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By A Karrech, G M. Hassan, A Varghese, E Lessing, S Martins

Pumps play a critical role in mining operations, and their energy consumption and environmental impact are significant. This paper addresses the need for a holistic approach to sustainable pump deployment by expanding on previous work presented at IMPC Asia Pacific 2022 and World Mining Congress 2023. The research takes a significant step forward by outlining a structured approach to estimate and demonstrate sustainability tailored for operational slurry pumps. It details the calculation methodologies used to quantify the carbon dioxide emissions from electricity, wear materials and transport, as well as sealing water usage. To enhance practicality and usability, a simplified visual representation—called sustainability metrics—has been developed to monitor overall efficiency. The sustainability metrics consist of the availability, pump efficiency, and water utilisation efficiency. The proposed methodology is integrated with Pumps Condition Monitoring Service to maximise benefits. Three case studies, from iron ore, copper, and nickel operations globally, were employed to evaluate the proposed methodology. The findings demonstrate the critical role of sustainability calculations in understanding pumps operation. These calculations improve awareness of the pump’s role in the sustainability journey and enable effective monitoring. The studies highlight that continuous monitoring paired with effective prescriptive maintenance strategy can significantly reduce power and water consumption while maximising pump availability. The case studies also reveal significant shortcomings in current operational practices and non-optimal maintenance regimes, emphasising the need for practical recommendations to maximise savings and optimise pump performance. In the context of increasing climate change awareness and the imperative for global decarbonisation, this research highlights the necessity of critically assessing methods and operations to drive sustainability in the mining industry. By adopting a holistic approach to sustainable pump deployment, mining operations can effectively reduce their environmental impact while enhancing operational efficiency and economic viability. The proposed methodology and case studies provide valuable insights and practical recommendations for mining companies seeking to achieve sustainable practices and contribute to a decarbonised future.

Sep 1, 2024

By J Carter, B J. Armstrong

Best practice for the submission of samples to an internal or commercial laboratory requires quality control materials to be included for the purpose of independently and comprehensively assessing laboratory performance. These quality controls include the use of certified reference materials (CRMs) and may be blind to the laboratory. Iron ore companies purchase these materials from reputable manufacturers from stock of run-of-mine materials at the appropriate grades. The international standard, ISO 17034 (ISO, 2016), specifies the competency requirements for organisations manufacturing reference materials, and includes rigorous requirements for the assessment of homogeneity, stability and establishment of property values and their uncertainties. Homogeneity is one of the most important measures of suitability for all certified reference materials and refers to the degree to which the composition and properties of a sample are uniform throughout the batch, relative to the analytical precision of the method. More specifically, homogeneity studies of candidate reference materials should be assessed for both within sample variance and between sample variance with appropriate statistical controls. The design and application of homogeneity studies are discussed as they apply to both crushed and pulverised reference materials. Crushed certified reference materials have been utilised by the iron ore industry for a number of years and provide the user with a critical assessment of variances in sample preparation in addition to analysis. Crushed reference materials are similar in presentation to an RC sample and are generally used as discrete parcels of material submitted to the laboratory from the field. Pulverise certified reference materials miss the sample preparation step and are subsampled from th delivered sachet at the point of analysis. This paper compares the relative homogeneity performance of crushed and pulverised certified reference materials by grade across key iron ore chemical constituents. Outcomes are benchmarked to the international standard ISO 9516 (ISO, 2003) for the determination of various elements in iron ores by lithium borate fusion and X-ray fluorescence. Practical implications are discussed with reference to a case study from an iron ore laboratory in the Pilbara.

Sep 18, 2023

By S Mitra, D O’Dea, N Barrett, S, T Honey, M M. Hoque

The steel industry is currently exploring hydrogen-enriched blast furnace operations as a means to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is a need to investigate the gas permeability behaviour of mixed burdens comprising of lump and sinter as the current knowledge regarding their behaviour is limited, particularly with regards to hydrogen enrichment. In the present study, a series of interrupted softening and melting (S&M) under load tests were carried out in a hydrogen rich gas environment (~15 per cent) in the temperature range from 1000 to 1300°C by placing different types of ferrous ore layer including Newman Blend Lump (NBLL), sinter and sinter-NBLL mixed burden in between two coke layers. X-ray computed tomography (CT) was then used to scan the interrupted test samples. Scanned images were first analysed using an image processing workflow implemented in ImageJ and the material simulator GeoDict (v2022) to segment different phases such as coke, ferrous and void based on their grey scale values. A quantitative analysis was then performed on the segmented images to estimate the phase volume fraction as well as bed permeability. Bed void fraction thus obtained agreed well with the bed contraction data obtained from the S&M test. It was further noted that both ferrous layer void fraction and bed permeability decreased linearly with increasing temperature for all ore samples. The mixed burden voidage changed in a similar fashion to the sinter, demonstrating a high temperature interaction between the two materials

Sep 18, 2023

By Reinhard Gertl, Soroush Dabiri, Juan-Carlos de Rueda

The Tunnel of Guillermo Gaviria Echeverri, spanning 6.05 miles, will be Latin America’s longest road tunnel, is currently under construction in Colombia’s Antioquia Department with a single bidirectional tube connected to a parallel rescue tube through multiple cross-passages. The study faces challenges in implementing the prescriptive semitransversal ventilation system due to design restrictions. Different ventilation concepts are eplored to nd the most suitable system for regular operation and re scenarios. A quantitative ris assessment evaluates each alternative system and identies the longitudinal ventilation system, accompanied by ris mitigation measures, as the safest choice, since it surpasses the prescribed semitransversal ventilation concept.

Jun 23, 2024

By A. Rod Kern, Michael A. McNicholas, Yaser Taheri

Deep foundations were required for construction of an 18,000 ft2 (1,672 m2) 4-story office building and an adjacent 23,750 ft2 (2,206 m2) 5-story parking garage in Queens, New York due to an existing uncontrolled fill layer ranging from 15-20 ft (4.6 - 6.1 m) in thickness beneath the building footprint. The geotechnical engineers for the project initially selected auger cast-in-place (ACIP) piles over driven piles to limit the impact of noise and vibrations on the surrounding neighborhood. Ultimately, drilled displacement piles (DDP) were installed since this method offered a more economical solution that would generate the required pile capacity with shorter drill depths and would also mitigate spoils volume. During installation of test piles by the geotechnical contractor retained for the foundation work, multiple unanticipated soil conditions were encountered that would adversely affect the constructability of the piles. The existing fill contained significantly more natural and manmade obstructions than expected and the underlying glacial soil became too dense to penetrate at shallower depths than anticipated. This paper discusses how these issues were overcome through pre-drilling and the use of detailed instrumented test pile data coupled with in-house engineering capability to proactively re-evaluate minimum pile lengths at any given location and keep the project on track. INTRODUCTION Geotechnical work in the New York City market presents soil conditions that can be highly variable and challenging due to the presence of uncontrolled urban fill placed over the native soils. Construction in this area can therefore pose many unforeseen challenges, even with detailed geotechnical analysis being performed at project sites. A case in point is a construction site in Queens, New York. The proposed site development consisted of construction of a 4-story office building with a footprint of 18,000 ft2 (1672 m2) and a stand-alone 5-level parking garage with a footprint of 23,750 ft2 (2206 m2), together with associated new pavements and utilities. The site is bordered by a mix of commercial buildings and residential properties on all sides. Depth of the uncontrolled nature of the fill extended up to 20 ft (6.1 m) below street grade. Given the significant cost associated with removal and replacement, deep foundations were recommended to bypass the unsuitable soils and support the structures at depth where good bearing material existed.

Jan 1, 2019

By F. Julius Fohs

CENTRALLY located with relation to the largest iron- and steel-producing districts of the United States, the fluorspar-deposits of Kentucky possess increasing interest and importance. As typical of the numerous fluorspar-mines of Kentucky and Illinois, I have selected for description the Memphis., because it and others of its immediate group exhibit the conditions characteristic of all. I. THE MEMPHIS MINE. This mine lies 5 miles NW. of Marion, in Crittenden county, Kentucky, a station on the Chicago and Nashville division of the Illinois Central R. R. For the first mile and a half out of Marion we see only Birdsville or Middle Chester sandstones of Mississippian age. Then we cross a fault of some 350 ft. displacement, and the Ste. Genevieve oolite sets in. Beyond the fault, oolite is the predominant rock, except that the bills to the north have a capping of Cypress or lowest Chester sandstone, 80 ft. below which is an outcrop of from 6 to 10 ft. of Ste. Genevieve (Rosiclare) sandstone. Occasional sink-holes are noticed, and as the mines are approached evidence of faulting is again seen.. A line of crude head-frames and open-cut dumps, extending for more than a quarter of a mile, marks the Klondike vein. The open-cuts are from 15 to 20 ft. deep, and in most of them, from the surface down, was found the reddish gravel which is really fluorspar-some of it white or purple and crystal-clear (if the red clay is washed off), and some carrying iron and silica, and stained by waters from the decaying limestone walls. In one of these cuts, at a depth of 20 ft., white and purplish honey-combed fluorspar was found, in which the larger cavities are due to limestone and calcite leaching, and the minute ones to the leaching of zinc-blende.

Apr 1, 1909

By Abdulazeez Rotimi, Barry Sheppard, Abid Adekunte

Good engineering practice is a function of sound theoretical knowledge, first-hand experience on previous projects of similar scope and scale, good acquaintance with case histories of similar projects completed by others in similar environmental conditions, as well as satisfactory degree of exposure to state-of-the-art methodologies. The four factors itemised above are typically interdependent. They amalgamatively influence the judgement of the Engineer and they ultimately result in the delivery of safe and cost-effective solutions by Professional Engineers. This technical paper presents detailed information on the ground engineering aspects of a large-scale housing development project located on a sloping site that had been presumed to be unstable in West Sussex, England. The ground engineering design package for the scheme comprised of temporary working platform designs & stability assessment for piling rigs and other construction machinery, geostructural designs for approximately 1km total run of permanent bored pile retaining walls to support the split-level construction on the sloping site and geostructural designs for the permanent foundation piles to support the housing units. The paper details how the four factors outlined above were amalgamated by the project’s foundation specialist consultants & piling contractors to deliver safe and practical solutions for the development, with significant savings in materials, cost and project completion time.

Sep 8, 2021

By Thomas Hyatt, Brandon Phetteplace, Camilo Alvarez

A test pile program was undertaken at a project site in Ain Sukhna, Egypt for an import/export oil jetty. Two 1219 mm diameter open ended steel pipe piles were evaluated at two separate test locations. Each test pile was dynamically tested during initial drive utilizing a Pile Driving Analyzer (PDA). Restrike testing was also performed to evaluate the time dependent soil setup. One static compression test and one static tension test was performed at each test location. A correlation of the static and dynamic load test results was established to develop a driving criteria for the piling across the two kilometer project. The constructability benefits of shorter piles will be discussed in more detail, given that the pile lengths were shortened by 9 to 10 meters on average. Lastly, the use of a four pile linear layout to perform both compression and tension tests will be covered. INTRODUCTION With the increased number of Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC) & Ultra Large Crude Carriers (ULCC) being used to transport oil products around the world, companies and/or nations are presented with the challenge of transferring these products to and from the carriers in deep water scenarios, typically 15 to 20 meter depths, to accommodate the vessels draft. One option for loading/unloading the oil products from a VLCC or ULCC would be to transfer to/from smaller vessels several miles offshore, whereas the most economical option is to unload directly to a pipeline via a berth/jetty platform near shore. These berth platforms must be designed to withstand multiple loading scenarios while these carriers are moored and transferring their products. The use of Large Diameter Open Ended Pipes (LDOEP) piles are a common foundation choice for this offshore application. One of the drawbacks of LDOEP piles, especially across a large project site, is that there can be extreme variability in the pile driving behavior. This can be caused by either a change in soil conditions or the performance of the soil plug. Due to this variability, it is important to verify throughout the duration of the project that the piling is being installed to the correct criteria as established during the load test program. A well designed driven pile load test program, preferably with the combination of Static Load Testing (SLT) and Pile Driving Analysis (PDA), should develop a driving criteria that can allow the contractor and owner to monitor any change in driving behavior.

Jan 1, 2019

By Peter Smith

One New Change is a landmark retail / commercial development in the City of London. Integral to the structure is the three double storey basement from which the building is serviced. The building construction involved a ?top down? (up down) construction technique to give programme benefits. In addition, the planning authority stipulated that 10% of the energy demand had to be met by Renewable technology. Cementation Skanska has not only delivered the foundation package - comprising secant piling and foundation bearing piles including Cemloc® plunged columns - but, alongside subcontractor Geothermal International, also installed a 1.7MW ground source heating and cooling system using Energy Piles® and open?loop wells to provide the renewable energy. The works were successfully installed and completed within a tight programme, and within the logistical constraints imposed by an inner-city location, concurrent demolition works and multi contractor involvement in the basement construction.

Jan 1, 2010

By Esam Abraham

A 13.6 mile portion of the 500 kV Tehachapi Renewable Transmission Project crosses the mountains of the Angeles National Forest. Access and environmental constraints precluded road development for most transmission tower foundations, tower erection and conductor stringing operations. Because of the access constraints, helicopter-supported micropile foundation construction was used for this steep and environmentally sensitive portion of the project. The general methodologies incorporated on the project represent innovative implementations of micropile design criteria, preconstruction micropile installation and verification testing, on-site geotechnical characterization, micropile and pile cap installation, and proof load testing. Challenges in constructing the 224 foundations for 56 transmission towers provide lessons learned related to transmission lattice steel tower specific design constraints, construction challenges (environmental and geotechnical), and construction schedule.

Jan 1, 2010

By Alexandre de Aparecida Morais

No processo de lingotamento contínuo a secagem e o pré-aquecimento do refratário do distribuidor são de fundamental importância. Estes são realizados visando: reduzir a perda de calor do aço líquido, reduzir as bolhas nas primeiras placas, evitar respingos de aço (reações) ocasionados pela umidade e prevenir a degradação refratário por choque térmico. Para aços planos, os sistemas para promover a secagem e pré-aquecimento podem ser do tipo a "quente" (mais usual) ou a "frio". É denominado "partida a quente" quando se realiza a secagem e o pré-aquecimento; e de “partida a frio”, quando apenas a secagem é realizada. Têm-se como características distintas entre os processos: - A Quente: maior consumo de gás; forte degradação do refratário; temperatura de trabalho do distribuidor mais elevada, deteriorando as condições do ambiente; - A Frio: menor consumo de gás; redução da degradação do refratário; no entanto, exige um controle rigoroso da curva de secagem, o que implica maior investimento inicial no equipamento de secagem. Em 2002, após uma análise de viabilidades a ArcelorMittal Tubarão implementou o sistema de frio. Este artigo mostra a evolução deste sistema após a sua implementação, analisando a correlação com defeitos, a implementação de melhorias e os ganhos obtidos.

Jul 30, 2018

By M. E. Nicholson

IN order to understand how alloying elements influence hardenability through their effect on the rate of pearlite nucleation, it is advantageous to use a model to describe the mechanism of pearlite nucleation. The model which currently is most widely accepted has been described, among others, by Mehl et a1.1-3 and by Hultgren.4 Pearlite nucleation involves both the nucleation of ferrite and cementite.4,5 Cementite nucleates first, followed rapidly by the formation of ferrite at the cementite-austenite interface. The conclusion that cementite is the first phase to form during the process of pearlite nucleation is based, in part, on the observation that proeutectoid cementite is continuous with pearlitic cementite and that the orientation relationship between proeutectoid ferrite and austenite is not the same as that between pearlitic: ferrite and austenite.6,7 Recently, Smith" has suggested that the dissimilarity in orientation relations, instead of indicating the pearlite nucleation sequence, may be evidence that pearlite is nucleated in a grain adjacent to the one in which it is growing. Also, Modin9 as shown that ferrite in pearlite may be continuous with proeutectoid ferrite, and he has also shown that proeutectoid cementite is not always continuous with pearlitic cementite. Thus, it appears that the conclusion that cementite always initiates the pearlite nucleation process is open to serious question. The author believes that important evidence on the question of how pearlite is nucleated exists in the rates of pearlite nucleation of different steels. The following is a review and analysis of this evidence. If the nucleation of pearlite is considered as requiring the nucleation of both cementite and ferrite, then the time to nucleate pearlite consists of the time to nucleate the first phase to form, plus the time to nucleate the second phase at the advancing interface of the first. In the absence of a visible proeutectoid constituent, the second phase must be nucleated very soon after the first. If cementite is the first phase to form, the time to nucleate pearlite will be approximately equal to the time to nucleate cementite. Since the nucleation rate of a phase precipitating from solid solution increases with the degree of supersaturation, it would be expected that the rate of pearlite nucleation should increase with increasing carbon content. Digges10 has shown that the reverse is true. He determined the quenching velocity necessary to suppress pearlite formation in plain carbon steels as a function of carbon content. His results showed that pearlite formation could be suppressed with lower quenching velocities as the carbon content of the steel increased, at least up to 1.25 pct C, the highest carbon content he studied. Thus, it would appear that in plain carbon steels, in which pearlite is formed at the nose of the C-curve, the hypothesis that cementite nucleates first does not predict the observed change in nucleation rate. The validity of the current model of pearlite nucleation may be tested also by determining whether or not it predicts the relative influence of alloying elements on the nucleation of ferrite and pearlite. This can be done best by a consideration of the changes in a TTT diagram produced by a change in alloy content. Hultgren4 suggests that the general shape of a TTT diagram, as well as what constituents will form from austenite, can be predicted from the relative nucleation rates of ferrite and cementite. This is illustrated in the schematic diagram for a hypoeutectoid low alloy or plain carbon steel shown in Fig. 1. The C-curves for ferrite nucleation and for cementite nucleation are represented by AA' and CC', respectively, and the start of ferrite formation and pearlite formation are represented by AX and BC respectively. Adopting the current theory, Hultgren suggests that between X and C pearlite forms directly from austenite, since cementite nucleates more rapidly than ferrite in this temperature range. Conversely, at temperatures above Tx, ferrite is the first to nucleate and proeutectoid ferrite is formed. As proeutectoid ferrite grows, austenite becomes enriched in carbon, so that the cementite nucleation rate is increased. As a result, pearlite nucleation above temperature Tx is accelerated, beginning along BX and not along C'X. Temperature T, represents the temperature at which the nucleation rate of ferrite equals that of cementite. By extending this type of reasoning, using the principle that the nucleation rates of ferrite and cementite increase with increasing supersaturation of austenite with respect to these phases, it should be possible to predict the influence of carbon content on the shape of the isothermal transformation diagram. For a slightly higher carbon content than that of Fig. 1, the curve A A' representing the beginning of ferrite formation should be moved to the right, whereas the curve CC' representing the beginning of cementite formation should be moved to the left. For hypoeutectoid plain carbon and low alloy steels, this prediction does not agree with existing data. Instead, as the carbon content is increased, the pearlite curve moves to the right along with the ferrite curve and always appears to join it tangen-tially. This behavior is demonstrated by the TTT-curves of a series of manganese steels" shown in Fig. 2. In this figure, TTT-curves for four alloys containing 0.20, 0.40, 0.60, and 1.20 pct C are superimposed. The curves are identified in the figure legend. The letters F, P, and C are used to indicate the start of ferrite, pearlite, and cementite formation, respectively. In these steels, it appears that the nucleation of ferrite and of pearlite are related processes. As a result of the foregoing evidence, it is proposed that the formation of pearlite be considered as follows: Either ferrite or cementite may nucleate from austenite, then grow until the remaining phase is nucleated at the interface between the growing phase and austenite. (The growth of the first phase to form is assumed to be accompanied by a composition change in the adjoining austenite.) According to this model there are two modes of nucleating pearlite: 1—where cementite initiates the succession

Jan 1, 1955

By Casley G. E, Pritchard J

A single slurry fed fluosolids roaster was chosen to replace six multiple hearth roasters in the Copper Smelter at Mount Isa as part of the overall program to increase production from 100 000 to 155 000 tonnes blister copper per annum. The paper describes factors influencing the choice of the unit, problems encountered during the commissioning and details of the present roaster operation.

Jan 1, 1974

By J. Petersen, S. W. Robertson

Heap leaching is used extensively for the processing of low-grade copper, gold, and uranium ores. The hydrodynamics is often the most important factor that limits the rate of metal recovery. Over the past decades the author has performed physical and hydraulic testing of a large number of ore samples considered for heap leaching. The data were reviewed to investigate the effect of physical properties such as particle size distribution (PSD) and bulk density on the hydrology. The unsaturated flow through the bed is traditionally modelled with soil science models such as Brooks-Corey (BC) and Van Genuchten-Mualem (VGM), which relate the hydraulic conductivity to the degree of saturation, also known as the hydraulic conductivity function (HCF). However, most authors found a disconnect between the saturated hydraulic conductivity (KS) and the rest of the HCF, which is explained as resulting from a transition from capillary-to gravity-controlled flow. However, the author found no such transition, and found the flow to be governed by capillary flow throughout. Traditional BC or VGM fits were found to be appropriate, however it was necessary to modify the model to include a point of inflection, above which the hydraulic conductivity remains constant while the moisture content keeps on increasing. It was proposed that this is the result of unconnected or poorly connected pores, which fill with solution but do not create additional flow channels. The point of discontinuity was also found to correspond with the air entry point, measured independently from the air conductivity curves. On average, the air entry point corresponds to the experiential rule that the void saturation should remain below 65% for aerated heaps.

Dec 11, 2024

By George R. McCormick

Because several new and unusual synthetic minerals were found in the system MgO-MgF₂ - SiO2 with Li * , or Nat a similar system with Geo₂ replacing Sio , plus Lit was investigated . In addition to the expected compounds of germanium , Ge - fluor - hectorite and a Ge - fluor- chrysotile were synthesized . Protoamphibole was not observed . Data are given for 69 compositions prepared in the system MgO- MgF₂ - Ge02 at 6.94 percent LiF .

Jan 1, 1964

By G. H. Cobb, J. L. Johnson, H. H. Heady

An infrared absorbance technique is described for analyzing anodic gases produced during the electrowinning of uranium , thorium , and rare - earth metals in molten fluorides . Typical components determined qualitatively in a gas sample are CO , CO₂ , CF4 , C₂ Fe , C3F8 , COS , CS₂ , and SiF4 . About 20 minutes are required to record and interpret the spectrogram , and report quantitative results for CO, CO₂ , CF4 , and SiF . The procedure is used for control during electrolysis .

Jan 1, 1964

By T. A. Henrie, J. D. Marchant, E. S. Shedd

Cerium metal was electrowon in a fluoride bath from cerous oxide and tapped from the cell during prolonged operation . Electrolyte constituents were CeF , BaF₂ , and LiF. Twenty- seven pounds of metal of 99.8 percent purity were produced at a rate of 3 pounds per hour and tapped from the cell . Principal impurities were molybdenum , aluminum , oxygen , and carbon . The operating parameters , such as electrode geometry , bath compositions , and oxide feed rate , were investigated . Anode reactions were found to be important factors in cell operation . Stable cerous oxide reacted more uniformly at the anode surface than ceric oxide . Electrowinning was conducted in crucible hearths consisting of both frozen electrolyte and molybdenum metal . Both materials proved satisfactory and did not react with the molten cerium . Stable cerous oxide was prepared by carbothermic reduction and used as a feed material . Cell design proved to be an important factor in continuous cell operation . Complementary to the investigations of electrowinning of cerium , the metal was purified by electrorefining in a chloride electrolyte .

Jan 1, 1964

By D Kent

The introduction of digital technologies into the underground mining industry, in both coal and hard rock mining, has enabled many high bandwidth applications to be adopted by mines.Digital networks based on 802.11 b/g/n open Wi-Fi standards allow for many applications to be run over a single communication backbone. One important application has been tracking personnel and equipment via RFID tags. This tracking application has in turn formed the basis of a Proximity Detection System (PDS) or Collision Avoidance Systems (CAS). The paper discusses the growth in digital technology as the communication backbone in underground mines which has allowed the ‘convergence of technologies’ that has been occurring in the general business world to be available to underground mine operators. Then the paper will focus on the use of the technology in the increasingly important are of risk control around mobile plant underground. The specific use of digital devices for proximity detection, in both hard rock and coal mines, to provide a system that can deliver an additional level of control to the risks associated with people-vehicle interactions underground is discussed. The initial implementation of PDS in the hard rock mining environment is based on two zones of detection, required for large and relatively high speed vehicles. Information will include:•the principles of the underlying technology,•installation learnings and effectiveness, and•change management methodology and issues.The most recent development to integrate Mine Site Technologies (MST) PDS with Frederick Mining Controls’ HazardAvert® System to extend the overall Proximity System’s functionality in hard rock mines and for use in coal mines is overviewed.

Mar 21, 2011

By Van E. Shaw, D. J. Bauer

Conversion of euxenite concentrate to sulfates with sulfuric acid and solvent extraction of the yttrium- rare - earth mixture with EHPA were studied to determine extraction and separation characteristics . Digestion with 3.5 pounds of 96 percent sulfuric acid per pound of concentrate at 336 ° C for 4 hours resulted in an easily handled product with a yield in excess of 98 per- A thorium- free product was obtained by calcining the sulfated material for 3.5 hours at 650 ° C prior to leaching with water . Di ( 2 - ethylhexyl ) phosphoric acid solvent is an effective extractant with preference for cerium ( IV ) and heavy - group rare - earth elements including yttrium . Separation of complex rare - earth mixtures into light- and heavy - group fractions is feasible , and these fractions can be further processed to isolate ytterbium , neodymium , and dysprosium by changing processing conditions to obtain separation factors greater than two between these and adjacent elements .

Jan 1, 1965

By Krishna R. Reddy, Jyoti K. Chetri, Girish Kumar

Geotechnical engineering encompasses a major portion of the civil and infrastructure projects. The large amounts of energy and resources typically used in these projects leads to undesirable emissions and wastes which contribute substantially towards global environmental impacts (e.g., global climate change). This could further include secondary economic and societal issues which are often unaccounted in traditional engineering design of the geotechnical projects. In order to address this issue, it is imperative to integrate the broader environmental, economic and social implications into decisions of a geotechnical project. Recent years have seen a major impetus on life cycle assessment to evaluate the environmental sustainability of the geotechnical designs. However, there are no tools that can quantify the life cycle triple bottom line sustainability of potential design alternatives in a project with holistic considerations towards broader economic (indirect costs and benefits) and social impacts (stakeholder preferences, socio-environmental and socio-economic impacts). This study presents a new framework for quantitative assessment of life-cycle sustainability (QUALICS) for alternative designs in engineering projects. The framework integrates two multi-criteria decision analysis methods namely, the Integrated Value Model for Sustainable Assessment (MIVES) and Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP), to support decision making on the potential design alternatives. In this study, a brief overview of the framework is presented. A case study demonstrating the use of QUALICS framework is discussed with its application to the sustainability assessment of two deep foundation systems, caissons and piles, over their design life. The technical designs of both systems are developed based on bearing capacity, both primary and secondary settlements, and structural integrity. The results from the sustainability assessment of the two deep foundation systems are discussed, and the most sustainable option based on different stakeholder preferences and site-specific conditions are identified.

Jan 1, 2019