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By Liu Wei-feng

Base on the thermodynamic calculation of vapor pressure of lead, antimony and arsenic at high temperature, the possibility of separating lead, antimony and arsenic in different temperature was analyzed ,and the practice of producing qualified antimony white from lead-antimony alloy by direct blowing was introduced in detail in this paper. The blast furnace reduction smelting was brief introduced firstly, and then alkaline refining was applied to removing arsenic from lead-antimony alloy that contains As1%,Sb39%,Pb58%,the arsenic in the treated lead-antimony alloy could decrease to 0.009% by that method. The antimony white containing Sb2O3 99.5% could be produced by air blowing in the special furnace at 650? from the treated lead-antimony alloy. And the electrolytic lead could be achieved by electrolysis from the lead-rich alloy which contained 83% lead.With high-grade product being obtained the process was shortened. The technology has been applied successfully many years in Guangxi, China.

Jan 1, 2009

By Jhon Cuya

Titanium dioxide is the well-known catalyst for the photodecomposition of water in UV region and its nanoparticles show better performance than its bulk materials. Furthermore, partially sulfurized TiO2 is expected to be chemically stable and have an enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with TiO2. For this purpose, the sulfurization behavior of TiO2 nanoparticles was thermogravimetically (TG) studied by a thermo-balance with a quartz spring using CS2. From the TG curve of TiO2 nanoparticles, first, the weight decrease appeared down to around 8 wt% and then sulfurization reaction started at around 500 °C at heating rate of 1O 'Cumin. The weight increase curve showed a maximum of ca 30 wt% at around 750 T and then gradually decreased to ca 12w% at 1000OC. This would be caused by the formation of TiS2 followed by the decomposition of TiS2 to lower sulfides, such as Til.08S2 and Ti3S4. From the comparison of the sulfurization of TiO2 nanpparticles with that of anatase, rutile and Ti(OH)4, it was found that TiO2 nanoparticles showed a similar behavior to that of Ti(OH)4.

Jan 1, 2003

By Akira Nishikawa

During the twentieth century the copper smelting industry achieved dramatic expansion corresponding to the vast growth of global economy. This was largely due to innovations in pyro-metallurgical processes, such as autogenous smelting and continuous smelting and converting technologies. However, as copper production capacity increased, its impact on the environment also could not be ignored, and thus with increasing global environmental awareness, many smelting operations either had to renew or rebuild their facilities. In addition to these changes, in places like Japan and Europe, with scarce primary resources, the treatment and recovery of metals from a variety of items such as car shredder dust, used electrical appliances and electronic devices, on top of scraps traditionally treated, is having a profound effect on the reduction of waste and the preservation of primary resources. Thus compared to the days when copper smelting focused on the environmental control in order to break with "Smoke Stack Industry", copper smelting today is making an important contribution to the sustainable development of human society.

Jan 1, 2003

By Jhon Cuya

Titanium dioxide is the well-known catalyst for the photodecomposition of water in UV region and its nanoparticles show better performance than its bulk materials. Furthermore, partially sulfurized TiO2 is expected to be chemically stable and have an enhanced photocatalytic activity compared with TiO2. For this purpose, the sulfurization behavior ofTiO2 nanopartic1es was thermogravimetrically (TG) studied by a thermo-balance with a quartz spring using CS2. From the TG curve of TiO2 nanopartic1es, first, the weight decrease appeared down to around 8 wt% and then sulfurization reaction started at around 500°C at a heating rate of 1 C°/min. The weight increase curve showed a maximum of ca 30 wt% at around 750°?C and then gradually decreased to ca 12 wt% at 1000°C. This would be caused by the formation of TiS2 followed by the decomposition ofTiS2 to lower sulfides, such as Tit.0.8S2 and Ti3S4. From the comparison of the sulfurization of TiO2 nanoparticles with that of anatase, rutile and Ti(OH)4, it was found that TiO2 nanoparticles showed a similar behavior to that of Ti(OH)4.

Jan 1, 2003

By M. Drozd

Multi-use pad operators require an efficient and economic method to destroy cyanide in their process residues so new material can be stored on the pad and leached. Operators of the dedicated or single-use pads require an effective cyanide destruction method for pad closure. Cyanide destruction can be accomplished by utilizing oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide or calcium hypochlorite, or by utilizing ferrous sulfate which sequesters the cyanide in strong acid dissociable complex. Ferrous sulfate can be the preferred method of cyanide destruction because it is a less costly chemical, reaction rates are almost immediate and unlike oxidants, it can penetrate the total depth of a pile without being destroyed by side reactions. Literature indicates that the (Fe(CN)6)-4 com~lex is produced slowly but it appears that complexes such as Fe(CN)4(H20)2-or Fe(CN)4(OH)2)-4, are formed quickly and should have no U.V. sensitifity, unlike (Fe(CN)6)-4. Stoichiometry of the testwork indicates that Fe«CN)4(OH)2)-4 complex may be the species formed. The usage of ferrous sulfate has the advantage of being able to bring ~ level down that divalent metal ions such as Cu++, Cd++, Hg++, Pb++ and Zn will form insoluble complexes and precipitate from solutions does not destroy weak acid dissolvable complexes and can leave a heavy metal problem behind after cyanide destruction.

Jan 1, 1990

By E. A. Thiers

The causes of structural changes in the markets for high technology alloying metals are discussed in terms of technological, economic, and financial trends. Recent market imbalances have affected producers in developed and developing countries differently. Possible response strategies for suppliers in the two types of countries are examined that may alleviate future market imbalances.

Jan 1, 1988

By Yoshihiko Maeda

It is said that the 21st century will be an era of the remedy of the global environment. In order to reserve natural resources for the future and to avoid the dispersion of heavy metals after usage and to avoid pollution problems, it is extremely important to recycle heavy metals as much as possible by reasonable recovery procedures. The nonferrous metal industry is expected to play a important role in the recycling of heavy metals that are originally their products. From the depressed metal price experienced in Japan in 1980'h due to the sudden change in current exchange rate between US dollar and Japanese yen, one of major nonferrous metal company, Dowa Mining, has diversified its business area not only to the so-called down stream, but also to the environmental business including metal recycling, industrial waste treatment and soil remediation by utilizing technologis and facilities once used or still used for mining and smelting of copper, zinc, lead and precious metals. In this paper some of these applications will be presented.

Jan 1, 2003

By Fumitaka Tsukihashi

Phase diagrams of the CaO-SiO2-FeOx-MgO, Al2O3 systems are necessary for the analysis of copper smelting reactions and sintering process of iron ore. The effect of MgO and Al2O3 addition on the liquidus of the phase diagram of the CaO-SiO2-FeOx system at low oxygen partial pressure was observed. The liquid phase area changed by the addition of MgO and Al2O3 with a changing oxygen partial pressure from 10-8 to 10-3 atm (10-1 to 102 Pa) at 1573K. The effect of Fe3+/Fe2+ ratio on the melting mechanism is discussed.

Jan 1, 2003

By Jyri Talja, Shaolong Chen, Hannu Mansikkaviita

"Drying (water removal) prior to smelting is always economically feasible. Unnecessary heating of vapour can thus be eliminated resulting in savings of5-15 MUSD every year.Thermodynamically removal of one ton of water out of copper concentrate at 100 °C (with 10 % moisture) requires approximately 3150 MJ/tH2o, consisting of heating of the water (377 MJ), heating of the concentrate (509 MJ) and water evaporation (2260 MJ). This is quite independent of the selected drying technology. In reality some more heat is needed as higher temperature is practiced to enhance the drying performance and to reduce the equipment size.Major nominator in drying energy efficiency is amount of gases, which depends greatly on the drying technology. Dryers based on direct heating with fossil fuels have high gas flow rates, and thus they require additional energy of about 1400-1600 MJ/tH2o, compared to indirect modemsteam drying at 250-400 MJ/tH2o.Significant benefits in energy consumption (900-1300 MJ/tH2o) with additional potential for a bonus profit of 2-4 MUSD/y year, together with full elimination of some 40 000 tpy CO2 per mid-size dryer is available by selecting sustainable, energy efficient steam drying.IntroductionRemoval of water from the concentrate is very energy intensive thus having a significant environmental impact. However, drying prior to smelting is always economically feasible and very often viable also from the perspective of process operations. This environmental impact of drying can, however, be decreased or even fully eliminated with proper selection of the drying technology.Energy incorporated in drying consists always of a number of phases like liquid (water), solids (concentrate) and gases (water vapour, purging I dilution air, combustion gases). Each phase is heated to a specific temperature during the drying process.Heating of water, heating of the concentrate and water evaporation consumes more or less the same amount of energy despite of the drying technology (3150 MJ per ton of water). In conventional drying this amount of energy is achieved by combustion of fossil fuels wirg subsequent CO2 emission. Alternatively, chemical energy derived from sulphide smelting can be utilized in a form of steam thus generating zero emission ofCO2, in modem steam drying."

Jan 1, 2012

By Jean-Pierre Birat, Ana-Maria Iosif, Denis Ablitzer, Olivier Mirgaux

"Integrating environmental considerations into the product traditional process design is now the major challenge for steel industry. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is nowadays considered as an appropriate method for assessing environmental impact and selecting new technologies to reduce CO2 emissions for steel industry.In this paper we propose a new methodological concept which combines LCA thinking with process simulation software in order to carry out the life cycle inventory of classical steelmaking process.Using Aspen PlusTM software, a physicochemical model has been developed for the integrated steelmaking route. This model gives the possibility to carry out life cycle inventories for different operational practices in order to optimise the use of energy, to calculate CO2 and other emissions and to control the mass and the heat balances of processes.It is also shown that such approach can be used to design and assess new technologies for steelmaking without large industrial application.IntroductionDuring recent years, it was recognised that CO2 emissions are the major factor of the global warming effect. In order to meet Kyoto requirements, the steel industry is embracing the challenge of sustainable development by improving its competitiveness and economic success while reducing its environmental impacts. Integrating environmental considerations into the traditional product design process, for powerful eco-efficiency, is now one of the major priorities for steelmakers.The European Steel Industry has measured up to this challenge by creating ULCOS (Ultra Low CO2 Steelmaking) consortium that has taken up the mission to develop breakthrough steelmaking process with the potential to reduce CO2 emissions (Eurofer, 2005). In order to develop technologies to reduce emissions, it is necessary to assess the environmental impact of the classical steelmaking route (coke plant, sinter plant, blast furnace, basic oxygen furnace, continuous casting and hot rolling)."

Jan 1, 2009

By G. D. Sandrock

The science and technology of roan temperature rechargeable metal hydrides began about 1969 with the discoveries that the intermetallic Compounds LaNi5 and TiFe could be, conveniently hydrided and dehydrided at roan temperature and modest H2 pressures. Subsequently, this lead to the development of a broad family of REE-containing AB5 hydrides and numerous applications that make use of the extraordinary H2-absorption and reaction-heat properties of these materials. Some of the applications include H2 storage, compression and separation, as well as heat pumping, heat to mechanical energy conversion and electric energy storage. This paper briefly reviews the fundamental phenomenology of metal hydrides, the history of the use of REE's in rechargeable metal hydrides, the practical engineering properties of these materials and the applications that have evolved around them. The rechargeable nickel metal hydride battery, a new vial alternative to NiCd cells, stands at the forefront of the applications.

Jan 1, 1992

By James A. Voigt

"The efficient separation of metal species from aqueous streams by precipitation techniques requires a fundamental understanding of the various processes that occur during precipitation. These processes include particle nucleation, particle growth by solute deposition, agglomerate formation, and agglomerate break-up. The application of the population balance approach has been used to develop a kinetic model that accounts for these competing kinetic processes. The usefulness of the model is illustrated through its application to the precipitation of yttrium hydroxynitrate, YHN. The kinetic parameters calculated from the model equations and system specific solution chemistry are used to describe several aspects of the effect of pH on the precipitation of the YHN. Implications with respect to the simultaneous precipitation of more than one cation type are also discussed through use of example systems. The effects of solution chemistry, precipitator design, and solvent choice are considered.IntroductionThe application of precipitation technologies to the separation of metals from solution is widely used. Regardless of its application, be it in such diverse areas as the preparation of metal oxide powders for use in commercial products or as a unit operation in the removal of trace metals during wastewater clean up, the fundamental processes involved are the same. These processes include: nucleation from solution, either homogeneous or heterogeneous; growth from solution with chemical reaction either in solution or at the precipitate/solution interface; growth by particle agglomeration; and particle break-up by collisional or shear forces. The effectiveness of the operation and the properties of the precipitate formed, or ""quality"" of the product, are determined by the competing kinetics of the different processes. The kinetics of the processes, in tum, are determined by system-specific solution chemistries and the conditions used to carry out the precipitation operation. For example, generally, when system conditions are such that the supersaturation driving force for precipitation is very high, growth species normally do not have the time to organize themselves with a high degree of crystallographic order and the precipitate is amorphous. In this case nucleation rates are invariably extremely high and the primary mechanism for growth is the agglomeration of nuclei. Conversely, when the supersaturation levels for the same system are reduced, the kinetics of the nucleation and growth processes also are greatly reduced, and a crystalline precipitate can be formed, since the growth species have time to order on particle surfaces."

Jan 1, 1996

By R. Moreau, V. Uspenski, K. Messadek, Y. Delannoy

Experiments and numerical simulations have been carried out to investigate the properties of quasi-2D turbulence. A new mercury model experiment has been built and tested in a uniform magnetic field up to 6T, (Ha~ 1000), ensuring a better two-dimensional behaviour than earlier versions (Alboussiere et al., 1997), limited to 0.2T. The quality of the experimental results has been improved in order to get wave number spectra (instead of frequency spectra) and higher signal over noise ratio (due to the higher magnetic fields). In parallel, some two-dimensional "direct" numerical simulations were performed using a commercially available code to solve a 2-D motion equation involving a source term to model the Hartmann layer. This term is derived from the condition of closure of the electric current, which allows to transfer the Hartmann effect into the 2D-core flow without simulating the layer itself (Sommeria & Moreau, 1982). No subgrid scale modelling is needed in such a two-dimensional situation where most of the energy is carried by the large scales.

Jan 1, 1999

By Pan Gu, Zhen Zhang, Jiang Diao, Bing Xie, Hongyi Li

Viscosities of FeO-SiO2-V2O3-CaO-P2O5 slags have been measured at the temperature range of 1673 K to 1773 K (1400°C to 1500°C). This investigated system represents the major components of basic vanadium slag that is an important intermediate product of a novel vanadium extracting process, in which removal of phosphorus and extraction of vanadium can be achieved from the vanadium-containing hot metal simultaneously. It was found that higher CaO/SiO2 ratio resulted in lower viscosity in the composition range of interest. Also, the viscosities increase with the increasing P2O5 concentration. The varying viscosities can be attributed to the modification in complexity and polymerization of the slag network. The variation of apparent activation energies are in tune with the viscosity measurements. The results of this work revealed the effect of CaO/SiO2 and P2O5 on the viscous properties of FeO-SiO2- V2O3-CaO-P2O5 slags and therefore provide the theoretical foundation for the control of the coupling de-P and V-extraction process.

Jan 1, 2016

By Thomas F. Hagelien, Stein Tore Johansen, Svend Graadahl

"The dross appearing at the surface of an aluminium melt consists, in addition to aluminium, of mainly oxide films but also other non metallic inclusions. The inclusion particles are often poorly wetted by the metal and accumulate at the metal surface. However, in impeller stirred reactors for melt refining stirring may be exceedingly strong and inclusions accumulated at the metal surface may be entrained into the bulk metal. Concerning inclusion removal, such effects may deteriorate the effectiveness of melt refining.In this paper we investigate the surface entrainment of buoyant particles in a water model of an impeller stirred refining reactor. Under varying operating conditions the particle concentration in the bulk liquid is measured by laser light attenuation. The observed entrainment of particles is explained theoretically and metallurgical consequences of the findings are discussed.IntroductionIn the modern cast house continuos metal refining and casting is well established. One of the most distinct advances in metal refining has been the introduction of degassers which introduce bubbles into the metal. The bubbles act to remove dissolved elements together with nonmetallic inclusions. In the most efficient degassers stirring by different kind of rotors is applied to increase mass transfer and inclusion removal. However, it has been known from experience in the cast house that for violent stirring the concentration of some types of inclusions may increase from inlet to outlet of the reactor. This phenomenon has so far been attributed to production of dross in the reactor due to oxidation of metal. Due to removal of inclusions by bubbles the dross layer inside the reactor must be expected to increase in thickness by time. The removed inclusions and produced oxides due to strong stirring is removed at regular interval by the operators of the degasser. However, a fundamental understanding of the phenomena which take place in and below the dross layer is lacking. In the present work we add buoyant particles to the surface of a refining reactor and investigate how these particles may be entrained and dispersed into the liquid depending on the flow conditions. Similar investigations for gas stirred ladles have been performed by Taniguchi et al [1] who found that below a critical gas flow rate all particles are trapped at the surface. Above the critical gas flowrate the surface velocity are sufficiently high to entrain the particles. In this situation it looks like all particles are ready for the melt and a balance between terminal velocity and turbulent dispersion determine the concentration in the liquid."

Jan 1, 1999

By Jeong-Soo, Joon Soo Kim, Rajesh Kumar, Sohn, Jin-Young Lee

"Liquid-liquid extraction (LLE) studies of tetravalent platinum from acidic chloride solutions have been carried out with Alamine 336 as an extractant diluted in kerosene. The title metal shows the inverse behavior at higher acid concentrations. Plot of log D vs. log [Acid], mol.L-1 gave a straight line with a negative slope of 0.8±0.03 indicating the exchange of one mole of hydrogen ions for every mole of platinum(IV) extracted into the organic phase. Extraction of platinum(IV) increases with increase of extractant concentration. The plot of log D vs. log [Extractant], mol.L-1 is linear with slope 1±0.3, indicating the association of one mole of extractant with the extracted metal species. The plot between metal distributions to aqueous to organic phases is 1.3±0.01; it indicates monomeric species was formed in organic phase. Stripping of metal from the loaded organic (LO) with mineral acids such as hydrochloric, sulphuric, nitric acids and bases like ammonia, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hydroxide are studied. The results indicated that hydrochloric acid and sodium hydroxide are the better stripping agents when compared with other acids and bases. Increase of temperature decreases the percentage extraction of metal indicating the process is endothermic. Regeneration and recycling capacity of Alamine 336 and extraction behavior of associated elements such as aluminium(III), magnesium(II), cobalt(II), iron(III) and nickel(II) were studied.IntroductionThe demand for platinum group metals (PGM’s) has risen in the last five years expected to keep in rising. Right now, the demand is already beyond the supply. The primary use of PGM’s today is in the automotive industry. Catalytic converters used in the PGM’s process to reduce greenhouse gases. Because of the current demand to reduce the green house effect the expected need for platinum is here stay. Country’s now advancing in the use of car production also are phasing increasing the needs for this metal. Chemical processing also use it, too. These industries account for more than 50% of all platinum production. Jewelry is other primary use of this precious metal whose value is much greater than gold. Other uses include computer data storage, scientific developments, fuel cell technology and in the glass manufacturing processes."

Jan 1, 2008

By Steven M. Puricelli

Sulfuric acid plants associated with smelters, have historically been an overworked and often neglected pollution control device. They could do little more than manage the wide fluctuations in gas flow and SO2 strength from the smelter. With the introduction of flash smelting, the picture began to change, but the fluctuating batch converters continued to dictate acid plant design. More recently, the commercial use of continuous converting processes utilizing high levels of oxygen enrichment has dramatically upgraded the SO2 strength and stabilized the gas flow to the acid plant. The SO2 gas now issues continuously and at concentrations that allow for compact and, cost effective acid plants. Relieved of the burden of excessive dilution air, the heats of reaction can also be recovered as medium pressure steam and used to drive a generator, making the acid plant a net producer of power and a valuable asset to balance sheets. This concept was put into practice at the Kennecott Utah Copper Corporation smelter modernization project, located in Salt Lake City, Utah. The new acid plant, which was commissioned in June of 1995, is a sophisticated, low environmental impact, energy producing plant, worthy of review. This paper examines the key features of this acid plant, such as controlling its tail gas, by catalysis alone, to an environmentally friendly, 100 ppm of SO2, while feeding the acid plant converter with an efficient 14% SO2. The acid plant is also a prudent steward of energy resources, recovering 220,000 lb/hr of 140 psig steam from process heat which is used to generate a substantial 20 MW of gross power. Also discussed will be some of the ongoing issues, such as handling of selenium and fluorine in the gas cleaning sections, as well as a review of some. of the problems that were identified and resolved. Today's modem acid plants, by necessity, are becoming a producer of quality, valuable products, making the acid plant an asset and not a liability. Plants like Kennecott are already gaining wider acceptance and are expected to be the vision of the future.

Jan 1, 1998

By R. K. Mehta

Microorganisms have been increasingly used in applications such as-metal solubillzation, precipitation and recently being used as flocculants. Optimal control and on-line monitoring of these processes occurring in microbial reactors are of extensive interest but often difficult because of the unavailability of a mechanistic model of the process and on-line direct sensors. In this paper a dynamic populatlon balance model of microbial desulfurization will be presented. The influence of certain physical and biological parameters on the leaching rate will be illustrated via computer simulations and an extended continuous-discrete Kalman filter will be Implemented for estimation of unknown states.

Jan 1, 1991

By Animesh Jha, Catherine Davey

"Carbothermic reduction and nitridation reactions using synthetic kaolinite mineral were investigated for the formation of silicon based nitrogen ceramics. The temperature dependence of the reaction rate and its effect on phases formed are reported. The effect of the reactivity of carbon on the kinetics of formation of AIN and ShN4 is discussed. Using the standard Gibbs free energy values for the formation of nitrides and oxides of aluminium and silicon, a log po2 verses I/T diagram is constructed. The experimental data results are discussed and compared with the predicted phase equilibria. We also report the influence of sub-oxide gaseous species on the microstructure of the ceramic phases produced.IntroductionSynthetic kaolinite is a clay containing alumina, silica and water of crystallisation, and has a chemical formula 3(Al2O 3.2SiO2.2H2O). This mineral is relatively inexpensive and, is therefore an ideal candidate for use in the production of ceramic powder mixtures for example silicon nitride and aluminium nitride for composite material formation, When the mineral is heated, the water of crystallisation from the crystal lattice is lost via the 3(Al2O 3.2SiO2.2H2O) = 3(Al2O3.2SiO2) + 6H2O reaction. It has been shown [1·2j that on further heating to 1673K, the anhydrous kaolinite decomposes to a mixture of mulllte and silica, 3(Al2O3.2SiO2) = 3Al2O 3.2SiO2 + 4SiO2 which is consistent with the alumina-silica phase diagram, shown in figure 1.The binary alumina-silica phase diagram has a well-defined sub-eutectic immiscibility dome and this characteristic dernixing behaviour is reflected in the thermal decomposition of anhydrous kaolinite consequently the microstructural features resemble the spinodal decomposition process. It is well established that the spinodal decomposition process raises the nucleation frequency due to their low free energy barrier, (?G). The small magnitude of this barrier consequently promotes the evolution of a very fine microstructure. The process of spinodal decomposition is therefore expected to be influential during the reduction-nitridation of kaolinite minerals."

Jan 1, 1996

By R. Togashi, T. Aichi, T. Yamada

"A new automatic material- handling system for cathode transportation has been developed. The first system went into service in August 1994 and the remains will be operational subsequently.Because of the complex cell-layout and the number of cells in each row, the critical part of this work was achieving a planned cycle time. This cycle time is determined by the power costs.The central monitoring system for machine operation was started in June 1996, using original application software based on MICROSOFT EXCEL ® on WINDOWS 95® .As a result, only one person is now required to operate both a crane and a stripping machine for one row of about 50 cells.INTRODUCTIONMainly due to the strong yen and the relatively low price of metal, the zinc refineries in Japan are being forced to reduce production costs again and again.The trend of lijima's production costs is shown in Figure 1.[1] The ratio of labor costs becomes gradually higher. Therefore it is effective to reduce the labor costs in order to reduce the production costs. In Japan, electricity cost during day time is too high to produce zinc at a reasonable cost, that is why the actual production is far from the capacity of production at a cell house. That means a plant in Japan has the disadvantage of relatively low productivity for cell house operation.Saving labor costsSome automatic cranes have been applied to save labor costs for cell house operation in the world. In consideration of the mentioned low productivity, the installation of an Automatic Cathode Transfer (ACn system for transportation of cathodes was planned without changing the present cell house and stripping machines to lower the investment costs. The ACT system must keep up with the stripping machine which is able to strip deposit zinc from a cathode sheet at the rate of 6 seconds.The fifth ACT system of seven was installed in August 1996 and the last one will be operational subsequently."

Jan 1, 1997