O pó de aciaria elétrica é um importante subproduto da indústria siderúrgica devido ao seu alto teor de zinco. Assim, tecnologias vêm sendo desenvolvidas visando seu aproveitamento, sendo o forno Waelz a mais difundida delas atualmente. No entanto, sua operação, por contar com um forno rotativo de grandes dimensões que abriga uma infinidade de fenômenos físico-químicos, apresenta difícil previsibilidade ab initio. Por essa razão, este trabalho faz uso de uma ferramenta avançada da termodinâmica computacional, destinada à modelagem de processos, chamada SimuSage, a fim de modelar o seu comportamento. Para a criação do modelo utilizou-se também uma base de dados termodinâmicos advinda do software FactSage e a plataforma de desenvolvimento Lazarus. Com base em dados e resultados operacionais da literatura, foi possível realizar simulações nos modos adiabático e isotérmico, comparando os resultados com os da prática industrial. Constatou-se uma grande capacidade do modelo de reproduzir os resultados da literatura, mesmo quando não há muita informação para aferição dos parâmetros, gerando boa concordância com a composição química relatada dos produtos Óxido Waelz e Escória Waelz. / The electric arc furnace dust is an important by-product of the steel industry due to its high content of zinc. Thus, technologies have been developed aiming for its use, and the Waelz Kiln is the most widespread of them today. However, counting on a very large rotary kiln that houses an infinity of physico-chemical phenomena, its operation is difficult to predict ab initio. For this reason, in order to model its behaviour this work uses an advanced tool of computational thermodynamics designed to process modelling, called SimuSage. To create the model, a thermodynamic database, provided by the FactSage software, as well as a development platform, Lazarus IDE, were also used. Based on operational data and results from de literature, it was possible to perform simulations on both adiabatic and isothermal modes comparing its results with the industrial practice. A great capability of the model to reproduce results from the literature was found, even when there is not much information for the parameters calibration, generating good agreement regarding the reported chemical composition for the products, Waelz Oxide and Waelz Slag.

O pó de aciaria elétrica é um importante subproduto da indústria siderúrgica devido ao seu alto teor de zinco. Assim, tecnologias vêm sendo desenvolvidas visando seu aproveitamento, sendo o forno Waelz a mais difundida delas atualmente. No entanto, sua operação, por contar com um forno rotativo de grandes dimensões que abriga uma infinidade de fenômenos físico-químicos, apresenta difícil previsibilidade ab initio. Por essa razão, este trabalho faz uso de uma ferramenta avançada da termodinâmica computacional, destinada à modelagem de processos, chamada SimuSage, a fim de modelar o seu comportamento. Para a criação do modelo utilizou-se também uma base de dados termodinâmicos advinda do software FactSage e a plataforma de desenvolvimento Lazarus. Com base em dados e resultados operacionais da literatura, foi possível realizar simulações nos modos adiabático e isotérmico, comparando os resultados com os da prática industrial. Constatou-se uma grande capacidade do modelo de reproduzir os resultados da literatura, mesmo quando não há muita informação para aferição dos parâmetros, gerando boa concordância com a composição química relatada dos produtos Óxido Waelz e Escória Waelz. / The electric arc furnace dust is an important by-product of the steel industry due to its high content of zinc. Thus, technologies have been developed aiming for its use, and the Waelz Kiln is the most widespread of them today. However, counting on a very large rotary kiln that houses an infinity of physico-chemical phenomena, its operation is difficult to predict ab initio. For this reason, in order to model its behaviour this work uses an advanced tool of computational thermodynamics designed to process modelling, called SimuSage. To create the model, a thermodynamic database, provided by the FactSage software, as well as a development platform, Lazarus IDE, were also used. Based on operational data and results from de literature, it was possible to perform simulations on both adiabatic and isothermal modes comparing its results with the industrial practice. A great capability of the model to reproduce results from the literature was found, even when there is not much information for the parameters calibration, generating good agreement regarding the reported chemical composition for the products, Waelz Oxide and Waelz Slag.

Die Arbeit befasst sich mit der thermodynamischen Modellierung des British Gas-Lurgi-Vergasungsprozesses (BGL). Es werden auftretende Schwachstellen des Prozesses analysiert und auf das Verhalten der Mineralstoffkomponenten zurückgeführt. Auf Grundlage einer Stoffbilanz sowie zahlreicher Prozessdaten (BGL-Vergaser der SVZ Schwarze Pumpe GmbH) wurde das in SimuSage erstellte Stufenmodell an Nichtgleichgewichtszustände und Transportvorgänge angepasst. Das Modell erlaubt die qualitative und quantitative Beschreibung eines Alkalikreislaufes, welcher durch KCl geprägt ist. Mit dem Modell werden wirksame Maßnahmen abgebildet, um die Anreicherung von KCl und die damit verbundenen technischen Störungen zu vermeiden.

Global warming and air pollution are two issues of greatest concerns to human life in recent years. Environmental concerns and econimal/political independency of fossil fuels have been the driving force of developing interest in renewable resources of energy for many countries. Different type of waste-derived fuels such as biomass, municipal solid waste and industrial waste are interesting energy resources for energy producing companies. There are mainly two main paths when it comes to waste-to-energy industry, which are thermal treatment of waste, as well as biochemical treatment. Thermal treatment of waste to produce energy could benefit both for hygienic consideration of waste management and avoiding waste landfill.Heat and power generation through combustion of waste or biomass has several environmental, and economical advantageous over utilization of fossil fuels. Thermal conversion of waste and biomass fuels, however, has some challenges mainly due to their chemical composition and high alkali metals (potassium and sodium) content. Combustion of these fuels usually can result in some operational challenges such as deposition, fouling, bed agglomeration and corrosion in different part of the boiler. The less reactive and non-combustible part of the fuel known as ash-forming matter has a major role in these operational challenges. Ash related problems in waste-to-energy boilers lead to lower efficiency, high maintenance costs and equipment failure. Therefore, investigating the chemical composition of fuel and ash-forming matter is essential prior to thermal conversion of waste-derived fuels. High-temperature corrosion due to formation of corrosive alkali chloride compounds during combustion is one of the main ash-related concerns in boilers.This study investigated high-temperature corrosion in circulating fluidized-bed (CFB) combustion of solid waste. Flue gas composition of solid waste combustion in the CFB boiler was analysed in two cases: combustion of the reference fuel, and combustion of the “same” fuel with a sulphur containing additive (ammonium sulphate), to decrease the corrosive alkali chlorides in the flue gas. Chemical fractionation was carried out for fuel samples to determine the reactive and less-reactive fraction of ash-forming matter. A thermodynamic equilibrium model was developed using Factsage thermochemical software, to predict the chemical composition of the flue-gas with a special focus on corrosive alkali chlorides. The modelling results were evaluated using In-situ Alkali Chloride Monitoring (IACM) results obtained during the full-scale combustion measurements.

O tratamento de inclusões com cálcio é uma ferramenta poderosa para a produção de aços mais limpos e com melhores propriedades mecânicas. A simulação em laboratório do processo industrial tem sua importância na possibilidade de estudar as reações e interações químicas do tratamento de inclusões no aço líquido. Esse tipo de estudo é possível através do uso de experimentos associados entre fornos a cálculos termodinâmicos. Dessa forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: 1) Avaliar - em escala laboratorial - a evolução de inclusões modificadas com a adição de cálcio no banho do aço SAE 8620; 2) Comparar os resultados obtidos com simulações via termodinâmica computacional; 3) Consolidar uma metodologia para estudo de inclusões em escala laboratorial. Para isso, foram executadas corridas em um forno elétrico resistivo de escala de laboratório. As matérias-primas utilizadas foram: ferro com alta pureza e as ferroligas usadas na indústria. Houve injeção de alumínio e cálcio no aço líquido. Na análise química do aço foram considerados os elementos de liga de rotina de produção inclusive os teores de cálcio e oxigênio total. Nas análises de inclusões foram avaliados, via MEV/EDS: composição química, morfologia, distribuição de fases e tamanho.Para calcular o equilíbrio termodinâmico entre aço líquido e inclusões não-metálicas - via termodinâmica computacional - foram utilizados os bancos de dados do software FactSage. Observou-se a modificação química das inclusões com a adição de cálcio, formando diferentes tipos de cálcio-aluminatos, como previsto. Devido à presença de enxofre, verificou-se a formação de sulfetos de cálcio e manganês associados aos cálcio-aluminatos. Também obteve-se uma boa correlação entre os resultados calculados via termodinâmica computacional e a literatura consultada. / The inclusion treatment with calcium is a powerful tool for the production of cleaner steels with improved mechanical properties. The simulation in laboratory of the industrial process has its importance in the possibility of studying the reactions and chemical interactions of the inclusions treatment in the liquid steel. This kind of study is just possible through the use of experiments associated with furnaces and thermodynamics simulations. This way, the aims of this work were: 1) to evaluate - in laboratorial scale - the evolution of inclusions modified with the calcium addition in the SAE 8620 steel bath; 2) to compare the results obtained with computational thermodynamics simulation; 3) to consolidate a methodology for study inclusions in laboratorial scale. Trials in a electrical resistive furnace in laboratory scale were carried out. The raw materials used were: high purity iron and ferroalloys used in the industry. It had also injection of aluminium and calcium in the liquid steel. In the chemical analysis of the steel it was considered the common alloying elements of steel including calcium and total oxygen. In the inclusions analysis were evaluated by SEM/EDS: chemical composition, morphology, phases distribution and size. To calculate the thermodynamic balance between liquid steel and nonmetallic inclusions - by computational thermodynamics simulation - the FactSage data bases software were used. The chemical modification of the inclusions with calcium addition was observed, forming different types of calcium-aluminates, as predicted. Due to sulphur presence it was verified the formation of calcium and manganese sulphides associates with calciumaluminates. Also it was obtained a good correlation between these results, calculated by computational thermodynamics and literature.

O tratamento de inclusões com cálcio é uma ferramenta poderosa para a produção de aços mais limpos e com melhores propriedades mecânicas. A simulação em laboratório do processo industrial tem sua importância na possibilidade de estudar as reações e interações químicas do tratamento de inclusões no aço líquido. Esse tipo de estudo é possível através do uso de experimentos associados entre fornos a cálculos termodinâmicos. Dessa forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: 1) Avaliar - em escala laboratorial - a evolução de inclusões modificadas com a adição de cálcio no banho do aço SAE 8620; 2) Comparar os resultados obtidos com simulações via termodinâmica computacional; 3) Consolidar uma metodologia para estudo de inclusões em escala laboratorial. Para isso, foram executadas corridas em um forno elétrico resistivo de escala de laboratório. As matérias-primas utilizadas foram: ferro com alta pureza e as ferroligas usadas na indústria. Houve injeção de alumínio e cálcio no aço líquido. Na análise química do aço foram considerados os elementos de liga de rotina de produção inclusive os teores de cálcio e oxigênio total. Nas análises de inclusões foram avaliados, via MEV/EDS: composição química, morfologia, distribuição de fases e tamanho.Para calcular o equilíbrio termodinâmico entre aço líquido e inclusões não-metálicas - via termodinâmica computacional - foram utilizados os bancos de dados do software FactSage. Observou-se a modificação química das inclusões com a adição de cálcio, formando diferentes tipos de cálcio-aluminatos, como previsto. Devido à presença de enxofre, verificou-se a formação de sulfetos de cálcio e manganês associados aos cálcio-aluminatos. Também obteve-se uma boa correlação entre os resultados calculados via termodinâmica computacional e a literatura consultada. / The inclusion treatment with calcium is a powerful tool for the production of cleaner steels with improved mechanical properties. The simulation in laboratory of the industrial process has its importance in the possibility of studying the reactions and chemical interactions of the inclusions treatment in the liquid steel. This kind of study is just possible through the use of experiments associated with furnaces and thermodynamics simulations. This way, the aims of this work were: 1) to evaluate - in laboratorial scale - the evolution of inclusions modified with the calcium addition in the SAE 8620 steel bath; 2) to compare the results obtained with computational thermodynamics simulation; 3) to consolidate a methodology for study inclusions in laboratorial scale. Trials in a electrical resistive furnace in laboratory scale were carried out. The raw materials used were: high purity iron and ferroalloys used in the industry. It had also injection of aluminium and calcium in the liquid steel. In the chemical analysis of the steel it was considered the common alloying elements of steel including calcium and total oxygen. In the inclusions analysis were evaluated by SEM/EDS: chemical composition, morphology, phases distribution and size. To calculate the thermodynamic balance between liquid steel and nonmetallic inclusions - by computational thermodynamics simulation - the FactSage data bases software were used. The chemical modification of the inclusions with calcium addition was observed, forming different types of calcium-aluminates, as predicted. Due to sulphur presence it was verified the formation of calcium and manganese sulphides associates with calciumaluminates. Also it was obtained a good correlation between these results, calculated by computational thermodynamics and literature.

O tratamento de inclusões com cálcio é uma ferramenta poderosa para a produção de aços mais limpos e com melhores propriedades mecânicas. A simulação em laboratório do processo industrial tem sua importância na possibilidade de estudar as reações e interações químicas do tratamento de inclusões no aço líquido. Esse tipo de estudo é possível através do uso de experimentos associados entre fornos a cálculos termodinâmicos. Dessa forma, os objetivos deste trabalho foram: 1) Avaliar - em escala laboratorial - a evolução de inclusões modificadas com a adição de cálcio no banho do aço SAE 8620; 2) Comparar os resultados obtidos com simulações via termodinâmica computacional; 3) Consolidar uma metodologia para estudo de inclusões em escala laboratorial. Para isso, foram executadas corridas em um forno elétrico resistivo de escala de laboratório. As matérias-primas utilizadas foram: ferro com alta pureza e as ferroligas usadas na indústria. Houve injeção de alumínio e cálcio no aço líquido. Na análise química do aço foram considerados os elementos de liga de rotina de produção inclusive os teores de cálcio e oxigênio total. Nas análises de inclusões foram avaliados, via MEV/EDS: composição química, morfologia, distribuição de fases e tamanho.Para calcular o equilíbrio termodinâmico entre aço líquido e inclusões não-metálicas - via termodinâmica computacional - foram utilizados os bancos de dados do software FactSage. Observou-se a modificação química das inclusões com a adição de cálcio, formando diferentes tipos de cálcio-aluminatos, como previsto. Devido à presença de enxofre, verificou-se a formação de sulfetos de cálcio e manganês associados aos cálcio-aluminatos. Também obteve-se uma boa correlação entre os resultados calculados via termodinâmica computacional e a literatura consultada. / The inclusion treatment with calcium is a powerful tool for the production of cleaner steels with improved mechanical properties. The simulation in laboratory of the industrial process has its importance in the possibility of studying the reactions and chemical interactions of the inclusions treatment in the liquid steel. This kind of study is just possible through the use of experiments associated with furnaces and thermodynamics simulations. This way, the aims of this work were: 1) to evaluate - in laboratorial scale - the evolution of inclusions modified with the calcium addition in the SAE 8620 steel bath; 2) to compare the results obtained with computational thermodynamics simulation; 3) to consolidate a methodology for study inclusions in laboratorial scale. Trials in a electrical resistive furnace in laboratory scale were carried out. The raw materials used were: high purity iron and ferroalloys used in the industry. It had also injection of aluminium and calcium in the liquid steel. In the chemical analysis of the steel it was considered the common alloying elements of steel including calcium and total oxygen. In the inclusions analysis were evaluated by SEM/EDS: chemical composition, morphology, phases distribution and size. To calculate the thermodynamic balance between liquid steel and nonmetallic inclusions - by computational thermodynamics simulation - the FactSage data bases software were used. The chemical modification of the inclusions with calcium addition was observed, forming different types of calcium-aluminates, as predicted. Due to sulphur presence it was verified the formation of calcium and manganese sulphides associates with calciumaluminates. Also it was obtained a good correlation between these results, calculated by computational thermodynamics and literature.

Coals, from mines in the Highveld coalfield, as well as gasification ash samples were characterised, in order to understand the mineralogical and chemical properties of the individual components in the gasification feedstocks. X-ray diffraction of low temperature oxygen-plasma ash indicates that the coals contain significant proportions of kaolinite, quartz and a fluxing elements-bearing mineral (dolomite), plus minor concentrations of illite and other fluxing elements-bearing minerals namely calcite, pyrite and siderite. Of the feed coal, the -75+53 mm size fraction has a high pyrite, and to a lesser extent a high calcite and dolomite content. However, the small proportion of iron-bearing phases (from the reaction between kaolinite and pyrite) in samples taken from the gasifier implies that pyrite contributes minimally to sintering or slagging in this case. Calcite is mainly present in the >1.8 g/cm3 density fraction of the feed coal, whereas dolomite is mainly present in the 1.5-1.8 g/cm3 density fraction, as inclusions or fine cleats in the coal matrix. Electron microprobe analyses of coals from the six different South African mines confirmed that some Ca, Mg, Al, Si, Na, K, Ti and Fe are present in the organic matrix in the coal samples tested in this study, but the amounts of these are small compared with the fluxing elements in minerals. XRD and microprobe analyses indicate that the ash clinker samples taken from the gasifiers contain a number of crystalline high temperature phases, including anorthite, mullite, cristobalite, quartz and diopside. FactSage confirmed that anorthite and mullite are equilibrium phases at elevated temperatures in the ash clinkers and heated rock fragments. Limited reaction takes place between the included coal minerals and the extraneous rock fragments. / Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2008. / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted