Abstract: A method for treating liquid effluents and recovering metals is described, which comprises the steps of: a) liquid effluent equalization; b) sulphide addition and precipitation of metals in the form of metal sulphides; c) solid/liquid separation of the metal sulphides produced in step (b) and formation of a metal-free liquid phase; d) addition of a 50 to 250 g/L amine solution to the liquid phase precipitating magnesium in the form of magnesium hydroxide (Mg(OH)2); and e) recovery of amine by stripping and rectification.

Abstract: A method of using the synergy of multiple depressants to improve the depression of iron sulphide without compromising the recovery of the valuable sulphide minerals in the flotation of non-ferrous metal sulphides, while reducing or eliminating the use of environmentally problematic chemicals such as polyamines. The method has significant economic and environmental benefits. The multiple depressants comprise at least one organic polymer, at least one sulphur-containing compound and/or at least one nitrogen-containing organic compound.

Abstract: A solution for compensating a magnetic field sensor to permit detection of a small magnetic field in the presence of a large magnetic field is disclosed. A magnetic field sensor detects the magnetic field which produces an analog signal then encoded by an analog to digital converter (ADC) into a digital stream. A controller operating on the digital stream incorporates additional sensor data to create a compensation signal which is sent to a digital to analog (DAC) converter. This compensation signal then modifies the output of the magnetic field sensor before entering the ADC. Compensation is software controlled, and is thus adaptable to numerous conditions requiring compensation. Apart from being easily tunable, the compensation may respond dynamically to changing conditions. The invention has particular application to airborne electromagnetic surveying where small fields scattered from the Earth are measured in the presence of a large transmitted field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite material that comprises a polymeric constituent and iron ore powder. The polymeric constituent of the present invention is preferably UHMWPE. The iron ore powder used for the purposes of the present invention is the raw iron ore tailing resulting from iron ore pelletizing processes and it is used in an amount of 3-5% (w/w). The present invention is also related to the use of iron ore tailing in the preparation of composite materials comprising UHMWPE which presents improved properties such as creep resistance, stiffness and wear resistance, as well as cost reduction and reuses tailings of industrial plant. The present invention is also related to the use of the composite material of interest in the preparation of composite polymeric sheets for use in mining companies facilities.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for pretreatment of solid lump feed material for gas and pellet/lump-based direct reduction processes, by initially storing the lump feed in stockpiles for stress release, followed by pre-drying the feed material prior to charging into the reduction furnace and finally increasing the average temperature of the reduction furnace, in order to reduce the amount of reduction at low temperatures, thereby minimizing the formation of fines within the furnace.

Abstract: Industrial demand for hexafluorosilicic acid (H2SiF6) is often lower than the amount produced from fluoride recycling processes. One alternative for using this surplus is manufacturing a soil conditioner by neutralizing the hexafluorosilicic acid with calcium oxide (CaO) inside an open, Kullman type reactor. The reaction ensures alkalinity to the soil conditioner having a pH of about 10, moisture less than about 40%, phosphorus (P2O5) at about 2.5%, calcium at about 22%, about 0.5% magnesium, about 10% silicon (about 30% to 40% water-soluble), about 18% fluoride, neutralization power of about 5% to 15%, and total neutralization power of about 5% to 12%. The resulting product, called AgroSiCa, is easily manageable with very high contents of Ca and Si (total and soluble), and also contains Mg, P, Fe, Zn, and F. When applied to soil, it contributes to the supply of nutrients, provides a better root growth and improves the plants development.

Abstract: The present invention provides a suspension and vibration isolation system having cable isolators. The cable isolators employ low-friction air-bearing pneumatic cylinders and cables to isolate a suspended payload from vibrations of a carrier or to isolate the carrier from vibrations of the payload. Using such air-lubricated cylinder to piston interfaces virtually eliminates static friction and so improves the effectiveness of the isolation for small forces and displacement. The use of pneumatic cylinders also permits the system to be tuned to the required resonance frequency to isolate the payload from vibrations in a desired frequency band.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is provided for bucking a magnetic field of known geometry and time variation by means of a plurality of bucking loops. It utilizes multiple loops, each of which is energized by an electric current that creates a magnetic field of the known time variation. The multi-loop field forms a bucking magnetic field that better opposes the spatial variation in the known magnetic field over a volume than can the magnetic field from a single loop. The present invention is useful in electromagnetic measurements, where the magnetic field of a controlled source transmitter must be annulled at a magnetic field sensor. It is particularly useful for cases where the magnetic sensor may move relative to the transmitter, such as in certain airborne electromagnetic measurements.

Abstract: There is described a device for removing a drawer-type hopper of a railroad car, the device comprising: a first support base positioned on a platform and a second support base supported on the railroad car; and a tackle fastened on the first support base; the tackle comprising a first hook associated to the drawer-type hopper, the first hook and the drawer-type hopper being moved linearly by the tackle in the opposite direction of the railroad car.

Abstract: An advantageous and effective process for obtaining carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) from agro-industrial residues, comprising the steps of a) Preparing the raw material, wherein the raw material is washed, dried, grounded and washed again; b) a pumping step, wherein the product obtained from the step a) is reacted with sodium hydroxide; c) a synthesis step, wherein consists in grounding the pulp; adding a solution of isopropanol and distilled water under stirring at room temperature; adding NaOH aqueous solution up to the alkalization of the mixture; adding monochloroacetic acid in isopropanol; filtrating; suspending in methanol solution and neutralizing with acetic acid. The CMC obtained from the process can be employed in a several industrial processes.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for mapping of plants. Homogenous and heterogeneous flora areas called clusters are identified in remote sensing images and routes to the plant clusters are generated. The plants are classified using morphological data from foliar images of plants present in the clusters.

Abstract: An equipment for unloading a bulk carrier comprises a plurality of structures fastened to a fixed platform, the plurality of structures is fastened to the fixed platform mutually parallel, each structure comprising a mobile element having fastening elements which are associated to a projection of at least a removable hold of a bulk carrier, the mobile element being displaced from a first position (A) to a second position (B) so as to tilt at least a removable hold onto an apron feeder and then to a system of conveyor belts. Also, a bulk carrier comprises at least a removable hold including a compartment for transporting bulk products having a plurality of projections disposed in a longitudinal line and mutually parallel at a first end of the removable hold and an articulation mechanism disposed along a second end of the removable hold parallel to and opposite the first end.

Abstract: An automatic method or the classification of the Degrees of Maturation (DM) for fired iron ore pellets, independent of human intervention, based on the digital acquisition of microscopy images of polished cross sections, and their processing, analysis and classification by a suitable software procedure.

Abstract: It is described a manganese pellet production from non-calcinated manganese ore, comprising the following phases: (a) ore size preparation through ore classification by function of particle size, smaller or equal to 1 mm particles being maintained from the ore particle fraction process so as to have a smaller or equal to 1 mm size, as well as the comminution of these particles; (b) flux addition; (c) agglomerant addition; (d) pelletizing resulting in crude pellets; and (e) thermal processing through crude pellet drying, pre-heating and heating.

Abstract: An ore fine agglomerate to be used in a sintering process is disclosed, wherein the ore fine agglomerate is formed by a mixture of ore fine particles and an agglomerating agent, and wherein the particles have diameters between 0.01 mm and 8.0 mm. A production process of ore fines agglomerate is disclosed comprising the steps of using ore fine particles with a granulometry lower than 0.150 mm, mixing the ore fine particles with an agglomerating agent in a ratio of 0.5 to 5.0% by mass of sodium silicate, forming wet particles with diameters between 0.01 mm and 8.0 mm with an addition of water, and drying the wet particles at a temperature varying from 100° C. and 150° C. to form dry particles that are resistant to mechanical efforts and the elements.

Abstract: A method of recovering base metals from sulphide ores and concentrates includes mixing the base metals ore with ferric salts, heating the mixture, adding water to form a pulp, and stirring and filtering the pulp.

Abstract: A process for the improvement of reducibility of iron ore pellets including the steps of preparing a raw material mixture which contains metallic Ni powder, pelletizing the mixture obtained, burning the raw pellets and reducing the burnt pellets under reducing conditions in the presence of CH4.

Abstract: This invention provides a method to recover valuable DTPA from DTPA solvent extraction organic solution that avoids the need to operate at either high or very low temperatures, with extended reaction times and having to carry out solid/liquid separation on organic solution. Furthermore, the invention provides the flexibility of selecting appropriate base solution to carry out the DTPA recovery process and further provides the ability to directly treat metal-containing DTPA organic solution.

Abstract: A safety device for railway vehicles is provided, more specifically a safety device that reduces the negative consequences resulting from collisions or pedestrian accidents involving railway vehicles. As such, the railway vehicle safety device consists of a main impact dampening area and at least one secondary support and resistance area, with the safety device being installed on the railway vehicle's front end, so that the main impact dampening area dampens the force of the impact caused by a collision between the vehicle and a pedestrian.

Abstract: An automatic method for the classification of crystals of iron oxides, including the measurement of oxide crystal size and shape, by a digital microscopy procedure involving image acquisition, processing, analysis, and classification is described.