Search Documents

By James W. Evans, Dong Xu, Jr. Jones

A physical (water) model based on particle image velocimetry (PIV) has been constructed at UC Berkeley. The PIV technique enables the use of water modeling to quantitatively characterize the fluid flow behavior in the mold during the continuous casting of steel, in a whole field sense, i.e., section by section. A method to obtain e\e time-averagevelocity (TA V) vector maps was developed by averaging 40 instant aneous vectc -r plots revealing the time average features of the flow. Another benefit of TAV vector maps is the ability to compare with present mathematical models, which are mostly based on the time-average technique. Bifurcated submerged entry nozzles (SEN) with ports inclined at various angles to the horizontal were used in the modeling to study their effects on the flow inside the caster. Argon was also introduced into the model to simulate the influence of argon injection on the metal delivery from the tundish into the caster. The bubble sizes and distribution (in specific sections) of argon were characterized, at the same time, by the imaging system of the PIV. This will allow for validation of current mathematical models that were developed to simulate argon injection in casters. Comparison with results calculated by the commercial finite element package FIDAP is also presented.

Jan 1, 1998

The paper describes the propensity of tin to form intermetallic compounds with microalloying elements such as Nb, Ti and aluminium, which are commonly used as additions to achieve particular combination of strength and toughness. Two series of alloys were prepared by arc melting under an argon atmosphere. Each series was based on Fe, Sn and A1 with either Nb or Ti additions. The microstructures were studied using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and microprobe analysis. It was found that the level of Nb addition has an effect on the formation of Sn-rich compounds. For small Nb additions, no Sn containing compounds were found, whereas in higher Nb alloy, a Laves phase (FezNb, hexagonal, a = 0.4830 nm and c = 0.7879 nm) containing about 1 at % Sn was found. A FezNb3 phase (cubic, a = 1.1261 nm) associated with the formation of alumina was also found but did not contain tin. No Sn containing compounds were found with Ti additions. The experimental observations have been compared with thermodynamic calculations performed using MTDATA.

Jan 1, 1999

By Dong Hoon Han

The sulfation rates of magnesium oxide and calcium oxide (molar ratio 7:3) contained in calcined CMA ( calcium magnesium acetate) by SO2 were measured. The experiments were carried out in the temperature range 700 to 1100 °C and under the SO2 concentrations of 0.3 to I mol % (5 % 02). In the low-temperature range below 830 °C the reaction produced CaSO4.3MgSO4 and unreacted MgO, but no MgSO4 phase. The formation of CaSO4.3MgSO4 phase has a significant implication in that it allows the utilization of MgO for SO2 removal whereas the sulfation of MgO from conventional sources is so slow that it is of no practical interest. Thus, the calcined CMA can remove SO2 at lower temperatures than conventional SO2 absorbents and at a greater capacity. Above 950 °C only CaO reacts with SO2, but at a much greater rate than the calcined Ca(OH)2, which is one of the most reactive SO2 absorbents.

Jan 1, 1998

The cleaning of copper containing fayalite slag using a CuFe alloy was studied under an oxygen pressure ranging from 10-7 to 5 X 10-11 atm at 1200º c. The reduction of copper from fayalite slags by Cu-Fe alloys was found to be very effective. For example, at a P 02 of 10-7 atm, the copper content in the slag was reduced from 4.1 to 0.402 wt. percent after 90 min. of reaction time using a Cu- 5.27 wt. percent Fe alloy. The copper reduction rates were found to be independent of P02 in the gas phase when using Cu-Fe alloys which exhibit an iron activity of greater than 0.4. A mechanism for slag c1eaning is proposed based on the concept that the Cu-Fe alloy lowers the oxygen potential of the slag according to Eq.1 1, fol1owed by the reduction of cuprous oxide by wustite as shown in Eq.2. Here X represents element X in the alloy phase while (X) represents the element in the slag phase. The copper and iron transfer behaviour obtained in this study are explained by a ?Stepwise equilibrium model.

Jan 1, 1985

By Liangying Wen, Feng Xia, Chenguang Bai

"The situation of the Ti-V-Magnetite samples reduced with microwave has been investigated in laboratory. Firstly, the paper focuses on the heating behaviors of vanadium-titanium magnetite and characteristics of carbothermic reduction of V-Ti-magnetite in the microwave field. The effect of concentrate's size, quality on heating behaviors and reduction processes were researched. Results show that microwave heating may be a new heating resource replace of carbonic combustion reaction in reducing reaction. When the allocation of carbon is (16.7-30)%, carbothermic reduction of V-Ti-magnetite in the microwave field can proceed; with the increasing of carbon mixed, the metallization rate increases; and Fe, V can be reduced from their oxides in the microwave field; Titanic low oxide can be reduced from TiO2.1. IntroductionThe resource of Ti-V-Magnetite is abundant in the western area of Panzhihua in China, so far a mineral deposit of 4.64 billion tons have been proved up, it contains 14.75 million tons of V2O S which accounted for 87% of the vanadium and 5.93 hundred million tons of TiO2 accounted for 94% of the titanium resource respectively in China. The previous study proved that the major composition of mineral of the Ti-V-magnetite are Ti-magnetite, limonite, iron spinel, magnesium spinel etc, and the main elements of the Ti-V-magnetite in this area are Fe, Ti, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Ga, Sc etc[1] Due to the restrict of the BF-BOF process technical, during the smelting of the iron, the level of extracting the vanadium, titanium as well as other metal elements is limited. This results serious wasting of resources. To develop a new reduction process of Ti-V-magnetite is on the agenda, the microwave assistant reduction could meets this need, based on its characteristic of easy controlling of heating rate. To make use of the microwave energy to substitute the released heat sources of carbon combustion with air, use the solid phase state reduction at a relative lower temperature, make the beneficial element in Ti-V-magnetite transferred into the metal phase, then separated from the impurity. It is well worth to point out that once the microwave based reduction method has its industrial scale, it will take an outstanding position by its less release of carbon dioxide. This new environment-friendly process will play a vital role in the development of social industry and economy."

Jan 1, 2008

By R. H. Hanewald

The INMETCO process has been modified so as to recover nickel. chromium and Iron from a wide variety of metal containing waste-streams. This now includes the recovery of metals from spent acid solutions such as chromic acid etching I1quids. nJcke1 and chromium plating solutions; stainless and superalloy pickling solutions. etc. In addition. hazardous electric furnace stainless steel and. superalloy baghouse bags can be processed so as to recover the valuable metall1cs. A detailed review of the above new recovery techniques w1ll be discussed as well as the current operating methods used at INMETCO.

Jan 1, 1992

By M. Barkhudarov

The results are presented of research aimed at validation and development of a general purpose CFD code FLOW-3D. FLOW-3D is a commercial code developed by FLOW SCIENCE, INC. A number of physical modeling experiments involving the filling of cavities of different geometries with coloured water have been performed in order to compare the measurements with the results of computer simulations. Other numerical calculations were also done to be compared with the known analytical solutions.

Jan 1, 1992

By Zhijing Zhang

Long-term thermal stability of ionic liquids is essential for reliable performance of ionic liquids in any engineering applications. TGA studies were carried out on a series of ionic liquids with different cations and anions such as 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C6mim]Cl), 1-hexyl-3¬methylimidazolium tetrafluoborate ([C6mim]BF4), 1-hexyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([C6mim]PF6), 1-octyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate ([Csmim]PF6), and 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluromethanesulflonyl)imide ([C4mim][Tf2N]). The short-term thermal stability of ionic liquids was evaluated by measuring the onset temperature of decomposition of ionic liquids, and the long-term thermal stability of ionic liquids was also evaluated by weight loss of ionic liquids over a long period of time at various temperatures. The experimental results showed that the long-term thermal stability of ionic liquids decreased with increasing temperature and was significantly lower than the onset temperature of decomposition of ionic liquids.

Jan 1, 2002

By Dan Michaelsen, Warwick Stewart

"PT Kaltim Prima Coal (KPC) is a large-scale truck and shovel operation mining thermal-coal in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. The operation produces 15 million tonnes of coal and mines over 120 million bank cubic metres of overburden annually. Approximately 35 percent of the waste rock is classified as potentially acid forming. Acid drainage must therefore be managed to prevent acid formation from spoil dumps and mined-out areas.KPC aims to prevent acid production in dumps by covering potentially acid forming spoils with materials identified as non acid-forming. The covers, built to engineering standards, minimise the flux of oxygen and water to pyritic spoils, thereby controlling the oxidation reaction, and reducing ARD discharge to negligible rates. Cover designs and cover materials vary according to stability, materials availability, equipment availability, and cost effectiveness. A modified field net acid generation (NAG) test procedure has been developed at KPC to identify and segregate overburden geochemical types. This paper discusses the ARD management strategies and operational procedures adopted by KPC to manage potentially acid forming waste rock. The development and field application of the NAG procedure at KPC is presented in a companion paper. Analytical"

Jan 1, 1999

By Junji Shibata

Some fundamental studies were carried out in order to produce composite powders comprising of two or three metal salts by using liquid-liquid extraction and to develop the control technology of the particle size. The combination of samarium and cobalt was selected as the two component composite powders. Both stripping and crystallization occurred at the same time by emulsifying the organic phase loading the two metals extracted with Versa tic Acid 10 and the aqueous solution containing oxalic acid. The effect of aqueous pH, oxalic acid concentration and agitation speed was examined on some properties such as crystallization percent, particle size and shape of each metal oxalate powders obtained in this process. The analysis by using EDX showed that the two metal oxalates were distributed uniformly at the same ratio as the organic phase composition.

Jan 1, 2001

By Anja Pfennig, Axel Kranzmann, Sabrina Schulze

The CCS technique involves the compression of emission gasses in deep geological layers. To guarantee the safety of the site, C02-corrosion of the injection pipe steels has to be given special attention when engineering CCS-sites. To get to know the corrosion behaviour samples of the heat treated steel 1.7225 42CrMo4, used for casing, and the stainless injectionpipe steel 1.4034 X46Cr13 were kept at T=60 °C and ambient pressure as well as p=lOO bar for 700 h - 8000 h in a C02-saturated synthetic aquifer environment similar to possible geological on-shore CCS-sites in the northern German Basin. The isothermal corrosion behaviour obtained by mass gain of the steels in the gas phase, the liquid phase and the intermediate phase gives surface corrosion rates around 0.1 to 0.8 mm/year at ambient pressure and much lower about 0.02 to 0.2 mm/year at 100 bar where the C02 is in its supercritical state. Severe pit corrosion with pit heights around 4.5 mm are only located on the 42CrMo4 steel. Main phase of the continuous complicated multi-layered carbonate/oxide structure is siderite F eC03 in both types of steel.

Jan 1, 2013

By Kumar M. Lyer

Residence time distribution (RTD) of light and heavy liquids in a pyrometallurgical channel reactor was mathematically modeled by representing the reactor as a combination of ideal reactors. Cold model studies simulated the counter-current flow of slag and matte (or metal) with high-strength bottom gas injection. The experimental variables include flow rates, heights, density and viscosity of the two liquids; gas flow rate; injector diameter; and distance between injectors. The experiments covered a wide range, of the appropriate dimensionless parameter, including conditions in ferrous and nonferrous extractive metallurgy. Dispersion modeling studies were also carried out to determine the degree of backmixing. Results indicate that the degree of backmixing in the channel reactor for various operating conditions corresponds to that for 3-20 perfectly mixed reactors in series.

Jan 1, 1993

By Akihide Hosokawa

The void growth and coalescence in model materials involving a pre-existing three dimensional void array (i.e. multiple layers of a void array) was studied by X-ray computed tomography (XCT) coupled with in situ tensile deformation. To reduce the recording time, a new technique called fast tomography was employed. The model materials used in this paper were fabricated by the combination of an ultra-short pulsed laser machining system and a diffusion bonding technique, and two different types of arrays were prepared namely, FCC 1 and FCC 2 type array. This methodology allowed the authors to capture the entire process of growth and coalescence events of a void array embedded in the metal matrix. The failures in the both materials involved internal necking and shear localization. One of the highlights of this paper is that the plastic strain at the onset of void coalescence was measured for each model material. These values are in fact the adequate values to be compared with the coalescence strain predicted by existing void coalescence models such as the Brown and Embury model, the Thomason model and the Pardoen and Hutchinson model. The comparison suggested that the Brown and Embury model underestimated the coalescence in neither of the current model materials, while the Thomason model and the Pardoen and Hutchinson model showed a quite good agreement with the result for FCC 1 material. On the other hand the result from FCC 2 material agreed with none of the models probably due to the geometry of the void array that is not compatible with the existing models.

Jan 1, 2010

By Chris P. Pistorius

Over the past few decades the carbon intensity of ironmaking and steelmaking has been reduced considerably through improved efficiency in blast furnace ironmaking, partial replacement of coke with less carbon-intensive fuels, and increased use of scrap and direct-reduced iron in steelmaking. To evaluate possible further reductions in carbon intensity accurate process information is needed. A preliminary test of the fidelity of publicly reported data as a source of process information is reported here. The sources are industry roundups of electric furnace furnace steelmaking and blast furnace ironmaking (published by the Association for Iron and Steelmaking Technology), and data recorded by the Environmental Protection Agency under the US Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program. From a comparison for an integrated steelmaking plant and an electric furnace furnace plant, it appears that the values from the two data sources are consistent. The comparison does rely on process details such as the quantitative relationship between injected oxygen and carbon emissions in electric furnace steelmaking.

By W. K. Tolley

The U.S. Bureau of Mines (USBM) is currently investigating improved technology for mineral flotation. A variable often neglected in flotation control is redox potential. The use of redox control is illustrated by the separation of molybdenite from chalcopyrite. Laboratory testing showed that redox potential had a greater effect on product quality than collector addition. A significant need in froth flotation is greater reliability of the sensors used in measuring and controlling redox potential in mineral slurries. The USBM has developed an automated method for removing scale and reconditioning gold redox-sensing electrodes. Fouled electrodes are anodically polarized to 1.2 V versus the AglAgCI reference potential to remove scale. The electrodes then are conditioned by a brief potentiodynamic treatment to re-establish electrochemical equilibrium. In laboratory tests, this technique removed calcarious deposits from gold electrodes and reconditioned them for useful service in approximately 10 min. In plant practice, this technique would obviate the need for plant operators to manually polish electrodes, and also should result in greater reliability in redox measurements. Inexpensive, automated equipment to condition electrodes in a plant setting is described.

Jan 1, 1995

By Steven Wright

The reduction of a slag produced 6om the recycling of lead batteries was studied in a kilogram scale laboratory investigation by reacting with graphite at temperatures of 1180 and 1200°C. Simultaneous reduction of PbO, Fe203, Sb203 and As203 occurred with the Sb and As reporting to the metal while the lead content in the slag was above 2 wt%. The Sb and As distributions between metal and slag were strongly affected by temperature and slag oxidation state. The rates of reduction of PbO and Sb203 increased with increasing slag basicity and temperature and decreased as the PbO content in the slag decreased. The reduction rate of PbO from these slags was similar to other industrial lead slags at the same CaO/SiO2 ratio and temperature. The implications of the behavioural similarities of the antimonous slags during reduction with carbonaceous reductants and other lead slags are briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 1994

By Wolfgang Van Hooff

Encouraged by a strongly growing and evolving market for granulated products, Paul Wurth continuously improves its granulation and dewatering technologies to provide customers with state of the art installations. Continuously developed know-how about the granulation process of iron blast furnace slag enabled application to non-ferrous materials such as Ni-Slag, Pb-Slag, Blister Copper, Cu-Matte and even TiO2-Slag, which rank among the most difficult materials to granulate. This paper identifies how critical objectives in granulation and dewatering technologies applied to different molten materials with respect to various product quality objectives can be addressed. The differences between hot and cold water granulation systems are explained, including the step from cold runner to granulation water tank. Development of a flow and pressure controlled blowing box is the latest step to optimize the granulation process in order to meet the latest standards in terms of quality, power consumption and environmental protection.

Jan 1, 2006

By Kenji Sasaki

Tamano Smelter started its operation in January, 1972 adopting FSFE ( Flash Smelting Furnace with Furnace Electrodes ) type smelting furnace at a production capacity of 101,00Ot/y of anode copper and 285,00Ot/y of sulfuric acid. Since then, it had experienced several production expansion program, it had twice as production capacity as start. 196,000t/y of anode copper and 436.000t/y of sulfuric acid. This time, we have completed the plan for increasing production capacity up to 226,000t/y of anode copper and 510,000t/y of sulfuric acid, by the oxygen enriched operation. We carried out several improvements and modifications, changing of cooling system ill FSFE, enlargement of converter and anode furnace, and some progresses in sulfuric acid plant and environmental facilities.

Jan 1, 1993

By Bowen Li, Matthew D. Andriese, Jiann-Yang Hwang, Zhiwei Peng

"Magnetic iron sulfide ore particles heat rapidly by microwave (MW) irradiation generating plasma during oxidation of surfaces. The high temperatures produced by the exothermic event decompose local portions of samples forming a differentiated flux of partially melted silicate (si-mt) with entrained metal-sulfide (sul-mt) droplets. The si-mt forms crystals of olivine (01) in Ca-rich pyroxene (Cpx) melt that resorbs a portion of iron sulfide (Po). The immiscible sul-mt droplets of (Fe,Ni,Cu)1-xS contain magnetic subsolidus Ni-pyrrhotite (Ni-Po) with Cr-bearing ferrospinel (Mag). Sub-micron sized flecks of Au are found on the surface of a sul-mt droplet with scanning electron microscope (SEM).IntroductionSulfide ore deposits supply the world's mineral resource in the production of non-ferrous metals. Particularly, Cu-Ni deposits are chemically enriched in metals from high sulfur saturation during magmatic formation that creates the proper geochemical environment for metals enrichment [1, 2]. The sulfur and oxygen fugacity control redox conditions of a differentiated silicate/sulfur magmatic melt with the concentration of iron playing a dominate role in the chemical partitioning of metals in sulfide liquid [3, 4]. The initial magnetic crystallization of (Fe,Ni)i-xS monosulfide solution (mss) from metal-sulfide liquid has an exclusive effect on the fractionation of mineral assemblages (zoning) [5].Phase equilibria of sulfide melt (sul-mt) components are related by a miscibility gap with mss forming Ni-rich pyrrhotite (Ni-Po) followed by the crystallization of (Fe,Cu)1-xS intermediate sulfide solution (iss) [6]. Precious metals form stable chacogenides and are retained in solution until the final liquid solidifies. The redistribution of metals now occurs by subsolidus cooling of mss and iss that exsolve low-temperature Fe-Cu-Ni bearing mineral assemblages [7]. The proper interpretation of ore genesis increases processing capabilities by isolating chemically enriched zones during extraction and should be used to aid in sustainable mine site development [8-11]."

Jan 1, 2013

By F. Mucciardi

With the increasing trend to continuous smelting and converting, granulation of copper matte is gaining prominence as a means of decoupling the smelting and converting operations. Moreover, granulation is also being seen as a possible avenue to using higher grade oxygen in converters. By feeding cold solid matte, the oxygen concentration can be increased to compensate for the lower enthalpy feed. This leads to a higher grade of SO2 in the off gas and a lower total flow rate. Current granulation technology relies on the cooling of a falling matte film by water jets. This technology while effective has several drawbacks including those related to safety. Noranda and McGill University have developed a new process (patent pending) for solidifying copper matte (or slag). It overcomes many of the negatives of current technology. The system is based on an air cooled twin roll caster. This: new system uses no water and instead incorporates heat pipe technology to transfer the heat from the solidifying matte to the cooling air to produce a thin strip of 1 to 2 mm in thickness. Testing of a prototype unit demonstrated its viability. This paper describes this newly developed, twin roll casting system that is completely waterless. The advantages of this process as well as the findings from several tests are also detailed.

Jan 1, 1999