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By Shusen Cheng, Dongdong Zhou

The high temperature distribution in ironmaking and steelmaking industry is very important to control the smelting process. Although equipment is available to measure the temperature in the smelting process, in general it could just measure one certain point or only at discrete times. The real time temperature distribution in ironmaking and steelmaking is important because it could reflect reaction information and help to control the operation parameters. In this paper, a new method to detect the temperature distribution in ironmaking and steelmaking through the application of digital imaging system based on the color CCD was studied. In addition, the two-color method and partial least square method were used in the calculation model to improve the accuracy. The results agreed well with the measured temperature.

Mar 1, 2017

By I. Moscoso, R. Padilla, M. C. Ruiz

Antimony and arsenic are impurities in copper concentrates found normally as stibnite (Sb2S3), tetrahedrite (Cu12Sb4S13) and enargite (Cu3AsS4). When copper concentrates contain appreciable amounts of As and Sb, they must be removed before smelting to avoid environmental pollution. Oxidizing volatilization roasting at 500–700 °C has been used to eliminate these impurities. However, only a fraction of Sb volatilizes in those conditions; thus, a more effective process to eliminate antimony from concentrates is needed. In this study, the chloridizing roasting of Sb2S3 using CaCl2–O2 was investigated to remove the antimony from concentrates. XRD analysis of calcines indicated that the overall reaction could be written as: Sb2S3 þ3CaCl2 þ6O2 ¼ 2SbCl3 þ3CaSO4 Temperature and oxygen partial pressure have a significant effect on the rate of reaction. An estimated conversion of about 90% was obtained at 750 °C, 5.4% oxygen in 20 min. High oxygen concentrations arrest the advance of the reaction forming various antimony oxides including Sb6O13, Ca5Sb5O17 and Sb2O4.

Mar 1, 2017

By HeeDong Lee, Owen Reedy, Lawrence Matson, Naidu Seetala, Thomas Key

Spark Plasma Sintering (SPS) consolidated ZrB2+SiC composites using nano-powders (around 40 nm) showed smaller grains compared to those using micron size powders and segregation of SiC into islands is minimal but with higher oxidation of ZrB2 to form ZrO2 in nano-composites. Argon-gas purging prior to SPS consolidation at around 2000 °C and 40 MPa of ZrB2+20vol.%SiC nano-powders was used to minimize the oxidation and obtain fine granules with high densification. The densification of the Argon-gas purged nano-composites is higher compared to those consolidated without Argon gas purging. The EDX analysis showed a strong reduction in the oxygen peak for the Argon gas purged composites. The XRD spectra also support this observation with less ZrO2 phase composition in Argon gas purged composites. The Vickers micro-hardness showed slightly lower values for Argon gas purged composites though they have higher densification.

Mar 1, 2017

By Juárez T. Julio Cesar, Mendez R. Eliecer, Reyes P. Martín, Flores G. Mizraim Uriel, Teja R. Aislinn Michelle, Hernández C. Leticia, Reyes D. Iván Alejandro

The present study shows the characterization of a zinc concentrate collected at Hidalgo, Mexico, in order to identify its mineralogical species and to propose a leaching methodology for silver recovery. The results obtained by X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) show Sphalerite (ZnS) as the mineralogical matrix and silver into the specie proustite (Ag3AsS3). The techniques of Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive Microanalysis (SEM-EDS) and Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM) identified the presence of sulfides of Fe, Cu, Pb and Zn, in addition to silicates and feldspar. The proposed dissolution method of Ag(I) was carried out with [S2O3 2−] = 0.5 M and [NaOH] = 0.1 M to regulate the medium at pH = 9 for 12 h at 298 K. Oxidation of the concentrate was favored by injection of O2 to a partial pressure of 1 atm. Monitoring of the reaction was carried out by reading the [Ag] and [As] by AAS.

Mar 1, 2017

By Beatryz C. Mendes, Márcio Sampaio S. Moreira, Rita de C. S. S. Alvarenga, Juliano Correa

Over the last decades, modern technology to build wood structures have been substantially developed. Building solutions for floor systems of wood-concrete mixed T-beams with wood web and concrete flange stand out among these technologies. This work describes an experimental investigation of the performance of bond connectors made of round steel bars for wood-concrete mixed elements. Symmetric three-member specimens were built. The middle member was made of concrete and the other two were made of wood. The first kind of connector consisted of steel bar designed as straight pins with head, normally driven through the wood. The second kind consisted of arc-shaped connectors directly embedded into the wood or bonded using epoxy adhesive. The specimens were then tested in compression. The compressive strength and the force-displacement curve were obtained, in order to evaluate the failure mode and obtain the stiffness in the ultimate (Ku) and serviceability (Ks) limit states. The stiffness values were calculated in the interval corresponding to the secant straight line between, respectively, 10–40 and 10–70% of the ultimate strength. The obtained results indicate high strength and ductile failure mode for all of the cases. Bond stiffness gains were verified when using the arch-shaped connectors.

Mar 1, 2017

By José Palacios, Mario Sánchez, Fernando Parada

As an alternative method of reducing the large amount of slag generated during metallurgical processes in the primary copper production, it is to use the remaining iron in the slag as feed material for the iron and steel industry. The slag is generated during copper concentrates smelting in ratios ranging from 2 to 5 ton per ton of produced copper, and it contains 42–45% of iron. However, copper, sulfur and other detrimental elements affecting iron properties need to be reduced prior to use the slag in steel production. Therefore, some laboratory experimental run has been conducted to reduce copper by slag oxidation followed by leaching and recovering the dissolved copper by SX-EW, and smelting the solid with coke to produce a metallic phase containing 98% iron and 0.9% molybdenum. In further reducing steps, copper content is lower down and a molybdenum rich iron phase is obtained. Recovery of iron from copper slags considering reduction and control of harmful elements for iron properties was studied.

Mar 1, 2017

By Mao Chen, Baojun Zhao, Xiangfeng Cheng, Zhixiang Cui, Leonel Contreras, Anh Nguyen

Smelting is an important process in copper production to produce matte and slag.The slag,containing about 1–12% Cu can be further processed to recover the copper contaminated, but recycle of the slag concentrate reduces overall productivity and efficiency of the operation. The best solution is to minimize the copper loss to the slag. The entrained matte droplets in copper smelting slag may originate from a few sources. The present study aims to investigate possible copper matte loss mechanisms by visualization of room temperature experiments and high-temperature examination. It is believed that the gas bubbles from the matte phase disperse the matte droplets into the slag causing entrained matte in slag. Analyses of quenched slags from industrial operation and laboratory experiments confirmed that matte droplets in the slag are extensively associated with the gas bubbles. Water model is used to simulate the procedure and the bubble behaviors at the liquid-liquid interface are observed experimentally with a high-speed camera.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shiju Zhang, Yongnian Dai, Songli Liu, Kuisong Zhu, Wenhui Ma, Li Cao

There is an abundance of vanadium-titanium magnetite in Panzhihua, China, which contains more than 8.73 x 10^8 tons of TiO2 accounting for 90.6% of the national reserves. To fully utilize Panzhihua titanium resources, many processes were proposed. The present status and future development of technologies for comprehensive utilization of vanadium-titanium magnetite including blast furnace, electric smelting, and ilmenite upgrading processes are reviewed.

Mar 1, 2017

By K. C. Chou

The surface effect is one of fundamental topics in physical chemistry that has been studied over decades. However, its effect has been neglected in metallurgy researches and industry applications in the past years. With the progress of science and technology in metallurgy, the consideration of surface effect to the metallurgical processes has been paid more and more attention. In this report, it is shown that, how this factor affects the physicochemical properties of metallurgical processes and how to derive some new and more correct theoretical formulae for its application. Besides, some new technique related to the application of this factor in the experiment has also been developed for both fundamental research and industry applications. It is hoped that these progresses will promote some new developments both in fundamental and industrial applications for metallurgy processes.

Mar 1, 2017

By Shadia J. Ikhmayies

In this work the equilibrium temperature-composition phase diagrams of the Si-O2 system were calculated using Thermo-Calc software in the temperature range 500–3000 K. Constituents of stable phases were obtained, and the amounts of certain phases where investigated with the variations in the composition of oxygen and temperature. It is found that quartz with silicon represent a stable phase in the temperature range 500–1150 K, while tridymite with silicon represent a stable phase in the temperature range 1150–1700 K. A liquid phase is found besides tridymite in the temperature range 1700–1750 K, and a stable phase of cristobalite with liquid appears in the temperature range 1750–2000. The maximum amounts of quartz, tridymite, and cristobalite are found at oxygen mole percent of 67.7%.

Mar 1, 2017

By Vineet Kumar Yadav, Akshay Dvivedi, Pradeep Kumar

Near-dry electric discharge machining (EDM) is a process variant of EDM, which uses two-phase flow of liquid and gas as dielectric medium. This article reports the results of an investigation pertaining to the drilling of holes on high speed steel (T2 grade) by a rotary tool near-dry EDM. The One-Factor-At-a-Time (OFAT) approach was used for experimentation. The effects of process parameters, viz. tool rotation speed, peak current, pulse duration, gas pressure and liquid flow rate on material removal rate (MRR) and overcut were investigated. The dielectric medium used was a mixture of glycerin-air. The experimental results reveal that rotation of the tool electrode along with high pressure of two-phase dielectric medium contribute in an effective flushing of inter electrode gap (IEG). Further, in rotary tool near-dry EDM process, higher values of current can be used. This improves process economics in terms of MRR. The MRR measured with rotary tool near-dry EDM was three to four times higher in comparison with conventional EDM. Additionally, appreciable surface quality was achieved.

Mar 1, 2017

By S. Jolivet, A. Klöfverskjöld, P. Latostenmaa, B. P. Wilson, M. Lundström, P. Halli

Doré slag is secondary product of copper electrore fining anode slime treatment. The slag consists mainly of different slag formers, such as borax and silica based minerals together with soda and traces of sealing materials. However, Doré slag also contains metals present in the anode slime, such as Ag, Cu, Bi, Sb and Te. At some plants, slag cleaning has been conducted utilizing conventional grinding and flotation circuits in order to enrich the content of precious metals in the slag [1]. Nevertheless, the routine consideration of the slag as a secondary raw material has so far not been adopted on an industrial scale. The current study presents the preliminary results of the nitric acid and chloride leaching of antimony from Doré slag. Chemical and mineralogical analyses (SEM-EDS, AAS, XRD) were performed for the raw material, leaching residue, and leaching solution in order to ascertain the metal recovery and kinetics during leaching.

Mar 1, 2017

By Ze-Qiang Xie, Bai-hui Wang, Feng Chen, Ling-zhi Yang, Yu-feng Guo

In this paper, based on the big data in steelmaking process, equation about the relationship between steel composition (especially the oxygen content) and the element yield is established by using mathematical analysis method to analyze the factors influencing yield. Meanwhile, combining the alloy yield data-base that were established based on self-learning of historical data and computer technology in steelmaking process, a method of yield prediction of alloy elements is studied. To provide support for this method, alloying elements yield prediction software is developed to realize the rapid and intuitive site operation guidance, and to realize the precise control of dosage of alloy material.

Mar 1, 2017

By T. Thriveni, Ch. Ramakrishna, Ahn Ji Whan

Numerous reports and researches address the various environmental issues about the municipal solid waste incineration waste management of heavy metals and other particulate matters with the range of 10–2.5. Although in many developing and industrialization countries land fill with the disposal of municipal solid waste, open incineration has become a common practice. Bottom ash contains heavy metals including particulate matters. The investigation of size distribution for the heavy metals and particulate matters in the bottom ash is essential. However, ultra-fine particle size and heavy metal stabilization are the most important requirements for ecofriendly by products. There are wide variety commercial technologies available for monitoring PM 10, PM 2.5 and ultra-fine particles. In this paper, we reported the studies on physical and chemical characteristics of municipal solid waste incineration (MSWI) bottom ash containing particulate matter whose particulate sizes are lower than PM10, PM2.5 and heavy metal stabilization method by carbonation were investigated.

Mar 1, 2017

By Isadora Dias Perez, Denise C. Romano Espinosa, Flávia P. Cianga Silvas, Jorge A. Soares Tenório, Mónica M. Jiménez Correa

In view of the rising generation of wastewater containing metals, sustainable and clean techniques to recover them are being researched. This study investigated the adsorption of aluminum, cobalt, chromium, copper, iron (III), magnesium, manganese, nickel and zinc presents in a synthetic ef fluent by chelating ion exchange resin Dowex XUS43605. The resin was tested in columns experiments and was analyzed the flow rate (0.45, 0.66 and 1.11 BV/h), at pH 1.5 and 20 °C. After loading the column, the elution experiments occurred with 1 M of H2SO4 and 4 M of NH4O. The concentration of the metals in solution was obtained by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry energy dispersive (EDX). The results showed that the breakthrough experimental curves demonstrated that the main metals (aluminum, cobalt, manganese and zinc) were immediately broken through just after the initiation of the feeding, while the breakthrough of copper began later. Therefore, the study showed that the chelating resin could be used to treat contaminated effluents with metals.

Mar 1, 2017

By James Bennett, Jinichiro Nakano, Anna Nakano

Efficiency of the chemical looping combustion technology is adversely influenced by surface properties of oxygen carrier materials during oxidation–reduction process changes at elevated temperatures. In this work, natural hematite (Fe2O3) and alumina (Al2O3) supported Cu-spinel (CuFe2O4) oxygen carrier particles were isothermally exposed to redox gas cycles (air and 10 vol% CO–90 vol% Ar) at approximately 800 °C and studied using a high temperature confocal scanning laser microscope for real time alterations in surface morphology, roughness, and particle volume. 3D topological scans from each cyclic gas exposure indicated hematite particles exhibited noticeable volume expansion in reduction and shrinkage in oxidation, corresponding to respective phase transformations. Materials surface changes during the redox gas cycles are discussed.

Mar 1, 2017

By Yasuhiro Konishi, Norizoh Saitoh, Toshiyuki Nomura

This paper describes a new recycling method, based upon biotechnology, in order to extract platinum group metals (PGMs) from post-consumer products. The metal ion-reducing bacterium Shewanella algae was found to exhibit the ability to reduce and deposit PGMs. An integrated bioprocess using Shewanella bacteria to selectively recover Pd, Pt, and Rh from aqua regia leachates of spent automotive catalysts is demonstrated.

Mar 1, 2017

By Wei Han, Zhenwei Liu, Jianhong Yang, Qingwei Qin, Tiejun Chen, Zili Huang

The preparation of industrial ammonium molybdate from molybdenum concentrate was conducted according to the process of roasting—leaching—purification—precipitation—crystallization. The optimum technological conditions were determined: the roasting temperature was 680 degrees C, the roasting time was 2.5 h; in the leaching process the alkali excess coefficient was 1.2, the reaction temperature was 80 degrees C, the liquid-solid ratio was 3:1, the leaching time was 3 h; the amount of (NH4)2S added into the solution was 1.1 times of the theoretical amount, the temperature was 80-85 degrees C, and the terminal pH was 8.5-9 in the purification process; the density of the solution was 1.4-1.6 g/mL, the pH was 1.5-2 in the precipitation process; temperature of dissolution was controlled at 80-90 degrees C. The recovery of the preparation of ammonium molybdate can reach 85.18%.

Mar 1, 2017

By K. Morita, S. Ueda, Y. Matsuki

Tellurium has mainly been used as an alloying element for resulfurized free-machining steel. It globularizes MnS inclusions and improves both machinability and mechanical properties of such steel. This effect is quite sensitive to tellurium concentration.Therefore,its incorporation should be controlled accurately during the secondary refining process, using the thermodynamic properties of tellurium in molten iron. In the present study, Wagner’s interaction parameters of various elements on tellurium were experimentally evaluated by vapor-liquid equilibration, and the vapor pressure of tellurium was controlled using the transpiration method. The values obtained were compared with those of oxygen and sulfur, and they were found to be correlated with the standard Gibbs energy of formation of the corresponding oxides, sulfides, and tellurides.The results indicate that the relations described here could provide estimates of interaction parameters that have not been experimentally determined thus far by using available thermodynamic quantities.

Mar 1, 2017

By Mingming Zhang, Marcelo W. Andrade

The evolution of microstructure and mineral phases in iron ore sinters have been investigated by scanning electron microscope and QEMSCAN (Quantitative Evaluation of Minerals by Scanning Electron Microscopy). It was found that MgO, basicity and Al2O3 content play an important role in the formation of mineral phases and microstructure in sinter. The low Al2O3 (<2.0 wt%), medium MgO (2.0–2.5 wt%) and high basicity (>3.0) sinter showed higher low temperature degradation index (LTD) due to the presence of silico ferrites of calcium and aluminium (SFCA), and magnetite phase, and lower pore phase as compared to low basicity iron ore sinter.

Mar 1, 2017