Effect of MgO content in sinter on the softening–melting behavior of mixed burden made from chromium-bearing vanadium–titanium magnetite

The effect of sinter with different MgO contents on the softening–melting behavior of mixed burden made from chromium- bearing vanadium–titanium magnetite was investigated. The results show that with increasing MgO content in the sinter, the softening interval and melting interval increased and the location of the cohesive zone shifted downward slightly and became moderately thicker. The softening–melting characteristic value was less pronounced when the MgO content in the sinter was 2.98wt%–3.40wt%. Increasing MgO content in the sinter reduced the content and recovery of V and Cr in the dripped iron. In addition, greater MgO contents in the sinter resulted in the generation of greater amounts of high-melting-point components, which adversely affected the permeability of the mixed burden. When the softening–melting behavior of the mixed burden and the recovery of valuable elements were taken into account, proper MgO contents in the sinter and slag ranged from 2.98wt% to 3.40wt% and from 11.46wt% to 12.72wt%, respectively, for the smelting of burden made from chromium-bearing vanadium–titanium magnetite in a blast furnace.     

Reduction–melting behaviors of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets with addition of CaO

Although the total amount of boron resources in China is high, the grades of these resources are low. The authors have already proposed a new comprehensive utilization process of boron-bearing iron concentrate based on the iron nugget process. The present work describes a further optimization of the conditions used in the previous study. The effects of CaO on the reduction–melting behavior and properties of the boron-rich slag are presented. CaO improved the reduction of boron-bearing iron concentrate/carbon composite pellets when its content was less than 1wt%. Melting separation of the composite pellets became difficult with the CaO content increased. The sulfur content of the iron nugget gradually decreased from 0.16wt% to 0.046wt% as the CaO content of the pellets increased from 1wt% to 5wt%. CaO negatively affected the iron yield and boron extraction efficiency of the boron-rich slag. The mineral phase evolution of the boron-rich slag during the reduction–melting separation of the composite pellets with added CaO was also deduced.     

Innovative method for boron extraction from iron ore containing boron

A novel process for boron enrichment and extraction from ludwigite based on iron nugget technology was proposed. The key steps of this novel process, which include boron and iron separation, crystallization of boron-rich slag, and elucidation of the boron extraction behavior of boron-rich slag by acid leaching, were performed at the laboratory. The results indicated that 95.7% of the total boron could be enriched into the slag phase, thereby forming a boron-rich slag during the iron and slag melting separation process. Suanite and kotoite were observed to be the boron-containing crystalline phases, and the boron extraction properties of the boron-rich slag depended on the amounts and grain sizes of these minerals. When the boron-rich slag was slowly cooled to 1100℃, the slag crystallized well and the efficiency of extraction of boron (EEB) of the slag was the highest observed in the present study. The boron extraction property of the slow-cooled boron-rich slag obtained in this study was much better than that of szaibelyite ore under the conditions of 80% of theoretical sulfuric acid amount, leaching time of 30 min, leaching temperature of 40℃, and liquid-to-solid ratio of 8 mL/g.     

Effect of diboron trioxide on the crushing strength and smelting mechanism of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite pellets

The effect of diboron trioxide (B₂O₃) on the crushing strength and smelting mechanism of high-chromium vanadium-titanium magnetite pellets was investigated in this work. The main characterization methods were X-ray fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectroscopy, mercury injection porosimetry, X-ray diffraction, metallographic microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. The results showed that the crushing strength increased greatly with increasing B₂O₃ content and that the increase in crushing strength was strongly correlated with a decrease in porosity, the formation of liquid phases, and the growth and recrystallization consolidation of hematite crystalline grains. The smelting properties were measured under simulated blast furnace conditions; the results showed that the smelting properties within a certain B₂O₃ content range were improved and optimized except in the softening stage. The valuable element B was easily transformed to the slag, and this phenomenon became increasingly evident with increasing B₂O₃ content. The formation of Ti(C,N) was mostly avoided, and the slag and melted iron were separated well during smelting with the addition of B₂O₃. The size increase of the melted iron was consistent with the gradual optimization of the dripping characteristics with increasing B₂O₃ content.     

Correlation between aggregation structure and tailing mineral crystallinity

Direct reduction is an emerging technology for the utilization of refractory iron ore. With this technology, iron oxides in the ore can be reduced to recoverable elemental iron. The structure of granular aggregates in direct reduction products was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results show that iron is mainly generated as a shell in the outer edge of the aggregates. The thermal conductivity of the iron shell is higher than that of other minerals. Thus, minerals close to the iron shell cool faster than those in the inner shells and do not crystallize well. These minerals mainly become stage 2 tailings. Hence the XRD intensity of stage 2 tailings is lower than that of stage 1 tailings. When iron is mainly generated in the interior of the aggregates, the crystallinity of stage 2 tailings will be higher than that of stage 1 tailings. This indicates that the crystallinity of tailings can be used as a marker for the aggregate structure.     

Experimental Research for Refractories Used in High-Turbulent-Mixer (HTM)-Reactor

The high turbulent mixer (HTM) process is benefit for improving the quality of iron and steel, but the refractory of the reactor is easy to be eroded by slag and liquid metal at high temperature. Especially for the violent mixing in HTM, refractory can also be impacted by molten metal (iron or steel), so it is very important to study and find out new refractory to meet the demand of HTM. Suitable refractory not only can stand the eroding of slag and liquid metal, but also can reduce the loss of electromagnetic energy. According to the experimental results, the influence of different refractory on electromagnetic force is unconspicuous, the refractory with Al₂O₃-base is better than that with MgO-base for standing the erosion by slag and iron. Al₂O₃-base refractory is more suitable for HTM process.     

Migration behaviors and kinetics of phosphorus during coal-based reduction of high-phosphorus oolitic iron ore

To understand the migration mechanisms of phosphorus (P) during coal-based reduction, a high-phosphorus oolitic iron ore was reduced by coal under various experimental conditions. The migration characteristics and kinetics of P were investigated by a field-emission electron probe microanalyzer (FE-EPMA) and using the basic principle of solid phase mass transfer, respectively. Experimental results showed that the P transferred from the slag to the metallic phase during reduction, and the migration process could be divided into three stages:phosphorus diffusing from the slag to the metallic interface, the formation of Fe-P compounds at the slag-metal interface and P diffusing from the slag-metal interface to the metallic interior. The reduction time and temperature significantly influenced the phosphorus content of the metallic and slag phases. The P content of the metallic phase increased with increasing reduction time and temperature, while that of the slag phase gradually decreased. The P diffusion constant and activation energy were determined and a migration kinetics model of P in coal-based reduction was proposed. P diffusion in the metallic phase was the controlling step of the P migration.     

Model prediction of the operating behavior of a circulating fluidized bed boiler

An improved mathematical model for a circulating fluidized bed (CFB) boiler baaed on the model developed earlier by the authors was applied to simulate the operation of a 12 MW CFB boiler.The influences of the excess air ratio, primary air ratio, coal particle size distribution, coal properties (ash content and volatile content) and Ca/S ratio on the boiler operation were analyzed. The results showed that the model simulation may be applied to the optimum design and economic operation of the CFB boiler.     

Structural Fault Tolerance of Scale-Free Networks

The fault tolerance of scale-free networks is examined in this paper. Through the simulation on the changes of the average path length and network fragmentation of the Barabasi-Albert model when faults happen, it can be observed that generic scale-free networks are quite robust to random failures, but are very vulnerable to targeted attacks at the same time. Therefore, an existing optimization strategy for the robustness of scale-free networks to failures and attacks is also introduced. The simulation similar with the above proved that the so-called (1,0) network has potentially interconnectedness closer to that of a scale-free network and robustness to targeted attacks closer to that of an exponential network. Furthermore,its resistance to random failures is better than that of either of them.     

Influence of alumina on mineralogy and environmental properties of zinc-copper smelting slags

An iron-silicate slag, from a zinc-copper smelting process, and mixtures of this slag with 5wt%, 10wt%, and 15wt% alumina addition were re-melted, semi-rapidly solidified, and characterized using scanning electron microscopy equipped with energy dispersive spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. The FactSageTM6.2 thermodynamic package was applied to compare the stable phases at equilibrium conditions with experimental characterization. A standard European leaching test was also carried out for all samples to investigate the changes in leaching behaviour because of the addition of alumina. Results show that the commonly reported phases for slags from copper and zinc production processes (olivine, pyroxene, and spinel) are the major constituents of the current samples. A correlation can be seen between mineralogical characteristics and leaching behaviours. The sample with 10wt% alumina addition, which contains high amounts of spinels and lower amounts of the other soluble phases, shows the lowest leachabilities for most of the elements.     

Influence of chromium on the initial corrosion behavior of low alloy steels in the CO_2–O_2–H_2S–SO_2 wet–dry corrosion environment of cargo oil tankers

The influence of Cr on the initial corrosion behavior of low-alloy steels exposed to a CO2–O2–H2S–SO2 wet–dry corrosion environment was investigated using weight-loss measurements, scanning electron microscopy, N2 adsorption tests, X-ray diffraction analysis, and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy. The results show that the corrosion rate increases with increasing Cr content in samples subjected to corrosion for 21 d. However, the rust grain size decreases, its specific surface area increases, and it becomes more compact and denser with increasing Cr content, which indicates the enhanced protectivity of the rust. The results of charge transfer resistance(Rct) calculations indicate that higher Cr contents can accelerate the corrosion during the first 7 d and promote the formation of the enhanced protective inner rust after 14 d; the formed protective inner rust is responsible for the greater corrosion resistance during long-term exposure.     

Preparation of electroless Ni–P composite coatings containing nano-scattered alumina in presence of polymeric surfactant

Ni–P electroless coating was applied on low carbon steel with the incorporation of different amounts of nano Al2O3 powder (ranging from 3 g/l to 30 g/l) in electroless bath. Corrosion properties and microstructures of the coating were studied. The dispersion stability of alumina colloidal particles stabilized by polymeric (non-ionic) surfactants in an electroless bath was also investigated. The surface morphology and the relevant structure were evaluated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). Corrosion behavior of the coated steel was evaluated by electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and polarization techniques. The results showed that increasing alumina concentration not only changed the surface morphology, but also promoted the corrosion resistance. Addition of surfactants has an indirect effect on the amount of the incorporated particles. Meanwhile, in the presence of surfactant, corrosion resistance of Ni–P coating containing even a small quantity of alumina was improved since a stabilized bath was obtained.     

Modeling the Tensile Properties of Soybean Protein Yarns

The tensile properties of a series of soybean protein yarns are tested in USTER THINKPAID Ⅲ. A nonlinear viscoelastic model has been proposed to describe the tensile behavior of soybean protein yarns. The model is composed of a Maxwell element, a linear spring and a nonlinear spring. The tensile properties of soybean protein yam are analyzed. The stress-strain curves of the yams are fitted. The average breaking tenacity and specific work of rupture are calculated using the average breaking strain. Comparisons indicate that theoretical predictions conform the experimental results very well.     

Accelerated carbonation and leaching behavior of the slag from iron and steel making industry

Ground granulated blast furnace slag(GGBFS)and steelmaking slag have been used as a raw material for cement production or as an aggregate to make concrete,which contribute aluminum,calcium,iron,and silicon oxides.The suitability of the slag for a particular application depends on its reactivity,cost,availability,and its influence on the properties of the resulting concrete.For the interest of durability studying of concrete in the presence of slag,the accelerated carbonation products and leaching behavior of the slag and Portland cement(PC)were studied.The experimental results confirmed that the slag was more resistant to carbonation compared to PC.The carbonation degree of GGBFS reduced by 17.74%;and the carbonation degrees of steelmaking slags reduced by 9.51%-11.94%.Carbonation neutralized the alkaline nature of the hydrated pastes and gave rise to the redox potential of the leachate slightly(30-77 mV).The carbonation also increased the release of most of the elements presented,except for calcium,to the aqueous environment.It is concluded that blend cements(PC plus slag)have economical advantages and better durability compared to PC.     

Thermodynamic Study on Process in Copper Converters (The slag-making stage)

The so-called Goto's model was modified by introducing a parameter of the oxygen efficiency from industrial trials, as well as the selected and newly re-assessed thermodynamic data. The application of the model to copper converters in Guixi Smelter has been carried out by the combination of thermodynamic calculations with the mass and heat balance using the plant data obtained in industrial trials for many heats. For the slag-making stage, good agreements have been reached between the calculated and measured temperature, blowing time as well as the contents for main elements in the matte and the slag. Relatively large deviations for contents of Zn and Pb in the slag may be caused by the complex chemical composition of the real molten slag, which may result in a large difference of γ_zn. and γ_Pb,adopted with their real values. It is noted that the model can simulate the slag-making stage of copper converting process in industrial Pierce-Smith converters well.     

Slag formation path during dephosphorization process in a converter

The slag formation path is important for efficient dephosphorization in steelmaking processes. The phosphorus capacity and the melting properties of the slag are critical parameters for optimizing the slag formation path. Regarding these two factors, the phosphorus par-tition ratio was calculated using the regular solution model (RSM), whereas the liquidus diagrams of the slag systems were estimated using the FactSage thermodynamic package. A slag formation path that satisfies the different requirements of dephosphorization at different stages of dephosphorization in a converter was thus established through a combination of these two aspects. The composition of the initial slag was considered to be approximately 15wt%CaO–44wt%SiO2–41wt%FeO. During the dephosphorization process, a slag formation path that fol-lows a high-iron route would facilitate efficient dephosphorization. The composition of the final dephosphorization slag should be approxi-mately 53wt%CaO–25.5wt%SiO2–21.5wt%FeO. The composition of the final solid slag after dephosphorization is approximately 63.6wt%CaO–30.3wt%SiO2–6.1wt%FeO.     

Effects of solidifi cation cooling rate on the corrosion resistance of Mg – Zn–Ca alloy

This study was carried out to investigate the effect of solidification cooling rate on the corrosion resistance of an Mg–Zn–Ca alloy developed for biomedical applications. A wedge shaped copper mould was used to obtain different solidification cooling rates. Electrochemical and immersion tests were employed to measure the corrosion resistance of Mg–Zn–Ca alloy. It was found that increasing cooling rate resulted in a significant improvement in the corrosion resistance of the Mg–Zn–Ca alloy. The findings were explained in terms of solidification behaviour in association with the change in solubility of the alloying elements, microstructural homogeneity and refinement and chemical homogeneity as well as the increased cooling rates.     

Epidemic spreading behavior in local-world evolving networks

The susceptible–infected–susceptible (SIS) epidemic model is presented which can be used to study the epidemic spreading behavior in the local-world evolving network model. Local-world evolving model displays a transition from the exponential network to the scale-free network with respect to the connectivity distribution. From theoretical analyses and numerical simulations, we ?nd that the epidemic spreading behavior on local-world networks also takes on some kind of transitional behaviors. The transitional behavior is further veri ?ed by comparing the spreading behavior of local-world network with that of random and scale-free networks. Some feasible control strategies are also proposed to keep from the epidemic spreading on networks.     

A method for recovery of iron,titanium, and vanadium from vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite

An innovative method for recovering valuable elements from vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite is proposed. This method involves two procedures:low-temperature roasting of vanadium-bearing titanomagnetite and water leaching of roasting slag. During the roasting process, the reduction of iron oxides to metallic iron, the sodium oxidation of vanadium oxides to water-soluble sodium vanadate, and the smelting separation of metallic iron and slag were accomplished simultaneously. Optimal roasting conditions for iron/slag separation were achieved with a mixture thickness of 42.5 mm, a roasting temperature of 1200℃, a residence time of 2 h, a molar ratio of C/O of 1.7, and a sodium carbonate addition of 70wt%, as well as with the use of anthracite as a reductant. Under the optimal conditions, 93.67% iron from the raw ore was recovered in the form of iron nugget with 95.44% iron grade. After a water leaching process, 85.61% of the vanadium from the roasting slag was leached, confirming the sodium oxidation of most of the vanadium oxides to water-soluble sodium vanadate during the roasting process. The total recoveries of iron, vanadium, and titanium were 93.67%, 72.68%, and 99.72%, respectively.     

Effect of Al_2O_3 on the viscosity of CaO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–MgO–Cr_2O_3 slags

We investigated the effect of Al_2O_3 content on the viscosity of CaO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–8wt%MgO–1wt%Cr_2O_3 (mass ratio of CaO/SiO_2is 1.0,and Al_2O_3 content is 17wt%–29wt%) slags.The results show that the viscosity of the slag increases gradually with increases in the Al_2O_3content in the range of 17wt%to 29wt%due to the role of Al_2O_3 as a network former in the polymerization of the aluminosilicate structure of the slag.With increases in the Al_2O_3 content from 17wt%to 29wt%,the apparent activation energy of the slags also increases from 180.85 to 210.23 k J/mol,which is consistent with the variation in the critical temperature.The Fourier-transform infrared spectra indicate that the degree of polymerization of this slag is increased by the addition of Al_2O_3.The application of Iida’s model for predicting the slag viscosity in the presence of Cr_2O_3 indicates that the calculated viscosity values fit well with the measured values when both the temperature and Al_2O_3 content are at relatively low levels,i.e.,the temperature range of 1673 to 1803 K and the Al_2O_3 content range of 17wt%–29wt%in CaO–SiO_2–Al_2O_3–8wt%MgO–1wt%Cr_2O_3 slag.