Abstract: A method is provided for producing matte such as copper or nickel matte or crude metal such as blister copper in a suspension smelting furnace such as a flash smelting furnace or a flash converting furnace. Also provided is a suspension smelting furnace such as a flash smelting furnace or a flash converting furnace. The suspension smelting furnace comprises a reaction shaft, a settler in communication with a lower end of the reaction shaft, and an uptake shaft. The settler extending in two opposite directions from a landing zone for a jet of oxidized suspension below the reaction shaft in the settler so that the settler comprises a first settler part on a first side of the landing zone and a second settler part on an opposite second side of the landing zone.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an arrangement for pressure and temperature let down of autoclave discharge slurry, in particular in pressure oxidation or high pressure acid leach of metal containing ore. The method of the invention comprises a step of providing autoclave vent gas obtained from the autoclave to the top-entry flash vessel for inducing overpressure to the top-entry flash vessel and preventing boiling of the slurry during the transfer to next top-entry flash vessel. The invention further relates to an autoclave and pressure let-down arrangement adapted for providing autoclave vent gas to one or more top-entry flash vessels.

Abstract: A method of recovering gold from refractory ore containing a carbonaceous material, a sulfide and gold is provided. Gypsum seed crystals are added to a slurry containing a roasted refractory ore or a pressure-oxidized refractory ore to decrease gypsum encapsulation of gold and improve gold recovery.

Abstract: A method and device for depleting copper smelting slag. The method comprises mixing copper smelting molten slag (1) with a reductant (2) and an inert gas (3) under pressure, and then depleting same. The device for depletion comprises a furnace body (4), which furnace body (4) is provided with a feed opening (413) and a slag discharge port (416), and gas nozzles (411) disposed on the side wall of the furnace body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for recovery of rare earth metals (REM) from diluted aqueous acidic solutions comprising steps of liquid-phase extraction of REM into an organic phase and re-extraction of REM from the organic phase. The re-extraction is carried out by precipitation of REM as a solid phase in the form of a poorly soluble salt of a strong acid (pKa<0). Recovery of REM into the concentrate is up to 99% in the course of one stage of the re-extraction.

Abstract: In a process for melting metal chips, the process being of the type that uses a charge system for delivering the metal chips to a melt furnace, and of the type that uses a pre-treatment system for drying the metal chips, the improvement comprising the step of capturing an exhaust stream from the charge system, where the exhaust stream includes hydrocarbons, and combusting the hydrocarbons to produce heat that is utilized in drying the chips.

Abstract: Methods for extraction and recovery of rare earth elements are disclosed. In one aspect, heap leaching with a leach solution comprising sulfuric acid is used to extract rare earth elements including yttrium and light and heavy rare earth elements.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an eco-friendly and single step process for the preparation of high purity iron by using hydrogen plasma in a suitable smelting reactor furnace. Reduction of iron oxide in excess of 99% can be achieved by reducing the iron ore in hydrogen plasma smelting system. The product quality is greatly improved as there is no instance of coke inclusion which otherwise would have carried carbon, sulphur, phosphorous, silica, etc. with it. In addition, this greatly diminishes carbon dioxide emission thereby making the process highly eco-friendly in nature. Apart from these, the process produces water as the only by-product. The process takes care of the green house effect with the non-involvement of gases like carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide during the operation. Thus, the present process is developed to produce high pure iron in a hydrogen plasma reactor without using carbon as reductant which thereby reduces the carbon dioxide emission drastically.

Abstract: A method and system of controlling a melting process of copper in a copper melting furnace including measuring at least one furnace parameter, wherein the at least one furnace parameter includes one or both of a furnace temperature and a furnace exhaust oxygen concentration, calculating a first rate of change of the furnace parameter over a first time period, calculating a second rate of change of the furnace parameter over a second time period at least a portion of which occurs after the first time period, comparing the first rate of change with the second rate of change, and indicating substantial completion of a process phase in the furnace when the second rate of change deviates by a predetermined threshold percentage from the first rate of change.

Abstract: A method and device for producing a crude copper. The method comprises: mixing and reacting copper smelting molten slag (1), a carbon-containing reductant (2) and an inert gas (3) under pressure, the pressure of the inert gas (3) being 100 kPa to 800 kPa. The device comprises: a furnace body (4) and gas nozzles (411) disposed on the furnace body (4), the gas nozzles (411) being located on the sidewall of the furnace body (4) and connected to the center of the molten pool.

Abstract: Methods and systems for producing DRI utilizing a petroleum refinery bottoms (i.e. heavy fuel oil, vacuum residue, visbreaker tar, asphalt, etc.) or petroleum coke gasifier and a hot gas cleaner. Cooling of the hot synthesis gas generated by the petroleum refinery bottoms or petroleum coke gasifier to <200 C is not necessary. Rather, the synthesis gas from the petroleum refinery bottoms or petroleum coke gasifier is desulfurized and dedusted at high temperature (>350 C) using a hot gas cleaner, well known to those of ordinary skill in the art, although not in such an application. This hot gas cleaner may be high pressure or low pressure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for separation or isolation of technetium radioisotopes from aqueous solutions of radioactive or non-radioactive molybdate salts using a polyalkyl glycol-based cross-linked polyether polymer. Some embodiments can be used for the effective purification of radioactive technetium-99m produced from low specific activity 99Mo.

Abstract: Provided is a system for efficiently recovering trace metal from a large amount of a raw material, such as when trace metal is recovered from nickel oxide ore. This ion exchange resin has, on a carrier, an amide derivative represented by the following general formula. In the formula, R1 and R2 represent the same or different alkyl groups, R3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, and R4 represents a hydrogen atom or an arbitrary group, other than an amino group, bonded to ? carbon as an amino acid. The amide derivative is preferably a glycinamide derivative. The carrier preferably includes a primary amine and/or a secondary amine.

Abstract: Provided are a method and apparatus for refining titanium scraps and sponge titanium, which can remove oxygen from a melt by supplying a deoxidizing gas to the surface of the melt in order to refine titanium scraps and sponge titanium. The method for refining titanium scraps and sponge titanium comprises supplying hydrogen ions and electrons in plasma to a titanium melt to remove oxygen from the titanium melt surface having an oxide layer formed thereon. In addition, the apparatus comprises: a vacuum chamber; a crucible located in the vacuum chamber and configured to perform melting by the magnetic field of an induction coil in a state in which a melt and the inner wall of the crucible; a calcium gas supply means configured to supply calcium gas from the bottom of the crucible to the space between the inner wall of the crucible and the melt.

Abstract: A rotary injector comprising an elongated shaft having a proximal end and a distal end, and an impeller at the distal end of the elongated shaft, the elongated shaft and the impeller being collectively rotatable during operation around an axis of the shaft, the rotary injector being hollow and having an internal supply conduit extending along the shaft and across the impeller, the supply conduit having an inlet at the proximal end of the shaft, a main portion extending from the inlet to a discharge portion, the discharge portion extending to an axial outlet, the discharge portion having a narrow end connecting the main portion of the supply conduit and a broader end at the axial outlet.

Abstract: Provided is a blast-furnace operating method including: a first step of adjusting a charging rate of coke while monitoring a furnace-top temperature Ttop; a second step of adjusting an injection rate of pulverized coal while monitoring an in-furnace superficial gas velocity u and the furnace-top temperature Ttop; a third step of adjusting an oxygen-enrichment ratio of oxygen-enriched air while monitoring a tuyere combustion temperature Tf and the furnace-top temperature Ttop; and a fourth step of determining whether an injection rate of the oxygen-enriched air needs to be adjusted, based on a value of the in-furnace superficial gas velocity u.

Abstract: A process for recovery of precious metals from ores or concentrates containing refractory carbonaceous material by cyanidation leaching. The process involves addition to the ores or concentrates at least one cationic surfactant before or during the addition of cyanide-containing solution. The agent enables the recovery of precious metals by cyanidation from high preg-robbing carbonaceous ores and improves the recovery of precious metals by cyanidation from medium to low preg-robbing carbonaceous ores. The agent also prevents froth and foaming formation during the cyanidation process.

Abstract: Provided is a method for recycling indium from a panel on which an electrode layer made of indium tin oxide (ITO) is formed, comprising: S1 —removing each of pattern layers on the panel to obtain particles formed by the pattern layers; S2 —adding an acid solution to the particles so as to dissolve the substances which can be dissolved in the acid solution, and then filtering to give a solution containing indium ion; S3 —adding an alkaline solution to the solution obtained in step S2, so that metal ions other than indium ion can form precipitates with hydroxyl ion; S4 —filtering off the precipitates formed in step S3; and S5 —evaporating the solution obtained in step S4 to obtain crystals of indium salt. The method improves the reusing rate of the defective panels, is helpful to environment protection, and saves resources.

Abstract: A method of purifying yttrium involves purifying element yttrium by high-temperature saturated dissolution, low-temperature recrystallization, high-temperature reduction and vaporization-based removal of impurities, in a simple manner, and at a low cost, such that yttrium element is unlikely to be contaminated by any raw material used in a manufacturing process.

Abstract: A dross processing system crucible comprising a substantially vertical inner wall having an upper end, a lower end, an outer surface, and an inner surface, a bottom having an upper surface and a lower surface, the upper surface affixed to the lower end of the inner wall. A blockable port is disposed in the bottom, and a thermal insulating material covers the outer surface of the vertical inner wall and the lower surface of the bottom. An outer vessel is affixed to the upper end of the substantially vertical inner wall, and the thermal insulating material is disposed between the outer surface of the inner wall and the outer vessel.