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By Daguang Lu

The section of sintering and BF (blast furnace) is very important in iron-making process. In practice, the scheduling is so extensive that three faults unfavorable to continuous product will be easier to happen. This paper introduces the integration Petri Net and GA (genetic algorithm) as suitable tools for simulation and optimization of scheduling to section of sintering- BF under a certain hot iron or-der. The situation of the iron plant Chongqing Iron and Steel Company is researched in approach above mentioned. By analysis, the conclusion is drawn that scheduling with optimized values can maintain continuity of key operations , can satisfy order of hot iron in maximal degree and can keep the best stability of key storages.

Jan 1, 2009

By Caisa Samuelsson, Taishi Matsushita, Hannes Holmgren, Sina Mostaghel

"Rönnskär Smelter of Boliden Mineral AB, Sweden, is a large end-processor of secondary raw materials and waste, including electronic scrap. Electronic scrap may introduce various impurities to the smelter's flow-sheet, among which alumina is a common and significant one. This article summarizes the results of an ongoing research at Luleä University of Technology, Sweden, to study the influences of alumina on different properties of slag from the zinc fuming process at Rönnskär smelter. A combination of different experimental techniques and thermodynamic calculations have been used to investigate properties such as density, surface tension, effective thermal diffusivity, viscosity, and melting/leaching behaviors. Results show that the addition of alumina to this slag increases the degree of polymerization of the melt, and physical properties vary correspondingly. Mineralogy of the semi-rapidly solidified samples is also changed due to alumina addition. A correlation between mineralogy and leaching behavior can be observed.IntroductionBoliden's Rönnskär Smelter is a base- and precious-metals producer located in north of Sweden. Its main products are copper, zinc clinker, lead, gold, and silver. Sulphuric acid, liquid sulphuric dioxide and iron sand (granulated slag) are some of its main by-products. In order to optimize the overall outcome of the process, different refining units are integrated in the smelter's flow-sheet (Figure 1). Copper concentrates and fluxing materials (mainly silica sand) are charged to the process. The produced matte is sent to the converter and the generated slag is charged to the fuming furnace, where it is treated by reducing gases to produce zinc clinker. The converter's slag is charged to the electric furnace, while the fumed slag is tapped into the settling furnace for further cleaning, where matte, slag and speiss (residual metals) are separated. The matte from the settling furnace is also sent to the converters; its speiss is sold to external customers; and its slag is water granulated and sold as construction material, which is known as iron sand."

Jan 1, 2012

By Y. F. Liang

Fe-6.5wt.%Si alloy has excellent soft magnetic properties compared with conventional silicon steel. It is very brittle at room temperature due to appearance of ordered phases, like B2 and DO3. In this paper, we investigate the effect of ordering on cold workability of this alloy. Methods of rapid quenching and hot rolling were utilized. It is found that rapid quenching and proper heat treatment of the hot rolled sheet could decrease the degree of order due to the very high solidification rate and high cooling rate. The rapid quenched sheet and hot rolled sheet after proper heat treatment could be cold rolled without crack. Microstructure, phase ordering, micro hardness, and cold rolling properties were investigated by Optical Microscope, X-ray Diffraction, Micro Hardness Indenter and Four-high Mill.

Jan 1, 2009

By Alan DonaldsoN

Plasma Quench production of titanium is the thermal dissociation of titanium tetrachloride into gaseous titanium and chlorine followed by rapid quenching to prevent back reactions. Titanium tetrachloride dissociates into titanium and chlorine atoms at 5000 K. Expansion through a Delaval nozzle accelerates the gas to supersonic speed cooling it very rapidly. Cooling rates are as high as 7exp 1 0 Kelvins per second. Injected hydrogen reacts with condensed titanium particles to form titanium hydride and with the chlorine to form hydrogen chloride. We have produced titanium powder at 20 kglh in a continuous reactor. Costs are projected to be lower than the Kroll Process at large enough scale. Most of the cost reduction would result from elimination of magnesium as a reducing agent and much lower capital costs.

Jan 1, 2001

By Kimberly Conner-Mills

Due to increasingly stringent worldwide environmental regulations for gaseous, aqueous and solid waste emissions, conventional smelting technology cannot effectively process arsenic containing materials. Many globally significant copper properties have copper sulfide mineralogy that has a high arsenic content present as enargite with significant contained precious metals. As global copper, silver and gold demand increases while significant world resources decrease, treatment of sulfide orebodies with enargite is becoming increasingly important. Methods to selectively dissolve and fix arsenic, leaving behind clean copper and precious metals-bearing concentrates could effectively treat these ores.

By S. Peng, Vaughan R. Voller

"Free boundary problems are a common occurrence in materials processing operations. An important example is the filling of material into molds. This paper looks at filling problems associated with polymer processing, in particular Resin Transfer Molding (RTM) and Compression Molding. A general, single governing equation is developed which on numerical solution provides predictions for the position of the polymer front in the mold during filling. Both fixed and deforming finite element solutions are developed. Application to polymer filling test problems reveal that the fixed and deforming grid scheme are accurate and compare closely with each other.IntroductionProblems arising from the analysis of material processing operations often involve the tracking of a moving boundary, on which a balance conditions needs to be met, or the locating of a free surface that defines the solution domain. Material processing examples of so called ""free and moving boundary problems"" include; the tracking of solidification/melting fronts[l], the tracking of the metal/gas interface during the filling of a mold[2] and location and shape of a skull (freeze line) in a melting furnace[3].Computational solution of free and moving boundary problems usually fit into one of two classes, viz.1. Fixed grid scheme: In which the spatial domain is covered by a fixed grid (mesh) of node points and the solution uses an auxiliary variable (e.g. a local liquid fraction) to track the moving boundary or locate the free surface.2. Deforming grid scheme: In which the grid in the spatial domain is continuously deformed (or adapted in a steady state problem) such that a specified set of grid points lie on the moving boundary or the free surface.Details on the basic underlying features in these two classes of solution can be found in the excellent monograph by Crank [4]."

Jan 1, 1994

By Chengyi Ding, Xuewei Lv, Senwei Xuan, Chenguang Bai, Kai Tang, Gang Li

Sinter is an important iron-bearing material charged into blast furnace. Calcium ferrite (CF) is one of the most significant liquid phases in fluxed sinter. The isothermal reduction kinetics of CF and CF8M (n(CaO):n(Fe2O3) = 1, wt%(MgO) = 8) with 30% CO and 70% N2 gas mixtures at 1123, 1173, and 1223 K were investigated through thermogravimetric analysis in this study. Rate analysis illuminates that the reduction processes of CF and CF8M are mainly expressed as a typical two-stage reaction. Sharp analysis indicates that CF and CF8M reduction is expressed by the Avrami–Erofeev equation presenting a 2D shrinking layer reaction. The apparent activation energy values of CF and CF8M reduction are 46.9 and 31.8 kJ mol−1 individually based on model-free method.

Mar 1, 2018

By O. Tiitu

Drying is a unit process that has numerous applications in metallurgical process industry. Kumera Technology Center is a worldwide equipment and process supplier, who has expertise on both direct and indirect drying. In a conventional direct heated dryer, the required energy is obtained from combustion of fossil fuels emitting a considerable amount of off-gases. However, thermal energy can be already available in some metallurgical plants such as modem copper smelters where steam is produced by waste heat boilers of flash smelting furnaces. The total volume of off-gases, and especially the amount of harmful gases, released into atmosphere can be remarkably reduced when using steam as an indirect energy source for drying. Kumera Technology Center has developed a new type of steam dryer for drying of, for example, abrasive copper concentrate with silica sand. In the development of the new dryer, Kumera's approach has been to combine the best properties of both the existing steam dryers and the rotating drum dryers. In the design, special attention has been paid to overcoming the reported problems of excessive wear and clogging of steam tubes and to reducing the required maintenance operations. The Kumera Steam Dryer, having a patented flexible steam tube arrangement inside the rotating shell, has a high effective heating area - drum volume ratio without leading to problems with build-up and clogging. It can also be easily scaled up so that a single dryer can dry all of the feed for a large flash furnace. In this paper, we will present the operational and maintenance experiences from two years operation of the first full-scale Kumera Steam Dryer at Norddeutsche Affinerie Aktiengesellschaft in Hamburg, Germany. We will also provide an overview of the future developments with respect to construction and scale up as a response to market demands.

Jan 1, 2002

By Xuling Chen, Yi Wang, Xiaohui Fan

"The current control method of grate-kiln iron ore oxide pellet production is lack of accuracy and normalization due to the limited detection conditions. Therefore, mathematical models of grate-kiln temperature field are presented. With calculation of gas-particle heat transfer as well as enthalpy changes of moisture evaporation and magnetite oxidation, the thermal history of pellets throughout grate-kiln process can be acquired and used for production status estimation. Taking the calculated results as well as detected data in production as inputs, process parameters such as running speed, fan opening and coal injection rate as adjusting objects, expert system for grate-kiln pellet production is outlined. And the preheating section dominated control strategy is explained. Results of production application show that the stability rate of gas temperature in gas hood of preheating section is increased from 91.0% to 94.2%, compressive strength and first grade rate of pellet are increased by 3.62% and 2.36%, respectively, while FeO content is 18.18% lower. Control guidance of this expert system can solve production anomalies effectively, stabilize grate-kiln iron ore oxide pellet production and improve pellet quality.IntroductionSteel industry in China has developed rapidly in recent years. China’s crude steel production in 2010 is nearly 627 million, which is 44.2% of the world total production. Burden with higher quality is demanded by enlargement and modernization of blast furnaces. And oxide pellet production has become a growing concern. In 2010, the total production of pellet in China is 110 million, and about 60% is produced by grate-kiln process."

Jan 1, 2012

By V. J. Ramirez, A. M. E. Noguez, M. J. Navarrete, B. G. Salas, N. T. Robert

"The close die forging stress in truncated conical cavities is evaluated with dimensional analysis. Five dimensionless groups are proposed from the process variables in order to simplify the forging stress determination. These groups are experimentally related and graphically expressed. This methodology can be used to predict the actual forging stress in industrial close die forgingThe use of the dimensionless groups allow to comprise more cases than the presented here, provided similar geometries and operational conditions.Introduction.Closed die forging is essentially a plastic deformation inside a two piece mold (forging die) with the inverted shape of the actual forging geometry. This plastic deformation will always be the result of a compressive stress. There are theoretical models which include complex calculations for the analytical determination of stresses (1, 2, 3, 4). Results of these calculations are approximate, requiring generally ulterior tests to obtain the true operational conditions(5).In this paper, it is presented a simplified approach to the actual compression stress needed in the forging. A well known tool in engineering: the Buckingham's Pi theorem in conjunction with dimensionless groups and a working piece scale model is used. Dimensional analysis will give the dimensionless terms needed to experiment with a selected scale model geometry to make the stress determination. The results presented demonstrate the reliability of this methodology."

Jan 1, 1997

By Billy W. Osborne

The use or primary dross as a source for aluminum ion in the manufacture of aluminum sulfate offers opportunities for an inexpensive raw material. The aluminum sulfate industry in the US is a mature market with numerous small plants operating close to major users. The majority of manufacturers use either bauxite or aluminum oxide trihydrate as a source for the alum¬inum ion.. However, using process technology developed and patented by IWC, the oxides are removed from primary dross for use in manufacturing aluminum sulfate prior to metal recovery. This process offers the benefit of reducing costs for metal recovery. This paper discusses some of the methodology used in this process.

Jan 1, 1995

By Susanne Pignolet-Brandom

Fourteen samples of crushed Duluth Complex rock were characterized by the QEM?SEM automated scanning electron microscope image analysis system to evaluate the application of the system to mining waste rock characterization. The system can reliably distinguish the iron sulfides, the copper-iron sulfides and the nickel-iron sulfides. Calcite was distinguished from all other minerals except fluorite. The volumetric abundances were verified by comparing elemental abundances calculated using the QEM"SEM volumetric percentages and appropriate mineral compositions with elemental abundances determined by standard laboratory procedure. The pH and sulfate concentrations of rinse water from laboratory leach experiments correlated well with the mineralogical data.

Jan 1, 1989

By Lennart Hedlund

There is today a long and well-documented experience of the use of Boliden "Kaldo' technology for treatment of various feed matedals. The process is In commercial' operation in the Boliden Mineral's Rönnskär plant In Sweden for treatment of copper scraps and lead concentrates (In campaigns). This plant was built In 1976 for treatment of lead dusts from the copper plant but later modified to take other raw materials. Boliden's Kaldo techr:lology Is also In operation since 1991 for treatment of low-grade copper scraps In Enlrlsorse's plant In Porto Marghera (Venice), Italy. The plant is producing 25 000 tons of blister copper ,per year. The Kaldo furnace Isa high :Intensity smelting unit, where several successive treatment steps can be done In the same vessel. The furnace can be totally enclosed to protect the working environment, and the small off-gas volume can easily be dedusted. Input materials can vary over a very wide range, the products will be a dump slag with low (0,5%) copper and lead contents and black copper or blister copper. The dust from the process can be used for zinc production. A new development is autogenous smelting of scrap in a Pierce-Smith converter, implemented at Compagnie Générale d' Èlectrolyse du Palais in France.

Jan 1, 1995

By Robin M. Forbes. Jones, Suhas V. Patankar, Ramesh S. Minisandram, Jr. Carter, Kanchan M. Kelkar

"The nucleated casting process currently under development has the potential for production of Ni-base superalloy preforms that possess superior microstructure to product made by conventional casting processes, primarily for gas turbine applications. In this process, electroslag remelted (ESR) clean (i.e., free of ceramic inclusions) molten metal is conveyed via a watercooled copper Cold-walled Induction Guide (CIG) to a gas atomizer. The spray of clean metal droplets is then directly cast into a water-cooled crucible for ingot production. The microstructure of the resulting ingot preform evolves within the length scale of the individual droplets and is a function of the thermal state of the incoming metal droplets. This, in turn, depends on particle size, flight time and heat exchange with the gas phase.In the present study, computational models is developed for the analysis of the flow and heat transfer in the gas-metal spray system under axisymmetric and steady-state conditions. The gasphase flow is analyzed using an Eulerian framework and turbulent mixing within the gas phase is modeled using the two-equation k-e model. The dynamics of the metal particles is analyzed using a Lagrangian framework that involves calculation of the trajectories of the metal droplets. A two-way coupling is considered whereby the transport and heat transfer in the gas and the metal phases influence each other.The analysis is developed at two levels. The spray model performs a detailed calculation of the spray dynamics in the vicinity of the spray and is intended for predicting the temperature and mass flux distributions of the metal spray depositing into the mold. The chamber model enables prediction of gas flow and motion of metal particles in the entire spray chamber."

Jan 1, 2004

A novel pressure leaching process for platinum group metal (PGM) feedstocks is described. The process is particularly well suited for treatment of ores or concentrates that are too low grade for economic processing by the conventional smelting/leaching process. Operating conditions have been identified under which gold, the PGM's and the base metals dissolve simultaneously in a pressure leaching autoclave. The product of this leaching process can then be treated by one of several flowsheets, of which the preferred will likely involve solid/liquid separation, followed by precipitation (or adsorption on activated carbon) of gold and the PGM's, followed by copper solvent extraction/electrowinning. Depending on the concentrations of nickel and cobalt, the copper raffinate would either be partially recycled to the autoclave to allow NilCo concentrations to build up, or it would proceed directly to a Ni/Co refinery. This paper deals with the pressure leaching process and the recovery of gold and the PGM's from the pressure leach product.

Jan 1, 2000

By Yong Hwan, Wang Jian-Jun, Cai Jiu-Ju, Chen Chun-Xia

"The quantity of residual-heat and its recovery in some Chinese sinter plants are investigated. The main factors affecting energy consumption are analyzed using exergy analysis combining energy level analysis. It is indicated that the “gradation recovery and cascade utilize” of discharged gas and sinter residual heat in different temperature is the direction and the available approach to reduce energy consumption of the sinter process. Taking an iron& steel enterprise as an example, the three-ranked scheme of residual-heat recovery is put forward: ?Part of the sinter gas is used for warm-up and dryness; ?The high-temperature part of the cooler and exhaust-heat boiler are actualized as a closed-circuit, which can produce high-quality steam to generate electricity. ?The waste air in low-temperature part is introduced to sintering machine to support combustion. According to the CDQ which can recover the coal heat, the assumption of pot-recovery is put forward to replace the belt cooler. The two equipments of residual-heat recovery are analyzed in the aspect of energy consumption and CO2 reduction.1. IntroductionEnergy consumption in sintering is only inferior to iron-making in iron& steel enterprises, accounting for 10%~20% of the total energy consumption. A lot of residual heat is produced during sintering, and mostly from the sinter ore and waste gas. Sensible heat of hot sinter ore and discharged gas have accounted for 60%[1] (equals to 40 kgce/t-ore), which are the key point of sintering waste heat recovery. Discharge gas of sintering is mostly composed of flue gas deriving from sinter bed’s combustion, and the content distribution of H2O and O2 and the temperature of the gas along the length of belt-type sintering are shown in Figure1[2,3]. Currently, the sensible heat of hot sinter ore is mainly recovered by circular cooler and cooled by blasting air: the temperature of cooled discharge gas brings down from 350? to about 100? along with the decrease of sinter ore temperature. It is significant to recovery and reuse the waste heat as 4000~6000m3 discharge gas per ton of ore can be produced"

Jan 1, 2008

By Hong Ro Lee, Seang Suk Cho, Byung Sun Chun, Chang Whan Won

"The preparation of Al203-SiC-TiC composite powders was studied by SHS process using silica (source of Si02) powder instead of Si which is expensive. And, aluminum powder was used as reducing agent of silica and charcoal activated was used as carbon source. Effects of the molar ratio in raw material mixtures and compaction pressure and initial temperature of reactant on the products and combustion process were studied. The most important variable affecting the synthesis of Al203-SiC-TiC was the molar ratio of carbon. The combustion reaction generated in powder state without preheating. But the unreactants exist in the product on all molar ratio. When the preheating temperature is over 400 °C, the combustion reaction was able to be generated in pellet state. Without preheating, the combustion reaction was possible by Ti02 addition. The optimum condition in this system was the molar ratio of Si02:Ti02:Al:C=2.5:0.5:4:3.1. INTRODUCTIONCeramics have demonstrated a capability as a cutting tool, especially in competition with WC-Co cermets (ceramic-metal composites) as inserts for metal turning and milling operation. The advantage of ceramics compared with carbides is retention of high hardness, strength, and chemical inertness to temperatures in excess of 1000 ·c . This allows use of the ceramics at much higher machining speeds than can be tolerated by carbides. However, the ceramics have lower toughness than the carbide materials, and have only been used successfully in the limited operations of turning and milling. There are several classes of cutting tools. The addition of TiC or PSZ, or both, and reinforcement with SiC overcame the poor fracture toughness and thermal-shock resistance that limited Al203 use in the past [1]."

Jan 1, 1998

By Yuanbo Zhang

Keywords: Complex Iron Ores, Roasting, Tin, Zinc, Pellets, Comprehensive Recovery. The complex iron ores containing tin, zinc are typical refractory ores. Large reserves of the ores are found in China and have not been utilized efficiently so far. A new process of tin and zinc recovery and pellet preparation from iron concentrate containing tin and zinc by controlled atmosphere roasting is developed in this investigation. The results of 2573 N/P compression strength of product pellets, the 91.49% and 82.22% volatilization of tin and zinc respectively, are achieved for a concentrate containing 0.39% tin and 0.28% zinc. The strength and chemical compositions of the pellets meet the requirement of blast furnace ironmaking. Volatilization mechanism of tin and zinc are investigated. Thermodynamic study shows that the reduction balance curves of SnO2(s) and SnO(g) are proximate in the presence of carbon, and the standard formation free enthalpy of FeO and SnO2 is also approachable. Therefore, it is difficult to realize the complete volatilization of tin in the form of SnO(g) by selective reduction. But SnO2(s) and SnO(g) will form SnCl4(g) or SnCl2(g) in the presence of chlorides and can be easily volatilized from the ores.

Jan 1, 2005

By Krishna Parameswaran

This paper discusses sustainability considerations in primary copper smelting using selected examples of practices at ASARCO LLC, an integrated U.S. primary copper producer. Using the classic Brundtland Commission definition of sustainable development, i.e., “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs,” the paper discusses how copper mining and smelting practices can be made sustainable. The examples used to illustrate sustainability considerations include: (1) adoption of flash smelting; (2) emission reduction and process improvement associated with anode refining of blister copper and the converter retrofit project, and (3) preliminary research findings on alkali treatment of copper smelting slags and copper mine tailings.

By Susan Jacob

The heat of fusion of silver was measured using high temperature differential scanning calorimetry (HTDSC). Heating rate, sample mass, calibration standard and cover gas flow rate were varied to determine their impact on instrument accuracy and reproducibility. Good reproducibility was achieved in most of the runs. Accuracy was not satisfactory in most of the runs, though three runs gave results within 1.7%, 3.3% and 3.5% of the literature value, within the acceptable limits. A larger mass and higher heating rate tend to generate more accurate results.

Jan 1, 2006