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By Jeong-Soo Sohn

Physical treatment and chemical treatment of spent lithium-ion battery were studied in our research team. Especially we developed two types of acidic leaching for crushed powders containing LiCoO2 of spent lithium ion battery. One of them is sulfuric acid leaching with H2O2 as a reducing agent. The leaching rates of cobalt, lithium and the other metals were above 99 % at the condition of 2 M H2SO4, 10 vol. % H2O2, 75 °C, 300 rpm agitation speed, 250 g/5L solid liquid ratio and 75 minutes reaction time. And the other leaching process is the oxalic acid leaching. In this process more than 99% of Li and less than 1% of Co were dissolved at the condition of 3M oxalic acid, 80°C reaction temperature, 300rpm agitation speed, 50g/L initial solid/liquid ratio and 90min extraction time. Each process has its advantage and disadvantage. In sulfuric acid leaching, leaching reagent is very cheap and cobalt could be recovered into cobalt hydroxide. On the other hand, oxalic acid is more expensive than sulfuric acid but lithium could be dissolved selectively. Also cobalt could be recovered into cobalt oxalate and it could be changed into cobalt oxide after heat treatment. In order to select the effective recycling process, recovery rate and purity of cobalt hydroxide and cobalt oxalate were compared and it was investigated which process was more environment-friendly and economical.

Jan 1, 2006

By Pradeep kumar Jha, Manas Mohan Mahapatra, Sabin Kumar Mishra, Satish Kumar Ajmani, Satish C. Sharma

"Due to mechanical/ electrical failure in the C.C. line or inadequate availability of molten steel from coming ladle, sometimes one/two outlets of a multi-strand tundish in continuous casting unit is closed. Closing any of the outlets affects the flow distribution inside the tundish which in turn governs the quality of steel coming out. Hence it is important to study which of the outlets should be closed to have proper results in terms of flow behavior and inclusion removal inside the tundish. Present study aims at finding the effect of closing one or two outlets on flow behavior and inclusion removal in a multi strand tundish. It was found that closing the near outlet (outlet near to the inlet) increases the inclusion removal tendency than closing the other two outlets in a six-strand billet caster tundish (only three outlets are considered because of symmetry).IntroductionContinuous casting process transforms molten metal into solid on a continuous basis. This process is the most efficient way to solidify large volumes of metal into simple shapes for subsequent processing [1]. Molten metal is tapped into the ladle from furnaces. From the ladle, the hot metal is transferred via a refractory shroud (pipe) to a holding bath called a tundish. The tundish allows a reservoir of metal to feed the casting machine while ladles are switched, thus acting as a buffer of hot metal as well as smoothing out flow, regulating metal feed to the moulds and cleaning the metal [2]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Chunyang Guan, Jilai Xue, Jun Zhu, Qiaochu Liu

"Al-Sc Alloys have showed many advanced properties for a wide range of industrial application, which is usually produced using thermal reduction process. This work is aimed to develop an electrochemical process to make Al-Sc alloy using industrial Hall aluminum reduction cells. The experiments have been carried out in a lab cell where NaF/AlF3-Al2O3-LiF as electrolyte, Sc2O3 as raw material, and liquid aluminum as cathode were used at operating temperature of 950 °C. The resulting Al contained 0.2 - 0.5 wt.% Sc that is the common range in its content for advanced applications. However, a small fraction of Sc was found from thermal reduction at Al melts interface. SEM-EDS and ICP-AES analysis showed a uniformed distribution of Sc at varying locations of the Al-Sc alloy sample. In addition, a higher Sc content in Al-Sc alloy can be obtained with introducing ultrasound through the cathode than that without it.IntroductionIn recent years, scandium has been investigated as an alloying element for aluminum alloys. With addition of a small amount of Sc, Al alloys can improve the strength, weld ability, resistance to re-crystallization and corrosion resistance [1-3]. Due to their advanced properties and potential applications, the demand for Al-Sc alloys will increase in the future. However, the difficulties in reduction technologies and the high costs in production process may limit their expansion in application areas.The current major method of producing Al-Sc alloys is to mix Sc into Al by melting Al-Sc master alloy. This alloying process has several technical problems, such as easy segregating and heavy burning loss, etc. The price of Sc metal or starting material is also high, so the mixing process is an expensive alloying method. Molten salt electrolysis is alternative method to prepare RE metal and RE alloys [4, 5]. It also can reduce the segregation of alloying elements. Sc2O3 is an ideal material as raw material with low price and decomposition voltage. Some work has proved that Al-Sc alloys can be obtained by electrolysis Sc2O3 directly in cryolite [6-8], or CaCl2 molten salt [9]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Hiroshi Maeta, Takao Kino, Hirota Osono, Kikuo Matsusaka, Azusa Shida

"Prior to refine an ultra-high purity material, it is necessary to estimate the surface cleanness of a base material. In this report, the cleaning method of a surface for refining of an ultra-high purity aluminum has been studied. Aluminum sample of 99.999% purity was p9lished mechanically and electrically and washed with various solvents. Surface composition and a depth profile near the surface were examined. Based on the experimental results, surface structure of an ultra-high purity aluminum was discussed.IntroductionRecently, studies on high purity metals have become of interest, and we have reported .various properties of an ultra- high purity aluminum1- 2)In order to purify a metal, it is necessary to clean a work area and to make vacuous as possible. So, we are studying the purification of aluminum by an ultra-high vacuum refining system and a zone refining system set up in a clean room with cleanliness class of 1000.Now, in order to avoid a mixing of impurities into the refining metal, a surface cleanness of a base metal is very important factor. The purity of the base aluminum used our work is 99.999%, but the surface state of the base aluminum is not clear. Aims in this work .are to investigate the surface state and to obtain the cleaning method of the base aluminum.Experimental procedureSamples used in this work were 99.9% (3N), 99.99%(4N) and 99.999% (SN) aluminum produced industrially and 99.9999% (6N) aluminum purified by us."

Jan 1, 2000

By D. J. Wang

Based on the thermodynamic arid kinectic aspects, the vaccum distillation processes for the separation and recovery of metals from wastes are analyzed. As to the separation criteria, The separation coefficient and equilibrium composition relation between vapor phase and liquid phase are the bases of recovery of metals by vacuum distillation, The vaporization rates and condensation mechanisms are also discussed. Some experimental results which deal with metals-containing wastes are described and the performances of a new kind of horizontal vacuum furnace are introduced, which demonstrate that , vacuum distillation may be a prospective technique for circulation and regeneration of some non-ferrous metals from industrial wastes.

Jan 1, 1996

By George S. Dulikravich

An advanced semi-stochastic algorithm for constrained multi-objective optimization has been adapted and combined with experimental testing and verification to determine optimum concentrations of alloying elements in heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant H-Series austenitic stainless steel alloys. The objective was to simultaneously maximize a number of alloy's mechanical properties. This research will result in a rigorous tool for the design of high-strength H-Series steels and other types of alloys unattainable by any means existing at the present time. Such a material-by-design tool will also be able to reduce or minimize the need for the addition of expensive elements such as Cr, Ni, Co, Nb, Ti, V, etc. and still obtain the optimum properties of an alloy.

Jan 1, 2003

By Zhang Libo, Wang Xin, Peng Jin-hui, Ju Shaohua, Guo Sheng-hui, Xu Lei, Huang Meng-yang

"China is lacking high grade titanium ores. This work intends to leach impurities such as Fe, Ca and Mg from a low grade titanium ore, to increase the grade. The original material contained 65% TiO2 , 16.12% Fe, 9.4% CaO + MgO, 4.2% SiO2, 1.25% A12O3, and the particle size is between 0.053-0.045mm. Microwave energy was used to enhance the leaching effect. The results showed that when normal heating was used to leach the mineral, the extraction of impurities Fe, Ca and Mg was very low. However, when microwave energy is introduced, the extraction of Fe, Ca and Mg increased dramatically. The optimized conditions are: relative power 5W/g, the ratio of concentrate to HC1 isl5%, leaching at 160°C for 20 min with a ratio of liquid to solid 12:1 mL/g. The material obtained under these conditions contains 92.73% TiO2, 0.207% Ca + Mg, 0.8% Fe, with 94.6% Ti recovery. The poduct meets with the quality for boiling chlorine.IntroductionThe resources of titanium are very abundant, and are distributed all over the world. There are almost 140 minerals containing TiO2 with a content of more than 1%. However, there are only several minerals which can be used for producing sponge titanium. They are mainly rutile and ilmenite. The grade of nature rutile concentrates is higher than 95% TiO2, and it is a high quality raw material. But the resources of nature rutile are relatively low; after mining for many years, its resources are exhausting gradually. Although ilmenite reserves are great, ilmenite cannot be used as a raw material because of its low content of TiO2, only 45-70%; also it has a high impurity content of Ca, Mg and Fe. In these years, there is a tendency for titanium industry to use high grade concentrate."

Jan 1, 2012

By V. B. Telles, D. C. R. Espinosa, J. A. S. Tenório

"The purpose of this work was to study the reutilization of the steelmaking dust, derived from steel production in the electric arc furnace (EAF), in iron ore sintering process aiming zinc elimination. In each sintering process were collected sintered samples, these materials were analyzed by chemical analysis using atomic absorption spectrophotometry in order to determine the zinc content. Samples of not sintered mixtures were also characterized by chemical analysis aiming to determine the initial amounts of zinc, i.e. in order to check the zinc amounts present in the mixture before the sintering process. The comparation among the zinc contents of samples sintered and not sintered allowed to determine the elimination of zinc during the experiments. Results showed that the zinc elimination in the process is proportional to the ratio reducer/waste. The zinc removal was lower when the reducer/waste ratio was decreased.IntroductionThe electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) is a residue generated in the steelmaking process using electric arc furnace. Aproximately 30% of all steel produced (in the year 2009) was obtained through electric arc furance (EAF). In the United States of America the percentage of this process in the total crude steel production was about 62% in 2009, while in 2000 this percentage was only 47% [1].The iron ore sintering is a process that reuses wastes generated in metallurgical industries. However, the materials used must be physical and chemical characteristics compatible with the blast furnaces.The quantity of zinc, cadmium, chrome and other metals present in the EAFD depends on the quality of the scrap used to feed the EAF and the type of steel that it is been made [2,3]. The reuse of EAFD waste is interesting to steelmaking processes because of its iron content. However the presence of zinc inside a blast furnace is undesirable since the zinc oxide can be deposited on the blast furnace walls and in the drivers of gas output, interrupting the flow. Another part of the zinc oxide can form deposits on the refractory lining of the blast furnace [4,5]."

Jan 1, 2012

By J. P. Schde

The authors deal with nickel production and usage patterns, nickel's first-use and end-use, examples of nickel applications in modern technology, e.g., energy generation and conservation, environmental protection, the oil and gas industry, construction and machinery, food production, conservation and distribution, consumer durables and the like. A special section of the paper is devoted to new applications of nickel in the electronic industry, modern corrosion control and the building and construction industries. The need to defend traditional markets for nickel while striving to find new applications, is also stressed.

Jan 1, 1988

By Anastasia Alksnis

Pyrrhotite is an iron deficient, low nickel content sulfide mineral that is commonly associated with pentlandite, a nickel-rich sulfide; and are both main components of the nickel ore mined in Sudbury. Pyrrhotite tailings generated in the concentration of Ni ores are stored in tailing reservoirs and presents serious environmental risks including acid mine drainage. This study investigated the potential of converting pyrrhotite into a valuable resource through the use of fluidized bed roasting, in which the mineral will be oxidized to produce iron oxide and SO2 gas. These products can then be used to create iron for high-grade steel and elemental sulfur. Thermogravimetric analysis of Sudbury pyrrhotite was performed to study the oxidation kinetics, supporting the feasibility of this process. Further, energy and materials balance was carried out to establish the basic parameters of a possible roasting process.

Mineralogical and metallurgical scoping testwork were carried out to investigate the production of separate, marketable gold and platinum concentrates. The study utilized a flotation concentrate assaying approximately 5 wt% gold and 5 grams per tonne platinum. The gold-platinum mineralization was recovered from a placer deposit. Optical microscopy and scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive x-ray analysis identified gold as zoned Au- Ag and Au-Ag-Cu alloys. Platinum primarily occurred as weakly zoned, variably magnetic Pt- Pd-Fe alloys. A combination of gravity and magnetic separations resulted in a gold concentrate grading 86.9 wt% Au (and 9.lwt% Ag) and a separate platinum concentrate grading 400 g/t Pt with recoveries of 94.5% and 96.7%, respectively. Magnetohydrostatic separation (MHS) using the Magstream 200 Separator indicated promising results.

Jan 1, 1994

By Ravinder N. Reddy

Electrochemical capacitors are charge storage devices. They bridge the gap between dielectric capacitors and batteries in terms of energy and power density. Electrochemical capacitors are classified into two types, electrochemical double layer capacitors (EDLCs) and capacitors based on pseudocapacitance. In EDLC, charge is stored at the interface between electrode and electrolyte. Carbon is considered to be prime electrode material for EDLCs due to its many favorable characteristics. In this study carbon materials are derived from thermal decomposition of catechol- formaldehyde polymers and are studied as electrode material for electrochemical double layer capacitors. Carbon electrode surface is characterized using NOVA 1200 gas sorption analyzer. It is also characterized using XRD and SEM. Carbon electrodewaselectrochemically characterized using cyclic voltammetry (CV). A highest capacitance of 110 F/g was observed in 30 wt% H2SO4.

Jan 1, 2006

By Jian Li, S. Penttilä, P. Liu, W. Zheng, C. Bibby

"The materials selection for Gen IV supercritical water reactor in-core components faces major challenges due to severe operating condition. The current Canadian pressure-tube supercritical water (SCW) concept design requires core outlet temperature of 650 °C at 25 MPa with peak cladding temperature reaching as high as 850 °C. Aside from oilier challenges, there is currently very limited data on candidate stainless steels' corrosion resistance under this operating condition. Austenite stainless steels that include 316L, 304H, AL6XN and 3 l0S that cover a wide range of Cr contents are promising candidates for either direct in core applications or as base coating materials. However, their corrosion resistance has not been tested systematically under this stringent condition. In this study, these types of stainless steels are tested, and their corrosion resistances are compared.IntroductionThe Canadian pressure-tube supercritical water (SCW) concept will operate at a core outlet temperature of 650 °C at a pressure of 25 MPa, with potential peak cladding temperature reaching as high as 850 °C. High-temperature corrosion resistance is one of the key design requirements for fuel cladding components. As summarized by Allen [1 ], most testing to date has been carried out at temperatures below 730 °C. To date, SCW corrosion data above 600 °C is very limited. Even at relatively low temperature exposure to SCW (e.g. 500 °C), F/M steels develop a thick oxide layer rapidly, while some austenitic stainless steels develop thinner surface oxide. Ni based alloys appear to form very thin surface oxide, however pitting was observed in the vicinity of intermetallic precipitates [2-5]. Dissolution of major alloying components from all of these alloys could also pose significant problems for downstream piping [6]. Kaneda et al. [7] suggested some modified stainless steels provide better SCW general corrosion resistance, with no sign of SCC under the slow-strain rate test.Cho [8] suggested that as the Cr content increase, general corrosion resistance improved at 510 °C and 25 MPa. However, similar to Cho's work, most of the SCW corrosion resistance assessments were based on weight change measurement. This can be unreliable due to potential exfoliation of thick oxide film. Besides, there have been no systematic SCW corrosion resistance tests for candidate stainless steels under higher temperatures. SCW corrosion rate increase dramatically for alloys tested at 600 °C [1]. It is also important to understand the role of major alloying elements under this stringent operating condition, not only for fuel cladding components' materials selection, but also for coating materials development."

Jan 1, 2013

By E. S. Geskin, W. L. Chen, A. Vora

"This paper is concerned with the application of an abrasive waterjet for metal shaping. The waterjet cutting technology uses water compressed to the pressure up to 55,000 psia which is accelerated in a cylindric nozzle. Abrasive particles are then supplied into the water stream and accelerated by the water. Cutting occurs via the interaction between the water-particles stream and a workpiece that causes material erosion at the impingement zone. The mechanism of this interaction enables shaping of practically any material with a minimal effect on the metallurgy of subsurface. The motion of the jet penetrating through a material body is guided by a robotic arm. A waterjet cutter is becoming one of the principal tools for shaping titanium, super-alloys and other hard-to-machine metals and composites. The shaping, resulting from the waterjet cutter, is very similar to laser beam cutting. However, unlike laser processing, there is no damage to the subsurface structure.The presented work discusses the experimental study of cutting of titanium plates. The results of these experiments demonstrate the potential of the abrasive waterjet as a shaping tool. IntroductionOne of the main avenues in the development of metal shaping is the use of high energy beams as cutting tools (1,2). There are a number of advanced beam oriented material removal technologies, such as laser, electron beam, plasma and abrasive waterjet (AWJ) cutting. The advantages of AWJ cutting are well understood and documented (3-14). This technology has the potential of becoming the principal tool for netshaping and netsurfacing of parts. However, the use of AWJ is currently limited to cutting of hard-to-machine materials such as titanium, superalloys, glass, composites, etc. The cost of A W J cutting is much higher and the productivity is much lower than those of the thermal cutting. At the same time abrasive waterjet can be used for shaping any existing technological material from fabrics, plastics, aluminum to glass, composites, and diamonds. The material losses during AWJ shaping are minimal. The roughness and waveness of the surfaces generated during AWJ cutting are substantially less than those of the thermal cutting. Due to the size of the jet cross-section total force exerted by the jet on a workpiece does not exceed 30-50 newtons. This terminates the need in the use of complex fixture for material holding. Low applied forces and low surface temperature prevent the damage of metal subsurface in the course of cutting. The small size of the impingement area will determine the limited width of the kerf. Due to the size of kerf and unidirectional character of the water jet the formation of practically any metal contour is possible."

Jan 1, 1988

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 Bryce Clark

An outline of the current world's known sources and resources of cobalt, looking at both land and possible undersea deposits, is given as a prelude to an examination of current and historical actual world production on geographic/company basis. These production figures will be compared to apparent consumption by segments, both geopraghically and end-use based. Consumption of cobalt has been regarded as price sensitive and a historical look at prices against all other figures will be considered. Included in this scenario will be a brief overview of cobalt's uses and a comment on future trends. Tables will include: Resources, Production, Consumption, Prices, Markets.

Jan 1, 1993

By Zhijing Zhang

A thermodynamic structure model for alkali borate melts is developed to describe the distribution of structural groups in the alkali borate melts as a function of compositions. Fractions of threefold coordinated boron atoms and fourfold coordinated boron atoms in the potassium borate melt are calculated for the entire composition range and compared with results reported in the literature. The model has been used for structural interpretation for the borate anomaly in viscosity, which regards the borate anomaly as a manifestation of the various antithetical effects caused by the introduction of alkali oxide into boric oxide. It has been found that the viscosities of alkali borate melts increase or decrease according to the changes in rigidity and spatial connectivity of the glass network structure, which is a function of temperature and composition.

Jan 1, 2001

By Marco A. S. Aguiar, Luis G. S. Sobral, Vânia Mori, Paulo A. Medeiros da Silva

"Copper occurs in the crust of the earth, predominantly, as sulphides. Among the copper sulphide minerals, the chalcopyrite is the most abundant and the most refractory to the conventional oxidative processes. This work aims at developing an electrolytic process for treating a copper sulphides flotation concentrate, more precisely chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) and bornite (Cu5FeS4) in the percentages of 70 and 30%, respectively.This paper presents a low-cost operational electroleaching process for treating copper sulphides flotation concentrates, with a high chalcopyrite content. This research practical work aims at improving the copper extraction from that sulphide mineral, in a relatively short time with low-operating cost taking into consideration the influence of a cationic surfactant. The electrolyte of the electrolytic reaction system was a 2,0 mol.L-1 NaCl solution containing CTAB, a cationic surfactant. The electroleaching system contains one DSATM (dimensionally stable anode) anode and two nickel or copper foams (threedimension electrodes. During the electroleaching process the chloride ions are oxidized to chlorine at the anode surface, which in contact with the aqueous phase generate enough hypochlorite ions to oxidize chalcopyrite.The copper ions released from the chemical oxidation process are reduced at the cathode surface as metallic copper."

Jan 1, 2008

By Norbert L. Piret

From the copper smelter operation a various outputs are to exert negative impacts on the environment. Particularly, emissions like SO2 and dusts, solid wastes like contaminated gypsum and arsenic sludge, effluents and heated cooling water are generated. Most countries have sitipulated an environmental legislation to provide the framework for an efficient environmental management. As part of the planning activities for x major greenfield copper smelter, the Following elaborations are required and were drawn up. -The Environmental Impact Assessment which is the first step of environmental management and mandatory for every new project. - The Environmental Monitoring Plan, which describes the monitoring procedures for the main impacts identified and assessed. -The Environmental Management Plan, which deals with the minimization of environmental impacts, and the methods of its implementation.

Jan 1, 1996

By James B. Pfeiffer

TETRA Technologies, Inc., has applied its HDS? metals precipitation system to control a mine drainage problem. The effluent from the mine contains primarily zinc, manganese and iron, plus varying small amounts of cadmium, copper and lead. The flow from the mine averages 350 gpm, and varies considerably depending on season and weather conditions. The plant was designed to treat 1000 gpm of the water and generate a dense sludge suitable for recycling. The HDS? system contains a number of reactors, followed by post filtration and meets stringent metals discharge criteria as specified by New Source Performance Standards.

Jan 1, 1994