Search Documents

By L. Escudero-Castejon, S. Sanchez-Segado, A. Jha, Y. Hara, S. Parirenyatwa

In a world where declining ore grades are increasingly common, it has become necessary to process low-grade feedstock. Carbothermic reduction in the presence of alkali (Na2CO3) has been adapted to beneficiate waste that contains titaniferous minerals (TiO2 ca. 12 wt%), in order to recover valuable constituents such as TiO2, Fe and V2O5. The waste from vanadium metal processing has environmental legacy as it leaves nearly 1 wt% V2O5 process waste, which is environmentally problematic due to V5+ ions in contact with water and soil. This investigation focuses on the kinetics and mechanism for alkali reduction of mineral waste bearing 10–12 wt% TiO2, which we studied in the 1073–1323 K range. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) technique was used to record weight loss data. Two distinct regimes demonstrated mixed-control kinetics: (1) at low temperatures the activation energy was found to be 199 kJ mol−1, which corresponds to the outward diffusion of O2− ions; and (2) at high temperatures the calculated value was 130 kJ mol−1, which is consistent with the activation energy for the outward diffusion of Fe2+ ions. The metallic iron, sodium titanate and sodium aluminosilicate phases that formed were characterised using X-ray powder diffraction (XPRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) techniques, and their significance for metal recovery is explained.

Mar 1, 2017

By Md. Z. Quadir, M. Ashraf, A. A. H. Ameri, J. P. Escobedo-Diaz

The quasi-static mechanical response of hot rolled lean duplex stainless steel 2101 (LDSS 2101) in rolling, transverse and normal directions under compression loading has been investigated for its perceived anisotropic behaviour. Microstructural characterization is performed by optical microscopy and Electron Back Scatter Diffraction (EBSD) to qualitatively define the influence of the texture by using Taylor factor and grain sizes, and phase boundaries by utilizing the modified Hall-Petch formula. It was observed that LDSS2101 does not show anisotropic behaviour in terms of the mechanical strength but it has a clear anisotropy in the lateral strains; the microstructural explanation of this response may result from the phase boundaries strengthening.

Mar 1, 2017

By M. Ashraf, P. J. Hazell, A. A. H. Ameri, J. P. Escobedo-Diaz, N. N. Elewa

A novel methodology to estimate the dislocation density in cubic metals by using microhardness measurements has been established. The proposed methodology is based on the Indention Size Effect (ISE) phenomena and strengthening mechanisms of materials at the micro-level. The methodology was validated by using experimental data of lean duplex stainless steel 2101 alloy. The results are confirmed via X-ray diffraction measurements and they substantiate that the proposed approach can be used as a general method to estimate dislocation density in metals.

Mar 1, 2017

By Lingzhi Yang, Feng Chen, Yufeng Guo, Tao Jiang, Zeqiang Xie

Zinc ferrite (ZnFe2O4), one of the major forms of zinc in Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) dust and zinc leaching residue, is very difficult to chemically dissolve in either acidic or alkaline solutions. In spite of the zinc resources in the Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) dust and zinc leaching residue are abundant, there is no mature utilization technology. This situation not only causes the waste of resources, but also produces the harm to the environment. In the paper, the basic principle of this process has been established by revealing the phase equilibria in the CaO–Fe2O3–ZnO system, where Ca2Fe2O5 can be in equilibrium with ZnO rather than ZnFe2O4 at higher CaO region. It has also been demonstrated that the formed ZnO can be solved by ammonia-leaching and Ca2Fe2O5 keep in solid residue, which can be used as a flux for steel refining.

Mar 1, 2017

By Xuyang Liu, Xuewei Lv, Yu Zhang, Xiaolong Wu, Chunxin Li

Titanium nitride is a broad-spectrum specific functional material because of its many superior properties. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate synthesis methods of TiN and alloys containing TiN reinforcement. In the current study, with the increase of nitrogen gas pressure and the optimization of routine ball milling parameters, the conventional mechanical ball-milling method can be improved, the nanometers TiH2-TiN composite powder can be synthesized successfully in a shorter time. Nitrogen gas filled in ball mill jar in which the pressure was 0.6 MPa. TiH2 powder was milled under nitrogen atmosphere at a spinning rate of 250 rpm. The results show that the stable TiN is formed after grinding for 2.5 h according to the X-ray diffraction pattern. DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) curves also indicate that milled compound powder adsorbs certain nitrogen gas. The gas adsorbed in TiH2-TiN composite can exist stably below 200 °C.

Mar 1, 2017

By Giacobbe Braccio, Alessandro Blasi, Assunta Romanelli, Massimo Morgana, Corradino Sposato

The solvent extraction technique is the only industrial way used to separate and purificate yttrium from other rare earths. In order to improve this process several extractants have been tested during last years. In this work, the behavior of sec-octylphenoxy acetic acid (CA-12) in Yttrium recovery from high concentrated heavy rare earth mixture was investigated. Sodium hydroxide solution was used in order to presaponify organic phase composed by CA-12 and Tributyl phosphate (TBP) diluted in kerosene. In the investigated condition, TBP confirmed its role of phase modifier not significantly altering the extraction behavior of CA-12. The CA-12-TBP system showed a high affinity in extraction for lighter rare earths such as Sm, Eu, and Gd, leaving yttrium in aqueous phase. Using a feed concentration (P [RE]) of 1 M, organic mixture is capable to extract around the 70% of metals in a single extraction test showing this extraction sequence Y < Lu < Yb < Tm < Er < Ho < Dy < Tb < Gd < Eu < Sm. Moreover for [CA-12] = 1.79 M and [RE] = 2 M the instability of extraction system occurs.

Mar 1, 2017

By Motang Tang, Chaobo Tang, Shenghai Yang, Lulu Guo, Yun Li, Yongming Chen, Jing He

A new innovative process for one-step and cleaner extraction of lead from spent lead-acid battery by reductive sulfur-fixing smelting was presented. This paper summarized and discussed several potential sulfur-fixing agents and molten salts which can be used in this new technique. Thermodynamic analysis involving reaction mechanism, ΔGT and predominance-area diagrams of different smelting systems were performed, respectively. The results proved the technical feasibility and high-efficiency of this process. Copper oxide ash (CuO), zinc oxide ash (ZnO) and iron oxide bearing residues (FexOy) can be used as sulfur-fixing agent to extract lead through exchange reactions. Sulfur-fixed efficiency of CuO, ZnO and FeO decrease slightly in turn. Sulfur contained in PbSO4 is fixed in form of Cu2S, ZnS and FeS respectively which avoids SO2 emission. The addition of molten salt can significantly decrease temperature of reductive sulfur-fixing reactions. Molten salt can be regenerated and recycled in smelting system after filtering solid residues.

Mar 1, 2017

By Andrea R. Kim, Ramana G. Reddy

Electrodeposition of cobalt from cobalt chloride using the urea and the choline chloride ionic liquid (2:1 molar ratio) was studied to search the optimized parameters for the higher current efficiency. The cyclic voltammetry was tested with 0.2 MCoCl2 using various scan rates to determine the reduction potential in Urea/ChCl at 323 K. Based on the data from cyclic voltammetry test, the transfer coefficient and the diffusion coefficient were calculated as 0.22 and 3.38 × 10−6 cm2/s, respectively. The parameters for electrodeposition of cobalt were various temperatures (323 –383 K), applied potentials (2.4 –3.3 V), and concentration of CoCl2 (0.2–0.5 mol/L). Current efficiency and energy consumption were calculated to investigate the optimal condition for the electrodeposition of cobalt. The highest current efficiency (95%) was obtained under the temperature 323 K, the applied voltage 2.7 V, and concentration 0.5 mol/L of CoCl2. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used for the characterization of cobalt deposits.

Mar 1, 2017

By Senlin Cui, In-ho Jung

Significant amount of commercial aircrafts will be retired in 2020, and the recycling of Al components in such aircrafts becomes an important issue in aerospace and Al industry. Recycling of Al from obsoleted Al products can effectively reduce the energy consumption and CO2 emission which is more economical and ecofriendly. In the present study, thermodynamic analysis for the various recycling technologies of Al alloys were performed based on the comprehensive and accurate thermodynamic database. The recycling technologies reviewed in this work include the vaporization process to reduce Zn, precipitation process to reduce Fe, Mn, Si, Ti, Zr, flux treatment for Al 2O3 and MgO, etc. Several key issues and limitation of the recycling of the aircraft Al were discussed. The recycling technologies discussed can also be utilized to recycle other Al alloys for common usage. All the thermodynamic calculations were performed using the FactSage FTlite database.

Mar 1, 2017

By K. Adham, T. Buchholz

Debottlenecking of high temperature processes within an existing metallurgical plant can significantly increase the throughput to meet new production demands. Modeling and simulation can help to fulfil that aim through incremental changes and operational improvements, rather than the more expensive option of building new plants and facing new environmental and infrastructure challenges. This paper describes a methodology of how modeling tools can be used to simulate the processing steps, how to estimate their existing and ultimate capacities, and how to determine the minimum cost points for a plant capacity expansion. This technique is presented through a generic description that can be applied to different metallurgical processing studies. We start with heat-and-mass balances, draw a bottleneck diagram, brainstorm capacity increase options, and prepare a cost-capacity curve. Hatch has successfully applied this technique to a number of plant capacity studies, with great benefits to our industrial clients (Adhametal et al. in A Success Path from Process R&D to Commercial Plants, Montreal, Canada, [1]).

Mar 1, 2017

By Wenqiang Bao, Qijie Zhai, Ting Wang, Shaobo Zheng, Huigai Li

The type of inclusions with different sizes in as-cast low carbon steel strip which is deoxidized by Si–Mn has been characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). SEM observation and analysis suggested that the type of inclusions larger than 1 μm is manganese silicate. TEM analysis was carried out to investigate the composition and structure of nano-inclusions. Inclusions with diameter about 100 nm are manganese silicate, MnS–Si(Mn)Ox complex particles and isolated cubic Al2O3. Furthermore, HREM observations have revealed that there were two kinds of ultrafine particles in size range of 5–10 nm. One is spherical monoclinic Cu2S; the other is silicon-iron oxide particles with morphology of long strip. In addition, some thermodynamic calculations were performed to explain the corresponding relation between the type of inclusions and their size.

Mar 1, 2017

By Gökhan Hardal, Berat Yüksel Price

Nickel manganite based negative temperature coefficient (NTC) thermistors have good temperature sensor characteristics and electrical stability for temperature measurement applications. In this study, the electrical and microstructural properties of Ni0.5Co0.5Cu0.3Zn0.3Mn1.4O4 NTC thermistor were investigated. The samples were fabricated by the conventional solid-state reaction method. The powders were calcinated at 900 °C for 2 h and the samples were sintered at 1200 and 1300 °C for 5 h in air. The bulk density of samples was 5.07 and 4.96 g/cm3, respectively. The microstructure of samples was observed using a scanning electron microscope. The electrical resistance was measured in a temperature programmable furnace between 25 and 85 °C. The electrical resistivity of the Ni0.5Co0.5Cu0.3Zn0.3Mn1.4O4 sample increased from 52 Ω cm to 95 Ω cm when the sintering temperature increased from 1200 to 1300 °C. The material constant “B”, sensitivity coefficient “α” and activation energy “Ea” values were also calculated for the NTC thermistors.

Mar 1, 2017

By José Palacios, Mario Sánchez, Fernando Parada

As an alternative method of reducing the large amount of slag generated during metallurgical processes in the primary copper production, it is to use the remaining iron in the slag as feed material for the iron and steel industry. The slag is generated during copper concentrates smelting in ratios ranging from 2 to 5 ton per ton of produced copper, and it contains 42–45% of iron. However, copper, sulfur and other detrimental elements affecting iron properties need to be reduced prior to use the slag in steel production. Therefore, some laboratory experimental run has been conducted to reduce copper by slag oxidation followed by leaching and recovering the dissolved copper by SX-EW, and smelting the solid with coke to produce a metallic phase containing 98% iron and 0.9% molybdenum. In further reducing steps, copper content is lower down and a molybdenum rich iron phase is obtained. Recovery of iron from copper slags considering reduction and control of harmful elements for iron properties was studied.

Mar 1, 2017

By Mao Chen, Baojun Zhao, Xiangfeng Cheng, Zhixiang Cui, Leonel Contreras, Anh Nguyen

Smelting is an important process in copper production to produce matte and slag.The slag,containing about 1–12% Cu can be further processed to recover the copper contaminated, but recycle of the slag concentrate reduces overall productivity and efficiency of the operation. The best solution is to minimize the copper loss to the slag. The entrained matte droplets in copper smelting slag may originate from a few sources. The present study aims to investigate possible copper matte loss mechanisms by visualization of room temperature experiments and high-temperature examination. It is believed that the gas bubbles from the matte phase disperse the matte droplets into the slag causing entrained matte in slag. Analyses of quenched slags from industrial operation and laboratory experiments confirmed that matte droplets in the slag are extensively associated with the gas bubbles. Water model is used to simulate the procedure and the bubble behaviors at the liquid-liquid interface are observed experimentally with a high-speed camera.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shiju Zhang, Yongnian Dai, Songli Liu, Kuisong Zhu, Wenhui Ma, Li Cao

There is an abundance of vanadium-titanium magnetite in Panzhihua, China, which contains more than 8.73 x 10^8 tons of TiO2 accounting for 90.6% of the national reserves. To fully utilize Panzhihua titanium resources, many processes were proposed. The present status and future development of technologies for comprehensive utilization of vanadium-titanium magnetite including blast furnace, electric smelting, and ilmenite upgrading processes are reviewed.

Mar 1, 2017

By K. C. Chou

The surface effect is one of fundamental topics in physical chemistry that has been studied over decades. However, its effect has been neglected in metallurgy researches and industry applications in the past years. With the progress of science and technology in metallurgy, the consideration of surface effect to the metallurgical processes has been paid more and more attention. In this report, it is shown that, how this factor affects the physicochemical properties of metallurgical processes and how to derive some new and more correct theoretical formulae for its application. Besides, some new technique related to the application of this factor in the experiment has also been developed for both fundamental research and industry applications. It is hoped that these progresses will promote some new developments both in fundamental and industrial applications for metallurgy processes.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shadia J. Ikhmayies

In this work the equilibrium temperature-composition phase diagrams of the Si-O2 system were calculated using Thermo-Calc software in the temperature range 500–3000 K. Constituents of stable phases were obtained, and the amounts of certain phases where investigated with the variations in the composition of oxygen and temperature. It is found that quartz with silicon represent a stable phase in the temperature range 500–1150 K, while tridymite with silicon represent a stable phase in the temperature range 1150–1700 K. A liquid phase is found besides tridymite in the temperature range 1700–1750 K, and a stable phase of cristobalite with liquid appears in the temperature range 1750–2000. The maximum amounts of quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite are found at oxygen mole percent of 67.7%.

Mar 1, 2017

By Vineet Kumar Yadav, Akshay Dvivedi, Pradeep Kumar

Near-dry electric discharge machining (EDM) is a process variant of EDM, which uses two-phase flow of liquid and gas as dielectric medium. This article reports the results of an investigation pertaining to the drilling of holes on high speed steel (T2 grade) by a rotary tool near-dry EDM. The One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) approach was used for experimentation. The effects of process parameters, viz. tool rotation speed, peak current, pulse duration, gas pressure and liquid flow rate on material removal rate (MRR) and overcut were investigated. The dielectric medium used was a mixture of glycerin-air. The experimental results reveal that rotation of the tool electrode along with high pressure of two-phase dielectric medium contribute in an effective flushing of inter electrode gap (IEG). Further, in rotary tool near-dry EDM process, higher values of current can be used. This improves process economics in terms of MRR. The MRR measured with rotary tool near-dry EDM was three to four times higher in comparison with conventional EDM. Additionally, appreciable surface quality was achieved.

Mar 1, 2017

By S. Jolivet, A. Klöfverskjöld, P. Latostenmaa, B. P. Wilson, M. Lundström, P. Halli

Doré slag is secondary product of copper electrore fining anode slime treatment. The slag consists mainly of different slag formers, such as borax and silica based minerals together with soda and traces of sealing materials. However, Doré slag also contains metals present in the anode slime, such as Ag, Cu, Bi, Sb and Te. At some plants, slag cleaning has been conducted utilizing conventional grinding and flotation circuits in order to enrich the content of precious metals in the slag [1]. Nevertheless, the routine consideration of the slag as a secondary raw material has so far not been adopted on an industrial scale. The current study presents the preliminary results of the nitric acid and chloride leaching of antimony from Doré slag. Chemical and mineralogical analyses (SEM-EDS, AAS, XRD) were performed for the raw material, leaching residue, and leaching solution in order to ascertain the metal recovery and kinetics during leaching.

Mar 1, 2017

By Ze-Qiang Xie, Bai-hui Wang, Feng Chen, Ling-zhi Yang, Yu-feng Guo

In this paper, based on the big data in steelmaking process, equation about the relationship between steel composition (especially the oxygen content) and the element yield is established by using mathematical analysis method to analyze the factors influencing yield. Meanwhile, combining the alloy yield data-base that were established based on self-learning of historical data and computer technology in steelmaking process, a method of yield prediction of alloy elements is studied. To provide support for this method, alloying elements yield prediction software is developed to realize the rapid and intuitive site operation guidance, and to realize the precise control of dosage of alloy material.

Mar 1, 2017