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By Enrui Dai, Weibing Chen, Bin Yang, Wenhui Ma, Haisheng Fang, Hui Wang

LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C composite was prepared by an improved solid-state method and the effect of calcination temperature on properties of the obtained materials was investigated. The results showed that increasing calcination temperature from 600 to 700 oC improved the performance of the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C due to enhanced crystallinity and increased conductivity, but further increase in calcination temperature to 800 oC led to degraded performance due to particle growth and decrease in porosity. Therefore, the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C composite prepared at 700 oC exhibited the best electrochemical performance, and could deliver a high capacity of 152 mAh g−1 at 0.1 C, 147 mAh g−1 at 1 C and 114 mAh g−1 at 10 C. In addition, the performance of the LiMn0.8Fe0.2PO4/C and LiMn0.8Fe0.19Mg0.01PO4/C was compared when they were obtained at the optimum calcination temperature.

Jan 1, 2015

By Oluwatosin A. Aladejebi, Apsara S. Jayasekara, Raymond J. Longbottom, Mark Reid, Marc in het Panhuis, Brian J. Monaghan

The coke analogue is a new research tool that has been developed to quantify and characterize the effect minerals in coke have on coke reactivity. The analogue material is made from a number of different carbon or carbon containing materials and minerals to in part replicate real industrial coke’s reactivity behavior. Elucidation of the effects of minerals on coke reactivity has proved difficult due to the complex and heterogeneous nature of industrial coke and the potential non-additive effects of minerals on coke reactivity. The coke analogue addresses this complexity and heterogeneity through control of its mineralogy, mineral size and mineral dispersion through the analogue, porosity and carbon structures. Initial studies using the analogue were focused on coke dissolution kinetics in liquid iron but recent work has focused in characterization of its porosity, carbon structure and rate of reaction.

Jan 1, 2014

By Mark E. Schlesinger

Engineering design follows a six–step sequence. Demonstration of this sequence in materials engineering is less common. A case study is presented, using the 1989 paper by Gafner on the development of 990 gold-titanium alloy. This paper identifies a need, develops the problem, identifies alternatives, demonstrates the use of metallurgical principles to identify alternative responses, and shows how more favorable options are selected. The paper can also be used to illustrate engineering design as an iterative process. The paper is also useful as a starting point for more in-depth examination of specific elements of the design process, and lends itself to the creation of student exercises.

Jan 1, 2014

By P. J. Mackey, J. B. See, D. G. C. Robertson

The production of iron and steel and non-ferrous metals by pyrometallurgical processes will remain a critical element in meeting the demand for materials in both developed and developing nations. Given the important need to reduce and minimise greenhouse gas emissions the technological focus of future pyrometallurgical R&D by universities and industry alike must concentrate on sustainability issues such as improved energy efficiency, recycling and waste minimization. Continued efforts are also needed on process optimization and new process development with a view to reducing capital and operating costs of the new large “mega” plants. Using the academic and industrial backgrounds of the authors, the present paper reviews the current status of R&D in pyrometallurgy in university departments with a particular emphasis on sustainability issues. The role of industry and government laboratories is also reviewed although primarily for developed countries. The paper also includes comments and suggestions on the future requirements for education and R&D in pyrometallurgy in developed countries to maximise sustainability. It is also suggested that future R&D in pyrometallurgy will be even more concentrated in developing countries – most notably China.

Jan 1, 2014

By Xiaofei Guan, Adam C. Powell, Uday B. Pal, Srikanth Gopalan

This paper reports a solid oxide membrane (SOM) electrolysis experiment using an LSM– Inconel inert anode current collector for production of Mg and O2 at 1423K. The electrochemical performance of the SOM cell was evaluated by using various electrochemical techniques including electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, potentiodynamic scans, and potentiostatic electrolysis. The effects of Mg solubility in the flux on the current efficiency and the YSZ membrane stability during SOM electrolysis were discussed and examined through experiment and modeling. The electronic transference number of the flux were measured to assess the Mg dissolution in the flux during SOM electrolysis. A negative correlation between the electronic transference number of the flux and the current efficiency of the SOM electrolysis was observed.

Jan 1, 2014

By Markus Reuter, Antoinette van Schaik

In this paper the link between process metallurgy, classical minerals processing, product centric recycling and urban/landfill mining is discussed. The depth that has to be achieved in urban mining and recycling must glean from the wealth of theoretical knowledge and insight that have been developed in the past in minerals and metallurgical processing. This background learns that recycling demands a product centric approach, which considers simultaneously the multi-material interactions in man-made complex ‘minerals’. Fast innovation in recycling and urban mining can be achieved by further evolving from this well developed basis, evolving the techniques and tools that have been developed over the years. This basis has already been used for many years to design, operate and control industrial plants for metal production. This has been the basis for Design for Recycling rules for End-of-Life products. Using, among others, the UNEP Metal Recycling report as a basis (authors are respectively Lead and Main authors of report), it is demonstrated that a common theoretical basis as developed in metallurgy and minerals processing can help much to level the playing field between primary processing, secondary processing, recycling, and urban/landfill mining and product design hence enhancing resource efficiency. Thus various scales of detail link product design with metallurgical process design and its fundamentals.

Jan 1, 2014

By Zhang Libo, Peng Jinhui, Zhang Zhengfu, Fu Mengbi, Han Yamei

In this paper, results of a novel synthesis method of carbon-coated LiNi113Mn113Co11302 cathode material for lithium-ion battery are reported. The carbon coating was produced from a precursor, glucose, by microwave-pyrolysis method. The structure, morphology and electrochemical performance of the bare and carbon-coated LiNi113Mn113Co11302 were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and charge-discharge tests respectively. The L8(27) orthogonal experiments were carried out to optimize LiNi113Co113Mn1130z/C technological conditions. The conditions of the orthogonal experiments were that the glucose content were 1.5 % and 4 %, the holding time were 15min and 30min, the heating temperature were 400 °C and 500 °C and the solvent were H20 and CH3CH20H. The main experiment target include specific capacity at 0.1C and 0.2C, Capacity retention rate, medium voltage attenuation rate and The fifth discharge medium voltage. The data were analyzed by Minitab 14 statistics software. The results of analysis of variance indicated that the most influential factor was the glucose content despite of discharge rate. Secondly, the effect of the solvent was equivalent to the holding time.

Jan 1, 2013

By David G. Dixon, Maziar Eghbalnia

"Gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on pyrite at ambient temperature from colloidal solutions prepared by reduction of hydrogen tetrachloroaurate or silver nitrate by sodium sulfide or sodium tetrahydridoborate. The nanoparticles were characterized using Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy and the experimental spectra were fitted using Mie - Gans modeling. The modified pyrite was investigated using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS). Electrodes were prepared from both natural and modified pyrite samples and were modeled using an equivalent circuit (EC) based on the EIS data. The comparison of the results revealed a decrease in charge transfer resistance for the ferric ferrous redox couple associated with the modified pyrite. From this behavior it is concluded that the electronic transport between the nanoparticles and the electrode surface over distances in nanometer scale is enhanced. Nanoparticles below a certain size act as quantum dots due to electronic confmement. Decreased charged transfer resistance at the nanometer scale may be caused by electron transport through tunneling mechanism via quantum dots.IntroductionIn recent years, considerable attention has been focused on the synthesis and study of Metal nanoparticles due to their potential applications in the fields of physics, chemistry, biology, medicine, material science and their interdisciplinary fields[!]. When material is nano-sized, the physical properties deviate markedly from those of bulk material, however, this effect is highly dependent on the particle size, interparticle distance, and morphology of the nanoparticles [2].An extremely small region of space defmed in a semiconductor material in order of nanometers is called a quantum dot, a term coined by Reed [3]. The three dimensional confinement of quantum dots can change properties of the excitons in comparison to free excitons in a bulk material [4]. Nanoparticles behave electronically as zero-dimensional (restricted in all three dimensions) quantum dots when the de Broglie wavelength of the valence electrons and the particle are in the same size range.As Reed [3] explains electrons confined in a plane have no freedom to move the third dimension. Those confined in a quantum wire are only free to move in one dimension, and those confined in a quantum dot are not free in to move in any dimension. An electron inside a cube of material IO nm on a side is confined to a point."

Jan 1, 2012

By Albert Wraith, Thomas Price, Wayne Boyd, Skip (I. E. ) Hills, Cameron Harris

Most Peirce-Smith converters inject air through tuyeres, with nitrogen representing the majority of gas passing through the process. The nitrogen controls the temperature of the vessel by carrying away heat from the reactions, both globally and locally at the tuyere tip. However, nitrogen adds energy to the bath and contributes to splashing and limits the blowing rate. High oxygen smelting has made streams of gas containing high concentrations of sulphur dioxide commonplace, which can be used to substitute SO2 for nitrogen and drastically changes Peirce- Smith converting (and all other smelting/converting processes as well). Less SO2 is required to carry away the same quantity of heat, which allows higher concentrations of oxygen and leads to the possibility of increased production. The paper investigates this substitution, its impact on converter productivity, and on the remainder of the plant. 181

Jan 1, 2009

By Xiaodong Wang

A liquid metal flow generated by a magnetic field whose traveling direction is periodically reversed, the Reversed Traveling Magnetic Field (R-TMF) is studied. The modulation frequency ranges from 0 to 6 Hz. Ultrasonic Doppler velocimetry probes the generated fluid flow. Depending on the modulation frequency, a number of characteristic flow features are exhibited. A transition frequency (approximately 4 Hz) exists, above which the flow is no longer sensitive to the force modulation. Below this transition point, the amplitude of the velocity oscillation increases, and then below fm = 0.05 Hz, it saturates around a value close to that observed without any modulation. A theoretical model to obtain an analytical solution of electromagnetic force and to predict flow motion is developed, which is fairly in agreement with the experiments.

Jan 1, 2009

By Jie Li

Series of carbon compounds as anode materials were prepared for super lithium ion capacitor using graphite and active carbon (AC) as raw materials. Their electrochemical properties were investigated by constant current charge-discharge test. The results showed that the compound anode had good capacitive performance as well as Li-ion battery performance. The potential of the capacitor could be as high as 3.5V vs Li/Li+ when compared with 2.5V vs Li/Li+ in the AC-AC capacitor, accordingly, the energy density increased from 21.7Wh/kg to 40.3Wh/kg. The compound anode also had excellent rate performance that as the current density increasing from 0.1A/g to 1A/g,the capacitance decreased only 1.3F/g, and good cycle performance that the capacitance holding remained 96.7% after 10 times cycles even at the highest potential of 3.5 V vs Li/Li+.

Jan 1, 2009

By Yan Yuan

Stable Nitroxyl polymers, such as poly (2,2,6,6-tetramenthyl-1-piperidinyloxy-4-yl methacrylate) (PTMA), are known to be effective as cathode active materials for lithium rechargeable betteries.The nitroxide radicals displayed a reversible and very rapid redox performances.We present a new synthesized method to get PTMA powder, then a doctor-blading method was used to prepare the PTMA composite electrodes, enabling successful production of homogeneous electrodes. It was characterized through FT-IR and SEM methods.The organic radical battery consists of lithium metal anode and PTMA cathode with an active material content of 65wt%.The best performance is achieved with a thin cathode that shows nearly 100% utilization of the active material (111mAh/g) at 0.1C.Through the electrochemical tests, it was found that there was a stable plateau at 3.5V while discharging. Besides, the cycling stability and rate capability were measured in detail. Although they showed a certain quantity of irreversible capacity on the first cycle, the capacity stabilized after the second cycle.

Jan 1, 2009

By P. N. Anyalebechi

A comparative study of the mechanical properties of automotive steering knuckles produced by three different shape-casting related processes has been conducted. It involved the characterization of the tensile and fatigue properties of aluminum alloy A356 knuckles produced by the vacuum/pressure riserless casting (VRC/PRC), pressure counter pressure casting (PCPC), and the hybrid Cobapress (a casting-forging) processes, in accordance with the appropriate ASTM standards. Surprisingly, the knuckles produced by the hybrid Cobapress process exhibited the lowest strength. For example, the average 0.2% yield strength of the Cobapress knuckles was 31 MPa and 40 MPa less than that of the VRC/PRC and PCPC knuckles, respectively. However, between stresses of 150-200 MPa, the fatigue lives of the VRC/PRC, PCPC, and Cobapress knuckles were comparable. But above 200 MPa, the Cobapress knuckles exhibited the lowest fatigue life. The observed differences in the mechanical properties are attributed to the inherently different microstructures of the different knuckles.

Jan 1, 2009

By Joël P. T. Kapusta

Although Peirce-Smith converting remains the workhorse in matte converting, the copper and nickel industries are still confronted with production hindrances such as tuyere blockage, excessive refractory wear and limits in the oxygen enrichment levels of the blast air. The knowledge acquired on high-pressure gas injection technology as well as the invention of the concentric tuyere for steelmaking led to the development of the Air Liquide Shrouded Injector (ALSI) technology for copper and nickel converting. Following a technology demonstration in 1997-98 with four shrouded injectors installed in a Peirce-Smith converter, Falconbridge Limited implemented ALSI Technology on a commercial scale in May 1999 as an integral part of its new Slag Make Converter at Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. The paper presents the various aspects of commissioning ALSI Technology, as well as the operating changes and injector design modifications over the five years the shrouded injectors have been in operation.

Jan 1, 2005

By Victor Raul Alarcon

The Ilo Refinery was commissioned in 1975, with a cathode production capacity of 150,000 tpy. In 1994, Southern Perú Copper Corporation (SPCC) purchased the Refinery from Minero Perú SA. Subsequently, in November 1999, Grupo Mexico acquired control of Southern Perú. The anode production facility is located at the Ilo Refinery. A number of effective operating and quality control practices have been developed that have improved anode quality, as well as increasing anode production capacity to 350,000 tpy. These, and other optimization actions have allowed for a current density increase from 213 A/m2 to 275 A/m2, while maintaining current efficiency at 98% and sustaining the high quality of the cathode. The paper will outline the scope of operational practices in the Anode Plant and provide some discussion on the Ilo Smelter modernization project, and the resulting impact on the existing anode plant.

Jan 1, 2005

By Sven Reutzel

Investigations show that Co-based melts embedded by glass flux in a crucible can be under- cooled nearly as strong as samples processed containerlessly by electromagnetic levitation. This allows to measure magnetic susceptibility on undercooled melts while combining the use of a Faraday-balance and undercooling technique. The magnetic susceptibility of Co and Co-based alloys (such as Co-Pd and Co-Cu) is investigated as a function of temperature from superheated to undercooled state. This is done by measuring the change of magnetic force F, on a sample in a constant magnetic field Bo and an additional gradient field by means of a Faraday-balance. When liquid Co-based alloys are undercooled the magnetisation steeply rises if temperature approaches the Curie temperature. The magnetisation is measured for some Co-based alloys in liquid state as a function of alloy system and its concentration. The results show that the magnetic susceptibility of the liquid undercooled samples follows a Curie-Weiss behaviour, from which Curie temperature and magnetic moments for the liquid state are inferred.

Jan 1, 2002

By Vaughan R. Voller

"The wide range of length and time scales found in solidification processes are outlined and discussed. Methods for Direct Microstructure Simulation (DMS) are introduced. Key features in sharp interface and phase field models are presented. Concepts in micro-macro solidification modeling are covered. Basic details of microstructure and segregation models are provided. A description of a recent segregation micro-macro model is presented in detail.IntroductionA solidification process involves the containment of a liquid region, which, due to cooling, transforms over time to form a fully solid product. The development of the solid microstructure and the segregation of solute components during this transformation are controlled by phenomena that occur across a wide range of length and time scales. A ""successful"" model of a given solidification process needs to account for these phenomena. Standard models of solidification employ a discrete grid of node points and associated volume elements in the special domain, with a discrete time step to track the transient changes of nodal values, describing the composition and microstructure. Through the use of such models significant progress has been made towards a complete understanding of solidification process and phenomena (see the conference proceedings in Refs [1-9]). As solidification models become more sophisticated, however, they all run into the problem of resolving the full range of disparate space and time scales.Two approaches can deal with this problem1. Direct Microstructure Simulation (DMS) where the grid size and time step are chosen to scale with the smallest length and time scales of the given problem.2. Micro-macro modeling where the grid size and time step scale with the macroscopic process scale and phenomena at smaller scales are accounted for via sub-grid modeling and volume averaging.Currently full DMS of solidification is beyond the reach of available computer power and the application and development of micro-macro models is an important and critical research area."

Jan 1, 2001

By J. E. Hoffman

The operation of the U .S Metals Refining Company, USMR Co. is defined below by the description of a variety of unit processes and operations the author encountered during his tenure with the operation, 1955 - 1978. The operations discussed include: sampling and sweating of radiators, processing of Indian Coin, treatment of insulated wire, baghouse and converter dust treatment, blast furnace and converter operation, the electric arc furnace, antimony control, selenium and tellurium products, electrolyte liberation with soluble anodes, and the precious metals refinery. These operations, although peripheral to the primary copper production circuit, were critical to the company's technological and economic base.

Jan 1, 2000

By D. R. Parker

"This paper canvasses emerging trends in public policy and law, which may influence the zinc industry's interest in recycling. There are forces at work beyond direct economic benefits that will drive recycling of zinc, including:• corporate determination to pursue sustainable practices and product stewardship.• public perceptions and pressure,• customer and investor demand,• workforce recruitment, and• protection and expansion of marketsIn this paper, these ""indirect"" forces are examined with particular focus on the zinc industry: It is concluded that, in today's world with an emerging precautionary approach to policy and law making, public perception concerning the environmental implications of metal products, and the need to conserve resources for future generation, a strong industry response is required."

Jan 1, 2000

By G. M. Bond

Reduction of the emissions of greenhouse gases, such as CO,, is currently the subject of extensive research. A novel strategy is put forward here, based on a biomimetic approach providing accelerated deposition into carbonate form for long-term sequestration. It offers the advantages of a process that: does not require concentration of CO, from flue gases; could potentially be used in an on-site scrubber to provide a plant-by-plant solution to reducing CO, emissions; is an environmentally benign procss with an environmentally benign product; and is based on readily available, low-cost reagents (except perhaps the catalyst).

Jan 1, 1999