P.E. Tsakiridis

Titanium leaching from red mud by diluted sulfuric acid at atmospheric pressure

Laboratory-scale research has focused on the recovery of titanium from red mud, which is obtained from bauxite during the Bayer process for alumina production. The leaching process is based on the extraction of this element with diluted sulfuric acid from red mud under atmospheric conditions and without using any preliminary treatment. Statistical design and analysis of experiments were used, in order to determine the main effects and interactions of the leaching process factors, which were: acid normality, temperature and solid to liquid ratio. The titanium recovery efficiency on the basis of red mud weight reached 64.5%. The characterization of the initial red mud, as well as this of the leached residues was carried out by X-ray diffraction, TG-DTA and scanning electron microscopy.

Hydrometallurgical process for zinc recovery from electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). Part I: Characterization and leaching by diluted sulphuric acid

The present paper is the first of a series of two articles dealing with the development of an integrated process for the recovery of zinc from electric arc furnace dust (EAFD), a hazardous industrial waste generated in the collection of particulate material during steelmaking process via electric arc furnace. Part I presents the EAFD characterization and its leaching process by diluted sulphuric acid, whereas Part II deals with the purification of the leach liquor and the recovery of zinc by solvent extraction/electrowinning. The characterization of the examined electric arc furnace dust was carried out by using granulometry analysis, chemical analysis, X-ray diffraction (XRD), thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TG/DTA) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The leaching process was based on the Zn extraction with diluted sulphuric acid from EAFD under atmospheric conditions and without using any preliminary treatment. Statistical design and analysis of experiments were used, in order to determine the main effects and interactions of the leaching process factors, which were: acid normality, temperature and solid to liquid ratio. The zinc recovery efficiency on the basis of EAFD weight reached 80%. X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy were used for the characterization of the leached residues.

A study on the hydration products of a non-expansive sulfoaluminate cement

Abstract In the context of a project aiming at the preparation of an energy-saving cement within the CaOSiO 2 AlO 3 SO 3 system having non-expansive properties, clinker was prepared by sintering a mix of industrial raw materials at 1280 °C in a laboratory oven. The hydration products of the cement cured to 90 days were studied by Scanning Electron Microscopy, X-Ray Diffraction and Thermogravimetric Analysis, and found similar to these of a typical sulfoaluminate cement. The low rate of hydration of the belite phase was attributed to its microcrystalline form.

Simultaneous solvent extraction of cobalt and nickel in the presence of manganese and magnesium from sulfate solutions by Cyanex 301

The simultaneous extraction and separation of Co(II) and Ni(II) from manganese and mgnesium sulfate solutions have been carried out using the thio-organophosphinic extractant Cyanex 301, diluted in Exxsol D-80. Statistical design and analysis of experiments were used in order to determine the main effects and interactions of the solvent extraction factors, which were the extraction pH at equilibrium, temperature, extractant concentration and organic to aqueous phase ratio. A statistically designed experiment was also carried out in order to study the stripping of the cobalt- and nickel-loaded Cyanex 301 organic phase by hydrochloric acid solution. The Slope analysis method was used to determine the nature of the cobalt and nickel complexes extracted. The number of stages required for both extraction and stripping processes of cobalt and nickel was also evaluated. The results of the continuous counter current, mini plant tests demonstrated the simultaneous recovery of cobalt and nickel from manganese and magnesium sulfate solution.

Aluminium salt slag characterization and utilization - A review

Aluminium salt slag (also known as aluminium salt cake), which is produced by the secondary aluminium industry, is formed during aluminium scrap/dross melting and contains 15-30% aluminium oxide, 30-55% sodium chloride, 15-30% potassium chloride, 5-7% metallic aluminium and impurities (carbides, nitrides, sulphides and phosphides). Depending on the raw mix the amount of salt slag produced per tonne of secondary aluminium ranges from 200 to 500 kg. As salt slag has been classified as toxic and hazardous waste, it should be managed in compliance with the current legislation. Its landfill disposal is forbidden in most of the European countries and it should be recycled and processed in a proper way by taking the environmental impact into consideration. This paper presents a review of the aluminium salt slag chemical and mineralogical characteristics, as well as various processes for metal recovery, recycling of sodium and potassium chlorides content back to the smelting process and preparation of value added products from the final non metallic residue.

Hydrometallurgical process for zinc recovery from electric arc furnace dust (EAFD). Part II: Downstream processing and zinc recovery by electrowinning

The characterization and the agitation leaching of electric arc furnace dust (EAFD) by diluted sulphuric acid have been studied in Part I, as a separate article. The aim of the present research work (Part II) is the development of a purification process of the leach liquor for the recovery of high-purity zinc by electrowinning. The proposed hydrometallurgical process consists of the following four (4) unit operations: (1) Removal of iron as easily filterable crystalline basic sulphate salt of the jarosite type, at atmospheric pressure, by chemical precipitation at pH: 3.5 and 95 degrees C. (2) Zinc solvent extraction by Cyanex 272 at pH: 3.5, T: 40 degrees C, with 25% extractant concentration. (3) Stripping of the loaded organic phase by zinc spent electrolyte (62.5 g/L Zn(2+)) at T: 40 degrees C with diluted H(2)SO(4) (3 mol/L). (4) Zinc electrowinning from sulphate solutions (at 38 degrees C) using Al as cathode and Pb as anode. The acidity of the electrolyte was fixed at 180 g/L H(2)SO(4), while the current density was kept constant at 500 A/m(2).

Comparative evaluation of five plant extracts and juices for nanoiron synthesis and application for hexavalent chromium reduction

The effectiveness of five plant extracts and juices, i.e. extracts of Camellia sinensis (green tea, GT), Syzygium aromaticum (clove, CL), Mentha spicata (spearmint, SM), Punica granatum juice (pomegranate, PG) and Red Wine (RW), for the production of nanoiron suspensions and their application for Cr(VI) reduction was investigated. Polyphenols contained in extracts act as reducing agents for iron ions in aqueous solutions, forming thus iron nanoparticles, and stabilize the nanoparticles produced from further oxidation and agglomeration. The maximum amount of polyphenols extracted per g of herbs was obtained at herb mass to water volume ratio varying from 10 to 20g/L. Suspensions of nanoparticles with sizes below 60nm were produced by mixing iron chloride solution with the plant extracts and juices investigated. The maximum concentration of nanoiron in suspensions was estimated to 22mM, obtained using RW and PG at a mixing ratio of iron solution to extract equal to 2. Lower concentrations, up to 18mM, were achieved using GT and CL extracts. Therefore, PG juice and RW were considered as more effective for nanoiron production, and, together with GT extracts, they were selected for the production of nanoiron suspensions, which have been proven effective for Cr(VI) reduction, reaching removal capacity as high as 500mg Cr(VI) per g of iron in nanoparticles.

Dry-grinded ultrafine cements hydration. physicochemical and microstructural characterization

The aim of the present research work was the evaluation of the physicochemical and microstructural properties of two ultrafine cements, produced by dry grinding of a commercial CEM I 42.5N cement. The effect of grinding on particle size distribution was determined by laser scattering analyzer. All cements were tested for initial and final setting times, consistency of standard paste, soundness, flow of normal mortar and compressive strengths after 1, 2, 7 and 28 days. The effect of the fineness on the heat of hydration was also investigated. The hydration products were determined by X-ray diffraction analysis and by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, at 1, 2, 7 and 28 days. The microstructure of the hardened cement pastes and their morphological characteristics were examined by scanning electron microscopy. Porosity and pore size distribution were evaluated by mercury intrusion porosimetry. The effects of greater fineness on compressive strengths were evident principally at early ages. After the first 24 hours of hydration, the compressive strength of the finest cements was about 3 times higher (over 48 MPa) than the corresponding of CEM I 42.5N (15.1 MPa).

Synthesis of TiO2 nano-powders prepared from purified sulphate leach liquor of red mud

The research work presented in this paper is focused on the development of a purification process of red mud sulphate leach liquor for the recovery of titanium oxide (TiO(2)) nano-powders in the form of anatase. Initially, titanium was extracted over iron and aluminium from the leach liquor by solvent extraction using Cyanex 272 in toluene, at pH: 0.3 and T: 25°C, with 40% extractant concentration. Stripping of the loaded, with titanium, organic phase was carried out by diluted HCl (3 mol/L) at ambient temperature. Finally, the recovery of titanium nano-powder, in the form of anatase, was performed by chemical precipitation at pH: 6 and T: 95°C, using 10 wt% MgO pulp as neutralizing agent. The produced precipitates were characterized by X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric/differential thermal analysis (TGA/DTA). Their morphological characteristics and microstructure were studied by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). High grade titanium white precipitate, in the form of anatase, was obtained. Iron concentration in the precipitate did not exceed 0.3%, whereas no aluminium was detected.

Hydrometallurgical Treatment of Steelmaking Electric Arc Furnace Dusts (EAFD)

The aim of the current research study was the development of a hydrometallurgical process for the recovery of metals from electric arc furnace dust. The behaviors of zinc, cadmium, iron, and lead in sulfuric acid were investigated. The recovery of the zinc (from zinc oxide) and cadmium is possible with a relatively high yield, as iron and lead remain in the solid residue after two stages of leaching at room temperature. In a third stage, zinc recovery from the zinc ferrite (in the leached residue) was carried out by pressure leaching. Under the optimum conditions of treatment and after three stages of processing, the total extractions of zinc and cadmium were 99 and 94 pct, respectively. Lead and the main part of iron remain in the residue. The proposed process also resulted in the reduction of the initial residue mass by 30 pct.