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By Brian Lightfoot

Ausmelt Technology uses a furnace/slag/lance system in a way analogous to the way a chemical engineer would use a mixed reactor. The technology is sufficiently versatile to treat materials under a very wide range of temperature and chemical conditions. At one extreme the system has been operated at temperatures high enough and oxygen potentials low enough to make iron. At the other extreme it has been operated of temperatures as low as 800°C and oxygen potentials high enough to cupel lead from silver. This versatility permits the treatment of a great variety of wastes including asbestos, mixed organic\heavy metal wastes, incinerator ash smelter residues, waste water treatment sludges, organochlorine compounds and many others.

Jan 1, 1994

By K. S. V. L. Narasimhan

Recently developed high energy permanent magnets SmCo5, Sm2Co17, Nd2Fe14B offer an interesting study of magnetic phenomenon. This publication discusses briefly the evolution of these magnets and the origin of the coercive force. Atomized SmCo5 coarse particles (150 to 300 microns) exhibit unusually large coercive force contrary to the experience in cast alloys. A brief discussion of utilization of these magnets into devices is also presented.

Jan 1, 1992

By Jin-Chun Kim

Nanosized W based powders (W, WC, WC-Co) were produced by chemical vapor condensation (CVC) process. Two different solid W(CO)6 and Co2(CO)8 metal-organic materials were used as precursors. CVC experiment was conducted in the temperature range of 400-1100. As-CVC WC1-x powder which had non-stoichiometric composition was carburized by using of the CH4-H2 mixed gas in temperature range of 750-850. The CVC W and WC1-x powders showed loosely agglomeration structure, and the Co powder had intricate long stand structure because of intrinsic magnetic properties of Co phase. Carbon content of the CVC powders controlled by gas-phase carburization was well matched with theoretical WC stoichiometry (6.13wt%).

Jan 1, 2006

By James J. Reilly

This paper recounts a history of the contribution of Dr. Gary Sandrock to the science and applications of metal hydrides from 1974 to 2006. It includes a bibliography that cites selected publications over the course these years and which constitutes an important public record.

Jan 1, 2006

By Chi Ru?an

Sollutions of ammonium chloride, nitrate and sulfate were studied in extraction of rare earths absorbed on a low-grade, kaolilnitic ore recently discovered in southern China. The results of percolation leaching tests and the recovery of the rare-earth values from these solutions are presented.

Jan 1, 1989

By D. J. Sellmyer

This paper is Intended to review recent developments in the application of rare earth-transition metal alloys as high density, rewritable data-storage media. First generation magneto-optic media are based on amorphous Tb-FeCo or GdTb-Fe alloys which are adequate but could use improvements In certain respects. A very difficult materials-design problem is encountered because of the following requirements: a sufficiently large Intrinsic uniaxial anisotropy, a Curie temperature in the range 100-300°C, a sufficiently high coercivity, a sufficiently high optical absorption, a high Kerr rotation, reflectivity and high carrier-to-noise ratio, a high storage density, a very fine and homogeneous nanostructure, long-term stability, and inexpensive production. , Fundamental issues such as the relationships between the nanostructure and perpendicular magnetic anisotropy, and electronic structure and Kerr rotation are discussed. Attempts to tailor the properties by rare-earth alloying and by preparing compositionally-modulated, nanostructured multilayers are outlined. Challenges and opportunities in competitive materials such as garnets, ferrites and Co/Pt multilayers are briefly discussed.

Jan 1, 1992

By L. Béjar-Gómez

The aim of this research work is to study and characterize the precipitates in structural microalloyed steel by transmission electron microscopy and analysis by low resolution. Microalloyed steel with niobium was produced by casting in an electrical induction oven of 25 Kg capacity. Carbon content in steel was less than 0.1 % and 0.036% of niobium. Steel was processed thermomechanically; reheated to 1250 °C and hot rolled on a laboratory mill to a 13.0 mm thick plate with a finish rolling temperature of 900ºC and a thickness reduction of 80% . This work shows what precipitates are present in steel, the type of precipitates and their morphology. Analysis by transmission electron microscopy of low resolution was applied to obtain the chemical analysis of precipitates and the matrix. Spectroscopy of dispersive energy (STEM - EDS) was applied to obtain the element profile of precipitates. Particles of precipitates of NbC were found; with cubic morphology and size from 70 to 130 nm, circular morphology and size from 10 to 70 nm, polygonal morphology and size from 10 to 80 nm.

Jan 1, 2006

By Maurizio Marezio Bertini

Ammonia - ammonium sulfate solutions were sparged in a glass reactor with a SO2/O2 gas mixture (2% SO2 and 98% O2) to leach copper from pure chalcopyrite and chalcopyrite concentrate. The SO2/O2 mixture produces higher and faster extractions than O2 by itself. The effect of temperature, particle size and free ammonia concentration was investigated. The fastest and highest recoveries were obtained at 80 oC from a chalcopyrite concentrate with a d80equal to 13 m, with about 83 gpl free ammonia, an average pH equal to 8.75 and a stirring speed of 500 rpm. The extraction process was controlled by diffusion through a product layer, according to the shrinking core model, with an activation energy of 41 kJ/mole.

Jan 1, 2003

By María Guadalupe Sánchez-Loredo

Silver from nitrate aqueous solutions was extracted by commercial organophosphorous extractants (tri-n-butylphosphate, Cyanex 471x, Cyanex 301 and Cyanex 302). Quantitative silver extraction was obtained using the Cyanex reagents. After loading, aqueous solutions of several reducing reagents were used to prepare fine silver powders by reductive stripping. Only both extractants Cyanex 471x and tri-n-butylphosphate (TBP) could be reductive stripped and regenerated by aqueous solutions of ascorbic acid, and Cyanex 471x was decomposed to the corresponding phosphine oxide by using sodium borohydride as reducing agent. Silver was recovered as fine particles, which were characterised by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Micrographs showed that the powder size and morphology were directly affected by the composition of the applied organic phases and aqueous reducing media.

Jan 1, 2003

By D. P. Briand

Falconbridge Limited operates a smelter in Sudbury, consisting of fluid bed roasters, acid plant, electric furnaces and Peirce-Smith converters, to treat local concentrate and other custom materials. The products are a low iron, nickel- copper-cobalt matte and sulphuric acid. This paper describes the operation and highlights some of the recent efforts to improve human resource effectiveness, to reduce sulphur dioxide emissions and ground level concentration excursions, to develop and expand the custom feed business, to improve productivity and performance in safety and hygiene, and to improve furnace integrity and process control.

Jan 1, 1993

By David M. Beckwith

Increased globalization and outsource manufacturing complicate the procurement and enforcement of intellectual property rights on a worldwide basis. Recent legislative and case law developments in the United States highlight the importance of a multinational intellectual property strategy. IP lawyers David Beckwith and John Hankins will discuss planning and pitfalls in this rapidly changing trans-border environment. Topics to be discussed include harmonization with international patent laws, protecting your technology and market space with a comprehensive approach to IP, and patent enforcement issues relating to import/export of products and components in the United States.

Jan 1, 2006

By C. J. Boreiko

Traditional patterns of lead and zinc utilization are being evaluated in accordance with new paradigms that seek to ensure the long-term compatibility of global industrial activity with precepts of sustainable development and sustainable consumption. As a consequence, both industry sectors are experiencing intense scrutiny from the international community, and numerous regulatory options are being considered that may impact upon international industry practice. This paper reviews the growing expectations being placed upon industry, and highlights some of the common regulatory concerns being expressed regarding both metals despite their differing toxicological profiles.

Jan 1, 2000

By C. K. Gupta

The paper reports on the experimental work and results obtained in processing a xenotime concentrate. The rare earth resource concentrate has been treated by three different methods namely, hydrothermal leaching, alkali roasting and alkali pugging or baking. The recovery in hydrothermal leaching with caustic soda at 150-160°C has been 89%. En comparison, processes involving alkali roastings with soda ash at 850°C and with caustic soda at 500°C, and alkali pugging or baking with caustic soda at 200°C have given recovery values close to 100%

Jan 1, 1992

By John Sakala, Jeyapandian Sasikumar, Sydney Kwalela

The Isasmelt Furnace was commissioned in September 2006 with a concentrates treatment capacity of 850,000 tonnes per annum. However, the converter section became a bottleneck to the high throughput. Over 25% of the Isasmelt Furnace down time was attributed to lack of converter space. Factors that affected converter operations were low tuyere line campaign life (an average of 150 blows), high reverts generation, low conversion rates, and high converter cycle time. As a result of efforts carried out to improve converter operation, the average campaign life has increased to over 250 blows and reverts generation has been reduced from 22% of concentrate treated to 15%. Blister copper conversion rate has increased from 15 tonnes per hour to 19 tonnes per hour and blowing time per cycle has been reduced from 5.7 hours to 4.7 hours.

Jan 1, 2012

By Z. S. Wronski

In rapidly solidified Fe-Nd-B permanent magnet alloys, the content and distribution of Nd-rich intermetallic and Fe-phases determine coercivity Hc and remanence Br. Consequently, microstructure plays a crucial role in deter- mining the (BH) max-product of permanent magnets fabricated from these alloys. A study has been initiated to investigate changes in microstructure and the effects on magnetic properties as the material is processed from arc-melted ingot to melt-spun flakes and finally to a product consolidated by hot-forming. Anisotropic magnetization behaviour has been observed in rapidly solidified flakes after low-temperature annealing.

Jan 1, 1989

By F. A. Fasoyinu

The mechanical properties of yellow brass (C85800), high strength yellow brass (C86300), and high manganese brasses (C99700 and C99750) cast in permanent molds have been studied. The tensile properties as well as fracture and impact toughness of these alloys are strongly dependent on the chemical composition. Alloys and/or compositions exhibiting relatively high zinc equivalent often exhibited high ultimate tensile strength and yield strength with significant reduction in ductility (% elongation). In order to achieve optimum properties with a good balance between strength and ductility, a calculation of the zinc equivalent before alloy preparation can be useful.

Jan 1, 1999

By Kejun Liu

Platinum and palladium are usually dissolved together and followed by separation. In this study, the selective leaching of platinum and palladium from a secondary resource, such as dental waste, by using chloride solution (hypochlorite and chlorate) has been developed. Results indicate that about 100% of palladium could be initially extracted by the combination of 0.3 mol/L sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) and 0.068 mol/L sodium chloride (NaCl) at pH 1.2 and 298K in 1.5 hours, or the combination of 0.005 mol/L sodium chlorate (NaClO3) and 6 mol/L hydrochloric acid (HCl) at 298K in 0.5 hour. About 100% of platinum could be extracted from the residue by the combination of 0.47 mol/L sodium chlorate (NaClO3) and 12 mol/L hydrochloric acid (HCl) at 298K in 2 hours.

Jan 1, 2003

By C. Sui

A common objective in many Cu/Zn concentrators is to reduce the loss of Zn to the Cu-concentrate. One suspected source of the problem is accidental activation of sphalerite by heavy metal ions such as lead. One method of quantifying surface metal ion concentration is extraction with ethylene-diamine-tetra-acetate (EDTA). This was used to survey Cu-rougher flotation at three Cu/Zn concentrators: Les Mines Selbaie, Falconbridge's Kidd Creek division, and Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting Although all have less than 0.2% galena in the ore, Pb ions proved an abundant extractable metal. From a laboratory study a model of surface coverage of lead species generated by an ore was combined with an estimate of surface concentration of lead required to activate sphalerite to explore the possibility of accidental activation. Ores with Pb-grade as low as 0.1% can produce sufficient Pb to be a potential problem.

Jan 1, 1999

By Tim B. Vanderwood

The mineralogy of dusts from several locations in a lead smelting plant, remotely collected dusts and soils near the lead smelter, and dusts from a secondary copper smelter were examined by reflected light microscopy (RLM) to determine their m1neralogy, texture, and origins. Individual grams were further analyzed by microbeam techniques. Detailed petrographic analysis of the dust has been supplemented by automated scanning electron microscopy combined with energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy (ASEM-EDS). This technique allows the rapid sizing and chemical analysis of thousands of individual particles in a dust sample, producing particle size distributions as well as statistically meaningful breakdown of a sample into chemical types (e.g., proportion of galena vs chalcopyrite).

Jan 1, 1992

By H. Cepin

Production of non-ferrous metals is still principally performed in shaft and flame fired furnaces. Electric furnaces increase metal recovery, reduce environmental burdens and decrease energy consumption compared to conventional processes. Because non-ferrous metals have low melting and boiling points and aggressive slags design of the furnace, energy input, and slag conductivity and composition are very important. Secondary materials are easily handled in electric furnaces. Since additional amounts of lead, zinc and tin will become available from secondary sources in the future, electric furnaces are expected to replace conventional smelting furnaces. The paper describes technical, electrical, and process designs of electric furnaces peculiar to the reduction of non-ferrous metals. Electric and various thermic furnace processes are compared.

Jan 1, 1990