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By Jian Li, Pei Liu

In recent years, focused ion beam (FIB) has become a powerful microscopy tool. Creating large FIB cross sections are often required to characterize important microstructure features e.g. the depth and morphology of pitting corrosion and stress corrosion cracking in natural gas pipeline steels. Large FIB sectioning often takes long time that not only occupy valuable FIB microscope time, but also consume often expensive consumables that include gallium ion source, aperture and deposition gas etc. The new plasma FIB developed by FEI can speed up milling process by using much larger beam current. However, for most of the laboratories that is limited by conventional Gaion FIB, the milling speed is limited by the relatively small beam current. In this paper, FIB milling rate are studied against milling parameters that include beam dwell time and pixel overlap. By optimizing the milling parameters, milling rate can increase significantly.

Mar 1, 2018

By Xueqin Li, Xuewei Lv, Yu Zhang, Wenchao He

In recent years, a new process of “direct reduction-electric furnace smelting separation” has been put forward and developed for recovering the iron, vanadium, titanium and chromium to make full use of the chromium-bearing vanadium titanium magnetite. In the present work, FactSage, one of the most frequently-used thermodynamic calculation software, was used to calculate the migration of Fe, V, Cr and Ti with different nC/nO (mole ratio of carbon and oxygen). The calculation results indicate that the recoveries of Fe, V and Cr increase with increasing nC/nO and temperature respectively. In addition, the recoveries of Fe, V and Cr are up to 90% when the nC/nO value is more than 1.15.

Mar 1, 2018

By Sergio Neves Monteiro, Fabio Da Costa Garcia Filho, Dian Souza de Oliveira

The properties of the nickel based superalloys, in particular 718 nickel-based alloy, are mainly improved by the hardening mechanism, which is based on precipitation of second phases. This work aimed to compare the evolution of precipitation hardening in a 718 alloy microstructure for two different solubilization conditions: 1050 °C for 2 h and 970 °C for 2 h, followed by a period up to 120 h of aging at 800 °C and correlated to the values of hardness. The microstructure was analyzed by optical microscopy. Vickers hardness test was performed and the grain size was measured. It was verified an increase on the hardeness of this material up to 15 h of aging, after that the value decreased to a level that is maintained until 120 h for both solubilization conditions.

Mar 1, 2018

By Huai-ying Ma, Jun-hua Zhao, Xia Zhao, Si-bin Zhang, Wen Pan, Zhi-xing Zhao

Ignition is the start point of the sintering circuit, which plays an important role during the whole sintering process. The gas consumption accounts for 80% energy cost in the sintering ignition process. Therefore, gas flow reduction is of great significance to energy conservation in the sintering ignition process. In current study, the concept of comprehensive ignition intensity (CII) was introduced to determine the ignition effect. The experimental results indicate that the value of CII increases with higher air-fuel ratio at gas flow of 550 and 600 Nm3/h. From another point of view, given constant CII value, lower gas flow can be achieved with higher air-fuel ratio. Based on the comprehensive ignition intensity, the ignition parameters were optimized and the gas flow was subsequently reduced. By increasing the air-fuel from 5.5 to 6.6, the gas flow is reduced from 450 Nm3/h (8.1 GJ/h) to around 350 Nm3/h (6.3 GJ/h).

Mar 1, 2018

By Sarel Johannes Francois Gates, Ida Kero, Yan Ma, Gabriella Tranell

During the tapping and casting of manganese ferroalloys, fumes are generated and released to the working environment. The fumes are mostly composed of metallic oxides generated due to reaction between high temperature molten metal and ambient oxygen in the air. From an environment perspective, it is important to limit these emissions. However, to do so, it is important to understand fuming mechanisms and kinetics as well as fume compositions, i.e. element behavior during the oxidation process of liquid manganese ferroalloys. Silicomanganese alloys are composed of aminimum of 65 wt% Mn and 17 wt% Si, 2 wt% C as well as minor and trace elements. These elements include Fe, Mg, Al and other elements originating from ores and reductants. Trace elements behavior in fume from liquid silicomanganese generated under an impinging air jet in the temperature range of 1450–1700 °C has been investigated in this work. The thermodynamic and kinetic conditions governing the generation mechanisms are discussed.

Mar 1, 2017

By Yijia Dong, Mingjun Rao, Pengxu Cao, Jun Luo, Guanghui Li, Zhiwei Peng

Coal fly ash (CFA), as a by-product generated from coal fired power stations, is widely used for autoclaved concrete block production. It has been found that the generation of tobermorite is great benefit to the block strength during autoclaving. In this study, the tobermorite fibers synthesized from CFA and lime via the hydrothermal process are used as the revulsive to promote the mechanic strength of the concrete blocks. The results show that tobermorite fibers with 0.01–0.5 lm in diameter and 1–3 lm in length are obtained at 200 °C for 0.2 h. As the addition of prepared tobermorite fibers increases from 0 wt% to 2.0 wt%, the compression strength of concrete block increases from 24.6 to 40.5 MPa, and the compression strength of aerated concrete block produced under the optimized conditions can reach above 7.5 MPa.

Mar 1, 2018

By Trevor Saldanha, Nawshad Haque, Will Sikora

This study reported life cycle assessment (LCA) of six copper mines in Australia, Papua New Guinea and Portugal. Inventory data was sourced from published papers, sustainability reports by mining companies, independent technical reports and previous CSIRO studies. Sima Pro software and various databases were used to evaluate life cycle based environmental impacts. The impact indicators were: global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential, water footprint, ecotoxicity potential, ozone depletion potential and human toxicity potential (carcinogenic and non-carcinogenic), abiotic resource depletion potential (minerals and fossil fuels), particulate matter and ionizing radiation. Generally, open pit mines were found to have a GWP of approximately 1.0 t CO2-eq/t Cu concentrate while underground mines had approximately 1.3 to 1.8 t CO2-eq/t Cu concentrate. Environmental impacts varied between mines considerably due to several factors, most notably: ore grade, mining method, flowsheets and ore mineralogy. Energy consumption and sources were significant contributors to most impact categories.

Mar 1, 2018

By Christine Wenzl, Christoph Wagner, Christoph Sagadin, Stefan Luidold

Corrosion mechanisms have been investigated between MgO refractory substrates and synthetic FeNi slags. The materials taken into consideration comprised a simple synthetically mixed slag with specific oxides of slags from a ferroalloy producer. The MgO refractory substrates with the slag specimens on it were heated in a hot stage microscope to two different characteristic temperatures, 1350 and 1650 °C. The experiments proceeded under a controlled gas atmosphere that simulates the relevant process conditions. The corrosion mechanisms of each system were determined by SEM analyses. The obtained results showed that slag corrosion is dominating with a pronounced partial dissolution of refractory. It was also observed that iron oxide present in the slag diffused into the coarse refractory grains forming the relative low melting magnesia wuestite. Finally,the comparison of these findings with those predicted by thermodynamic calculation (FactSage) indicated the corrosion mechanisms and draw implications for improving the refractory performance and lifetime.

Mar 1, 2017

By Seref Sonmez, Onuralp Yücel, Kagan Benzeşik

The aim of this study is processing of domestic molybdenum concentrate to produce technical grade molybdenum trioxide may be the starting material for the production of various molybdenum products. In order to determine the optimum parameters for the total oxidizing roasting process of molybdenite concentrate to produce MoO3 and purify the MoO3 product by removing the copper content; first, MoS2 was roasted by controlling reaction temperature and duration in a chamber type furnace. The highest Mo concentration rate was obtained as 56.6 wt% of Mo at 650 °C for the roasting duration of 45 min. Secondly, roasted product was leached with H2SO4 to remove copper. Leaching conditions were optimized by investigating the effects of different H2SO4 concentrations and S/L ratios. The minimum copper content was obtained as 0.13 wt% at leach residue. The raw materials and the products were characterized by using AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry) and XRD (X-Ray Diffraction) techniques.

Mar 1, 2017

By Wolfgang Koch, Bernd Friedrich, Ann-Kathrin Maurell-Lopez

Due to the high standards for silver in electronic uses, it is essential to control the behavior of the main impurities such as copper or palladium during electrolytic refining. In regard to palladium, it is indispensable to understand and manage its co-deposition behavior. The influence of electrolyte composition, current density, and acid concentration on Cu and Pd co-deposition during silver electrorefining is systematically investigated.

Mar 1, 2017

By H. Y. Sohn, Y. Mohassab, D. -Q. Fan, M. Elzohiery, A. Abdelghany

The Flash Ironmaking Technology being developed at the University of Utah is aimed at producing iron directly from iron oxide concentrate. In this technology, the concentrate is reduced by H2 and CO gas mixtures formed from the partial oxidation of natural gas in a flash reactor. Natural gas represents an economically and environmentally superior reductant/fuel for the flash ironmaking. The rate equations for the reduction kinetics by H2, CO and H2 + CO gas mixtures were determined in the temperature range 1150–1600 °C. These rate equations were applied to experimental results from a laboratory flash reactor using Computational Fluid Dynamics CFD simulation. A new mini-pilot reactor, which is capable of operating at 1150–1550 °C with a concentrate feeding rate of 2–5 kg/h, has been installed. Commissioning of the reactor with an emphasis on preheating of the reactor, production of reducing gas mixtures and the feeding and collection of iron ore concentrate and product particles has been completed.

Mar 1, 2017

By Luane Isquierdo Ferreira Holanda, Lucio Fabio Cassiano Nascimento, Luis Henrique Leme Louro, Sérgio Neves Monteiro, Alaelson Vieira Gomes, Édio Pereira Lima Júnior

In the present study,we used natural fibers malva (Urenalobata, Linn) in 0, 15 and 30 vol.% as reinforcement of epoxy matrix composites to ballistic application. Ballistic efficiency of these composites was assessed by measuring the energy absorbed and residual velocity after impact 9 mm FMJ ammunition projectile, aiming to compare with traditional materials, such as: aramid fabric Kevlar™ used in vests for personal protection. The results showed by visual analysis and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) that the main active failure mechanisms in composites were delamination layers and fiber rupture. In test groups can be seen that the absorbed energy and the residual velocity varies with the fiber percentage used. Compared to aramid there is both a gain in weight and cost of the ballistic armor, which makes the fiber malva a promising material applications involving personal protection against 9 mm caliber ammunition.

Mar 1, 2017

By Kathie Mcgregor, Muhamad Firdaus, Nathan A. S. Webster, Yvonne Durandet, W. John Rankin, M. Akbar Rhamdhani

There is a growing interest in recycling/recovery of rare earth elements from permanent magnets. A number of processing techniques are currently being developed but are highly sensitive to the oxidation state of the material. The oxidation microstructure of NdFeB magnets is studied at high temperatures (773-1173 K) to understand oxide formation mechanisms and support the development of viable recycling strategies.

Mar 1, 2017

By Maria das Graças da Silva-Valenzuela, Mathilde Julienne Gisele Champeau Ferreira, Simeão Lopes Ferreira, Francisco Rolando Valenzuela-Díaz

The use of clays to formulate powder coating can improve physical properties, besides a final product with more sustainable characteristics due to the elimination of some additives, which may be substituted for the clay. We investigate the use of a modified smectite clay to formulate powder coating based on polyester resin. Four compositions of incorporated claywere evaluated (0, 4, 7, and 10wt%). Powder coating were prepared in a twin-screw extruder at 105 °C, and characterized by XRD, FTIR and SEM. Tests of flexibility, adhesion and impact strength in accordance to ASTM standards were performed. Diffractograms of the samples showed the characteristic peak of the modified smectite in d(001) * 37°(2h), indicating exfoliation of the clay. Micrographs by SEM showed the presence of lamellar structure for the clay-based powder coating.Mechanical assays were found for all analyzed coatings, indicating that sample containing 7% of clay presents the best performance.

Mar 1, 2018

By Bin Xu, Qian Li, Xishan Li, Yongbin Yang, Hongwei Li, Tao Jiang, Yan Zhang

The cyanide leaching rate of gold from a multi-refractory gold concentrate (18.05 g/t Au) containing 1.62% As, 20.76% S, 6.95% C and 1.31% Sb was only 1.33%. The enhancement of gold leaching was studied mainly by the pretreatment of oxidative roasting and alkaline sulfide washing. Results showed that after the two-stage roasting (i.e., I stage of 500 °C, 1 h and II stage of 700 °C, 2 h) most of sulfur (93.84%) and carbon (98.27%) were removed, but the gold leaching rate of calcine just reached 71.33% because the residual arsenic (0.63%) and antimony (1.15%) were still high. After alkaline sulfide (i.e., NaOH and Na2S) washing, the residual arsenic and antimony was further decreased to 0.21 and 0.65%, respectively. The gold leaching rate of the treated calcine by cyanidation could increase to 93.52% substantially. Also, the optimized particle size, NaCN concentration and leaching time were −0.045 mm over 85%, 0.1% and 36 h, respectively.

Mar 1, 2017

By Konstantinos Salonitis, Joanna Mielnicka, Mark Jolly, Arun Prabhakar

Lead sheets are widely used for roofing applications, radiation protection and sound proofing. Most of the sheets are either produced by rolling cast slabs of lead sheets or via the direct method (DM) of casting of the sheet continuously. The DM method comprises of a rotating water-cooled drum that is partly immersed in a bath of molten lead and sheets are cast out continuously. The direct method of casting lead is more energy efficient compared to the rolling process which requires a casting process before rolling to achieve the required thickness. This work investigates the energy consumption in different stages of the DM process and suggests pointers for improvement. An energy audit of the process is conducted and the consumption is analysed at different stages and compared with rolled lead.

Mar 1, 2018

By Wenxuan Xu, Shusen Cheng, Guolei Zhao

Nowadays,the flow pattern and stress distribution o burden material sin blast furnace has been widely calculated by discrete element method. In this study, the influence of operation conditions such as ore batch, the root position of cohesive zone and the slope of cohesive zone on the flow pattern and stress distribution of burden materials in blast furnace were investigated. The normal stress of burden materials in deadman increases with the increase of ore batch, but the normal stress of burden materials in deadman decreases with the increase of the root position of cohesive zone and the slope of cohesive zone. The average descending velocity of burden materials increases with the increase of ore batch, but the average descending velocity of burden materials decreases with the increase of the root position of cohesive zone and the slope of cohesive zone.

Mar 1, 2017

By Qian Li, Honggui Han, Jun Wang, Shichao Yu, Chunxiao Zhao, Maoxing Hong, Rui Liao, Xingxing Wang

In this study, bioleaching experiments, synchrotron X-ray Diffraction (SR-XRD), X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) were conducted to investigate the intermediates and surface species of bornite leached by mesophilic mixed bacteria of Leptospirillum ferriphilum, Acidithiobacillus caldus and Sulfobacillus thermosulfidooxidans. CuS, Cu9Fe9S16 and S8 were the main intermediate species during bornite bioleaching by mesophilic mixed bacteria, and CuFeS2 was also detected. The surface species of S2− and S2 2− would be polymerized to Sn 2− during bioleaching. The formation of element sulfur and the increase of its content were confirmed by the fitted results of XPS spectra. The presence of polysulfide and element sulfur did not inhibit the bornite bioleaching. The formations of CuS and CuFeS2 were confirmed by the results of Cu K-edge XANES spectra.

Mar 1, 2018

By K. S. Barros, D. C. R. Espinosa, J. A. S. Tenório

Over the past several decades, electrodialysis membranes have been employed for the removal of metals from galvanizing industry effluents. However, for its technical viability, it is useful to know some properties of the system to avoid, for example, precipitation of inorganic salts, destruction of the membrane and an increase in the energy consumption. The scope of the present study is to use chronopotentiometry to determine limiting current densities, transition times and resistances of the cationic membrane HDX 100 using a synthesized solution of the galvanizing industry effluent prepared with copper sulfate and sulfuric acid in different concentrations: 0.1, 0.5 and 1.0 g/L of Cu +2. The current-voltage and chronopotentiometric curves obtained have clearly defined regions and it was verified that the Cu+2 concentration causes a significant increase in the limiting current densities and in transition times. However, a high decrease in resistance occurred because at the highest concentrations, it is more difficult to reach the zero concentration value at the membrane surface. Besides, the pH increase causes a significant decrease in the limiting current density and in the transport number, but a slight increase in the resistance due to the presence of hydrogen. The results obtained confirm that the chronopotentiometry method is a valuable tool to determine membrane properties.

Mar 1, 2017

By Gabriel Bartholazzi Lugão de Carvalho, Sergio Neves Monteiro, Fabio Da Costa Garcia Filho

The thermochemical treatment of Pulsed Plasma Nitriding is employed as an alternative to improve the surface properties of metals, such as: increase surface hardness, improve wear resistance, extend fatigue life and also create a barrier to the diffusion of hydrogen into the steel to reduce the susceptibility to hydrogen embrittlement. In this study, the effect of such treatment on ASTM A36 steel is analyzed through two different nitriding conditions: 5 h and 660 Pa for the first condition and 15 h and 720 Pa for the second one. In both cases, the temperature was held at 300 °C. Thus, in order to verify the results, Vickers hardness analysis and metallographic observation were carried out under an optical microscope. Only the second condition was able to achieve what was proposed, the formation of a uniform nitriding layer and an expressive increase of hardening on the surface.

Mar 1, 2018