Search Documents

By Dave Tahija

"Many investigations are being performed with the goal of removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and permanently storing it in geologically stable settings. At the same time, carbon dioxide in the form of dissolved carbonate is steadily accumulating in the world's oceans. Both carbon dioxide sequestration and oceanic accumulation are constrained by the aqueous thermodynamics of the carbonate system. These constraints are illustrated using the STABCAL computer model to generate potential-pH and aqueous distribution diagrams of seawater in contact with various pressures of carbon dioxide gas. STABCAL diagrams and titration simulations are also used to model some potentially useful cation-carbonate sequestrationsystems.IntroductionAtmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have risen dramatically in the past couple of centuries and are rising still, primarily as a result of human activities, especially the burning of fossil fuels. Increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have been implicated as a main cause of global warming but have other effects as well.Rising levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide result in increased concentrations of dissolved carbonate complexes in water, including the oceans. These dissolved carbonates interact with other dissolved substances, altering overall seawater chemistry, most noticeably causing lowered pH levels.Some of these chemical changes are observed directly, for instance the general drop in oceanic pH, [1], while others can be inferred and predicted using thermodynamic modeling. The chemistry of dissolved carbonate in seawater is not especially intricate, as such chemical systems go, but neither is it simple enough to be worked out on the back of an envelope. Interactions between the several simple carbonate species and all the major dissolved cations in seawater should be considered, as well as the effects of competing anions, especially chloride and sulphate, since they are much more abundant than carbonate in seawater."

Jan 1, 2011

By J. Schmidl

In non-ferrous metallurgy the service life of refractory materials typically ranges from several weeks up to three years or more and is strongly dependent on operating conditions. To support our customers with the most viable refractory solution for their needs RHI Magnesita follows a structured approach of thermo-chemical calculations, experimental evaluation from lab scale up to industrial field tests and post-mortem analysis of used refractory materials. This paper will give an overview of the RHI Magnesita refractory selection process and the most recent developments of the experimental setup for the so called HF-IF test. This is a dynamic corrosion test that allows to determine fundamental properties of different refractory material types under process conditions subjected with respective customers process materials. The HF-IF experimental procedure is an excellent tool to simulate refractory wear in industrial processes, diminishing risks associated with plant trials and support decision making to choose the optimal refractory solution for the customer.

By Duclerc Fernandes Parra, Vijaya Kumar Rangari, Washington Luiz Oliani, Danilo Marin Fermino, Ademar Benevolo Lugao, Nilton Lincopan, Luiz Gustavo Hiroki Komatsu

Polyethylene is widely used for packing applications. Different grades of polyethylene, LLDPE and LDPE play a major role in the film blowing industry. The use of nanoclay in polymer matrices (non-polar) requires the use of a compatibilizer agent, ethylene graft maleic anhydride copolymer (PE-g-MA), which acts as a bridge for nanoclay-matrix-interaction. In our study, blown films of LLDPE, LDPE, and their blends were produced using a twin screw extruder. The combination of PEs as matrix, montmorillonite (MMT) and silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) intended to improve mechanical and thermal properties. Nanocomposites films with 1 wt% of montmorillonite and 0.5–1.0 wt% silver nanoparticles were prepared by blow extrusion and evaluated. Nanoclay intercalation/exfoliation degree was investigated by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Mechanical and thermal properties were evaluated. The results showed optimum dispersion at intercalation/exfoliation levels for polyethylene nanocomposite (PENC), slight increasing in mechanical and especially improvement in thermal properties.

Mar 1, 2017

By Zhihe Dou

SHS reaction system has advantages of heat flux density, energy concentration and reaction speed, with sufficient conditions in thermodynamic and kinetic reaction. This paper invented a new technology of SHS metallurgy of preparing melting point alloys and refractory compounds using its own chemical energy. SHS-leaching process for preparing nano boron powder or ultrafine boride powder and SHS-casting process for preparing titanium-based alloy and immiscible alloy were studied. The results indicate that highly active boron powder of greater than purity of 93%, particle size less than 100nm and purity greater than 98.5%, particle size less than 400nm REB6 can be prepared. With SHS-Casting process, the oxygen content of less than 0.59% ferrotitanium, oxygen content of less than 0.5% titanium alloy and ?40-80*100mm large size of CuCr, Cu-Fe alloy ingots were prepared. This technology has greatly enhanced the thermal reduction method added values of preparing metallurgical products and its competitiveness.

Jan 1, 2014

By M. Girgis

The behavior of arsenic III during electrolytic refining of copper in acidic copper ?sulphate electrolytes was studied by different electrochemical methods such as, linear potential sweep, cyclic voltammetry, chronoamperometry and chronopotentiometry. The study showed that arsenic behaves as a depolarizing ion and has a deleterious effect on copper deposit. Three substrates; Pb, Cu and Ag were used during the refining process and the electrode kinetics were found similar for both Cu and Pb electrodes while a little difference was found for the Ag electrode. A microscopic study by scanning electron microscope was undertaken to show the influence of arsenic on deposit's morphology. Surface analyses of the deposit were carried out by some electronspectroscopic techniques such as Auger electron spectroscopy (AES) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results showed that arsenic coexists with copper deposit at potential?~ -0.25 V.

Jan 1, 1987

By Carlos Maurício F. Vieira, Giulio R. Altoé, Maria Carolina A. Teles, Sergio N. Monteiro, Maycon A. Gomes, Frederico M. Margem, Gabriel O. Glória

Due to growing concern about the ambient impacts, the society is demanding for materials that are environmentally friendly. The lignocellulosic fibers, like PALF fibers, appears like an option to replace the synthetic ones in composites with polimerics matrices. Besides the environmental advantages, the lignocellulosic fibers have economical and some properties advantages like the low density in comparison with the synthetic fibers. Nowadays the lignocellulosic are used in industries, like the automobile and aerospace. This objective of this study was to analyze the absorbed impact energy of the composites reinforced with PALF fibers. The fibers were incorporated into the polyester matrix with volume fraction from 0 to 30%. The results showed increase in the absorbed impact energy with the increase of the percentage of fiber incorporated. The fracture surface of the specimens were analyzed by SEM (scanning eléctron microscope) and indicates that the PALF fibers act as reinforcement for the polyester matrix.

Mar 1, 2017

By C. Ramasamy

The tariff reductions on imports, as a part of on-going liberalisation process in India, has fueled competition within and outside India and has, in turn provided an opportunity to reach global markets. This change calls for quality upgrades and cost-competitiveness without impairing the environment. In this context, gas based processes, contributing to improvement in quality and environment as well as processes where controls are applied when gases inimical to environment are involved, are discussed in a remelt/cast-house scenario. The impact of such processes on fabrication cost of sheet ingot is seen alongwith consumption and cost of materials and compared with a world class standard plant in North America.

Jan 1, 1996

By Wing Ka Ng

Substitution of pulverized coal injection by solid biocarbon fuel has the potential to achieve substantial reduction in GHG emissions associated with blast furnace ironmaking. A systematic evaluation was conducted on the performance of solid bio-carbons produced from a single raw biomass source using different pyrolysis technologies. The potential of solid biocarbon in reducing GHG emission of the blast furnace ironmaking process is strongly influenced by its O/C mass ratio. In order to achieve substantial GHG reduction, it is necessary to replace coal injection by solid biocarbon having a low O/C mass ratio. The pyrolysis technology and conditions employed are key parameters influencing O/C mass ratio of the resultant solid biocarbon. Close collaboration between steelmakers and solid biocarbon producers is critical for producing suitable solid biocarbon fuel to replace pulverized coal injection. A successful partnership should pave the way in achieving substantial reduction in GHG emissions of the blast furnace ironmaking process.

By Larry Twidwell, Ed Rosenberg, Courtney Young, Sean Dudley, William Gleason, Maureen Chorney

Experimental and industrially produced polystyrene and silica resins are tested for recovery capabilities of Rare Earth Elements (REE). Testing regimes being used are typical of resin analysis. Inductively Coupled Plasma-AES results indicate that preferential separation and recovery is possible in the adjusted pH range of2 to 10, solution conditions, and resin type. Testing conditions are resulting in structure modification of the composite resin as indicated by X-Ray Diffraction, Differential Scanning Calorimetry, Scanning Electron Microscopy, Mercury Porisometry, and density analysis. Resin modification indicates both surface and internal structure alteration outside of reported standard behavior of resins. Structural changes have ramification for both Rare Earth Recovery RER and traditional resin operations. Analysis shows that the resin uptake of REE can be manipulated for concentration. Further analysis with SEM work indicates that widespread surface and interior modification is taking place as resins load with REE. This modification is leading to pore rupture and particle breakage. Further investigation is being performed to determine the mode of breakage.

Jan 1, 2015

By J. W. Ahlrichs

In gold exploration and metallurgical testing, the role of the mineralogist is to assist in solving problems with regard to (a) sampling, (b) gold occurrences, and (c) petrologic classifications of host rocks. The presence of "coarse" gold as a sampling problem can be overcome by various methods, including "screen fire assays," screened analyses and special gravity techniques which may be used to determine distributions of "coarse" versus fine gold. Determinations of mineralogic associations of gold usually require special separation techniques, accompanied by fire-AA-mineralogic assays of the products. After accurate mineralogic analyses are obtained for various products, quantitative distributions of refractory gold associations can be calculated by the use of simultaneous equations. Petrologic classifications are required by the geologist for mapping and interpretation of the various rocks. After the petrology and mineralogic differences of the rock units are determined, x-ray diffraction analyses of analytical pulps can be used for lithologic logging of drill cores. XRD logging is an efficient method for correlating lithologic units and alteration trends throughout a gold prospect.

Jan 1, 1981

By Markus A. Reuter, Jacob Wood, Robert Matusewicz

Over the last 20 years, significant improvements in copper smelter productivity have been realized through the advent of continuous smelting processes. This progress has until recently however, not been carried through to copper converting. Peirce-Smith converting has been widely used by the copper industry for 100 years but is limited by its batch nature in achieving large scale of production. A logical next step is therefore copper converting on a continuous basis with its inherent environmental benefits. A number of continuous converting technologies are currently in use or being developed within the copper industry, the majority of these operating with calcium-ferrite slags. A notable exception however is the Ausmelt Continuous Copper Converting (C3) technology which has focused on operation with ferrous-calciumsilicate or loosely called olivine type slags. This paper discusses the merits of the Ausmelt C3 process and the advantages offered in terms of operational flexibility and process control arising from the use of lime modified iron silicate slags. It also examines the effects of key process variables pertinent to continuous copper converting from both a theoretical and experimental/operational perspective.

Jan 1, 2009

By Marietta Canty

A paper is presented in which an innovative biological process is described for the treatment of cyanide-, metals-, and nitrate-contaminated mine process water. The technology was tested for its ability to detoxify cyanide and nitrate and immobilize metals in wastewater from agitation cyanide leaching. A pilot-scale demonstration is described in which a pilot plant was constructed to demonstrate the technology on a mine process waste stream at a mine in Nevada. The demonstration was performed Jointly under the Mine Waste Technology Program (MWTP), which is funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and is jointly administered by the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Western Environmental Technology Office (WETO) and the Superfund Innovative Technology Evaluation (SITE) Demonstration Program under Interagency Agreement Number DW89938513-0 I-0. MSE Technology Applications, Inc. (MSE) located in Butte. Montana, was the contractor responsible for conducting the project, and Pintail Systems, Inc., of Aurora. Colorado, was the technology provider. The pilot-scale unit was field-tested at the Echo Bay McCoy/Cove Mine southwest of Battle Mountain, Nevada. The biotreatment process was considered to be successful in destroying cyanide in the mine process water. The process was also determined to be effective in removing metals. The pH was consistently neutralized, and nitrates were successfully removed from the mine process water. As a result of conducting these pilot-scale tests, the biotreatment process was concluded to be an innovative, cost-effective alternative for the treatment of mining wastewaters.

Jan 1, 1998

By M. J. Collins

A hydrometallurgical process has been tested at the Sherritt Research Centre for separation of zinc, lead, copper and precious metal values from the zinc oxide fume leach residue stockpiled at the HBM&S operations in Flin Flon, Manitoba. Zinc is found primarily as zinc femte and sphalerite in the residue, lead as lead sulphate and jarosite, and copper as sulphide and jarositic compounds. Gypsum and siliceous gangue are significant diluents. The separation process includes hot acid, atmospheric and reducing (sulphur dioxide) leaching; zinc, copper and lead flotation; and atmospheric iron removal steps. Zinc is recovered to a high strength zinc sulphate solution and to a zinc sulphide concentrate suitable for feed to a roaster or to a zinc pressure leach plant; lead to a high grade lead sulphate concentrate suitable for feed to a lead smelter, and copper to a high grade copper sulphide concentrate suitable for feed to a copper smelter. Precious metals are divided between the zinc, lead and copper concentrates.

Jan 1, 1993

By Pavol Loderer

Mineral froth pumping utilising centrifugal slurry pumps is a major engineering challenge for the end users and pump manufacturers due to the undesirable outcome of unstable pump performance. Most of these challenges occur due to incorrect pump selection and suction tank design. The traditional approach is to oversize the pump for pumping mineral froth. New horizontal slurry froth pump designs offer opportunities to improve the mineral froth with challenging (high) Froth Volume Factor while maintaining high efficiency, long wear life and stable pumping performance. This paper examines the flotation process in detail and how froth pumps are designed to handle this arduous process.

By Dirk Verhulst, V. I. Lakshmanan

Why Chloride Hydrometallurgy?The most available, cheapest and best known reagent for treating ores and other raw materials for the metallurgical industry is sulfuric acid. Hydrochloric acid is second in line. What often happens is that a process is developed on the basis of sulfuric acid, and that at some point the question arises: wouldn't hydrochloric acid do this better?Considering hydrochloric acid immediately opens a very interesting field of research. To summarize a few comments from another paper presented at this symposium [1]: chlorides are far more soluble than sulfates (with a few interesting exceptions); the hydrogen ion activity is greater in chloride than in comparable sulfate solutions; higher oxidative conditions are possible; regeneration is more straightforward; more diversity is possible and better conditions for the separation of species can be found for solvent extraction and ion exchange; sulfur in the ore can be separated as elemental S; higher metal concentrations in solution and more flexibility in the chosen oxidation state means significantly lower energy costs.Also, the volatility of many chlorides at higher temperature allows further separation without the need to go to a different system. Chlorides also form molten salts with a low melting point, providing another means of separation and purification in the same chloride medium.

Jan 1, 2011

By Craig A. Johnson

Cyanide speciation and behavior have been examined at three active heap leach operations, three heaps undergoing rinsing, and three sites with cyanide contaminated groundwater, all in the southwestern U.S. Data from these studies demonstrate that strong cyanometallic complexes of iron and cobalt can play ?an important role in cyanide behavior throughout the lifetimes of heap leach operations. In active circuits, we find evidence that significant amounts of cyanide combine with iron and cobalt to form strong cyanometallic complexes, and that these species can be adsorbed, probably onto iron hydroxides, or precipitated as insoluble cyanometallic compounds. When spent heaps are rinsed, the release of this cyanide is likely controlled by the slow kinetics of desorption from, or dissolution of, solids that have gone largely uncharacterized. We find evidence that strong cyanometallic complexes can give rise to transient free cyanide in some settings by rapid photo dissociation where heap rinse effluent is exposed to sunlight in open channels or translucent sample bottles. Thus, these species can complicate the ,preparation of spent heaps for decommissioning, even where regulatory standards ?are based on weak acid dissociable cyanide. There is a critical need for information on the form and stability of adsorbed and precipitated cyanide in spent ore heaps, on the concentrations of strong cyanometallic complexes in mineral processing effluents -particularly the complexes of cobalt, and on the natural attenuation of iron and cobalt cyanometallic complexes in both surface and subsurface waters.

Jan 1, 1998

By Rajesh S. Ransing

An intelligent tool has been developed to analyse the quality of diecast components. The influence of both design and process parameters has been studied in great detail. The tool, based on expert systems related technologies, can identify the causes for the defective castings manufactured. Design related causes such as gate position; gate area, runner design etc. as well as process related causes such as cycle time, cavity filling time and melt temperature are suggested by analysing the data on defective castings for a manufacturing campaign. This intelligent analysis is useful for both design as well as production engineers in the decision making process. All the causes for the occurrence of defects are classified into two categories. The firs category is the 'rootcauses' i.e. the causes which are related to the actual process, material and design parameters and which can be directly monitored. The second category is more abstract in nature and is classified as `metacauses'. These capture the scientific rationale implicit in the cause and defect relationships. This knowledge on causes and defects is represented in the form of a structured graph rather than by a set of rules, which, coupled with forward reasoning and heuristic search techniques results in an elegant and efficient approach. Uncertainties and the degree of relationship among causes and defects are represented by a fuzzy probabilistic model.

Jan 1, 1994

By Hu Long

In this, the first systematic study of the oxidation of orpiment (As2S3) in sulfuric acid solution under oxygen pressure at temperatures above 170°C, the effects of retention time, temperature, particle size, oxygen partial pressure, the concentration of sulfuric acid and pulp density were evaluated. The effects of cupric and ferric ions on the oxidation rate of As(III) to As(V) were also examined. The products of oxidation are As(III), As(V), SO42- and elemental sulfur. At temperatures ranging from 170 to 230°C, most of the arsenic was found to be in the trivalent state, and oxidation to As(V) with oxygen was very slow. This was confirmed by attempting to oxidize a synthetic arsenious solution. However, the rate of oxidation of As(III) to As(V) is rapid in the presence of ferric ion. Elemental sulfur was found at all temperatures investigated, which can be further oxidized to sulfate at high temperature.

Jan 1, 1999

By J. L. Jambor, H. W. Nesbitt

Oxidative dissolution of pyrrhotite and pyrite is largely responsible for the sulfate-rich waters of the vadose zone in the Waite Amulet tailings. Although the shallowest of the sulfate-rich waters are of the Fe-SO4 type, they change to Mg-SO4-type, near-neutral waters within 1-2 m of the tailings surface. Phyllosilicates and amphiboles are the only minerals present in sufficient quantity to ameliorate the amount of acidity produced. X-ray diffraction and microscopic studies of bulk sample indicate that quartz, chlorite, talc, amphiboles, magnetite, albite, and micas are the major and minor non-sulfide minerals, but their variations with depth do not give clear indications of depletion in the vadose zone. Mineralogical and bulk chemical compositions of the tailings confirm that Fe2O 3 has accumulated in large quantity in the vadose zone, with the Fe having been derived from Fe sulfides. When the effect of Fe2O3 is accounted for, the bulk compositions suggest that SiO2 is slightly more abundant in the vadose zone than in the saturated zone. This may be the result of residual enrichment of siliceous minerals such as quartz and albite in the vadose zone. Weathering of the tailings since the cessation of deposition in 1962 has resulted in a well-defined zone of sulfide depletion and secondary sulfate-mineral development. Although some silicate dissolution is indicated by pore-water compositions, the role of silicates in providing neutralization seems to have been minimal. The contribution by silicate minerals in laboratory tests of neutralization potential may be excessive relative to that in natural settings.

Jan 1, 1999

By F. T. Principe

In order for solvent extraction technology to be acceptable as an alternative to existing jarosite precipitation circuits, iron must be cleanly separated and concentrated into a feed stream suitable for downstream iron by-product recovery which meets market specifications and economics. Ten years ago, significant progress was made in a joint McCill University/CANMET project that involved iron extraction with mono(2-ethylhexyl) phosphoric acid and stripping with HCI. Our iron solvent extraction research was reactivated recently by looking into this and other members of the organophosphorus extractant family. Our research focuses on the mechanisms and control of anion (SO42/CI) transport across the various phases (Rafinate/Organic/Strip), iron build-up in the strip liquor, and extractant stability/selectivity. In this paper, these issues along with some other performance parameters are discussed using data derived from an extensive search of the two commercially available and best known members of the organophosphorus family, di-2-ethylhexyl (D2EHPA) and mono-2-ethylhexyl (M2EHPA) phosphoric acid. Further in this discussion, the challenges lying ahead in the development of sx systems that overcome the deficiencies of D2EHPA and M2EHPA are outlined. In particular, the necessity of considering secondary separation technologies that can further concentrate iron values in the chloride strip liquor to levels economically attractive for the production of saleable iron oxide by pyrohydrolysis is addressed.

Jan 1, 1998