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By Markus A. Reuter, Yongxiang Yang, Jim R. Post

In the upper part of an iron making blast furnace, sinter, coke and pellets are charged. While descending, the burden is heated and the iron oxides are reduced by the rising gases. The iron oxides start to soften and eventually melt. The melt and the remaining coke collect in the lower part of the blast furnace: the hearth. The remaining coke forms a porous bed: the dead man (see Figure 2). The melt flow through the dead man can affect substantially the hearth lining life, the furnace productivity and product (i.e. hot metal) quality. Physical characteristics like porosity and particle size distribution of the porous coke bed play a critical role. Because of the distributed nature of the coke properties, the bed packing structure and porosity will not be constant.

Jan 1, 2003

By Markus A. Reuter, Yongxiang Yang, James R. Post

The packed coke bed in the lower part of an iron making blast furnace, the dead man, dissolves slowly in a pool of hot metal, which is tapped regularly. The coke particles of the dead man not only exhibit a size distribution, but also their size distribution is non-uniform throughout the dead man and as a result, the porosity of the dead man is non-uniform. This causes the flow of hot metal through the dead man to be irregular and non-uniform, bringing about channelling in the coke bed. Channelling is detrimental to the refractory lining life of the hearth of a blast furnace. Using population balance modelling and a porosity model it is possible to keep track of the local changes in size distribution and bed porosity during dissolution of coke particles. Numerical simulations show that carbon dissolution from a packed coke bed (with particles which exhibit a size distribution) increases the average porosity, decreases the mean particle size and changes the size distribution to a distribution with a smaller size range. Influence of the type of initial size distribution (mean, variance) is investigated. The calculated changes in porosity are used to dynamically adapt the flow and the mass transfer (kinetics) during calculations. This approach provides the possibility to implement dynamic porosity calculations for CFD applications, and thus simulate the results of various coke types and particle size distributions on dissolution and flow behaviour.

Jan 1, 2003

By R Wolff

One critical factor in open pit mining projects is the estimation of the recoverable reserves. The reason for this is that at the valuation stage there is a lack of information about future metal prices and production costs. Consequently, the estimation of the recoverable reserves needs to be done based on a fixed break-even cut-off grade (BECG), in which fixed expected metal prices and production costs are assumed throughout the operating life of the mine (OLM). In this paper, an alternative technique for estimating the recoverable reserves of an open pit mining project is presented and explained in detail. The main characteristic of this technique is that it estimates the recoverable reserves of the project using mining costs as reference: this is done due to the fact that mining costs are easier to model than metal prices. Another important characteristic of this technique is that it uses the uncertainty of the geology of the orebody, given by simulations of the deposit, to make final strategic decisions, such as the selection of the operating life of the mine and the optimal production rate, which minimise the risk of not achieving future production targets while maximising the upside potential of future rewards. As it will be shown, the final outcome of the proposed technique is the generation of a robust open pit design, that include cutbacks and ultimate pit limits, called the marginal open pit mine design (MOPMD). One characteristic of the MOPMD is that, at each production period, it will be characterised by their respective geological uncertainty, given as probability distributions of ore, waste and metal quantities, and by marginal economical project indicators, such as cut-off grades and metal prices, among others. The details follow in the paper.

Jan 1, 2006

By R. Weideman, K. du Preez

Biological sulfate reduction has become a successful treatment alternative for acid mine drainage and Mintek is developing biological processes for treatment of highsulfate mine waters. Treatment of these high-sulfate waters is achieved by sulfatereducing bacteria that reduce sulfate to produce sulfide as a product, in the form of H2S and HS− at neutral pH. This introduces the opportunity to apply treated effluents from biological treatment processes for the recovery of metals, such as copper, from metallurgical waste streams. This study models the kinetics of copper sulfide precipitation from a complex bioleach liquor. The results indicated a rapid rate of reaction and the formation of covellite, suggesting the potential to use biogenic sulfide to recover copper as a metal sulfide product.

Jan 1, 2023

By Y. Houbaert, L. Kestens, R. Decocker

"A magneto-elastic model is presented to calculate the orientation dependence of the magnetostrictive strain, observed at saturated magnetisation in ferromagnetic materials with a cubic crystal structure and an arbitrary crystallographic texture. The formula of Becker and Doring is used to express the anisotropy of magnetostriction for a single crystal. In order to simulate the macroscopic average magnetostriction of a polycrystalline aggregate (with an arbitrary texture) the Reuss assumption of the elasticity theory was applied. According to this assumption the various orientations of the polycrystal can defonn without constraints, producing local strain incompatibilities in the microstructure but observing total stress equilibrium. The macroscopic strain is calculated as the weighted average of the individual strains of all orientations composing the polycrystal. The weight factors are determined by the volume fractions of the corresponding orientations of the given texture, which can be measured by standard X-ray diffraction techniques. The model is applied to simulate the variation of magnetostriction (at saturation) with respect to the rolling direction for a standard grade of Goss-oriented electrical steel. A brief comparison with experimental data allows validating the basic model assumptions. IntroductionBecause of tougher environmental constraints, the noise reduction in transformer cores has become increasingly important. It is generally accepted that the main source of noise is magnetostriction, which is known to be caused during the magnetisation process by the movement of 90° magnetic domain walls and the rotation of the magnetisation vector out of the easy directions. Therefore, it is obvious that when a ferromagnetic body is magnetised to saturation, the resulting magnetostriction will be dependent on the distribution of magnetic domains in the initial state.In the literature two coefficients are used to describe the resulting magnetostriction at a saturating magnetic field. The total strain, measured from an arbitrary demagnetised state to technical saturation, is called the saturation magnetostriction, and is denoted by (~)s. The tenn magnetostriction coefficient will be employed to designate the strain measured from the ideal demagnetised state (i.e. one in which no preferred orientation of domains exists) to technical saturation. Failure to recognise the difference between these two quantities has led to considerable confusion in the literature.The magnetostriction coefficient for a single crystal is a well-known property for ferromagnetic cubic materials. In 1939 Becker and Doring [1] have derived the following relation, describing the magnetostriction coefficient for single crystals with a cubic symmetry:"

Jan 1, 2001

By Y. Cao, C. Li, A. Song

Bubble size plays a key role in determining flotation efficiency. Bubbles can be formed by passing air through pores. Bubble detachment from a pore is driven by lifting forces including buoyancy force and momentum force. Enhancing the momentum force is the key to accelerate bubble detachment and to minimise bubble size. Recent studies show that replacing steady air with oscillatory air supply could significantly decrease bubble size by enhancing the momentum force. To date, the underlying mechanism for the improved momentum force with oscillatory air supply is not yet clear. This work, for the first time, developed a qualitative model for the momentum force as a function of frequency, on/off time ratio and gas flow rate. It was found that the momentum force was positively correlated with the frequency as well as the air flow rate, and was negatively related to the on/off time ratio. The relation between bubble size and these operating parameters was also investigated. Keywords: Flotation, bubble size, momentum force, modelling, oscillatory air supply

Jan 1, 2020

By C. O. Aksoy, P. M. Ozfirat, M. K. Ozfirat, C. Tatar, C. Pamukcu

"Temporal and other factors contributing to the occurrence of occupational accidents at an underground coal mine in Turkey between 1992 and 2000 have been analyzed. The time period of the study spanned the transition from hand-worked mining methods (1992 to 1996) to hand-worked mining methods and mechanized mining methods (1997 to 2000).The mine selected for the study employed an average of 5,835 men per year on three separate eight-hour production shifts for 302 d/y (Sundays are not worked, and there are 11 holiday days per year). Production on an annual basis averaged 190,000 tons per year between 1992 and 1996, and 300,000 tons per year between 1997 and 2000.The purpose of the study was to determine which, if any, of the factors studied contributed to the occurrence of accidents so that the mine could take the necessary steps to reduce the risk to the workforce. Regression analysis was used to determine the strength of the relationship between each factor studied and the number of occupational accidents.The strongest relationships observed were between the age of the employee, the day of the week, and the total yearly labour."

Jan 1, 2006

By Mark Jolly

"Over the last ten years or so many man hours have been dedicated to developing methods for simulating shape casting processes. The majority of the methods developed have been devised by a combination of computer, mathematics and materials specialists often with limited knowledge of foundries and foundrymen. As a result of this it would appear that although there are many software packages for the foundryman to use there still exist fundamental misunderstandings as to their usefulness and suitability within the foundry.The paper aims to identify how well current software packages perform. The relationships between physical phenomena, practical defects and software capabilities are presented. Some discussion of the use of criteria functions is also presented. Finally issues arising from the postprocessing of results are discussed as the presentation of the results to the lay-person in simulation techniques is possibly one of the most important aspects in influencing the adoption of this type of software in the foundry community."

Jan 1, 1999

By James W. Evans

It appears that all extractive processes involve, at one or more points, fluids (gases or liquids) and that the flow of the fluid is an essential part of the functioning of the process. Usually that flow is turbulent and the turbulent flow frequently determines the rates of mass and heat transfer as well as other important phenomena such as bubble/droplet breakup and coalescence, particle suspension, etc. Over the past decade many attempts have been made to model turbulent flows in metallurgical unit operations. The present paper summarizes some of that work. Amongst the operations considered are agitated leaching, ladle metallurgy, electrowinning/refin- ing, induction furnaces, Hall cells and electro- magnetic casting. Where possible, comparisons are made between model predictions and experimental results.

Jan 1, 1990

By J. Gebhardt, D. McBride, C. R. Bennett, Croft. N., M. Cross

A comprehensive model of solution flow through heap leach systems requires a numerical solution with the ability to predict variably saturated-unsaturated flow through porous media domains that contain materials with spatially variable properties. The types of flow associated with stockpile leach processes lead to flow problems, such as infiltration into dry soil, drainage, perched water tables and flow through heterogeneous materials. Computational methods for modelling this class of flow behaviour are conventionally based on the classical Richards' equation. However, the governing equations are highly non-linear, difficult to solve, and require iterative numerical solution methods. The pressure-based form of the Richards' equation suffers from poor mass balance, while the mixed form can possess convergence difficulties. An adaptive transformed mixed algorithm is described, which reduces the non-linearity of the problem, optimizes the time step size, and provides a fast, numerically robust scheme that significantly reduces computation (or CPU) time. This method is shown to give fast, accurate solutions on a number of complex flow problems. The utility of this algorithm is illustrated through its implementation within the PHYSICA computational modelling software, which incidentally, provides a framework for a comprehensive heap leach model.

Jan 1, 2005

By Pengfu Tan

The control of converter slag chemistry and slag viscosity has played an important role in optimizing converter operations. A thermodynamic model of copper P-S converter and a viscosity model of converter slag have been used to predict the chemistry and viscosity of converter slag. The effect of oxygen potential, SiO2/Fe in slag, detection of slag blow endpoint, and temperature on slag viscosity, liquidus temperature of converter slag and skimming operation has been discussed. Some applications of the industrial operations have been presented.

Jan 1, 2006

By Ana Clara Petrucelli

O estudo do sopro de oxigênio no EOF é muito complexo e envolve diferentes fenômenos, incluindo o desenvolvimento do jato supersônico, a interação do jato com o ambiente ao seu redor e o banho metálico, onde ocorrem importantes reações. No presente trabalho, diferentes alternativas de desenho de lança e bicos e arranjos desses no interior do EOF são desenvolvidos a interação do jato supersônico com o ambiente do banho metálico foi caracterizada. Para o EOF, o objetivo foi determinar a melhor combinação de variação de injetores e vazões para alcançar o menor tempo de mistura, estabelecendo um novo padrão operacional. Os injetores tiveram pouca relevância no tempo de mistura. Ventaneiras e lanças supersônicas apresentaram os menores tempos de mistura. A lanças supersônicas tem influência nos mecanismos de movimento do banho e projeção de material líquido no EOF, enquanto as ventaneiras afetam o movimento do banho.

Jul 29, 2018

By Diego Marquina, Jorge Terrones, Jose Morales

Si bien los incendios en el sector minero representan apenas el 1 % del total en todos los sectores, sus consecuencias son potencialmente críticas, por lo que resulta necesaria una evaluación constante de riesgos de incendio. En una evaluación de riesgo de incendio convencional (FRA, por sus siglas en inglés) se detallan los escenarios de riesgo de incendio a los cuales está expuesta una unidad minera, considerando las condiciones de la instalación, el análisis de los procesos, identificación de actos y condiciones subestándar, equipos u operaciones, reportes de incendio o amagos, entre otros factores que permitan identificar y analizar los escenarios de riesgo de incendio para definir su nivel de criticidad y aceptación del riesgo. Este enfoque diferenciado de FRA busca priorizar la inversión en protección contra incendios, al tomar en cuenta una tolerancia específica al riesgo de incendio, vida útil de la mina y la continuidad de procesos o recursos críticos para la operación en un nivel mínimo tolerable.

Sep 20, 2019

By Roberto Maldonado Astorga

El presente texto señala la implementación del modelo de gestión para las operaciones de Volcán Campaña Minera, basado en el Modelo de Gestión de Malcom Baldrige. El modelo tiene el objetivo de establecer un proceso sistemático y estandarizado que asegure la mejora contínua y en línea con la visión de la empresa que apunta al logro de la excelencia operativa. La estrategia se divide en tres módulos: Módulo de Organización, Módulo de Gestión y Módulo de Comunicación. Asimismo se busca, implementar círculos de optimización permanente, monitorear de forma sistemática la ejecución de iniciativas de mejora y seguir el impacto en los indicadores.

Nov 1, 2014

By Bianca Vieira Stragliotto

O controle térmico do aço dentro da panela de aciaria depende do conhecimento das perdas térmicas e da estabilidade do processo, durante a etapa de refino secundário. O objetivo deste trabalho é desenvolver um modelo que prevê a temperatura de chegada do aço líquido no forno-panela. Foram calculadas as perdas térmicas do aço durante o vazamento do forno elétrico a arco e transporte para o forno-panela. As perdas por adição de ligas e escorificantes, pelos refratários, por convecção e radiação da escória e tempos de processo foram consideradas. Os cálculos foram aplicados em dados históricos de 469 corridas de uma aciaria elétrica, distribuídas em 14 qualidades de aço produzidas. As perdas por adição de ligas e escorificantes ocasionaram no sistema uma perda de temperatura média mínima de 5°C e máxima de 53°C. O modelo mostrou-se apto para testes em escala industrial, apresentando acerto médio de 72,5%.

Oct 30, 2017

By Marcos Fernando Campioto Junior

O objetivo deste trabalho é criar um modelo automático de suspensão e liberação de suspensão de placas, com base no sucesso de laminação de padrões de aço e outros critérios. Este modelo visa reduzir a instabilidade operacional no Laminador de Tiras a Quente (LTQ) da ArcelorMittal Tubarão, através da redução do risco potencial de geração de sucata na linha. Além da redução potencial do risco, espera-se gerar um ganho de produtividade das áreas responsáveis pela solicitação e liberação da suspensão de placas. Através da automatização destas liberações e das suspensões, espera-se aumentar a disponibilidade de estoque diária para programação de chances de laminação e evitar intervenções manuais de maneira padronizada. Este modelo será utilizado nas etapas de criação de placa e aproveitamento de placas no pedido. Além disso, o modelo será rodado automaticamente todos os dias visando avaliar todo o estoque.

Aug 17, 2017

By Alexandre Furtado Ferreira

O presente trabalho descreve o desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático de conservação de massa e energia tendo como base a medição intermediária da sublança (Modelo Dinâmico). O modelo utiliza como dados de entrada informações sobre massa e composição da carga metálica, valores adicionados de fundentes na corrida e as informações obtidas com a medição intermediária aos 88% do sopro de oxigênio calculado pelo Modelo Estático. O algoritmo foi desenvolvido em C# e está integrado na rede de Nível 2 da CSN. Os resultados de acerto simultâneo de temperatura e carbono final de sopro obtido pelo modelo dinâmico foram superiores ao Modelo Estatístico até então utilizado. Tal fato permitiu a redução do ressopro decorrentes de imprecisão do modelo e ganho em produtividade.

Aug 17, 2017

By Daniela Fátima Gomes

O processo de têmpera é uma das etapas críticas na produção de tubos de aço, possuindo grande importância na determinação da qualidade do produto final. Nesse trabalho foi desenvolvido um modelo matemático para o resfriamento de um tubo submetido a têmpera por anéis. Neste processo, o tubo passa através de um conjunto de anéis com sprays de água. Uma série de variáveis afetam a performance do processo, tais como: temperatura de entrada do material na estrutura de resfriamento e velocidades de rotação e avanço do tubo. Diversas simulações foram desenvolvidas, comparando diferentes abordagens para a modelagem. Constatou-se que o espaçamento entre os anéis causa grandes gradientes de temperatura ao longo da superfície do tubo. Verificou-se que a transferência de calor ao longo do comprimento do tubo não deve ser negligenciada e a velocidade de rotação do tubo uniformiza a temperatura ao longo da direção angular do tubo.

Oct 30, 2017

By Jayme Alex Marques da Silva

A utilização de carvão vegetal na fabricação do ferro-gusa tem ganhado destaque devido a suas vantagens ambientais em comparação ao coque. A necessidade de suprir a demanda de consumo de carvão vegetal pelas siderurgias faz com que os produtores busquem maior produtividade e qualidade através da busca constante na redução do tempo de produção do carvão. O presente trabalho apresenta o desenvolvimento de um modelo matemático tri-dimensional transiente, para simulação da secagem, carbonização e resfriamento no interior de um forno retangular de alvenaria. Foi desenvolvido um modelo acoplado baseado na solução das equações de conservação da quantidade de movimento, energia e espécies químicas. As soluções das equações diferenciais que representam os fenômenos são obtidas através da técnica de volumes finitos. Ao longo do processo de carvoejamento, o modelo considera a transferência de massa e calor associada à cinética de reação de cada componente. O modelo é tridimensional e transiente, sendo capaz de prever detalhes dos fenômenos no interior do forno e sua evolução temporal o que possibilita o controle das fases de fabricação do carvão vegetal.

Aug 1, 2018

By Leonardo Neves

No presente trabalho foi feito um estudo do escoamento multifásico do desgaseificador RH através do no sistema água/óleo/ar. A modelagem matemática do escoamento fluidodinâmico foi feito utilizando a abordagem de dois fluidos Euleriana-Euleriana. No estudo foi empregado o modelamento matemático para simular as vazões empregadas na indústria para prever o comportamento da escória. Os experimentos foram feitos utilizando o modelo físico do desgaseificador RH da USIMINAS nas escalas de 1:5. Através de filmagens utilizando câmera comum e cálculos de espessura do óleo pôde-se validar os resultados obtidos no modelamento matemático. Foi determinado que na camada de óleo entre a panela e as pernas de descida e de subida do desgaseificador RH foram as regiões que possuem a menor espessura da camada de óleo. Os resultados apontaram que a espessura do óleo entre a perna de subida e a panela a espessura do óleo são as menores e decrescem à medida que a vazão de gás aumenta.

Aug 16, 2017