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By Gang Qi

The solubility of nitrogen in pure molybdenum was measured over the temperature range 2173 to 2473 K and up to one atmosphere (101 kPa) of nitrogen gas pressure. Both thermochemical and kinetic aspects of this phenomenon were considered in this study. The solution of nitrogen in molybdenum may be expressed by the reaction 1/2N2(g) = {N} (Mo,s), for which the standard Gibbs energy is given by the expression {A}G° = 78,500 + 27.36T Joules/g atom N. The formation of molybdenum nitrides, specifically Mo2N, was considered. Attention was also focused on the mechanism of nitrogen solution in molybdenum. Estimates of the diffusivity of nitrogen atoms in solid molybdenum were derived from the kinetic data.

Jan 1, 1991

By M. M. Monte

A method for removing metallic mercury from contaminated tailing, using the flotation process, is described. In order to define some relevant parameters for the mercury flotation system, microflotation and electrophoretic mobility tests were carried out on (pure) metallic mercury in the presence of several surfactants. Based on the results obtained from fundamental studies a series of bench scale flotation experiments with mercury containing tailings from two wetland sites in Brasil were done. The results of microflotation tests with mercury showed that by using cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide, an increase in mercury flotability is observed in the acid pH range, whereas in the presence of potassium oleate the highest mercury flotability was found in the alkaline pH region. The mercury flotability using potassium amyl xanthate was improved by the addition at sodium dithionate as an activator. The bench scale flotation tests with contaminated tailings from Poconé (brazilian wetland site) showed a recovery of 70% when sodium dithionate was used as activator and potassium amyl xanthate as collector. The resulting coefficient of separation is around 60%. However, the results of the flotation experiments with fine fractions from amalgamation tailings from Peixoto de Azevedo (brazilian wetland site) showed a low mercury recovery (32%).The results from this work suggest that since in the Poconé site tailings, the metallic mercury is not completely associated to the finer particles, the flotation process to recover the metallic mercury seems very promisor.

Jan 1, 1996

By Jinliang Zhang, Jian Pan, Deqing Zhu

"Limestone and burnt magnesite were added to vary MgO content and basicity (CaO/SiO2 ratio) of pellets for investigating their influences on the properties of specularite pellets. At fixed MgO content, the addition of limestone does not affect on the properties of green balls significantly. The addition of burnt magnesite has obvious influence on the quality of green balls, especially on the thermal shock temperature. Without burnt magnesite, the thermal shock temperatures are about 400°C, and, the thermal shock temperature increases to 600~630°C by adding burnt magnesite. For preheated pellets, when the burnt magnesite is added, the compressive strength will be decreased. For roasted pellets without burnt magnesite, the calcium additives can form binding phase of calcium-ferrite, and suitable liquid phase will improve recrystallization of hematite, but excessive liquid will destroy the structure of pellets, so the compressive strength of pellet increases firstly and then decreases. When adding burnt magnesite, the compressive strength will increase as the basicity increases. When the basicity is more than 0.2, the compressive strength of the pellets various MgO content and basicity is above 2500N/pellet and then MgO-bearing fluxes can be added to prepare pellets with good high temperature properties.IntroductionWith the rapid development of the steel industry in China, oxidized pellets, possessing good mechanical and metallurgical properties, are becoming indispensable burdens for blast furnace ironmaking [1-3]. However, this has resulted in the shortage of domestic iron concentrates, so many Chinese steel plants begin to use imported hematite concentrate to prepare pellets. Compared with magnetite pellets, the hematite pellets require high roasting temperature and narrow roasting temperature range (1300–1350°C) and possess low compressive strength [4,5].1"

Jan 1, 2012

By Kenneth S. Coley, Michael Pomeroy, Elaine Chen

Recent work on modeling of BOF steelmaking is reviewed, highlighting the critical aspects of each approach. It is concluded that the most successful models should be based on a deep understanding of the mechanisms and kinetics of the critical reactions. The importance of the decarburization mechanism is discussed with particular reference to its role in droplet swelling or bloating which has a profound influence on the droplet residence time in the slag. Conditions which cause bloating are discussed and the rate determining step is proposed to be primarily nucleation of CO bubbles inside the metal droplet with some influence from growth by reaction at the bubble/metal interface. The discrepancy in the super-saturation ratio required for classical nucleation is discussed and an approach using a surface tension modifying parameter is illustrated. Finally, the role of CO nucleation in controlling the driving force for dephosphorization is discussed.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. L. Sorokin

The thermodynamic of nickel production from laterite ore and from sulfide concentrate can be analyzed using PO2 - PS2 diagram of the Ni-Fe-S-0-SiO2 system. The procedure of the diagram computation is suggested and the diagrams for various temperature and Fe/Ni ratio are calculated. Three-suffix Margules equations are used for the calculation of the thermodynamic properties of three solutions: liquid matte, liquid slag and solid Fe-Ni alloy. The diagrams are used for the considerations about direct one-stage metallic nickel production.

Jan 1, 1994

By Joni M. Barnes

A strain of Pseudomonas stutzeri isohted from selenium contaminated surface waters, was found to be effective . in reducing selenate (Se04 2) stoichiometrically to selenite (Se03 2 '), which was further reduced to elementaJ selenium (Se0 ). These reactions were concurrent with the microbial oxidation of lactate. In order to assess quantitatively the amounts of seilenate and selenitein solution, improvements to existing analytical methods (ion exchange chromatography and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrophotometry technique) .were made.

Jan 1, 1991

By Claudio Toro, Alex Moyano, Jonkion Font, Carlos Caballero, Pedro Morales

"Codelco-Chile in the last decade has carried out industrially-oriented research as an alternative to the traditional batch-type converting process. In a first stage carried out preliminary evaluations in a rearranged Peirce Smith (PS) converter, and then an exploratory test in a “Convertidor Teniente” (Teniente converter, TC) for the Codelco-Chile Continuous Converting Process. However, the validation test for this process in the TC was delayed up to the second quarter of 2007 where the validation studies were done satisfactorily.Thus, the objective of this paper is to present the results of the campaign tests validating the Codelco-Chile Continuous Converting Process in the TC1 of the Codelco Norte smelter.The results of charging the solid or liquid matte or high grade matte (“white metal”) by Garrgun, or by mouth of the 22 m x 5 m TC1 are presented. Some features of the industrially validated process are discussed, and the pilot test results of the matte injection are also presented."

Jan 1, 2009

By Benjamin P. Hay

Complexation of a metal ion to a ligand often results in structural changes that introduce steric strain within the ligand. A design criterior:1 for ligands that will complex metal ions more strongly is to choose Iigar:1d architecture, that minimizes this strain. This paper describes how molecular mechanics models can be used to define the degree of ligand binding site organization in terms of' ,strain energies associated with conformational reorganization and distortion of the binding conformer. This approach yields a method to predict how modifications to ligand structure will affect metal binding affinity.

Jan 1, 1999

By James C. Foley

In-situ characterizations of green state part density and sintering state have long been desired in the powder metal community. Recent advances in non-contact electromagnetic acoustic transducer (EMAT) technology have enabled in-situ monitoring of acoustic amplitude and velocity as sintering proceeds. Samples were made from elemental powders of Al (99.99%), Al (99.7%), Ag, (99.99%), Cu (99.99%) and Fe (99.9%). The powders were pressed in a uniaxial die and examined with acoustic waves for changes in velocity and amplitude during sintering. The changes in acoustic properties were correlated with mechanical properties. Evolution of a series of reverberating echoes during sintering is shown to provide information on the state of sintering, changes in sintering kinetics as well as having the potential for detection of interior flaws.

Jan 1, 2001

By John A. Herbst, William T. Pate

"Plantwide control of mineral processing operations has long been sought for its potential benefits. These benefits include minute-to-minute optimization, reacting to disturbances in ore characteristics and equipment status as they happen, and the coordination of all unit operations in pursuit of the highest performance level. However, several difficult challenges have kept us from fully realizing those benefits. One of these challenges has been to provide fairly complete quantitative descriptions of unit operations to account for critical interactions within and between unit operations. In some cases we understand the physics and chemistry very well and can incorporate that knowledge into phenomenological models. In other cases our knowledge is incomplete, so we must rely on other forms of knowledge such as fuzzy logic or neural nets. Another challenge to be met has been to simultaneously compute a large number of manipulated variables. In the past this challenge was met by optimizing only unit-by-unit, rather than on a global basis to significaritly reduce the number of variables. In this paper, a procedure that globally optimizes one or two important variables is outlined. This procedure comes much closer to true plantwide optimizing control while remaining computationally feasible. Finally, another major challenge is to choose a meaningful global objective that can be calculated with the models and can be effectively optimized. Financial goals seems to be the objectives of choice.This paper discusses recent progress in overcoming the challenges and illustrates a promising approach which is being pursued at Mexicana de Cobre's La Caridad copper ore concentrator. At M de C, advanced control strategies have been installed one at a time in the crushing, grinding and flotation sections. During this period, the throughput of La Caridad, Mexico's largest copper concentrator, increased from 76,000 tpd to 90,000 tpd. Plantwide integration is expected to gain an additional 3% improvement in profitability."

Jan 1, 1996

By A. E. Isaacson

Bureau of Mines researchers developed and tested equipment to measure corrosion rates on a commercial-scale mill as an aid in predicting the effect of corrosion on minerals and how this effect relates to downstream processing. Bench-scale experiments were designed for duplicating ore grinding conditions closely enough that realistic rate determinations can be made in laboratory tests. Rates measured in a laboratory system compared favorably with those measured in the field. Cast steel was found to have corrosion rates in a copper mill and laboratory test cell of 22 and 21 mpy, respectively. Corrosion was found to account for less than 5% of the total grinding media wear in the operations studied.

Jan 1, 1987

By I-Min Lu

An electric field was applied to a metal-bearing kaolinite specimen to investigate the efficiency of electro-osmosis in removing heavy metals from contaminated soils. The electric field induces a flow of water through the porous medium, called electro-osmosis, which is superimposed on the hydraulic flow. Because the electro-osmotic flow is relatively stronger in smaller pores, it can enhance the displacement of contaminated solution by fluid convection. Furthermore local changes in pH caused by the electrode reactions can affect adsorption equilibria and the distribution of solutes between the solution and the solid surfaces. The electro-osmosis experiments were conducted by applying either a constant current or a constant voltage across 8-cm inside diameter, 25 to 30-cm long specimens of kaolinite clay with graphite electrodes. Samples of the pore fluid and of the clay were analyzed to determine metal content, pH, and conductivity as functions of time and position. Results show that removal of heavy metals from soil can be accomplished effectively by electrokinetic treatment of sufficient duration. Approximately 95% of the lead was removed after 189 days.

Jan 1, 1996

By Zhijing Zhang, Ramana G. Reddy

"The viscosity of molten oxides is one of the important physical properties since viscosity has a decisive influence on fluid flow. The knowledge of the viscosity of molten oxides is essential for modeling and controlling of metallurgical process. In the present study, viscosities of high basic Na2O-B2O3 and Na2O-SiO2 binary melts and viscosities of Na2O-SiO2-B2O3 ternary melts were measured as a function of temperature and composition. Experiments were carried out using rotary viscometer and graphite components. Our experimental results were compared with those in literature. Based on the current experimental data, the previously developed viscosity model was modified. The characteristic features of viscosities of these melts have been discussed. The predicted viscosity results are in excellent agreement with the present experimental data in the temperature range with molten state samples. IntroductionThe viscosity of molten oxides is one of the important physical properties since this property has a decisive influence on fluid flow, and is one of key factors to be taken into consideration in process modeling. The manufacturing operations require the viscosity of molten oxides to be within certain ranges. Although, some viscosity measurements on borosilicate systems have been carried out [1-4], the viscosity data in literature are available only for a few temperatures and cover small composition ranges. The agreement between the results of these works is not satisfactory [I-4]. Even the viscosities of binary systems Na2O-B2O 3 and Na2O-SiO2 generally are well studied, the available viscosity data in literature are only found in the composition range of O to 0.333 mole fraction ofNa2O. The aim of the present study is to provide a base with accurate experimental data for reliable model extrapolation."

Jan 1, 1999

By Run Huang, Xuewei Lv, Lei Lei, Guibao Qiu, Chenguang Bai

"The TiO2-rich slag and pig iron can be produced from ilmenite concentrate by the electric furnace process. In this study, ilmenite concentrate was reduced in a vertical furnace equipped with a weighting data acquisition system. The effects of reducing agent (carbon) amount on the iron reduction were studied. The phase transformation, morphology and chemical compositions of reduced samples were investigated by X-ray diffractometry (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), respectively. It was found that the reductive degree of ilmenite concentrate increased with the increase of reducing time. The phases of reduced samples were mostly iron, rutile, Ti3O5 and Fe2TiO5. The mass loss percentage increased with increasing the carbon amount from 8% to 12%. When the carbon amount exceeded 12%, the mass loss percentage decreased with the increasing of carbon amount.IntroductionIlmenite and rutile are the main raw materials for producing titania pigment and titanium metal. With the development of the titanium industry, huge amounts of titanium resources are needed. As sources of high-grade titania mineral decrease worldwide, more attention should be paid to the processes involving low grade mineral such as ilmenite ore. In ilmenite, MgO and CaO are the gangue parts. Therefore, the ilmenite refining becomes more and more popular. In the previous studies, the methods of ilmenite refining are electric furnace smelting, direct acid leaching, selective chlorination and thermal reduction [1]. Electric furnace smelting method is widely used in the titanium industry, however, which consumes a great deal of energies and has a high CO2 emission. Its essence is to remove iron oxides and obtain a high titania slag. So the thermal reduction of ilmenite concentrate is an important step in titanium industry, which can decrease carbon reagent consumption and save energy.Over the past several decades, many studies have been carried out on the mechanism and kinetics of the reduction of different ilmenite ores, which are as follows: The carbothermal reduction of Panzhihua ilmenite initiated at about 860 oC. In the temperatures ranging from 900 oC to 1400 oC, the reaction rate was changed like a shape of “M”. That was to say that the reaction rate increased with the growth of temperature at first, then decreased, afterward increased again and at last the reaction was arrested [2]. The Mohammad A.R group [3, 4] showed that the carbothermal reduction of primary ilmenite concentrate was faster in hydrogen and initiated at a lower reduced temperature than in argon and helium. The reduction in argon and helium had about the same rate and extent. Titanium oxycarbide started at 1000°C in hydrogen. The conversion of primary ilmenite concentrate to metallic iron and titanium oxycarbide at 1200 °C was completed in 300 minutes. Monoxide as the reductant to reduce ilmenite had been studied intensively by a few research groups [5, 6]. The rate and the degree of reduction depended on the formation of a metallic shell of iron which inhibited the transfer of CO to the reaction zones; titanium had a strong effect on the mechanism and rate of reduction of iron oxides. Wang and Yuan [7] studied the reductive kinetics of the reaction between a natural ilmenite and carbon. At temperature below 1100°C, chemical reaction was the rate controlling step, at 1100 to 1250°C mixed controlling was rate controlling step, above 1250°C diffusion through the product layer controlled the reaction. Zhang [8] investigated the reduction of natural, sintered and preoxidized ilmenite concentrates in hydrogen methane mixtures. Preoxidation and sintering of ilmenite concentrates changed their phase composition and caused a sharp decrease in specific surface area of raw materials and an increase in carburization temperature. Sintering also increased the metallization temperature of iron."

Jan 1, 2011

By P. M. Swash

The paper describes the use of mineralogical methods in the exploration and evaluation of primary diamond occurrences. The most common methods that are used include the systematic search for kimberlitic indicator minerals, surface textural study of the indicator minerals, (garnet, spinel, ilmenite and chrome diopside) and alluvial macrodiamond studies so as to understand their provenance and guide exploration towards diamondiferous targets. The mineral chemistry of the indicator is used to positively assess the origin of the mineral grains and is also pivotal in the determination of the diamond potential of a deposit. Petrography of the primary deposit is able to identify the body to be kimberlitic and is also a support to the mineral chemistry findings. Unambiguous proof of a prospects potential to contain macrodiamond is proven by the occurrence of microdiamonds in the residues from the rock. The presence of a sufficient number of microdiamonds in the rock is enough to determine a semiquantitative grade estimate and warrant further metallurgical evaluation so as to determine its actual macrodiamond content.

Jan 1, 1991

By U .. C. Rojas, J .. C. Gomez

"Fire Refined Copper (EI Teniente Three Stars) has been produced at Caletones Smelter of Codelco Chile since almost the beginning of its operations.Due to changing features of the copper market, together with the targets on technical efficiency and productivity, it has become more and more relevant for copper industry to reach both, good final product quality and a proper environmental control.At present, copper refining process at Caletones Smelter takes place in two cylindrical tilting furnaces, where solid fluxes are injected through horizontal tuyeres into the molten bath. (Fig. N2 1)Solid reagents are pneumatically conveyed and injected into the liquid copper bath attaining excellent solid - liquid contact, so the impurities removal efficiencies are found to be high. Same injection tuyeres are used to introduce both oxidising agent (normal air) and reducing agent (reformed gas) into the molten bath. Air or nitrogen is used as conveying gas for solid reagents, depending on the process stage.This pap~r gives a fundamental description of the process and industrial results related to the injection of blend of sodium and calcium carbonates to remove arsenic and antimony, silica and granulated reverberatory slag to remove lead and a mixture of calcium carbonate and mineral coal to reduce the selenium content of the fire refined copper."

Jan 1, 1996

By I. M. Ritchie

Cyanide owes its great success as a lixivant for gold to the great strength of the Au-CN bond. A replacement for cyanide must similarly be a strong complexant for gold (I) or gold (III). The various alternatives are briefly considered and it is concluded that only thiosulfate has a reasonable chance of replacing cyanide as a relatively non-toxic lixivant at the present time. However, there are considerable technical problems to be overcome before thiosulfate can be considered to be a realistic alternative to cyanide. Firstly, the leaching of gold using aerated ammoniacal thiosulfate with copper as a catalyst is a complex process which needs to be understood and controlled carefully in order to achieve maximum recoveries with minimum reagent losses. Secondly, there needs to be an option similar to the CIP process for recovering and concentrating the dissolved gold thiosulfate complex from pulps produced in the processing of low grade gold ores. The prospects for overcoming these technical' challenges are evaluated and discussed.

Jan 1, 1998

By Francis Vanbellen

In Union Minière's Hoboken smelter and refinery for complex non-ferrous materials, the treatment of recycling products, containing precious metals, occupies a dominant place. For all feed materials, the first step, prior to their treatment, is to classify them in order toselect an accurate and economical procedure for sampling as well as to dispatch them to the optimal process scheme. More than 150 different procedures for sampling are commonly used. The most important ones are briefly discussed in the paper. Precious metals bearing recycling materials vary widely with respect to their physical aspect, their chemical composition and the value of their precious metal content. All these parameters are taken into consideration to select the most appropriate process among the multiple possibilities of Union Minière's flexible integrated flow-sheet. Different stages of the operations as well as the main flow-sheets are described.

Jan 1, 1995

By Don Ibana

Supported by the Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) through the Minerals Tertiary Education Council (MTEC), three Australian universities–Curtin University, Murdoch University and the University of Queensland–have formed the Metallurgical Education Partnership (MEP) to jointly develop and deliver an engineering design capstone unit–Metallurgical Process and Plant Design–in their respective undergraduate programs in extractive metallurgy, in order to enhance the students’ educational experience. A unique feature of the program is the close interaction of the students in all three universities and a significant involvement of industry professionals. Now in its sixth year, it is clear that this unit is achieving its objectives

Jan 1, 2014

By Harrison Cooper, Stephen Pack

"Data from samples taken during rotary air blast and reverse circulation drilling are crucial to properly assessing economics of mineral deposits in the case of exploratory work, and are equally critical in accurately delineating ore and waste in execution of mine operation plans. Past studies of sampling procedures, comparing results of conventional splitting to more precise extraction of representative samples, illustrate the significant degree of error frequently encountered. Economic impact of error in mine blast hole sampling work can be shown to result in theoretical losses valued at millions of dollars annually in operating large scale mining projects. Results of past drill sampling studies are reviewed.Drill sampling technique can be improved by collecting coarse and fine particles together and extracting samples for assay from the complete flow of rock and dust simultaneously. This can be accomplished with a collection unit attached to the drill stem through which all except a small proportion of extreme fines are retained. The bulk mass can be static sampled as flow takes place through the collector when size reduction is not required. Alternately, collected mass with fines and coarse intermingled can be processed for increased accuracy through size reduction to obtain proportional samples."

Jan 1, 1999