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By Peter C. Hayes

"The high temperature reduction of solids through the use of reactive gas atmospheres has application in a wide range of industrially important processes. Whilst significant advances have been made in understanding and describing these processes, some key aspects of the chemical reactions and reaction mechanisms operating in these systems, for example, the transformation from metal oxide to metal, remain poorly understood. A number of different product morphologies have been identified in these reaction systems and the reaction rates have been shown to be critically dependent on the product structure.Theoretical examination of the elementary process steps taking place in the region of the gas/metal/metal oxide interface, combined with electron microscope studies of the resultant product microstructures, have enabled the key process and material variables responsible for the development of the various product morphologies to be identified. By considering i) established criteria for the stability of moving interfaces in a thermodynamic potential gradient, ii) the relative rates of chemical reactions on the oxide and metal surfaces, and iii) key process phenomena and physico-chemical properties of the solid phases, the mechanisms and conditions for the formation of various product morphologies are identified. Interestingly the analysis points to direct analogies between these phase transformations and, the phenomena and microstructures observed in metal solidification, and the potential to develop generic models of these fluid/solid reaction systems."

Jan 1, 2013

By S. Suzuki, Y. Maeda, N. Wakamatsu

"A new pyrometallugical technology, named KLS process, has been developed by Dowa Mining at its Kosaka Smelter to smelt various kinds of lead raw materials.The process consists of clearly separated two reaction steps, smelting and reduction. For this purpose, respective stationary furnaces are installed which are connected by a slag launder.Dry raw materials, together with pulverized coal and oxygen-enriched air, are injected through a lance pipe into the molten slag in the first furnace. It is kept under a high oxygen potential to remove sulfur completely. Resultant PbO rich slag overflows to the second furnace where pulverized coal and insufficient air are also injected through a lance pipe to reduce PbO to lead bullion and to compensate for thermal deficit. The entire operation is carried out continuously. The process development started back in 1981. In late 1986, a pilot plant with a capacity of 3.5t/H was constructed.Already nearly 20,000 tons of raw materials, mostly lead sulfate mixtures have been smelted successfully.IntroductionFor a long time, main raw materials for lead smelting at Kosaka smelter have been such secondary incombustibles as lead sulfate and lead-barium sulfate. The former is leach residue of the copper smelter flue dust and the latter originates from Iijima zinc refinery. While the most of lead concentrates produced locally has been smelted by an ISF of Hachinohe smelter in which Dowa Mining has a share.The surplus lead concentrates were processed at Kosaka by a hydrometallurgical method to convert PbS to PbSO 4 as pretreatment, and followed by simultaneous smelting together with the above secondary materials (1). Approximate output has been 1,5000 /M of lead bullion and slightly more than 2,000t/M of refined lead by adding lead bullion returned back from Hachinohe smelter (2)."

Jan 1, 1988

By Bruce H. Baker

Studies of used or unused refractory materials are excellent examples of applied mineralogy in industry. Refractory materials are mineral substances containing ceramic or chemical bonding systems. Knowledge of the mineral composition, bonding, and textural relationships often explains the resulting physical property values of a refractory and contributes to the interpretation of refractory wear mechanisms occurring in steel plant service.

Jan 1, 1982

By B. Farouk, Y. G. Kim, D. Apelian

"Continuous strip casting has received considerable attention in recent years due to its economic advantages with increased energy savings and the elimination of intermediate processing steps. A promising concept in strip casting is the twin-belt (Hazelett) process which incorporates two cooled continuously moving thin metal belts wrapped around pulleys which tension and drive the belts at a predetermined speed. Molten metal is introduced at the entry end of the caster through a tundish and feeding nozzle into the mold. The twin-belt process has been successfully used with non-ferrous metals such as aluminum, copper and brass, and is a prime candidate for strip casting of ferrous materials. A numerical model has been developed which predicts the interface locations, the temperature fields in the solid and liquid regions of the cast and the velocity fields of the liquid metal at the entrance region of the twin-belt caster. The process variables considered are the velocity and cooling conditions of the belt and the nozzle shape. A body fitted coordinate system is used to track the front locations and to solve .the Navier-Stokes equations in the liquid region. Results obtained can help design efficient casters for thin strip steel castings. The development of the numerical model is presented, and sample results are discussed. I. IntroductionContinuous strip casting of steel has attracted world-wide concerns in recent years due to its economic advantages with increased energy savings and the elimination of intermediate processing steps. New methods of thin strip casting of steel are developing. One of the promising concepts is the Hazelett process, which is being used in nonferrous applications. The process incorporates two continuously moving, intensely cooled, thin metal belts. Metal blocks linked together are sandwiched between the moving belts and form moving side mold walls.In this work, the freezing front position, the temperature field and the liquid region flow field will be analyzed for the strip casting of metal using the twin belt caster (the Hazelett process). Up to now almost all theoretical analyses undertaken of the continuous casting of metal [1-3] have used a heat conduction equation, assuming slug flow in the liquid region. The effect of convection in the liquid pool during continuous casting were first investigated by Szekely and Stanek [4]. They considered potential flow between the feed metal orifice and the liquidus front, and slug flow in the mushy and solid regions of a vertical static continuous casting process for steel. Viscous effects and natural convection affects were not included Kroeger and Ostrach [5] studied the effect of natural convection flow in the liquid pool during solidification for a pure metal."

Jan 1, 1986

By Colin Dessemond

Since 1950, the traditional process has been dominating the production of lithium compounds from spodumene ores to sustain the lithium market because of its economic viability and the markets need for technical grade (99.5% purity) product. This traditional process includes thermal conversion, acid roasting and lithium leaching. However, this process has not been challenged and very few studies have tried to explain its limitation (95% lithium yield) or optimize the thermal treatment. Here, α to β spodumene conversion and lithium extraction were performed in a rotary kiln on a 2 mm to 2 cm spodumene concentrate instead of a micrometric one using a 1050 °C, 30 min conversion treatment and 250 °C, 30 min, 30% H2SO4 excess leaching treatment. X-Ray Diffraction analyses were performed on the converted material to determine the conversion rate by Rietveld analysis. It was observed after thermal treatment that the α-spodumene particles fractured and divided while the impurities remained compact. A sifting was performed after thermal treatment and it was determined that 65% of the initial mass became finer than 180 μm. X-Ray diffraction analyses and lithium content measurement were performed on both fractions and it was determined that the finer fraction had a very high lithium content of 3.24 wt%. Lithium extractions were performed on both fractions separately. While the coarser fraction’s lithium yield was only 61% the finer fraction’s lithium yield went up to 99% without any additional treatment. These observations may open more economical ways for the traditional process by potentially bypassing two third of costly steps such as grinding.

By Makoto Suzuki

After hot rolling, stainless steel strip is processed by the Hot Rolled Annealing and Pickling line (HAP) , where H2SO4 or mixed acid of HNO3 and HF is normally used. In the pickling bath, metal oxide accumulates in the form of sludge, which should be removed from the bath regularly. A new automatic continuous sludge disposal system has been introduced at Chiba Works of Kawasaki Steel Corporation to increase sludge removal efficiency and improve the working environment. The elements of the equipment are as follows. a. Ejectors in pickling bath: to carry the mixed acid into the circulation tank through the piping system. b. Sedimentation bath : to sediment sludge out of the bath. c. Skip conveyer : to convey a specified volume of sludge into a kneading for device for neutralizing. The sludge removal efficiency of this system is very high. and the volume of sludge accumulation in the pickling bath has substantially decreased.

Jan 1, 1996

By A. A. Hejja

The effect of composition on electrical conductivity, viscosity and liquidus temperature of the slags was investigated in the temperature range of 1300" to 1450°C. The synthetic slags containing CaO, MgO, SiO,, A1,0, and FeO were similar to those employed in the electric furnace smelting of sulphide Cu-Ni concentrates containing PGM (Platinum Group Metals) from the Merensky Reef of South Africa. FeO and SiO, were found to affect the viscosity and conductivity the most while liquidus temperature depended on MgO content in addition to these. The activation energy for electrical conduction was found to vary from 67 to 159 kJ/mol and that for viscosity from 125 to 209 kJ/mol. Optimization of the slag composition was attempted on the basis of opposite trend of the viscosity-electrical conductivity relationship with slag composition.

Jan 1, 1994

By Stefan Mutz

In Germany the automobile recycling is regulated by law. Current legislation requires that by the year 2015, eighty five w.-t. % of the components from used cars ill be materially recycled. Whilst for 10 w.-t. % of the materials a thermal utilization is certified, there are still some concrete questions that remain unanswered regarding the usability of single fractions. The recent innovative approaches to the concepts of used cars dismantling do not alter the fact that the majority of the materials of used cars still have to pass over the shredder and the connected processing aggregates. The status of the so called SLF (Shredder light fraction) which is about 25 w.-t. % w.-t. in used cars, has not been satisfactorily clarified. Furthermore questions still remain regarding the separation of the NMSF (nonmagnetic metal shredder fraction) which has to be separated in the single metallic fractions like stainless tell, copper, brass, zinc, etc. Attempts of optimization can be found. This paper analyses some of the difficulties being encountered by the automobile recycling industry in Germany, before reviewing some of the innovative approaches that the industry has introduced. Finally the paper goes on to describe the potential of automatic picking. Examples of a series of tests, utilizing this technology, in which a variety of products from a range of shredders were isolated are described in detail. This new technology provides a range of applications to the automobile recycling industry.

Jan 1, 2002

By Antti Roine

HSC Chemistry is a widely-used therniochemical tool in the chemical and metallurgical industries and in universities. The main reasons for it's popularity is the easy user interface and the large integrated thermochemical database. This paper summarizes the main properties of the new HSC Chemistry version 3.0, and gives a short review of the new features: Some metallurgical applications with the new features are also presented. HSC Chemistry 3:0 contains seven calculation modules and a thermochemical database with more than 11 ,000 chemical compounds. The new spreadsheet type table editor gives more control to the user, the new graphics routines have fewer limitations and more formatting properties. The capability and speed of calculation routines have also been improved.

Jan 1, 1998

By Hong Ouyang

A unified computational model has been developed for the Bridgman growth processes of B-NiAI and CdTe crystals. To handle the geometrical and physical complexities, a two-level approach has been developed. At the gtobatlevel, conjugate heat transfer, phase change dynamics, and variable material properties along with the realistic geometries and thermal boundary conditions are accounted for inside the entire crystal growth system. Refined calculations are then made within the ampoule, with the boundary conditions supplied by the global simulations. This model can optimize the use of computational source, help understand solidification behaviors, and improve designs of crystal growth system.

Jan 1, 1996

By M. Wenzel, Dang Thanh Tung, Nguyen Anh Duc, Nguyen Huu Luong, Dang Van Sy, N. Kelly, K. Gloe, K. Kretschmer, Phuc Nguyen Le, K. Schnaars, S. Robles M, L. Götzke, J. J. Weigand

The recovery of rare earth metals from secondary sources has attracted much attention due to their ever expanding demand in the high-tech industry. The studies reported here focus on the hydrometallurgical recovery of lanthanum and cerium from spent fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) catalysts in a two-step process: leaching with nitric acid and solvent extraction by tri-n-butyl phosphate (TBP) and di(2-ethylhexyl)phosphoric acid (D2EHPA). The experiments show a high dissolution yield of about 93% lanthanum and 42% cerium in a single leaching step with 2 M (126 g/L) HNO3 at 80 °C; only 11% aluminum has been dissolved simultaneously. In the subsequent solvent extraction step the best results for this leach liquor could be achieved using a 1:1 mixture of 25% (v/v) TBP (0.92 M) and 25% (v/v) D2EHPA (0.76 M) in n-decane without the need for any pH adjustment. In that case La(III) and Ce(III) can be extracted with 60% and 74% yield respectively in one stage from the majority of accompanying matrix elements. In particular no extraction of Al(III) could be observed under these conditions.

Jan 1, 2016

By Tadashi Aiura, Yasuhiro Miura

"A small amount(0.2mass%) of Scandium(Sc) was added to the 7.NOl and 5083 Al alloys as a refiner and stabilizer of microstructure, and the resulting microstructures were discussed in comparison with the effects of the conventional additives. The followings are summarized: 1) in the as-solidified structure, a ·decreased tendency of constitutional supercooling and increased solubility of Mg were recognized for the Sc-added 5083 alloy. Sc is a -better microstructure refiner for the 7N01 alloy than Zr, in a sense that it does not suppress the favorable effect of· coexisting Ti. 2) Sc effectively suppresses recrystallization both in the 5083 and 7N01 alloys. 3) The rod like primary Al3Sc crystals formed during solidification, as well as the fine dispersion of Al3Sc precipitates formed by subsequent heat treatment, can act as a strong recrystallization suppresser. IntroductionThe 7N01 and 5083 alloys are the most popular industrial Al alloys and they are widely' used for various structures because of their superior properties. Fine macro and micro structures of the materials are required for obtaining acceptable sec resistance,consistent appearance of anodized surface and good weldability, as well as good mechanical properties. In order to produce fine grain structures, transition metals, such as Cr, Zr, and Mn, have been conventionally added.It has been reported that Sc is an efficient refiner [l, 2] and can be an alternative for the conventional and also suppresses recrystallization in Al alloys [3,4]. Scandium is the lightest transition element and forms an equilibrium intermetallic phase. The equilibrium phase, Ll2-Al3Sc, is coherent with the matrix, and of _spherical shape. A fine dispersion of the spherical precipitates is obtained by quenching and aging after solutionizing annealing. The authors have already reported a part of the experimental results on the effect of Sc on the as homogenized microstructure of the 5083 alloy [5]. In the present study, the effects of Sc on the macro and micro structures of the industrial high strength Al alloys(7N01 and 5083) for extrusion are investigated, and the superior role of Sc as a grain refiner is shown"

Jan 1, 2000

By L. Sh. Tsemekhman

A new technology for the treatment of copper nickel-containing concentrate after high-grade matte flotation to blister copper with the production of liquid silicate slags in a vertical autogenous unit with upper oxygen blow has been considered. The copper and nickel behavior in the process of sulphide copper concentrate interaction with silicate melt containing oxide copper has been studied. The general mechanisms of such interaction are found.

Jan 1, 2003

By Xueming Lv, Xuewei Lv, Jie Qiu, Lunwei Wang

Non-isothermal multiple scanning rate analysis method was used to analyse the solid-state reduction of nickel laterite by carbon. According to the TG curves, the activation energies were calculated and the most probable mechanism functions were determined by the Malek method. The results show that the process can be divided into three stages according to the reaction degree (a): 0–40%, 40–70%, 70–100%, respectively. In the stage of 0 a 0.40, the most probable mechanism function fits the chemical reaction order function. In the stage of 0.40 a 0.70 and 0.70 a 1.0, the process may not be exactly described by one mechanism function.

Mar 1, 2017

By Minh H. Pham

This paper presents a technique for imaging the extent of solidification of molten metal flowing in a cooled pipe based on the concept of eddy currents. A 3D mathematical model, which relates the geometry of solidification to the scattered field induced in a solenoid external to the pipe, is derived. The model is described by a set of integral equations which are solved numerically using the moments method. An iterative algorithm is developed to reconstruct the solidification distribution image. Experimental measurements have shown that the eddy current technique is sufficiently sensitive for practical purposes.

Jan 1, 2001

By George Owusu

A study has been carried out on the use of solvent extraction, instead of the traditional zinc dust cementation process, to remove copper from concentrated zinc sulphate leach solutions. In a series of experiments using plant solution containing 1.9 g/L Cu, 2 g/L Fe, 173 g/L Zn, 7.9 g/L H,SO,, 0.25 g/L Cd, 15 mg/L Co etc. and LIX 622 in SX-1, up to about 97-98 % of copper present in the zinc sulphate leach solution was extracted with negligible co-extractions of zinc, iron, cadmium, cobalt, etc. pH modification was not required for this reagent. The copper loaded organic was almost completely stripped using 150 g/L sulphuric acid. Investigations into the effect of any possible organiclextractant contamination on zinc electrowinning showed (if any) little effect on current efficiency if the organic contamination is less than 45 ppm; current efficiencies of 95-97 % were obtained. At organic contaminations higher than 45 ppm, the current efficiency dropped to about 92- 94 %. Visually, the organic-contaminated cathode sheets had rough surface morphology, becoming more intense with increasing organic concentration, compared to the non-contaminated cathode sheets.

Jan 1, 1998

By S. J. Hogan, T. William

"By the year 2000, the steel industry, not only in the United States but in the rest of the world, will undergo significant changes. On the other hand, there will be a number of areas in which change will be minimal.The current capacity of the industry worldwide is approximately 800-810 million metric tons. This may grow to some extent, as Third World countries install capacity. However, much of it will be neutralized as the industrialized countries shrink their current capacities.There will be several breakthroughs in terms of technology, some of which deal with the production of iron outside of the blast furnace. However, these processes will not be far enough advanced by that time to replace the blast furnace, rather they will supplement it.In terms of steelmaking and the subsequent rolling process, there should be a number of basic improvements. The strip mills will roll sheets with a very slight variance in gauge, which will give the customers a better product for automatic stamping machines. Ordinary carbon steel, in a number of instances, will be replaced by high-strength, low-alloy steel, which will reduce the tonnage necessary for present-day applications, such as construction.The corporate organization will be significantly changed as joint ventures and mergers will reduce the number of companies, as well as facilities in operation. This will enable the industry to reduce its capital investment and improve operating costs, so that it will be able more effectively to compete with other materials, such as plastics, cement, aluminum, etc."

Jan 1, 1988

By Victoria Vaccarezza, Corby Anderson

Due to the demand for rare earth elements for everyday technology and applications, there has been much research initiation into the extraction and recovery of rare earth elements. An otherwise unknown mineral, eudialyte is a zircon silicate consisting of rare earth oxides, specifically the heavy REO yttrium (III), with only trace amounts of thorium and uranium. The first part of this project aimed at finding an efficient way to liberate and upgrade eudialyte to concentrate the REO content. A combination of gravity and magnetic separation techniques were employed, resulting in limited success. The second part looked at the hydrometallurgical processing of eudialyte through various leaching experiments with sulfuric acid. In all, this project will discuss why certain processes were utilized over others, as well as the difficulties that arose during processing.

Mar 1, 2018

By Raj K. Rajamani, James R. Nagel, York R. Smith

In this work, we examine the efficacy of Electrodynamic Eddy Current Separation (EECS) to recover valuable materials from end-of-life solar panels. Traditional rotary-based eddy current separators are capable of excitation frequencies of 1 kHz or less and struggle to economically separate particles smaller than 1 cm. A new design of eddy current separators has been developed at the University of Utah which has no mechanically moving parts. The design is capable of excitation frequencies up to 50 kHz, allowing sorting of particles as small as 1.0 mm. Recently, we have been successful in separating mixtures of Si/Al and CdTe/Al particles (1–3 mm) with recovery and grades greater than 85%, an energy demand of 68 kWh/short ton of sorted material, and throughput of roughly 10 kg/h. Current and future challenges utilizing this method for valuable material recovery from end-of-life solar panels are discussed.

Mar 1, 2017

By T. H. Jeffers

The U.S. Bureau of Mines' Salt Lake City Research Center. has developed porous polymeric beads containing immobilized non-living biological materials for extracting metal contaminants? from wastewater&. Immobilized biological materials include peat moss, algae, biological polymers, and other materials that demonstrate high .affinities for heavy metals. The beads, designated as BIO-FIX beads, have distinct advantages over traditional methods of utilizing biological materials in that they have excellent handling characteristics . and can be used in conventional processing equipment or low-maintenance systems.. Toxic metals such as copper, cadmium, zinc, lead, and mercury are several of the many heavy metals effectively removed from mine wastewater& using B'IO"FIX beads. Continuous cyclic testing indicated that the beads continued to produce treated effluents which met National Drinking Water Standards (NDIJS) after 175 loading-elution cycles, Adsorbed metals were removed from the beads using dilute ?mineral .acids. In many cases" the extracted metals were further concentrated to enable processors to reclaim the metals, thus minimizing the generation of a hazardous sludge. Tests indicated that use of the beads in a low-maintenance system was particularly effective for treating remote acid mine drainage waters? and small toxic seeps from hardrock mining districts ..

Jan 1, 1991