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By J. B. Cocanour

Pioneering work at the U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) has produced a personal computer (PC)-based, software-driven video photometric color sensor for real time process control of metallurgical streams. The video photometer is an inexpensive optical sensor which operates in the visual area of the electromagnetic spectrum and collects color information through plastic optical fiber. The red, green, and blue (R/G/B) voltage components of the color video signal are digitized and characterized through software and then presented as the control variable for software-based proportional-integral-differential (PID) control. This sensor has been successfully employed in the control of a laboratory copper electrolytic circuit. With this sensor, copper solutions were analyzed on-line without the need for sample removal, dilution, mixing or reagent addition, thereby allowing for the real time control of the circuit.

Jan 1, 1994

By Melvin H. Miles

"Considerable research has been conducted on the anodic oxidation of methanol in fuel cells. The electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide in aqueous solutions to form methanol is the same reaction in reverse, i.e. CO2 + 6 H+ + 6 e- ? CH3OH + H2O. The same catalysts and conditions may operate for both reaction directions. This carbon dioxide reduction reaction, however, must be able to compete with the electrochemical reduction of water to form hydrogen gas. Thermodynamically, the reduction of CO2 to form CH3OH is slightly more favorable than the reduction of water. The use of nearly neutral electrolytes rather than acidic electrolytes makes the reduction of CO2 kinetically more favorable. The thermodynamics of various reaction steps are presented. Similarities exist with the electrochemical reduction of CO2 and the green-plant photosynthesis process that converts CO2 to carbohydrates.IntroductionVirtually all of the oxygen in the earth’s atmosphere is of biological origin having been generated by green-plant photosynthesis from water and carbon dioxide [1]. The net reaction can be represented byCO2 + H2O ? O2 + [CH2O] (carbohydrates, etc.) (1)Chlorophyll and enzymes promote this reaction, and the energy required comes from sunlight. The actual photosynthesis process is a complex multistage reaction and requires 469 kJ mol-1 of energy supplied by the sun. Isotope tracer experiments using 18O have shown that both the oxygen atoms in the O2 molecule originate from H2O, whereas oxygen atoms in the carbohydrates come from CO2 [1]. The total amount of water on the earth is split by photosynthesis and reconstituted by respiration and combustion once every 2 million years or so. The photosynthetically generated oxygen gas temporarily enters the atmosphere and is recycled about once every 2000 years [1]. The carbon dioxide is partly recycled in the atmosphere and oceans after an average residence time of 300 years and is partly fixed by precipitation of CaCO3 and other carbonate minerals [1]."

Jan 1, 2008

By R. A. Masumura, C. S. Pande, D. Agassi

"Grain size has a different effects on the critical current density (Jc) of high and low transition temperature (Tc) superconductors. In high Tc superconductors, the critical current density Jc across grain boundaries depends sensitively on the misorientation 8. It was pointed out by Pande that this dependence is directly related to dislocation structure of the grain boundaries i.e., it is due to dislocation cores and stresses. These ideas are developed further in this paper leading to a relation between Jc and 8. The analytical result is compared with the experimental results on bicrystals and used to explain the difference in behavior between high and low Tc superconductors.IntroductionThe grain size distribution and its evolution with time and temperature is important in determining the properties of high and low transition temperature (T c) superconductors. The distribution is a convenient function to characterize the processing of a high Tc material during sintering. For example, it is known that the maximum density of ceramic materials is obtained when the grain growth is reduced but grain boundaries are still mobile. For practical superconductors, the processing parameters are selected to achieve optimum properties: highest possible T c and maximum critical current (Jc). In terms of an average grain size, the requirements for optimum T c and Jc are sometime in conflict. In A15 type superconductors and even in NbTi, larger Jc have been measured in smaller rather than larger grain sized material. Conversely, in a high Tc materials like YBa2Cu307, higher Jc have been found in larger grain sized or single crystal specimens.Extended defects such as grain boundaries in low T c superconductors can be effective pinning agents for magnetic flux lines, thereby increasing the transport critical current density of these materials [1]. On the other hand, the transport critical currents in polycrystals of high Tc superconductors such as YBa2Cu307 is found to be relatively small (much smaller than those in single crystals of the same material) [2]. It is now known that grain boundaries in high Tc polycrystals can in many cases form ""weak links"" reducing the critical current density across them. This phenomenon can be studied more precisely by experiments on bicrystals, where there is only one grain boundary. It is found that the critical current density is quite sensitive to the misorientation angle of the bicrystal [3,4]. Although the original experiments were conducted on YBa2Cu307, other Tc superconductors have been shown to give the same result [5]."

Jan 1, 1994

By E. A. Trillo, L. E. Murr, R. D. Flores, J. C. McClure, B. M. Nowak

Complex vortex and swirl-like solid-state flow phenomena have been observed in the residual microstructures characterizing the friction-stir welding (FSW) of copper to 6061 aluminum; 2024 aluminum to 6061aluminum,2024 aluminum to 1100 aluminum, 2024 aluminum to 7039 aluminum and 2024 aluminum to 2195 aluminum. These flow phenomena are characterized by intercalation lamellae composed of dynamically recrystallized grain structures of the dissimilar metals which provide a super-plastic-like mechanism for the FSW flow in the solid state; there is no melting and temperatures at the weld center do not exceed about 0.8 TM (where TM is the absolute melting temperature (K)). In experiments to be described and illustrated, optical or light metallography (LM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) techniques are utilized in examining residual FSW microstructures corresponding to tool rotation (stirring) speeds ranging from 400 to 1200 rpm, and traverse (or actual welding) speeds of 1 to 2 mrn/s.

Jan 1, 1999

By Orion Ciftja, Arjan Ciftja

"The directional solidification method is routinely used to produce polycrystalline silicon, an important material for the photovoltaic (PV) industry. The form of the solid-liquid interface during solidification has considerable influence on the material quality. The dissolved impurities and the solid inclusions above the solidification front affect the interface and may cause interface breakdown. We investigate the effects of pushing and engulfment of silicon carbide (SiC) particles by the solidification front during directional solidification of silicon. We employ a 12kg directional-crystallization furnace to cast the molten silicon. We use upgraded metallurgical grade silicon with low concentrations of metallic impurities (< 5ppm) and a high content of carbon (700 ppm) present as SiC particles. Samples from the cast polycrystalline silicon ingots are investigated by light microscope. The expected interaction of impurities with the solidification front is investigated theoretically using empirical models. The data obtained from the models are in good agreement with the experimental results.IntroductionDirectional solidification is a well-known method for producing multi-crystalline silicon for the PV industry. In this method a planar front, achieved during solidification, results in a clearly defined interface between the solid and the liquid phase. The solubility of major impurities is higher in the liquid than in the solid phase. Therefore, directional solidification will work as a purification process where the impurities are retained in the liquid phase [1]. Apart from the process of removing the dissolved elements in molten silicon, the directional solidification plays also another role. It will interact with the solid particles that may be present in the melt. When a liquid containing an insoluble particle is solidified, three distinct interaction phenomena are observed: engulfment of particles, continuous pushing, and entrapment [2]. The term “engulfment” is used to describe incorporation of a particle by a planar interface, and the term “entrapment” is used for particle incorporation by a cellular or dendritic interface (see Figure 1) [3]."

Jan 1, 2014

By Ibrahim Yusufoglu, Cem Kahruman, Mert Zoraga

In this study, a strontium sulfate mineral (celestite) was converted to strontium oxalate in solutions containing ammonium oxalate as a reactant. The experiments were carried out under isothermal conditions. The effects of stirring speed, ammonium oxalate concentration, particle size and temperature on the conversion rate were investigated. During the conversion process, definite volumes of solutions were taken from the reactor after different reaction times for the determination of sulfate ions using ICPOES. Fractional conversions of strontium sulfate were determined at different times and fractional conversion vs time diagrams were generated. It was found that the conversion of strontium sulfate was increased by increasing the ammonium oxalate concentration and temperature in addition to decreasing the particle size. The effect of stirring speed was negligible on the reaction rate. It was observed that above 328 K, a protective layer of strontium oxalate was formed on the strontium sulfate particles. X-ray Powder Diffraction technique was used for characterization of solid substances.

Jan 1, 2014

By Toshiyuki Nohira, Eiichi Takeuchi, Tetsuo Oishi, Hideki Ono, Hirokazu Konishi

The Dy-Nd-Pr-Ni alloy sample was prepared by cathodic potentiostatic electrolysis at 0.65 V (vs. Li+/Li) for 1 h using a Ni plate in a molten LiCl-KCl-DyCl3-NdCl3-PrCl3 system at 723 K. The highest mass ratio (Dy/Nd+Pr) in the alloy sample was observed to be 50 at 0.65 V. Anodic potentiostatic electrolysis at 2.20 V for 12 h was conducted using the Nd-Fe-B magnet electrode in a molten LiCl-KCl system. All elements were almost dissolved from the magnet, and the original form of the magnet disintegrated. After anodic potentiostatic electrolysis at 2.20 V, cathodic potentiostatic electrolysis was conducted at 1.00 V for 5 h using a Mo plate in order to remove the dissolved Fe from the bath. Finally, cathodic potentiostatic electrolysis was conducted at 0.65 V for 12 h using a Ni plate. The mass ratio of Dy/Nd in the alloy sample was determined to be about 18.

Jan 1, 2015

By Onwukamike, Onyedika G. O, Ogwuegbu M. O. C., K., Onyenehide C

A detailed mineralogical and elemental characterization of a lead (Pb) ore deposit from Ishiagu, Ebonyi State, Nigeria was carried out with XRD, SEM-EDX, and ICP-OES based mappingtechniques. The results show that the most dominant and valuable metal is lead (Pb = 95.02%, mass fraction). The main mineral is galena. Ilmenite and sphalerite occur as minors, which account for 2.71% and 0.80% respectively. Elements like Al, Ca, Mg, Ti, Na, Mn, Si and Sn occurred in trace amounts and are disseminated in the entire ore body.The surface and interrelations of the crystals were examined with x-ray mapping and the result shows the pattern of dissemination of the minerals within the ore body.

Jan 1, 2015

By Sh. Najisi, O. Lashkari, M. R. Ghomashchi, A. Charette

"One of-the important parameters in casting and foundry technology is the fluidity of molten metal. This parameter becomes particularly important when casting thin wall parts. Therefore, understanding and controlling fluidity plays a major role in fabricating sound and defect-free cast components.Semi-Solid Metai SSM, slurry is a mixture of solid and liquid, mushy zone, with solid volume fractions of 0.1-0.5 and apparent viscosity close to oil viscosity at room temperature. It flows easily under pressure and capable of making complicated shapes with high degree of die filling and integrity.In this study, the ability of the semi-solid slurry to continue to flow is investigated through the effect of different fraction solids and holding temperatures. The results show that in mechanically stirred, MS, semi-solid 356 Al-Si alloy, increasing fraction solid reduces fluidity. Furthermore, the results of MS-alloy are compared with a newly patented Rheocasting route, i.e. SEED, Swirl Enthalpy Equilibrium Device to highlight the differences of the two processes. In addition, the interrelationships between microstructural evolution and fluidity are discussed."

Jan 1, 2004

By Girley Ferreira Rodrigues, Crocce Denise Romano Espinosa, Victor Bridi Telles, Eduardo Junca, Jorge Alberto Soares Tenorio

"Steel sector is responsible for the generation of solid waste, liquid and gaseous effluents. The Solid waste are mainly composed of slag, dust, sludge and scrap. The industry generates approximately 650kg of solid waste per tonne of steel. Approximately 10% of this waste is in the form of dust and mud. The basic oxygen furnace dust is a waste generate by steel sector. Each tonne of produced steel generates 10 to 20 kg dust. Thus, the aim of this paper is study the reduction of pellets made with BOF dust using hydrogen and study kinetic during the reduction. The tests were performed in a netzsch thermobalance to obtain the data of lost mass. This loss mass is coming from iron oxides present in the BOF dust.IntroductionThe generation of solid waste is a problem for many companies in the steel sector. The main solid wastes generated are slag, dust, sludge and scrap [1]. Beyond solid waste liquid and gaseous effluents are also generated.The basic oxygen furnace is responsible for 60% of all steel produced. This sector is the second largest generator of solid waste from an integrated steel mill, contributing with 27% of solid waste generated in a plant ( 5-7 million tons of waste generated annually worldwide) [2,3,4]."

Jan 1, 2013

By A. De, J. S. Zuback, T. Mukherjee, T. DebRoy

For successful commercial applications of additive manufacturing, metallic parts need to be defect free, structurally sound and reliable. However, additively manufactured metallic parts are susceptible to distortion, lack of fusion defects and compositional changes. Methods to measure susceptibilities of various alloys to these defects are needed but not currently available. Here we show that the necessary theories can be developed based on a well-tested numerical heat transfer and fluid flow model and decades of research in the field of welding. The proposed theories are validated with experimental results reported in the literature.

Jan 1, 2016

By Jie E. Zhou, Yu U. Wang

"Development of crystallographic texture in polycrystals during templated grain growth process is studied by phase field modeling and computer simulation. To characterize the grain texture development, X-ray diffraction peak intensities are computed for the evolving grain structures as simulated by the phase field model, based on which Lotgering factor is further calculated as a quantitative measurement of uniaxial texturing. While the phase field modeling allows direct comparison between simulated grain structures and experimental microscopy observations, the computational diffraction allows convenient correlation between computer simulation and experimental X-ray diffraction characterization. The latter feature is especially desirable, since microscopy experiments normally require more efforts than X-ray diffraction, and diffraction is usually the preferred choice for material characterization.IntroductionThe properties of individual grains in polycrystals are generally anisotropic, while untextured polycrystalline materials with random grain orientations exhibit isotropic macroscopic properties that are independent of directions. In order to achieve anisotropic response in polycrystals, crystallographic texturing of grains is required [1]. Texture refers to the collective distribution of grain orientations towards preferred orientation in a polycrystal. To develop texture, special processing routes are needed, such as templated grain growth (TGG) for uniaxial texture [2]. TGG has been shown to provide uniaxial texture in wide variety of materials. For example, [001]-textured ferroelectric polycrystalline ceramics have been fabricated by TGG process, which exhibit enhanced piezoelectric properties [3]. Such highly textured polycrystalline materials offer better cost-performance ratio than single crystals. Thus, texture development in polycrystals is of technological importance for material applications.In this computational work, grain texture development in polycrystals during TGG process is studied. Grain structure evolution is simulated by phase field model, X-ray diffraction peak intensities for the evolving grain structures are computed, and Lotgering factor is calculated to quantitatively measure the development of uniaxial texturing. The phase field modeling allows direct comparison between simulated grain structures and experimental microscopy observations using imaging techniques such as scanning electron microscopy or optical microscopy. The computational diffraction allows convenient correlation between computer simulation and experimental X-ray diffraction characterization. The latter feature is especially desirable, because microscopy experiments normally require more efforts than X-ray diffraction, thus diffraction is usually the preferred choice for material characterization."

Jan 1, 2014

By N. Kanari

The kinetics of oxychlorination of MgO by C12+02 was studied in the temperature range of 850 °C - 1025 °C, using thermogravimetric analysis. The effects of C12/02 ratio, gas velocity, temperature and partial pressure of reactive gases on the reaction rate were investigated. The oxychlorination process was characterized by an apparent activation energy of about 214 kJ/mol. The reaction orders with respect to C12+02, C12 and 02 at 950 °C were about 0.65, 0.98, and -0.37, respectively. Some data about oxychlorination kinetics of MgO, Cr2O3, and MgCr2O4 contained in chromite were compared. Efficiency of using oxychlorination for the removal of iron oxides contained in magnesia was demonstrated.

Jan 1, 1999

By C. H. Tsau

The intermetallic compounds of Ni-25Al-xFe, x is 20-40 at.%, were prepared by arc melting and drop casting into ingots, and were rapidly solidified into ribbons by melt spinning. The microstructure evolution of these alloys with varied Fe content were examined by the x-ray diffraction, optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results reveal that two phases, {y&apos;} and {B} phases, are existing in the alloys with low Fe content, and the microstructure changes from the mixture of y&apos; and {B} phases to a single 0&apos; phase when the Fe-content reaches to 40 at.%. Also, the formation of y&apos; phase will be suppressed by rapidly solidified process. For annealing both of the melt-spun and the cast specimens, a disorder 0 phase was revealed in both of the ribbon and the cast ingot of Ni-Al-Fe alloys with higher Fe content. In addition, increasing the increment of iron which substituting nickel in this alloys results in increasing the lattice parameter of both {y&apos;} and{B} phases.

Jan 1, 1992

By Huanyu Zhang, Quanqiang Ma, Huiqing Tang

Improvement of the coke quality for blast furnace (BF) iron making by hydrothermal oxidation treatment on coke quality was investigated. Results show that, under subcritical condition, sulfur removal rate is 15% and the weight loss is 3%; under supercritical condition, both sulfur removal rate and mass loss rate increase with the increase of H2O2 concentration. In the experimental conditions, sulfur removal rate and mass loss rates were 45% and 17%, respectively. Hydrothermal oxidation treatment could reduce the CO2 reactivity of the coke and the treatment under supercritical condition is more effective. Hydrothermal oxidation treatment could improve the graphitization of the coke and smoothness of pore boundary in the coke and the treatment under supercritical condition is more effective.

Jan 1, 2016

By B. Balamurugan, D. J. Sellmyer, J. E. Shield, G. C. Hadjipanayis, Damien Le Ror, R. Skomski

"Rare-earth transition-metal (R-TM) alloys show superior permanent magnetic properties in the bulk, but the synthesis and application ofR-TM nanoparticles remains a challenge due to the requirement of high-temperature annealing above about 800 °C for alloy formation and subsequent crystalline ordering. Here we report a single-step method to produce highly ordered R-TM nanoparticles such as YCO5 and SmCO5, without high-temperature thermal annealing by employing a cluster-deposition system, and we investigate their structural and magnetic properties. Nanoparticles of size = 10 nm are monodispersed (s /d ~ 0.15) and have Hc values at T = 300 K of 8.0 and 4.5 kOe for YC05 and SmC05, respectively. Alignment of the easy axes is performed via a field applied to the clusters before deposition. These processing steps are highly desirable to create and assemble R-TM nanoparticle composites for future permanentmagnet applications.IntroductionMagnetic nanoparticles with high magnetocrystalline anisotropies (Ki > 1 MJ/m3) are required for permanent-magnet, recording-media, and other significant applications [1-3]. In this regard, bulk rare-earth transition metal alloys (R-TM) especially RC05 (R = Y and Sm) crystallized in the hexagonal CaCu5-type structure have shown a large Ki = 5 MJ/m3 (YC05) and 22 MJ/m3 (SmCo5) along with an appreciable saturation-magnetic polarization (Js, > 10 kG) and high curie temperatures (Tc > 1000 K) [2]. The challenges in controlling the size, sizedistribution, phase purity and crystalline ordering, however, limit the research on RCo5 nanoparticles [4,5]. The conventional arc-melting technique requires high-temperature annealing for alloy formation and subsequent crystalline ordering, which causes excess growth and thus results in nanocrystalline powders of particles sizes larger than 30 nm [6, 7]. Low-temperature wet-chemical techniques yield SmC05 nanoparticles of sizes smaller than 20 nm [5], but the control of phase purity is challenging due to the presence of surfactants and formation of other secondary phases [8]."

Jan 1, 2012

By Cecil Harriss

Philip Environmental Services Corporation&apos;s (Philip&apos;s) innovative fluidized bed thermal desorption system recovers mercury from contaminated soil. Referred to as the Thermal Recycling System, Philip has constructed a mobile thermal desorption system that has a processing rate up to five tons per hour. The system includes a continuous-feed system, all radiant heat, inert gas atmosphere, hot gas filter, two-stage cooling, and a water treatment system. Based on treatability studies, the processed soil can meet cleanup objectives as low as two milligrams per kilogram and passes the mercury toxicity characteristic leaching procedure test.

Jan 1, 1996

By Chen L. Lin

Scientific visualization is an ideal methodology for investigating complex phenomena that are characterized by large amounts of data. Furthermore, it is invaluable in the study of processes that evolve in time. Scientific visualization relies heavily on computer graphics, image processing and video technologies. Specific applications of scientific visualization in the minerals and materials processing fields that are considered in this paper include: 1) applied CT technology for multiphase materials and minerals, 2) time averaged density profla in air- sparged hydrocyclone (ASH) flotation and 3) dynamic motion analysis of ball mill grinding.

Jan 1, 1993

By John Demol

Monazite, a rare earth and thorium phosphate mineral, is one of the major minerals processed for extraction of rare earths. Industry practice for treating monazite concentrates is to use either a sulfuric acid bake or caustic conversion route. In the sulfuric acid bake, monazite concentrate is mixed with concentrated sulfuric acid and roasted. The rare earth phosphate mineral is converted to rare earth sulfate which dissolves in a subsequent water leach. As the bake temperature increases above 300 °C, thorium becomes less soluble. Although acid baking is practised in industry, the bake reactions are not well understood. A combination of chemical analysis, XRD and SEM-EDS was used to identify reaction processes occurring during sulfuric acid baking of a 93 wt% monazite concentrate between 200 °C and 800 °C. The effects of these reactions on the leachability of the rare earths, thorium and phosphate were also examined.

By Natasa Mitevska

The statistical analysis of the slag composition influence on copper losses to discard slag in the reverberatory furnaces No.1 and No.2 in the RTB BOR, Copper Smelter and Refinery (Yugoslavia) is presented in this paper. The model for the slag basicity calculation is determined, and connected to the copper distribution coefficients between the matte and slag phase. The influence of all components on the slag structure is also illustrated.

Jan 1, 2003