I. Z. Babievskaya

Calculation of the mineral composition of basaltic rocks

A technique for the recalculation of data of the chemical analysis of basaltic rocks in terms of mineral composition by the method of physicochemical calculations is proposed. On the basis of data available in the literature on the chemical composition of a series of samples of these rocks, calculations of their mineral composition are carried out. A good correlation of the calculation and experimental data is obtained. The technique proposed can be applied to estimate the mineral composition of raw materials and evaluate the methods of its modification in the technology for obtaining basaltic fibers and stone-cast materials.

Recent Studies on the Decomposition of n-Hexane and Toluene in RF Thermal Plasma

Thermal decomposition of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) such as n-hexane and toluene has been studied in an inductively coupled thermal plasma reactor, at atmospheric pressure, in neutral and oxidative conditions, respectively. Thermodynamic calculations were performed for predicting the product distribution due to thermal decomposition. Based on these calculations formation of the products observed in the gas phase and in the extract of soot could be interpreted. In neutral conditions formation of soot and PAH was detected to different extent for the different models. The presence of oxygen in the plasma reactor depresses both soot and PAH formation. GC-MS analyses of the gaseous products and the extract of the soot, respectively, refer to as complex decomposition and recombination mechanism in given conditions.

Reduction of Metallurgical Wastes in an RF Thermal Plasma Reactor

Recovery of metals from iron and zinc oxides, as well as from zinc-containing metallurgical wastes, such as flue dust from the Siemens–Martin process and sludge from hot galvanizing, has been studied in an rf thermal plasma reactor under reducing conditions. The product composition was estimated by thermodynamic calculations based on the minimization of the Gibbs free enthalpy. Effects of the plate power of rf generator and the feed rate of powder on the chemical and phase composition of products have been investigated in detail. It has been proved that the rf thermal plasma treatment makes possible to produce unstable species in thermodynamic terms: metallic zinc was gained in the reaction of ZnO and hydrogen. The gradient cooling along the plasma reactor led to the segregation of the iron and zinc compounds. Valuable products were made from the particular wastes by a single step thermal plasma processing.

Evaluation and modification of the initial composition of gabbro-basalt rocks for mineral-fiber fabrication and stone casting

Literature data and calculation results demonstrate that it is appropriate to use the acidity coefficient for the initial evaluation of the properties of gabbro-basalt raw materials for fiber production and stone casting. We examine the capabilities of hydrochloric acid leaching for modifying the composition of raw materials and those of physicochemical calculations for determining the mineralogical compositions of raw materials and modification products.

Effect of the properties of the water sorbent on the heat generation in the Fe-C-NaCl-H2O-O2 system

The water adsorption and retention behaviors of vermiculite, silica gel, activated carbon, and a zeolite are analyzed in relation to their pore structures, and their effects on the dynamics of heat generation in Fe-C-NaCl-H2O-O2-water sorbent systems are investigated.

Role of activated carbon in chemical interactions in the Fe-C-NaCl-H2O-O2 heat-generating system

Computer simulations of equilibria in the Fe–C–NaCl–H2O–O2 system demonstrate that carbon has a significant influence on the composition of iron oxidation products. The effect of activated carbons with different physicochemical properties on the kinetics of heat generation during iron oxidation is studied. The process is shown to depend not only on the specific surface area and porosity of carbon but also on the stability of the complexes formed on the carbon surface via sorption of iron ions.

Experimental and calculational approaches to determining the mineralogical composition of rocks in mineral-fiber fabrication and stone casting

This paper presents data on the effect of the mineralogical composition of gabbro-basalt rocks on the properties of mineral fibers and stone-cast materials prepared from them. We consider experimental and calculational approaches to determining the mineralogical composition of magmatic rocks, discuss possible origins of discrepancies in results, and demonstrate that the mineralogical compositions determined by physicochemical calculations can be used to roughly estimate the performance of natural raw materials in mineral-fiber production and stone casting.

Physicochemical simulation of fusion processes of basalt and diabase with Na2CO3 and Na2CO3 + CaO

Fusion processes of basalt and diabase with sodium carbonate and its mixture with calcium oxide are investigated by methods of physicochemical simulation. Equilibrium compositions of the Si-Al-Fe-Ca-Mg-Na system are calculated at various ratios Na2CO3: basalt (diabase) and (Na2CO3 + CaO): basalt (diabase) in the temperature range of 1270–1470 K. It is shown that, on fusion with sodium carbonate, depending on conditions, the main components of fusion products are sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium metaaluminate (NaAlO2), magnesium orthosilicate (CaMgSiO4), sodium ferrite(III) (NaFeO2), iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3), and sodium-aluminum orthosilicate (Na2AlSiO4). On fusion with the mixture of sodium carbonate and calcium oxide, respectively, the products are sodium metaaluminate, calcium pyrosilicate (Ca3Si2O7), calcium-magnesium orthosilicate, and calcium ferrite (CaFe2O4).

Equilibrium Composition of Products of Melting of Main Minerals Involved in the Composition of Basalt

Using the method of thermodynamic simulation, the equilibrium composition of products of heating of plagioclases, pyroxenes, peridots, and magnetite is determined in a temperature range of 1000–1400°C in inert, oxidizing, and reducing atmospheres. The possibility of controlling the products of melting and crystallization of the above minerals is shown, and the behavior of a series of accessory metals (Ti, Mn, Cr, V) in these processes is evaluated.

Physicochemical modeling of basalt melt generation for petrurgy

Thermodynamic analysis was used to calculate the equilibrium composition of melts of the Si-Al-Ti-Ca-Mg-Fe-K-Na-Ar (O2, H2) systems, which model the generation of various types of basalt melts during heating (within 1573–1773 K) under inert, oxidative, and reductive atmospheres. The results were used to determine the fusion protocol for petrurgical purposes.