A new route of ferric ions rejection in a synthetic nickel leach solution

A new route of impurity rejection to remove ferric iron from a synthetic nickel leach solution was introduced, which simulated the chemical composition of a typical acid leach solution of nickel laterites under atmospheric pressure. The synthetic solution underwent a stepwise neutralization process, with each step adopting different pH value-temperature combinations. In a conventional nickel atmospheric leach (AL) process, the nickel loss could be as high as 10wt%, which was a longstanding issue and prevented this process from commercialization. The new impurity rejection route is the first step towards resolving this issue. The results show that, the best neutralization performance is achieved at the nickel loss of 3.4wt% in the neutralization scheme that employs ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid as a nickel stabilizer (pH: 1.3–3.5; temperature: 95–70℃)     

Ore-proportioning optimization technique with high proportion of Yandi ore in sintering

The basic sintering characteristics of Yandi ore from Australia, including assimilation ability, liquid phase fluidity, self-strength of bonding phase, forming ability of silico ferrite of calcium and aluminum (SFCA), and so on, were investigated in detail. Besides, the high temperature behavior and function of sintering were obtained. As a result, the techniques for ore-proportioning in sintering were obtained. The results show that Yandi ore possessing higher assimilation ability, better liquid phase fluidity, lower self-strength of bonding phase, and better forming ability of SFCA, should be mixed with iron ores whose properties are opposite to those of Yandi ore. In the optimization of sintering ore-proportioning, Yandi ore, whose price is relatively low, can be mixed as high as 40wt%.     

Particle simulation of the failure process of brittle rock under triaxial compression

In order to investigate the failure process of brittle rock under triaxial compression through both experimental and numerical approaches, the particle simulation method was used in numerical simulations and the simulated results were compared with those of the experiment. The numerical simulation results, such as fracture propagation, microcrack distribution, stress-strain response, and damage patterns, were discussed in detail. The simulated results under various confining pressures (0–60 MPa) are in good agreement with the experimental results. The simulated results reveal that rock failure is caused by axial splitting under uniaxial compression. As the confining pressure increases, rock failure occurs in a few localized shear planes and the rock mechanical behavior is changed from brittle to ductile. Consequently, the peak failure strength, microcrack numbers, and the shear plane angle increase, but the ratio of tensile to shear microcracks decreases. The damage formation during the compression simulations indicates that the particle simulation method can produce similar behaviors as those observed through laboratory compression tests.     

Longitudinal surface cracks of thin slabs

Based on the production practice of medium carbon thin slabs in the CSP plant, the reasons and influencing factors for the formation of longitudinal cracks were investigated, and some industrial measures were taken to eliminate the cracks. The results show that the efficient solutions to reduce longitudinal cracks are improving the performance of the mold powder, stabilizing the mold heat flux, and maintaining a proper taper of the mold during casting. Proper pouring temperature and secondary cooling also play important roles in preventing longitudinal surface cracks.     

Thermodynamic analysis on the formation mechanism of MgO·Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript> spinel type inclusions in casing steel

MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel type inclusions in casing steel were analyzed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS). The results show that there are three forms. One is pure MgO·Al₂O₃ spinel, another is the composite oxide of the Mg-Al-Ca-Si-O system, and the third is the complex with oxide as a core covered by sulfide. The formation mechanisms were studied. The influences of slag basicity and vacuum degree on the magnesium content during the vacuum treatment of molten steel and furnace lining in molten steel were calculated with the coexistence theory of slag structure. The results show that the magnesium content increases with the increase in slag basicity and aluminum content in molten steel, and decreases with the increase in CO partial pressure.     

Machining studies of die cast aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites

Metal matrix composites (MMCs) with high specific stiffness, high strength, improved wear resistance, and thermal properties are being increasingly used in advanced structural, aerospace, automotive, electronics, and wear applications. Aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites were developed using a new combination of the vortex method and the pressure die-casting technique in the present work. Machining studies were conducted on the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide (SiC) composite work pieces using high speed steel (HSS) end-mill tools in a milling machine at different speeds and feeds. The quantitative studies on the machined work piece show that the surface finish is better for higher speeds and lower feeds. The surface roughness of the plain aluminum alloy is better than that of the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites. The studies on tool wear show that flank wear increases with speed and feed. The end-mill tool wear is higher on machining the aluminum alloy-silicon carbide composites than on machining the plain aluminum alloy.     

A comparative study of magnetic properties between whole cells and isolated magnetosomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Magnetospirillum magneticum</Emphasis> AMB-1

The magnetic properties of magnetosome magnetite are of interdisciplinary interest because magnetosomes are potential carriers of natural remanent magnetization and paleoenvironment, as well as novel nano-biomaterials in biotechnological and biomedical applications. We carried out magnetic and electron transmission microscopy analyses of fresh Magnetospirillum magneticum AMB-1 whole cells and isolated magnetosomes. Results revealed that AMB-1 synthesized single-domain magnetite magneto-somes, which are arra...     

A preliminary study of chronology for a newly-discovered ancient city and five archaeological sites in Lop Nor,China

In the past century, it has long been debated in the archeological, historical, geographical, and many other related communities where the capital of the Luolan and Shanshan states was in the Lop Nor region. This paper presents three AMS radiocarbon ages from a newly-discovered ancient city at about 6.3 km to the northwest of the Xiaohe Graveyard, and fifteen new radiocarbon ages from the Loulan (LA), LE, Qieerqiduke, Milan, and Tuyin sites in Lop Nor. The new investigation shows that the age of newly-disco...     

Synthesis and supercapacitor characteristics of PANI/CNTs composites

The polyaniline coated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (PANI/CNTs) composites were synthesized by in situ polymerization. The microstructure and component of the composites were characterized by scanning electron microscope (SEM), Fourier transfer infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and N2 adsorption BET. The electrochemical performances of the samples were tested by cyclic voltammogram (CV), electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) and galvanostatic charge/discharge. The results showed...     

Crust-mantle coupling in North China: Preliminary analysis from seismic anisotropy

Data from the CASN (Capital Area Seismograph Network), NSNC (National Seismograph Network of China), and IRIS (Incor-porated Research Institutions for Seismology) are compared with data from a temporary North China Seismic Array to obtain the background orientation of the horizontal crustal principal compressive stress at NE 95.1°±15.4° in North China. Data are corrected for disturbances of faults and irregular tectonics, and are used to constrain the fast SKS polarization at NE 110.2°±15.8° in North China. Individual station analyses suggests that there is consistently more than 10° difference between the polarizations of fast shear-wave in the crust and those of fast SKS phases. Azimuthally anisotropic phase velocities of Rayleigh waves at different periods also indicate an orientation change for fast velocity with depth. It suggests the crust-mantle coupling in North China follows neither the simple decoupling model nor the strong coupling model. Instead, it is possibly some inhomogeneous combination of two models or some gradual-change model of physical characteristics. This study shows that anisotropy in the crust and mantle could be multiply characterized more correctly and crust-mantle coupling could be analyzed further, if increasing near-field shear-wave splitting data that indicate crustal anisotropy, combined with the azimuthal anisotropy of Rayleigh waves, besides the result of SKS splitting travelling through lithosphere and surface GPS measurements.