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By L. Lü, M. O. Lai

"Mechanical alloying is a dry, high energy ball milling process which has been used to synthesize metallic powders in the solid state. The present study use this technique to synthesize Cu-base shape memory alloy powder from commercial Cu70Zn30, Cu86Zn14 and element AI powders. The evolution and formation of shape memory alloy powder were monitored using X-ray diffraction and microscopy. It was observed that shape memory alloy powder started to form after 1.8 ks of mechanical alloying. ? phase was clearly detected after 3.6 ks of mechanical alloying. The intensity of X-ray diffraction of the y phase increased when mechanical alloying duration was prolonged indicating an increase in the amount of y phase. Microstructure observation showed different stages of formation of alloyed powders: welding between powders and formation of layered structure, deformation and fracturing of layered structure, and finally the formation of alloyed powders.IntroductionMechanical alloying (MA) is a process used for producing powders with controlled and extremely fine microstructure. It was original developed in 1966 (1) to produce aNi-based superalloy combining oxide dispersion strengthening with gamma prime precipitation hardening. In recent years this technique has been used in producing a wide range of materials including intermetallic compounds (2, 3), amorphous materials (4-6) and other materials (7-9). In MA, a blend of powders is subjected to highly energetic compressive collision. The powder panicles are welded and fractured during ball milling. Therefore, it is essential that at least one of powders should be ductile to act as combiner. It has however been found that brittle components without soft element can also be mechanically alloyed (10), even ceramic powders (11).The present work aims to study the mechanism of formation of shape memory alloy powder during MA."

Jan 1, 1994

By Marc Liebman

We present the results of a telephone survey of electric arc furnace (EAF) steel producers. This report characterizes the current status of EAF dust generation, treatment and disposal. It indicates the quantity generated, zinc content, other relevant constituents, and plans and trends that will impact on the quantity and characteristics of the dust generated. The survey covers EAF based steel producers in the United States and Canada. It identifies the processors currently employed, opinions about the use of these processors and services, as well as new technologies being considered.

Jan 1, 2000

By W. D. Riley

Engineered Scavenger Compounds (ESCs), developed by the U. S. Bureau of Mines I are a novel class of compounds that can selectively recover a desired element from 'a solid or molten alloy. Lithium titanate (Li2Tip7 or Li20' 3TiO.) is being used as an ESC to recover lithium (Li) from Aluminum-Lithium (AI-Li) alloys. X-ray diffraction measurements have shown that lithium titanate undergoes a phase change from an orthorhombic structure to a hexagonal structure. This change is due to the incorporation of Li in the matrix of the material and the effect of temperature. Although both of the structures are metastable, the hexagonal phase that forms during the scavenging of Li from AI-Li alloys appears to be the more stable phase. Recovering Li from the ESC by electtodeposition does not cause the structure to revert to the orthorhombic phase. Both the orthorhombic and the hexagonal structures of Li.Til07 have similar scavenging capacities for Li. This paper proposes a new mechanism for the phase transformation.

Jan 1, 1991

By W. K. Collins

Engineered Scavenger Compounds (ESCs), developed by the U.S. Bureau of Mines, are a novel class of compounds that can selectively recover a desired element from a solid or molten alloy. Lithium titanate (Li2Ti3O7 or L'20-3T'02) is being used as an ESC to recover lithium (Li) from Aluminum-Lithium (Al-Li) alloys. X-ray diffraction measurements have shown that lithium titanate undergoes a phase change from an orthorhombic structure to a hexagonal structure. This change is due to the incorporation of Li in the matrix of the material and the effect of temperature. Although both are metastable, the hexagonal phase that forms during the scavenging of Li from Al-Li alloys appears to be the more stable phase. Recovering Li from the ESC by electrodeposition does not cause the structure to revert to the orthorhombic phase. Both the orthorhombic and the hexagonal structures of Li2Ti3O7 have similar scavenging capacities for Li. This paper proposes a new mechanism for the phase transformation.

Jan 1, 1993

By Richard J. Abitz

Thennodynamic geochemical models have been applied to assess the relative effectiveness of a variety of reagents added to aqueous waste streams for the removal of radioactive elements. Two aqueous waste streams were examined: effluent derived from the processing of uranium ore and irradiated uranium fuel rods. Simulations of the treatment train were performed to estimate the mass of reagents needed per kilogram of solution, identify pH regions corresponding to solubility minimums, and predict the identity and quantity of precipitated solids. Results generated by the simulations include figures that chart the chemical evolution of the waste stream as reagents are added and summary tables that list mass balances for all reagents and radioactive elements of concern. Model results were used to set initial reagent levels for the treatment trains, minimizing the number of bench-scale tests required to bring the treatment train up to full-scale operation. Additionally, presentation of modeling results at public meetings helps to establish good faith between the federal government, industry, concerned citizens, and media groups.

Jan 1, 1996

By R. Y. Wan, S. L. Chryssoulis

"Gold associations were established in a·biooxidized, chlorinated CIL residue assaying 0.02 oz Ault and in a biooxidized thiosulfate leach residue assaying 0.01 oz Au/t. A detailed mineralogical study involved: assays of screened fractions; light microscopy; ion probe microanalysis to quantify 'invisible' gold in sulfide minerals; proton probe microanalysis to detect and quantify preg-robbed gold. In the CIL residue, most of the gold is preg-robbed (71 %). In the thiosulfate leach residue, gold occurs mainly as submicroscopic disseminations in microcrystalline quartz (chert). In both residues, the 'invisible' gold in pyrite accounts for a minor fraction of the gold assay. Quantitative determination of the gold occurrence in the two residue samples established conclusively that gold adsorption on carbonaceous matter in the thiosulfate leach is of minor importance.Acknowledgement: published with permission of Newmont Gold Company."

Jan 1, 1997

Based on experimental and computer simulation results from our group, we report a systematic, atomic level analysis of carbon dissolution from carbonaceous materials in molten iron. Experimental results on graphite / Fe-C-S system were obtained using carbon dissolution studies, XRD and FESEM investigations and were supplemented with Monte Carlo simulations. Three basic mechanisms, namely carbon atom dissociation rate, interfacial phenomena and mass transfer in the melt were found to be responsible for the overall dissolution process. While mass transfer in the melt is governed by the concentration gradients, melt composition and temperature; impurities present in ash play a significant role in the interfacial phenomena. For less ordered forms of carbonaceous materials, carbon atom dissociation rate depends strongly on the degree of long-range order and is an important rate controlling mechanism in the overall dissolution process. A systematic comparison of dissolution rates for a variety of coal-chars, natural and synthetic graphites has been carried out in an attempt to identify rate-controlling mechanisms. The structure of the carbonaceous material appears to be an important underlying factor in the carbon dissolution process.

Jan 1, 2003

By I. C. Knight

The current levels of copper smelter by-product acid production are reviewed on a regional basis, together with the possible changes in the future. There will be increasing pressure for all smelters to achieve a sulphur capture level of at least 95% by the end of the decade.

Jan 1, 1996

By Richard A. Leiby

The recycling of lead-acid batteries in the United States has become a challenge as to how to balance ever increasing environmental regulation and cost with efficient operations. East Penn's captive secondary lead smelter has developed into a recycling facility producing lead, polypropylene, sulfuric acid, ammonium bisulfite, and non-hazardous discard slag. The emphasis has been to design a facility to comply with environmental regulations, to eliminate wastes, and to produce products, while at the same time, continuing to supply the company's battery manufacturing raw material needs.

Jan 1, 1993

By F. F. Aplan, G. Simkovich

"A review is given of the effects of solid state point imperfections upon a number of mineral benefication processes and a metal extraction process. It has been found in numerous flotation studies that small amounts of aliovalent impurities (dopants) in binary compounds may show major effects upon flotation behavior. Both semiconducting and ionic conducting compounds are affected. These effects are also seen in hydrometallurgical studies as well as in electrostatic operations. Additionally, de-copperization of lead melts appears to be strongly influenced by similar defects. It is hypothesized that the effects observed in these studies are present in actual operations and should be considered in designing processes. A few speculations concerning future efforts are advanced. IntroductionImperfections [point (e.g., vacancies, interstials, quasi-free electrons, electron holes, impurity ions), line (e.g., dislocations), two dimensional (e.g., grain boundaries) and three dimensional (e.g., 2nd phases) defects] are generally present in solid materials and these imperfections may, and often do, have important effects upon a variety of properties and processes. In general, one may, in most cases, attain elimination of three dimensional defects by a separation process of one type or another (e.g., gravity, electrostatic, magnetic, flotation, hydrometallurgical etc.,). Thus, this type of defect has rarely been investigated in a systematic fashion. Two dimensional defects are always present in non-single crystal materials but have also escaped systematic studies in processes primarily because the control of such defects is not easily attained. Line defects are non-equilibrium entities which are present in ill-defined quantities so that they present a variable that cannot be easily controlled although through careful systematic experiments one can attain some reproducible relations pertaining to this type of defect.Contrary to the lack of studies concerned with the effects of 1, 2 and 3 dimensional types of defects there has been some activity concerned with point defects and their effects upon a number of mineral/metallurgical processes, especially flotation processes. Thus, this article will present a review primarily of point defects in relation to their effects upon flotation although other processes and defects will also be mentioned."

Jan 1, 1988

By C. A. Young, J. D. Miller

Adsorption isotherms previously determined by in-situ Fourier transform infrared/internal reflection spectroscopy (FT-IR/IRS) for oleate adsorption at calcite and fluorite surfaces near pH 9 and at various temperatures are compared. Results indicate that, at both mineral surfaces, chemisorption occurs at equilibrium concentrations below approximately l x l0-5 M oleate while calcium dioleate surface precipitation occurs at higher equilibrium oleate concentrations. The extent of chemisorption at the calcite surface is 3 to 5 times less than that at the fluorite surface while the extent of calcium dioleate surface precipitation on calcite is nearly a magnitude larger than that on fluorite. However, for both minerals, surface precipitation decreases with increasing chemisorption. Contact angle measurements and flotation recoveries show the hydrophobicity of fluorite to be greater than that of calcite at each of the temperatures and oleate concentrations studied. Significant differences are noted only in the chemisorption region. Unlike calcite, the hydrophobicity of fluorite was sensitive to the presence of oxygen in the system. Multichannel Laser Raman Spectroscopy (MLRS) showed this behavior was caused by the double-bond reactivity of adjacent chemisorbed oleate molecules and subsequent formation of an epoxide/polyether complex at the fluorite surface. Such a reaction product could not be detected at the calcite surface. These differences in adsorption density, hydrophobicity, and polymerization behavior are discussed in terms of the intrinsic surface properties of the minerals.

Jan 1, 1999

By P. Rooney

In due course, new smelters will have to be installed in order to meet the increasing worldwide demand for copper. This paper presents the results of a study made for the purpose of identifying the most desirable countries in the world in which to locate a new smelter. Both sociopolitical and economic factors were taken into account. Criteria developed and methods used to assess each possible location are described. The study indicated that the most interesting potential locations are Canada, -Chile, Portugal and the USA for new copper smelting complexes.

Jan 1, 1983

By Hongbo Yang, Tongbo Zhang, Ting Huang, Jingshe Li, Fangfang Song

"Liquid core length is a very important parameter of the process of continuous casting, which directly reflects the cooling status in secondary cooling zone and solidification rate of the slab. In this paper, the billet caster in some steel plant in China was chosen as the prototype of simulating. A numerical simulating model for calculating the liquid core length of continuous casting billet was built by ProCAST software, which was verified reasonable and accurate by pin-shooting technique. Based on the model, the relationships between casting speed, casting temperature and liquid core length of casting billet were found, which was very practically useful for the workers on sit to improve casting billet quality. IntroductionContinuous casting process developed very rapidly because of the high metal yield, energy saving, and low-cost 111• And the quality requirements of continuous casting billet for customers became higher and higher with the fast development of economic121• Internal defect usually is the major quality problem for continuous casting billet[3•61 , which is influenced by the solidification process of casting billet, especially the solidification process of liquid core17•81 • So it is very important to study on the relationship between casting parameters and the liquid core length which means the distance between the crystallizer meniscus and the casting billet solidification end-point. In practical production process, the workers usually control the quality of casting billet according to the liquid core length."

Jan 1, 2013

By J. L. Watson

The composite nature of titanomagnetites found on the west coast of the north island of New Zealand is an important parameter in the beneficiation of the black beach sands for export to Japan. To investigate this composite nature, borehole and plant samples from the Waipipi Ironsands Ltd property were subjected to a series of separations in heated Clerici solutions at densities varying from 3.2 to 4.6 g/cc. The resulting density fractons were analyzed magnetically and a set of distribution curves for composite grains proposed. In addition the experi¬mental data was plotted to produce titanomagnetite sand 'washability curves" which illustrate the possible problem areas in beneficiation that may arise due to composite titanomagnetite grains. From this data a set of guidelines are suggested for interpreting the curves in terms of ease of gravity concentration. The composite nature or liberation of titanomagnetite grains is shown to favor high and low grade composites with few intermediate compositions being isolated. The relationships between grain size, borehole depth and liberation are examined and related to beneficiation procedures for the black sand deposit.

Jan 1, 1982

By Michael A. Lllga

Electrically Switched Ion Exchange (ESIX) is an approach for ion separation that combines Ion exchange (IX) and electrochemistry by utilizing electro active IX films to provide a selective, reversible, and economical separation method that greatly reduces secondary waste generation compared with conventional ion exchange. Studies on the development of films with improved stability and capacity and their use in continuous flow systems for ion separations will be. reported. Both technical and economic evaluations demonstrate ,the viability of once-through or batch recycle waste processing with ESIX.

Jan 1, 1999

By Rafael Padilla

The recovery of copper from chalcopyrite concentrates by leaching is difficult due to the slow dissolution kinetics of this mineral in most leaching media. However, recovery of copper from sulfidized chalcopyrite (a mixture of CuS and FeS2) by leaching is faster and could be selective depending on the leaching media. In this paper, the result of an investigation on the H2SO4-O2 pressure leaching of sulfidized chalcopyrite is presented. The variables considered in the study were stirring speed, concentration of sulfuric acid, temperature, and partial pressure of oxygen. The experimental data indicated that stirring speed over 500 rpm and sulfuric acid concentration over 0.1 M had very little effect on the leaching rate. An increase in temperature from 90 to 100 ºC increased both copper and iron dissolution; however, further increase to 120 ºC affected negatively the copper dissolution. Oxygen partial pressure was found to be the main variable that controls the copper/iron selectivity of the leaching. An increase in oxygen partial pressure increased significantly the rate of copper dissolution but deteriorated the copper/iron selectivity. The analysis for sulfur of the leaching solid residues indicated that most of the copper sulfide sulfur in the sulfidized concentrate oxidized to elemental sulfur.

Jan 1, 2006

By G. L. Hundley, D. N. Nilsen

The U.S. Department of Energy investigated the use of liquid-emulsion membranes (LEM) for the selective removal and recovery of metals such as copper and zinc from mine waste waters. This investigation included field tests of a mobile, pilot plant-scale, continuous-flow LEM system. The system was tested at copper mines with solutions containing from 100 to 1,400 ppm Cu, and at a zinc mine with a solution containing 115 ppm Zn. Typical results from the copper tests were >90% copper recovery, and zinc extraction from waste water also was typically>90%. Although all of these waste waters contained high impurity levels, pure products were produced. On several of these field tests, integrated systems were tested that resulted in recovery of metal by-products, selectiv~ precipitation of iron, and polishing to reach discharge targets for essentially all of the contained metals. In addition, some results are included from laboratory-scale tests.

Jan 1, 2000

By René Winand

A new process was studied at large laboratory scale at Université Libre de Bruxelles, under contract with Metallurgie Hoboken-Overpelt. A two cathodes (1m long ; 0.2 m high) channel cell was used at 2000 A/m2, with an electrolyte flow rate up to 1.8 m/sec. The main results may be summarized as follows : cathodes are electro¬refined grade in analysis ; metallographic structure and surface roughness are kept under control up to 1.3 cm (one side deposits) ; silver in cathode is controlled by CI and Br ions in solution ; organics must be used at very low concentrations (in the range of 0.1 mg/1, with a consumption of about 0.01 mg/lh).

Jan 1, 1987

By R. Cavanagh

Studies relating to the fixation of sulfur by reaction of 4 to 8 mm diameter cylinders of calcined limestone or dolomite with high strength sulfur dioxide in the temperature range 880°C to 1020°C were undertaken. Dolomites are far superior in sulfate capacity and reactivity than dense limestones even at high strength SO2. The sulfation reaction was first order with respect to SO2 concentration below 100 percent. Zero reaction rate at 100 percent SO2 concentration indicates that sulfate was the exclusive reaction product and that sulfite had no role in the reaction. At relatively low SO2 concentrations gaseous diffusion through the reaction product layer has a marked effect on the rate. As SO2 concentrations were increased up to 100 percent more complex rate controlling mechanisms unfold. By sectioning partially reacted dolomitic limestone pellets a moving interface was observed. Reaction ceased because of pore plugging for dense non-porous limestones at 30% conversion. With dolomitic material virtually complete sulfation of the calcium was observed. S.E.M. analysis showed that the average atom ratio Ca:S was 1.01, thus supporting the argument that little if any of the magnesium was sulfated.

Jan 1, 1996

By Krzyszof Borowiec

With the aim of determining the thermodynamic conditions for sulfation of impurity elements, in particular magnesium, in titaniferous slags the equilibrium gas composition for the sulfation reaction: MO + so2 + 1/2 02 = MS04 has been studied by an EMF technique with a solid zro2 + Cao electrolyte. Here M denotes the impurity elements: Mg, Ca and Mn, and the following _oxide systems have been studied: Ti02-MgO-Fe2 o 3 , Ti02-MnO-Mn2 o 3 , and Ti02 -CaO-Si02 , all in the . temperature range 700-1000ºc. Reproducible EMF values were obtained by adding small amounts of -Na2so4 to the oxide-sulfate mixture. From the observed results the Gibbs energy of formation of the phases Mg 2Ti04 , MgTi03 , MgTi 2o 5 , MnTi03 , CaTi03 , and CaTiSio5 , as well as the activity of MgTi05 in the solid solution with Fe2Ti05 have been calculated. The results show that, from a thermodynamic viewpoint, sulfation of these impurities in titaniferous stags i:s favorable- at around and below 800ºC.

Jan 1, 1985