Search Documents

By A. More, J. M. Míguez, J. Bullón

In 2000 Ferroatlantica started a project with the aim to develop a new casting machine for silicon and other ferroalloys. Until now, it has been cast more than 25.000 tons of silicon for the chemical and metallurgical market. This system has improved the process yield, productivity and product quality which place?s Ferroatlantica at the top of technology development in this field. After the first presentation of the Ferroatlantica?s casting machine at Infacon X, we would like to show the improvements in the control which have permitted us to increase the lifetime of the copper and to obtain, at the end of the machine, the right product size for the customer avoiding the current necessity of crushing and sizing the lumpy metal. Furthermore, we have improved the system in relation to the obtaining of smaller granulometries at the end of casting machine. Not only is this kind of machine cost competitive for special silicon applications but also for other normal ferroalloys with different specifications of size and thickness.

Jan 1, 2007

By N. Sano

The chromium oxide in stainless steel slags usually exists as Cr2O3. However, there is a possibility that it is oxidized to hazardous CrO3 after disposal or during use. Therefore, some technical developments to reduce chromium oxide by using a smelting reduction technique have been reported recently. This paper describes the fundamentals of the technique which have been applied to ferrochromium production and reviews the recent results in literature.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. J. Leach

Quench and tempered Cr-Mo plate steel was found not to contain a fully martensitic structure as a result of either slow slack quenching or insufficient hardenability at the cooling rates used. The resulting microstructure contains bainite in combination with martensite. It is necessary to examine the implications of bainite for the toughness of the final product. Loss of toughness arises primarily from the inter-lath carbides that typically form in upper bainite. An investigation into the effect of upper bainite in a martensitic matrix of a steel grade containing 0.17% C, 0.1% Cr, 0.54% Mo, and 20 ppm Bindicated lower toughness than in a fully martensitic structure.

Jan 1, 2013

By K. Sugawara, H. -S. Jeong, Y. Ishiguro, J. Otani, Y. Obara, A. Hirata

A series of measurements of induced stress by the Compact Conical-ended Borehole Overcoring (CCBO) technique was performed within rock mass around a tunnel excavated in a region that an underground powerhouse is constructed under high initial rock stress. In the measurements, a phenomenon of core disking was observed during overcoring. The selecting method of strain data uninfluenced by the core disking was proposed, using X-ray CT scanner. Then, the state of induced stress determined from the selected strain data was discussed, comparing with the state of initial stress. Eine Serie von Messungen von induzierter Belastung mit kompaktem konisch-beendetem Überbohrverfahren (CCBO) wurde in Felsmassen um einen Tunnel ausgeführt, der in einer Region gebohrt wurde wo ein unterirdisches Kraftwert unter hoher anfänglicher Felsbelastung gebaut wird. Bei den Messungen wurde beim Überbohrverfahren ein Phänomen des Core Disking beobachtet. Die gewählte Methode der Belastungsdaten, unbeeinflusst durch Core Disking wurde vorgeschlagen, unter Verwendung von Röntgen-CT-Scanner. Dann wurde der Zustand der induzierten Belastung aus den gewählten Belastungsdaten diskutiert, unter Vergleich mit der ursprünglichen Belastung. Une série de mesures de contrainte induite effectuée avec la technique de forage de sur-carottage compacte à embout conique a été exécutée dans la masse rocheuse autour d'un tunnel excavé dans une région de construction d'une centrale électrique souterraine sous haute contrainte de roche initiale. Au cours des mesures, un phénomène de discage de carotte a été observé pendant le sur-carottage. La méthode de sélection des données de contrainte non influencée par le discage de carotte a été proposée, en utilisant un scanneur de tomographie calculée aux rayons X. Il s'ensuit que l'état de contrainte induite provoquée et déterminé à partir des données de la contrainte sélectionnées a été traitée, en effectuant une comparaison avec l'état de contrainte initiale.

Jan 1, 2003

By J. N. Van der Merwe

The research described in the paper was aimed at providing standardized information of cases of failed and intact coal pillars in the form of databases to researchers. It also offered the opportunity to take stock of the pillar stability situation in coalmining and to review the impact of the application of the safety factor formula for pillar design. It was found that the physical parameters of coalmining have not changed substantially over the last four decades. However, changes in the controllable parameters like pillar width, pillar width-to-height ratio and percentage extraction have all moved toward the more conservative side. Scrutiny of the database indicates that of all the failures recorded, only 23 occurred in panels that were mined after 1969, when one can assume that the safety factor formula was fully applied. If the pre-1969 practices had been continued, at least 144 collapses would have been expected. There has thus been a substantial reduction of pillar collapse cases, justifying the cost paid for the formula, which has shown to be in the region of 600 million tons of coal. It is evident that that are distinct differences in the natures of the failures among different coalfields. This justifies the attempts to derive seam or coal field specific strength formulae and is a topic that should be pursued.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. Khanna, M. Dubikova

A variety of carbonaceous reducing materials are being used for the production of ferroalloys. Reductant materials include not just carbons such as coke, coal, char but also bio-carbons in form of charcoal produced from different types of wood. This paper discusses critical properties and reactions of carbonaceous materials and their significance in dictating reductant performance. Main considerations include among others, gasification of reductant, dissolution of carbon into molten metal, and direct reduction of slag by solid carbon. These are discussed in relation to material properties such as structural order, mineral matter content, composition, physical characteristics etc. A brief review of both conventional and novel approaches towards characterisation of carbonaceous materials has been included. Due to complexity and heterogeneity of carbonaceous reducing materials and a wide range of process requirements, the selection of the most appropriate reducing agent will depend on a number of considerations such as the availability of raw material and associated costs, product and process requirements and environmental aspects of waste gas emissions.

Jan 1, 2004

By M. Stephton, L. A. Cornish, R. Süss, N. B. Maledi, J. H. Potgieter, L. Chown

In today?s gas turbines, the emphasis is on saving energy and reducing the amounts of pollutants emitted. This can be attained only by designing alloys with higher melting points and the capability to retain mechanical integrity at increased temperatures. The development of nickel-based superalloys (NBSAs) has reached its limit, as the alloys are operating at critical temperatures close to their melting points. Further increase in the operating temperatures will result in dissolution of the strengthening phases and even melting. Recent trends are towards developing materials that are adequately strong but have much higher melting points and corrosion resistance than the NBSAs that are currently in use. Studies conducted on Pt alloys with similar structure to the NBSAs have presented mechanical results that are promising. This has led to further development of these alloys as a replacement for NBSAs. The operations of gas turbines are usually limited by hot corrosion, which could lead to catastrophic failures. Increased temperatures have an adverse effect on the corrosion of the alloys by making the environment more aggressive. Hence, during a material selection process, the corrosion behaviour of any selected material for a highly specialized application such as gas turbines needs to be assessed. Generally, coatings are applied to combat degradation by salt deposits, hence coated and uncoated NBSAs were selected as benchmark alloys. Corrosion mechanisms and kinetic studies of the Pt alloys were conducted. High temperature hot corrosion (HTHC) tests were conducted at 950°C for540 hours. Analysis of the corrosion products was conducted using a Raman spectrometer, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) optical microscopy, and X-ray diffraction study of the phases that formed. Both coated and uncoated NBSAs failed under the test conditions. Samples were covered with a porous non-adherent greenish layer which is characteristic of NiO. Pt alloys displayed superior corrosion properties compared with the benchmark alloys.

Jan 1, 2006

This paper reports on recent field observations on the performance of support systems under different corrosion environments in Canadian underground mines. Phenomenological data are used to gain a better understanding of the main causes of corrosion in underground metal mines. Preliminary field data collected from five metal mines have been complemented by atmospheric and water sample analysis as well as fractography and metallographic studies. This has identified dominant factors that control the corrosion of support systems. The data are analysed in order to develop a support strategy for mines operating in corrosion environments.

Jan 1, 2008

By Chad W. Brown

"A study of five commercially available solvent-extraction diluents in combination with three commercially available extractants under sub-Saharan African copper solvent-extraction conditions yielded intriguing results. A variety of physical and chemical property analyses showed that the diluents have some property differences, but overall the properties are similar and provide comparable solvent-extraction performance. Although each physical chemical property technique provides useful information, no individual test result suffices for prediction of diluent performance. Furthermore, a diluent should be evaluated within the conditions for which it is targeted to determine a true measure of performance. Overall, the diluents studied possess appropriate physicochemical properties for sub-Sahara Africa copper solvent-extraction conditions and can be utilized to achieve efficient, safe and reliable operations. INTRODUCTION Background Today, commercial SX diluents are available globally from a limited number of manufacturers. Production quality and consistency of these diluents have improved tremendously over the past 20 years. For example, diluent flash points have been increased incrementally to improve transport and handling while reducing fire hazards. In addition, properties have been successfully modified to minimize evaporative losses, ultimately reducing SX plant raw material costs. Diluent manufacturers have also focused on meeting performance requirements of SX plants, including eliminating components detrimental to SX operations, such as olefinic groups that can react with various species resulting in changing phase-disengagement properties over time, as well as ensuring that proper hydrocarbon components are present within diluent mixtures to maintain good reagent–metal complex solubility. These challenges have been met in the midst of ever-increasing stringent environmental regulations. Sub-Saharan Africa copper SX operations pose a unique set of conditions for diluents due to inherent ore compositions and the associated high reagent concentrations required for complete copper extraction. Chevron Phillips Chemical Company, LP has been manufacturing hydrocarbons and hydrocarbon-based diluents since the mid-80s, applying this experience to identify the physical properties considered crucial for proper performance in SX operations. This paper documents the findings of a study utilizing commercially available diluents in combination with extraction reagents commonly utilized in African SX operations to evaluate the relative performance of the diluents under sub-Saharan Africa copper SX conditions."

Jan 1, 2015

Virtual Reality (VR) simulations are excellent tools for training, education, simulation of abnormal and dangerous conditions in mines and solving complex problems. Although the concept of VR has been around for nearly half a century, it has taken recent advances in hardware and software to bring this technology to within the budgetary reach of ordinary users and researchers. VR is now successfully being used in the minerals industry for: data visualization, accident reconstructions, simulation applications, risk analysis, hazard awareness and training. The Institute of Sustainable Minerals Industry, Advanced Computer Graphics and Virtual Reality Research Group (SMI-VR) at the University of Queensland, established in late 2000, has been involved in developing VR applications for the minerals industry in conjunction with various research centres. This paper illustrates the benefits of using advanced computer graphics and VR techniques in the minerals industry with some examples of applications developed.

Jan 1, 2003

By Andrew Jones

This paper discusses the worldwide market and cost environments for the bulk ferroalloys namely manganese alloys (ferromanganese, silicomanganese), ferrosilicon and ferrochrome (high-carbon ferrochrome, charge chrome). Annual average market prices since 1993 are presented graphically and analysed, and the main supply and demand trends for manganese, ferrosilicon and ferrochrome are summarized. The paper shows carbon and stainless steel output data for 1995, 2000 and 2005, mainly to demonstrate the rising importance of China as a ferroalloys market. Developments in ferroalloys capacity worldwide from 1991 to 2007 are discussed (plant start-ups and closures, ownership changes). Finally, the paper examines developments in the main cost factors for the bulk ferroalloys, i.e., chrome and manganese ore, electricity, carbon reductants and labour. Note that data for 2006 are estimated based on information available in November 2006.

Jan 1, 2007

In their excellent paper, Milev and Spottiswoode have provided quantitative and definitive descriptions of an important phenomenon that hitherto has been largely the subject of conjecture. They convincingly show that ?site-response? can amplify the strong ground motions on the rock-wall of a stressed tunnel by a factor of 10 to 12 compared with the PPV in the solid rock mass (at the same distance from source). This knowledge gives us a firm foundation from which to begin to build an understanding of the mechanism of damage resulting from a rock burst. Regrettably this understanding is still far from adequate, in my opinion. The authors of this paper, however, have made some statements that are too reassuring and which tend to reinforce the sense of complacency that prevails among many members of the rock engineering community on the deep gold mines.

Jan 1, 2006

By M. Tangstad, B. Monsen, H. Midtgaard

The increased attention towards reducing emissions of fossil CO2 due to its potential global warming effect has resulted in a focus on renewable resources, as charcoal. Since charcoal is produced from growing wood it does not contribute to global warming. This paper gives a brief review of consequences of and reasons for using charcoal in the silicomanganese (SiMn) production. Results are presented from practical SiMn smelting experiments, on a pilot scale, using charcoal as reduction material and comparing with coke. As slag- and CO2-reactivity are important for furnace performance these features have also been measured.

Jan 1, 2004

By L. van Dyk

The project was aimed at evaluating the double-header trains implemented at Great Noligwa mine, looking at the changes from the old conventional trains to the new trains, and identifying possible improvements to obtain an even better and more productive tramming system. The methods used to evaluate the double-header trains at the mine included personal observations, time studies, personal interviews, technical research, safety analysis, cost analysis, production analysis, breakdown analysis, break test analysis, comparisons and working closely with engineering department and manufacturers. Issues that were evaluated are the improvements in safety, cost reductions, tramming congestion reductions, better efficiencies, labour optimization, enhanced driver safety and maintenance. Shortcomings of the double-header trains were identified and recommendations made to improve on the shortcomings. Findings of the evaluation study indicated the following: ?Drastic improvement on safety ?Extreme cost reductions ?Reduction in tramming congestions and bottlenecks ?Better tramming efficiencies ?Optimized labour placement ?Enhanced driver safety ?More effective maintenance. Although there is room for improvements, the double-header trains were implemented with great success at Great Noligwa mine. It is currently the preferred tramming methodology at Great Noligwa mine, and is also implemented at other Anglo Gold Ashanti?South Africa shafts. This tramming system has huge potential for growth, not only in Anglo Gold Ashanti, but in all other older mines that experience major tramming problems.

Jan 1, 2008

By J. Kerr

The first stage of the development of a new modified 201-type low nickel austenitic stainless steel is described in this paper. The alloy is intended for use as a structural alloy, and so requires a yield strength >400MPa as well as acceptable weldability and toughness. The low nickel content will give a lower material cost in comparison to more conventional austenitic grades, and the processing route is required to be similar to that of Type 304 to keep the processing cost low. The base alloy was designed using empirical methods developed for stainless steel, and the properties of the base alloy were verified using a range of small-scale melts. The base alloy had a 0.2% proof strength of ~320-400MPa, and so it is planned to use V additions of ~0.15% to bring about precipitation strengthening in the hot rolled condition, so raising the alloy?s proof strength above the 400MPa minimum.

Jan 1, 2004

By V. Bari?ic

The scheduled power cuts of early 2008 were a disturbing reminder that South Africa needs to expand its power-generating capacity. Low-grade and discard coals, of which South Africa has much, are a source of energy and amenable to combustion in circulating fluidized beds (CFBs). Foster Wheeler (FW) has a long record in developing this technology in boilers. The technology is flexible in burning a variety of fuels; low-grade, high-ash coals, good quality bituminous and anthracite coals, and biomass and waste fuels have all been used. CFB boilers are efficient, reliable and can be designed to meet tight emission standards. In recent years once-through supercritical (OTSC) CFB technology has been developed. It enables the next stage in CFB development to proceed to a medium-scale (500 MWe) utility in such projects as Lagisza, which runs at a net efficiency of nearly 44%. Scaling the technology up to 800 MWe with a net efficiency of>45% is planned to be commercial during 2009. CFB technology can reduce CO2 emissions in the repowering of coal-fired and greenfield power plants. It does so through greater efficiencies and by co-combusting coal with biomass. FW has also developed CFB technology for the gasification of biomass, as, for example, in a pressurized gasifier to produce syngas, which can be used for the production of biodiesel, thereby reducing CO2 emissions from vehicles. Carbon capture and storage (CCS) can potentially cut CO2 emissions in the generation of power from fossil fuels in the short term, provided that it gains public acceptance, that the required regulatory framework is created, and that emission-trading mechanisms or other incentives provide a solid return on the major investments required. Oxyfuel combustion is an option in CCS; Foster Wheeler is adapting its CFB combustion technology for oxy-fuel combustion to meet this challenge. It is developing Flexi-burn?, which enables a plant to be operated either with or without carbon capture. This paper describes the status of CFB technology in terms of boiler efficiency and fuel flexibility. It highlights the advantages of CFB technology for oxyfuel combustion, presents a development plan for Flexi-burn?, and discusses a pressurized gasifier for biodiesel applications.

Jan 1, 2009

By T. Lindstad, S. Gaal, S. Hansen, S. Prytz

The SINTEF SiO-reactivity test, developed by Tuset and Raaness in the 1970?s, is a recognised method of characterising the ?reactivity? of carbonaceous reactants, used in the ferrosilicon and silicon metal industries. Recently, the test has been updated, which has resulted in the development of an extended and improved SINTEF SiO reactivity test. This has included updating the test reactor, control system, data-logging, handling and preparation of carbonaceous materials to be tested and measurement procedure. The scientific basis has been re-assessed, resulting in a new interpretation of the test results. The repeatability of the test has improved significantly, especially through system automation. In the ?old? test, the kinetics of the reaction: SiO(g) + 2C(s) = SiC(s) + CO(g) for a specific carbonaceous material was characterised solely by the ?R10? parameter, the volume of SiO(g) which passes un-reacted through the coke-bed as the concentration of CO in the outlet gas decreases from 18 to 10%. As both the kinetics and obtainable conversion of SiO to SiC for a reductant is of importance to the ferroalloy producer, the new SINTEF SiO reactivity test ranks carbon materials both according to degree of conversion and reaction rate. From research carried out on the test in the past couple of years at SINTEF and NTNU, it has also become clear that some of the reactions taking place in the test reactor are more complex than previously assumed. As an example, it was previously assumed that the condensation reaction of SiO gas in the condensation chamber of the test reactor can be described as: 2 SiO(g) = Si(l,s) + SiO2(s). However, it has been established that the side-reaction: CO(g) + 2Si(l) = SiC(s) + SiO(g) causes approximately 10% of the total volume of CO to react to SiC and SiO2 in the condensation chamber. This means that some back-reaction i.e., the reverse SiO-generator reaction 3SiO(g) + CO(g) = 2SiO2 + SiC also takes place in the condensation chamber. In the new SINTEF test, the %CO versus time curves are therefore corrected in order to describe the effect of the reaction between SiO(g) and C(s) studied i.e., SiO(g) + 2C(s) = SiC(s) + CO(g). A correction-formula for this purpose is presented.

Jan 1, 2007

Rockbursts continue to be a scourge in the mining industry, being responsible for accidents and damage to mining excavations. Although the problem has been present for more than a century, and although much research has been carried out, a solution is still elusive. Determination of, firstly, the demand on the support system imposed in the rockburst and, secondly, the capacity of the support system, cannot be carried out with any confidence, and therefore rockburst support cannot be designed using a conventional design approach. In contrast with the conventional approach, observations of rockburst damage in a mine have revealed a possible alternative approach to rockburst support ? sacrificial support. It was observed, in rockburst events, that a support system consisting of concrete panels restrained by grouted cables was destroyed, and the concrete panels were ejected. However, the rock behind the panels remained apparently undamaged and in place. This behaviour reignited the concept of sacrificial support, conceived more than 20 years ago, and which is described in this paper. The remedial solution implemented on the mine, involving cables wrapped over the panels and retained by grouting into boreholes, has been subjected to rockburst loading and has confirmed the validity of the sacrificial support concept. The concept of sacrificial support may be controversial, but is deliberately presented here with the aim of generating discussions and contributions, and with the ultimate aim of improving safety and reducing rockburst damage in mines. Keywords rockburst, seismicity, seismic waves, rock support, support design.

Jul 1, 2013

By B. R. Broekman, K. J. R. Ford

Over the last decade significant development and use has been made of a simulation model that describes the HCFeMn smelting operations in Assmang Ltd. This spreadsheet based, semi-empirical, predictive model is derived from data from the submerged arc furnaces at Assmang?s Cato Ridge, KwaZulu-Natal smelter site. Departures from the empirical base case mass balance due to changes in the ores, reductant feeds and operating parameters are accounted for by use of fundamental relationships and heuristic type ratios which are applied in an iterative manner in the model. The model performs a sequential set of calculations to iteratively converge on a fully consistent mass and energy balance solution, which predicts Mn alloy and slag output masses and compositions for a given set of feeds. 440 MWh per operating day is used as the basis of energy input. The paper describes the key model components, assumptions made and calculation approach. Added to the mass and energy balance is a cost and revenue balance, which allows prediction of the economic performance for each simulation. Substantial use of the model has been made in simulating the performance of the current Assmang HCFeMn furnaces for both smelter investigations and future production planning. The model has also been a valuable tool in the strategic analysis of the use of future Mn ores and has formed the vital link between mine ore grades (metal and slag elements) and the expected alloy output, grade and profitability. Additionally, the model has been used in benchmarking exercises to predict other Mn smelting operations with remarkable accuracy. The paper highlights some aspects of the approaches taken in using the model to benchmark Assmang?s own furnace performance and cost competitiveness with other producers. For Assmang the development and application of this modelling technology has led to transformation in understanding of the Assmang HCFeMn furnace operations and increased awareness of the potential of its Mn ore bodies.

Jan 1, 2004

By A. Sandberg, M. Nzotta, Du Sichen, N. N. Tripathi, K. Beskow

The present study was carried out to investigate the impact of slag refractory lining reactions on the formation of inclusions during ladle treatment of steel. The experiments were conducted on an industrial scale in the ladle at Uddeholm Tooling AB in Hagfors, Sweden. The inclusion chemistry and population during ladle treatment were studied along with the composition of the ladle glaze, taken from the ladle lining. The inclusions in the steel were classified into four groups according to the Swedish standard SS 111116. SEM/EDS analyses were carried out to identify the phases present in both the inclusions and the ladle glaze. The number of inclusions in the steel before deoxidation was found to increase with the ladle age, i.e. the number of times the ladle had been in use. A similar increase was also found after vacuum degassing and before casting. A great portion of inclusions before casting was found to be supplied by ladle glaze. This observation was further confirmed and explained by thermodynamic analysis. The present results show that ladle glaze is a major source of inclusions in the ladle at Uddeholm Tooling. Keywords: Slag/ refractory/ lining?reactions, ladle glaze, inclusions, inclusion chemistry, ladle treatment

Jan 1, 2004