity, and the suspensions content in particular, is of essential importance for the quality of electrolytic copper produced during the process. Suspensions contribute to the increase of slime impurities in electrolytic copper and increase losses in noble metals. Up to now, the laboratory method has been used for the· process control which provides analytical results with considerable time delay. Therefore, it is useless for the process control.The measuring method developed enables continuous measurements of a suspensions content directly within the stream of the flowing electrolyte. The principle of measurement is based on changes in optic properties of the electrolyte with varying suspensions content.1. IntroductionIn copper electrorefining, it is essential that the final product quality be maintained. If suspensions are present in electrolyte, the content of slime impurities in electrolytic copper, (such as Pb, Ag, Bi, Sn, Sb, and As), increases which can result in the occurrence of the so-called slime dendrites on cathodes, thus debasing the quality of the product. As a normal suspension content in electrolyte, the contents in the order of several mg/l are considered, usually not more than 5-6 mg/l, while contents exceeding 20 mg/l are referred to as an alarm state. Suspensions present in an electrolyte are usually a light fraction of anodic slime whose main components are metallic silver, lead sulphate, complexes of antimony and arsenic, and sometimes even calcium sulphate; they are mainly composed of very small particles of lead sulphate and antimony complexes. Sometimes - - in case of alarm states - - the so-called ""wandering slims"" can be observed, which are composed mainly of arsenic and antimony complexes. These ""wandering slims"" make a serious technological disturbance. In normal operating conditions of the electrorefining plant, an increase of suspension content can result from such reasons as crack of filter cloth in a slime filter, turbulent flow of the electrolyte, anodic passivation, aeration of the electrolyte, and improper servicing of an electrolytic tank. It is necessary to continuously control the suspensions content in electrolyte for proper electrorefining."

Jan 1, 1989

By J. B. Cocanour

Pioneering work at the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has produced a personal computer (PC)-based, software-driven video photometric color sensor for real time process control of metallurgical streams. The video photometer is an inexpensive optical sensor which operates in the visual area of the electromagnetic spectrum and collects color information through plastic optical fiber. The red, green, and blue (R/G/B) voltage components of the color video signal are digitized and characterized through software and then presented as the control variable for software-based proportional-integral-differential (PID) control. This sensor has been successfully employed in the control of a laboratory copper electrolytic circuit. With this sensor, copper solutions were analyzed on-line without the need for sample removal, dilution, mixing or reagent addition, thereby allowing for the real time control of the circuit.

Jan 1, 1994

By P. M. Swash

The determination of the heavy minerals in beach sand samples is highly dependent on the preparation technique used. In this paper a simple reproducible method for the quantification of "recoverable" ilmenite, zircon, rutile and leucoxene by magnetic separation, is described. The procedure recommended yields information relevant to the metallurgical processing of the ore rather than to the total heavy minerals present in the samples. Finally the determination of mineral reserve estimations and grade assessments is greatly facilitated when this "mineral assay" method is employed. An assortment of other mineralogical methods are described including SEM, EMPA, XRD, XRF, Image analysis, Mossbauer. clerici and perm roll separations. The methods are briefly examined and the practical information that can be gained by using such techniques are reviewed. Experience has shown that an understanding of the relationship between the physical and chemical properties of the heavy minerals can contribute to the prediction of mineral particle behaviour. Such information may ultimately help reduce the prospect evaluation period and minimise expenditure on metallurgical testwork.

Jan 1, 1991

By Fumito Tanaka

In the Mitsubishi Continuous Copper Smelting & Converting Process, the heat for the dissolution of scraps is effectively supplied from the melts strongly stirred by top injection. Various kinds of shape of scraps not only powder but also lump, sheet, cube and so on can be treated without any emission of dust and fugitive gas, and no additional furnaces for scrap processing is necessary. Therefore, this process is much suitable for recycling. The authors have investigated the melting rate of ice sphere into a water bath equipped with top blowing lances as a basic study for the dissolution of scrap. Hydrodynamic experiments were carried out, and mathematical models were applied to the results. The results show that the melting rate of ice sphere strongly depends on the standing waves at the bath surface.

Jan 1, 2001