The Anglo American Platinum Converter Plant produces a copper-nickel sulphide converter matte which is slow-cooled in ingots over several days. During the process, the formation of alloy platelets, containing the majority of the PGM’s and Au, occurs. The alloy forms a magnetic fraction in the bulk matte which can be liberated when the matte is crushed and milled. The alloy platelets are then separated via a magnetic separation process in the Magnetic Concentration plant. The quality of the converter matte is dependent on the reaction and cast temperatures, bulk matte composition and cooling rate of each ingot, which define the microstructure of the slow-cooled matte that is produced as the final product of the ACP process. The current mould size used in the ACP slow-cool aisle is ~10 tonnes (maximum 14.84t), designed for 2 full ingots to be poured from every tap from a full ladle with a capacity of ~20t. This is the ideal situation, however, during normal plant operation ladles develop a build-up of material on the inside (or skull) that reduces the ladle active volume. This results in a large number of half ingots being produced, and, given the smaller ingot size, suboptimal cooling conditions arise and subsequently poor quality Waterval Converter Matte (WCM) is produced because of rapid cooling. In an attempt to match the converter blow size, the ladle size and the slow-cool mould size in future, a larger mould size of 15 ton was specifically constructed to determine if the smelter converted matte can be cast into the larger mould size. Therefore a larger size ingot of 15t with a maximum capacity of 20.6t was also used as part of the trials in order to determine if cooling rates in the larger sized ingot necessitated longer cooling times, and would therefore negatively affect the platinum pipeline and working inventory. The data obtained from these trials were then used to develop and validate a CFD model, specifically developed to simulate the cooling process. From the heat loss data it was calculated that the bulk of the heat lost from the ingots is through the top surface. After the first 12 hours of cooling, approximately 89% of the heat lost from the ingot is via the top surface and this increases to 96% after 24 hours. It can therefore be concluded that the cooling rates of the ingots can be easily manipulated by changing the thermal insulation of the lid that is placed over the ingot after casting. / Dissertation (MEng)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / gm2014 / Materials Science and Metallurgical Engineering / unrestricted

Les changements d’utilisation des terres modifient les potentiels de stockage du carbone dans le sol. La déforestation et les techniques agricoles utilisées ont un impact significatif sur le cycle global du carbone et contribuent aux émissions de gaz à effet de serre. L’objectif principal de cette thèse est donc de mettre en évidence les liens entre le stockage du carbone, les dynamiques d’occupation du sol et ses mises en valeur. Pour cette étude, nous avons utilisé les images de satellites sur la période 1987–2011 afin de classer les types d’occupations du sol. En effet, il ne s’agit pas uniquement de déterminer la quantité du carbone dans les sols mais également de vérifier le lien entre quantité de carbone et la gestion des sols dans des propriétés différentes. Les exploitations retenues sont situées au Nord-Ouest de l’État de Mato Grosso et ont été choisies pour leurs modes d’exploitation différents : la Fazenda São Nicolau sur la commune de Cotriguaçu où une politique de reforestation a été menée, la Fazenda Preciosa (qui représente le modèle traditionnel d’élevage) et l’Assentamento Vale do Amanhecer (système d’implantation récente fondé sur le partage des terres entre petits propriétaires ayant chacun une stratégie d’exploitation) sur la commune de Juruena. Les résultats montrent une fourchette de valeurs de stock de carbone entre 0,01 et 8,89 kg/m2 distribuées de façon diversifiée entre les classes d’occupation du sol retenues. Une cartographie des classes de stock de carbone a permis de confronter celles-ci avec l’occupation des sols et les classes de texture. Nous avons constaté que les meilleures corrélations sont trouvées entre les classes de stock de carbone et certains types de forêt haute et entre les classes de stock de carbone et les textures argileuses. Par contre aucunmode d’occupation du sol ne semble avoir une influence radicale sur les stocks de carbone. Ce sont les pratiques culturales et leur historique sur chaque exploitation qui permettent de mieux expliquer les résultats. Cette approche physico-chimique a visé principalement l’identification dans les régions étudiées des types de sols qui ont des niveaux plus élevés de la matière organique et les éléments nutriments où le stockage de carbone est plus assuré. Donc, nous avons mené des études approfondies, à travers une cartographie pédologique régionale à l’échelle 1 : 100.000, en association avec le relief, le réseau hydrographique, le substrat géologique régional, les changements climatiques, la couverture végétale et les sols, et après la demarche générale, basée dans des organigrammes établies pour ces travaux. Tous cela, parallèlement à la cartographie des données sur les partitions physiques de ces domaines pour la télédétection. De cette manière nous avons réalisé quelques analyses, dans le domaine des analyses physico-chimiques, tout d’abord sur le carbone et de la matière organique, de la spectrométrie par la fluorescence des rayons X, de la diffraction des rayons X, de l’environnement géochimique – analyses statistiques, aussi bien que les calculs des densités dans les sols échantillonnés, dans un contexte géochimique pour la détermination des éléments qui sont associés au carbone et à la matière organique. Des études sur l’usage du sol ont été aussi effectuées. Les résultats qui nous avons obtenus dans cet ensemble de recherches nous amènent à proposer un nouveau modèle d’études pour la mise en place de nouvelles idées sur le REDD, ainsi que pour des données de l’organisation du stockage du carbone dans les aires distinctes étudiées, qui peuvent être extrapolées à d’autres régions et dans les interprétations objectives qui seront évidemment obtenues de cet ensemble de travaux. / The land use changes altered the carbon storage potential in the soil. The deforestation and agricultural techniques have a significant impact on the global carbon cycle and contribute to greenhouse gases. The main objective of this thesis is to highlight the links between carbon storage, land use and the dynamics. For this study, we used satellite images over the period 1987 – 2011, to classify types of land occupations. In fact, not only to determine the amount of carbon in the soil, but also to check the connection between the amount of carbon and land management in different properties. Farms operate in the northwestern part of the state of Mato Grosso were chosen for their different operating modes: the Fazenda São Nicolau, in the Cotriguaçu community, where a reforestation policy was designed, the Fazenda Preciosa (representing the traditional agricultural model) and the Assentamento Vale do Amanhecer (recent deployment system based on the division of land among smallholders, with each having an operating strategy) in the of Juruena community. Therefore, detailed studies were developed through a regional soil mapping at scale 1: 100,000 in association with relief, hydrographic network, the geological substratum, climate changes, the vegetation and soils, and following the methodology and the techniques based on established organizational charts for these jobs. All this, in addition to mapping data about the physical partitions of these areas by remote sensing. Thus were carried out some analysis: the physical and chemical analysis, of the fluorescence spectrometry X-rays, the diffraction of X-rays, the geochemical environments - statistical analyzes as well as calculate the densities of the sampled soils in a geochemical context for Determination of the elements are associated with the carbon and organic matter. Studies on land use were also conducted. The Results show a range of carbon stock values between 0.01 and 8.89 kg / m2 distributed among diverse class of soil and selected for placement. Mappings of carbon stock classes allowed confront them with the land and the textural classes. The best correlations between carbon storage classes and certain types of high forest and carbon stock between the classes and the clayey textures were possible to find out that were found. Thus no way to land use seems to have a radical impact on carbon stocks; the cultural and historical practices of each farm better explain the results. This physicochemical approach primarily aimed at identifying the regions studied the soil types in their compositions that have higher levels of organic matter and nutrients where carbon storage is more assured. The results that were obtained in this research, lead us to propose a new model of studies to put into practice new ideas about REDD, as well as the organization's data of carbon storage in these different areas studied, which can be applied in other regions and objective interpretations that will of course be obtained in this body of work

Enligt både nationella och internationella undersökningar faller Sverige efter i resultaten de senaste åren. I den senaste undersökningen, PISA 2009, var Sveriges utveckling tredje sämst i undersökningen. Just PISA-undersökningen är till stora delar baserad på problemlösning och förståelse, med utgångspunkt av detta har jag lagt fokus på att utveckla inkludering och förståelse i matematikundervisningen.För att förbereda mig inför arbetet har jag gjort en litteraturgenomgång där jag gått igenom forskning inom matematik men även inkludering, kommunikation. Jag har även tagit del av flera rapporter från skolverket. Jag märkte dock tidigt att forskningen inom just öppna frågor är näst intill obetydlig. Med detta i åtanke gjorde jag även två stycken intervjuer med pedagoger som arbetar mycket med öppna frågor, här fick jag en bra insikt i tankarna omkring, metodiken samt deras resultat.Som en del av detta utvecklingsarbete har jag gett förslag på hur man kan arbeta med öppna frågor men har även gett mig in på att försöka definiera vad de är för något. Framförallt hur de kan hjälpa till för att inkludera samtliga elever i undervisningen. Jag tar även upp problem med läroböckerna inom matematiken och hur de hämmar kommunikationen och inkluderingen av elever i dagens undervisning.

<p>Reaction kinetics of copper sulphide matte (Cu₂S) with an oxidizing slag was investigated. Silica-saturated fayalite (2FeO.SiO₂) slag was synthesized by melting powder mixtures of iron, silica and hematite with respective ratios of 1:2:3.6 at high temperatures. Experiments were performed in an inert atmosphere using a high-temperature furnace equipped with X-ray fluoroscopy and pressure transducer. The effect of temperature (1400 – 1475 °C) and matte droplet size (0.5 – 2 g) on desulphurization rate was evaluated. Chemical titration was performed on quenched slag samples synthesized at different temperatures in order to determine the amounts of Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in the slags. Slag/matte samples quenched from high temperatures were extensively analyzed by means of optical microscope as well as scanning electron microscope (SEM), the latter equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS). EDS analysis of the quenched samples showed that some areas of pure Cu were formed inside the matte droplets. It indicated that desulphurization reaction indeed has taken place and copper was formed as the product. In addition, EDS showed that some Fe-rich areas were formed inside the matte droplets. Gas halo formation around the droplets was confirmed by X-ray fluoroscopy observations. Additionally, it was seen that dome-like bubbles formed during high-temperature experiments on top of the matte droplets with mass equal to 0.75-gram or larger. In contrast to Fe-C metal droplets in contact with oxidizing slags, no droplet swelling was detected in this study. Reaction kinetics investigations showed that initial desulphurization rate increased with increasing temperature and matte droplet size. In fact, it was shown that rate increased linearly with matte droplet surface area. Finally, mass transfer in the slag phase and mass transfer in the gas halo formed around the droplet were found to be the rate-controlling mechanisms prior to and after gas halo formation, respectively.</p> / Master of Applied Science (MASc)

Made available in DSpace on 2016-02-26T14:52:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 EvaMariaLFerreira.pdf: 639213 bytes, checksum: db53faa365c33c72e95204564fce6b9d (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-10-30 / The dissertation in hand addresses the participation of the Kaiowá and Guarani Indians as tea gathers in the Matte Laranjeira Company in former Mato Grosso. The aim has been to investigate how the participation of this population came about in the various stages of tea gathering. For this the study sought to determine the presence of the indigenous population in the diverse work fronts which were established in the region during the process of territorial occupation of the south of Mato Grosso. The study is supported by bibliographical research, including the most relevant works on the theme. It also includes consultation of the microfilmed documentation of the Indian Protection Service (IPS) which refers to the Indigenous Posts in the south of Mato Grosso and also a significatant number of reports given by indigenous and non-indigenous people who lived through or had family members involved in the tea gathering work. These reports speak basically of the life of the Kaiowá and Guarani during the period handled by the study. On investigating the daily routine in the tea growing area it was possible to verify that the indigenous people were a part of the tea gathering undertaking with their specialized labour together with Paraguayans, Argentinians and others. It was verified that this participation did not affect in the same way all the Indian villages. There was also established at the same time a relationship of exploitation and exchange as there were many products that were of direct interest to the Indians. At another time the actual Indian Protection Service took over the management of the work done by the Indians for tea contractors and local farmers. It was also confirmed that the indigenous participation in these events was concealed by the historiographic production on this period . / A presente dissertação trata da participação dos índios Kaiowá e Guarani como trabalhadores nos ervais da Companhia Matte Larangeira, no antigo sul de Mato Grosso. O objetivo é investigar como se deu a participação dessa população nas diversas etapas que o trabalho ervateiro exigia. Para isto, o estudo buscou, no processo de ocupação territorial no sul de Mato Grosso, a presença indígena nas diversas frentes de trabalho que se estabeleciam na região. O trabalho está apoiado em pesquisa bibliográfica, incluindo os trabalhos mais relevantes sobre o tema. Inclui, ainda, a consulta à documentação do SPI, referente aos Postos Indígenas do Sul de Mato Grosso e, também, a um número significativo de relatos feitos por indígenas e não-indígenas, que vivenciaram ou tiveram familiares envolvidos no trabalho com a erva mate. Esses relatos versam, fundamentalmente, sobre a vida dos Kaiowá e Guarani, no período abrangido pelo estudo. Pesquisando o cotidiano nos ervais foi possível constatar que os indígenas fizeram parte do empreendimento ervateiro, com a sua especializada mão-de-obra, juntamente com paraguaios, argentinos e outros.Constatou-se que essa participação não atingiu da mesma forma todas as aldeias indígenas. Estabeleceu-se uma relação ao mesmo tempo de exploração e de troca, pois havia muitos produtos que interessavam diretamente aos índios. Em outro momento, o próprio o SPI passou a agenciar o trabalho dos índios para empreiteiros da erva e fazendeiros locais. O estudo identifica, ainda, que a participação indígena nesses eventos foi desapercebida pela produção historiográfica sobre esse período

Thesis (MScEng (Process Engineering))--Stellenbosch University, 2008. / The furnace at Polokwane is designed to treat high chromium containing concentrates which requires higher smelting temperatures to prevent or limit the undesirable precipitation of chromium spinels. The furnace has therefore been designed to allow for deep electrode immersion with copper coolers around the furnace to permit the operation with the resulting higher heat fluxes. Deep electrode immersion has been noted to result in dangerously high matte temperatures. Matte temperatures however can be influenced by a number of furnace factors which emphasize the need to understand the energy distribution inside the furnace. Computational fluid dynamics (CFD) has therefore been identified to analyze the flow and heat profiles inside the furnace. The commercial CFD software code Fluent is used for the simulations. Attention has been given only to a slice of the six-in-line submerged arc furnace containing two electrodes or one pair while focusing on the current density profiles, slag and matte flow profiles and temperature distribution throughout the bath to ensure the model reflects reality. Boundary conditions were chosen and calculated from actual plant data and material specifications were derived from previous studies on slag and matte. Three dimensional results for the current, voltage and energy distributions have been developed. These results compare very well with the profiles developed by Sheng, Irons and Tisdale in their CFD modelling of a six-in-line furnace. It was found the current flow mainly takes place through the matte, even with an electrode depth of only 20% immersion in the slag, but the voltage drop and energy distribution still only take place in the slag. Temperature profiles through-out the entire modelling domain were established. The vertical temperature profile similar to Sheng et al. 1998b was obtained which shows a specifically good comparison to the measured temperature data from the Falconbridge operated six-in-line furnace. The temperature in the matte and the slag was found to be uniform, especially in the vertical direction. It has been found that similar results with Sheng et al. (1998b) are obtained for the slag and matte velocity vectors. Different results are, however, obtained with different boundary conditions for the slag/matte interface and matte region; these results are still under investigation to obtain an explanation for this behaviour. The impact of the bubble formation on the slag flow was investigated and found to be a significant contributor to the flow. With the bubble formation, it is shown that possible ‘dead zones’ in the flow with a distinctive V-shape can develop at the sidewalls of the furnace with the V pointing towards the centre of the electrode. This behaviour can have a significant impact on the point of feed to the furnace and indirectly affect the feed rate as well as the settling of the slag and matte. These results are not validated though. Different electrode immersions were modelled with a constant electrical current input to the different models and it was found that the electrode immersion depth greatly affects the stirring of the slag in the immediate vicinity of the electrode, but temperature (which determines the natural buoyancy) has a bigger influence on the stirring of the slag towards the middle and sidewall of the slag bath. The sensitivity of the model to a different electrode tip shape with current flow concentrated at the tip of the electrode was also modelled and it was found that the electrode shape and electrical current boundary conditions are very important factors which greatly affect the voltage, current density and temperature profiles through the matte and the slag. A detailed investigation to determine the electrode tip shape at different immersions, as well as the boundary conditions of the current density on the tip of the electrode is necessary as it was proven that the model is quite sensitive to these conditions. Several recommendations arose from this modelling work carried out in this investigation. Time constraints, however, did not allow for the additional work to be carried out and although valuable results were obtained, it is deemed to be a necessity if a more in-depth understanding of furnace behaviour is to be obtained. Future work will include the validation of the results, understanding the liquid matte model, investigating the MHD effects and modelling different furnace operating conditions.

Thesis (MEng) -- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: In this study, SiC reduction of Rowland and Easterns LG (Low Grade) concentrates was investigated. The purpose of the study was to investigate the feasibility of SiC as reductant with respect to metal fall, PGM grade in the alloy, slag composition, Cr solubility and overall PGM recovery. The integration of such process in the current matte-based collection process was also investigated. Currently, the matted-based collection process is most widely used for PGM recovery, but because PGM containing concentrates are becoming more enriched with UG2 (Upper Group 2) LG concentrates, it is expected to be integrated or replaced with an alloy collection process. This kind of process offers greater flexibility to the different types of ore that could be used. The process is chromium tolerant and environmentally friendly. For this purpose Rowland and Easterns UG2 LG Concentrate samples from Lonmin Western Platinum Limited were analysed with XRD, XRF and ICP-MS and it was found that SiO2 and MgO are the most abundant oxides and Pd is the most abundant element from the PGMs. Sulphide bearing minerals such as chalcopyrite were detected in low concentrations (below 1 %) and Cr2O3 concentrations are between 2 – 4 %. The FeO/SiO2 ratio was lower in Rowland LG concentrate. SiC reduction of Rowland and Easterns concentrate was done at 1600℃. Reductant to concentrate ratios for laboratory scale experiments were ranged from 2.5 to 3.5 kg SiC / 100 kg concentrate. SiC reduction of Rowland concentrate had different reduction times. The duration of reduction experiments ranged from 30 - 180 min. PGM recoveries from SiC reduction of Rowland concentrate were very poor (below 10 %) and Fe recoveries were lower than 50 %. A slag viscosity at the end of the melt of more than 4 poise was responsible for poor phase separation. SEM images revealed metal prills entrained in the slag phase instead of settling and combining to the alloy globule at the bottom of the crucible. However, PGM recoveries from SiC reduction of Easterns concentrate was significantly better. More than 85 % of Ir and Pd and almost 60 % of Pt were recovered in a test with a reductant to concentrate ratio of 3.5 kg SiC / 100 kg Easterns concentrate. Fe recovery was also the highest at 66%. Cr and Si concentrations were below 5 % in total. The slag viscosity at the end of melt was calculated to be less than 4 poise and a SEM image of a slag sample revealed few entrained metal prills. After the above findings on the importance of viscosity, it was decided to increase the FeO content in the initial concentrate charge in order to decrease slag viscosity, increase metal fall (PGM collecting phase) and further increase PGM recovery. Peirce-Smith converter slag was used for this purpose. A test was conducted with the addition of 10 kg converter slag / 100 kg Easterns concentrate. The reductant to concentrate ratio was kept at 3.5 kg SiC / 100 kg Easterns concentrate. The results revealed that Ir and Pd recoveries were more than 95%, while Pt recovery was almost 70%. Fe recovery increased to 76 %. On the basis of the results from the test, an optimum feed ratio between Easterns LG concentrate, Rowland concentrate and Peirce-Smith converter slag was calculated. Thermodynamic phase equilibrium calculations predicted that the concentrate charge should consist of 60 - 80% Easterns concentrate with a slag addition of 30 – 40 kg converter slag / 100 kg LG concentrate. SiC reduction of this optimum LG concentrate charge is expected to recover more than 90% of all PGMs. Cr and Si concentrations in the alloy will be below 1 % in total. The amount of converter slag as an addition will be however limited by final PGM grade in the alloy, furnace slag quantities recycled and slag resistivity required in the alloy furnace. The effectiveness of SiC as reductant was also compared to C reduction. C reduction of an optimum concentrate charge had a marginally higher metal fall at the same reductant to concentrate ratio than SiC reduction of an optimum concentrate charge. However, gas emissions are on average 3 times higher for C reduction of a concentrate charge and C reduction requires at least 300 MJ more to smelt 1 ton of LG concentrate than SiC reduction. This is mostly due to C reacting endothermically with FeO to produce Fe(l) and CO(g) in contrast to SiC reacting exothermically with FeO to produce Fe(l), SiO2(l) and CO(g). Integrating SiC reduction of LG concentrates into the existing smelting route at Lonmin was also proposed through a process flow diagram. From an economic point of view, it was found that SiC reduction of 1 ton of LG concentrate charge with a converter slag addition requires almost 700 MJ more than the smelting of a UG2 blended concentrate to produce a matte phase. However it must be taken into account that the sulphide rich layers in the Bushveld complex are being depleted rapidly and alternative processes such as SiC reduction and alloy collection process will be utilized faster than expected. Moreover, gas emissions from reductive smelting is considerably lower, hence it is a more environmentally friendly process. Finally, from the findings of this study, it could be said that base metals and PGMs could be recovered in an iron alloy from SiC reduction of LG concentrate with converter slag additions. Therefore integrating such a process into the matte-based collection process could be considered as a future alternative to smelting UG2 LG concentrates. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: In hierdie studie, word SiC reduksie met Rowland en Oostelikes LG (Lae Graad) konsentrate ondersoek. Die doel van die studie was om die doeltreffendheid van SiC as reduktant te ondersoek met betrekking tot metaalval, PGM graad in die allooi, slaksamestelling (spesifiek word daar gekyk na Cr oplosbaarheid) en algehele PGM herwinning. Die integrasie van die proses in die huidige mat-gebaseerde versamelingproses word ook ondersoek. Tans word die mat-gebaseerde versamelingproses die algemeenste gebruik om PGM'e te kollekteer, maar omdat PGM konsentrate al hoe meer verryk word met UG2 (Upper Group 2) LG konsentrate, word daar verwag dat dit geïntegreer of vervang gaan word met 'n allooi-versamelingproses. Hierdie tipe proses bied groter buigsaamheid om die verskillende reekse van erts wat gebruik kan word. Die proses kan ook chroom hanteer en is omgewingsvriendelik. Vir hierdie doel was Rowland en Oostelikes UG2 LG konsentraatmonsters van Lonmin Western Platinum Limited ontleed met XRD, XRF en ICP -MS en met die ontleding was daar gevind dat SiO2 en MgO die volopste oksides was en dat Pd die volopste elemente van die PGMe was. Sulfiedminerale soos chalkopiriet is in lae konsentrasies opgespoor (minder as 1%) en Cr2O3 konsentrasies is tussen 2-4 %. Die FeO/SiO2 verhouding was laer in Rowland konsentraat. SiC reduksie van Rowland en Oostelikes konsentrate is teen 1600 ℃ uitgevoer. Die reduktant tot konsentraat verhouding vir laboratoriumskaal eksperimente het gewissel van 2.5 – 3.5 kg SiC / 100 kg konsentraat. SiC reduksie van Rowland LG konsentraat het verskillende reduksie tye gehad. Die duur van die reduksie eksperimente het gewissel van 30-180 min. PGM herwinning van SiC reduksie met Rowland konsentreer was baie laag (onder 10 %) en Fe herwinning was minder as 50%. 'n Slakviskositeit aan die einde van die smelt was hoër as 4 poise en was verantwoordelik vir die swak skeiding van fases. SEM beelde het gewys dat fyn metaalstukkies opgehou was in die slakfase in plaas daarvan dat dit vestig en kombineer met die allooibolletjie aan die onderkant van die smeltkroes. In teenstelling was die PGM herwinning van SiC reduksie met Oostelikes konsentraat aansienlik beter. Meer as 85 % van Ir en Pd was herwin en byna 60% van Pt was herwin tydens 'n toets met 'n reduktant tot konsentraat verhouding van 3.5 kg SiC / 100 kg Oostelikes konsentraat. Fe herwinning was 66% en was ook die hoogste van al die eksperimente. Cr en Si konsentrasies was minder as 5 % in totaal. Die slakviskositeit aan die einde van smelt was bereken en is minder as 4 posie. 'n SEM beeld van 'n slakmonster het baie min vasgevangde metaalstukkies getoon. Na afloop van die bogenoemde bevindinge oor die belangrikheid van viskositeit, was daar besluit om die FeO inhoud van die aanvanklike konsentraat te verhoog. Dit was gedoen om die slakviskositeit te verminder, die metaalval (PGM kollektering fase) te verhoog en sodoende die PGM herwinning verder te verbeter. Vir die doel was Peirce -Smith omskakelaarslak gebruik. ʼn Toets was uitgevoer met die toevoeging van 10 kg omskakelaarslak / 100 kg Oostelikes konsentraat. Die reduktant tot konsentraat verhouding was behou by 3.5 kg SiC / 100 kg Oostelikes konsentraat. Die resultate het getoon dat meer as 95 % van Ir en Pd herwin was, terwyl byna 70 % Pt herwin was. Die Fe herwinning het toegeneem tot 76%. Op grond van die resultate van die toets, is 'n optimale verhouding tussen Oostelikes konsentraat, Rowland konsentraat en Peirce -Smith omskakelaarslak bereken. Termodinamiese modellering voorspel dat die begin LG konsentraat voer uit 60 – 80 % Oostelikes konsentraat moet bestaan, met 'n slak toevoeging van 30 – 40 kg omskakelaarslak / 100 kg LG konsentraat. Daar word verwag dat meer as 90 % van PGM'e herwin sal word vanaf SiC reduksie met ʼn optimum LG konsentraat voer. Cr en Si konsentrasies in die allooi sal minder as 1% in totaal wees. Die hoeveelheid slak wat bygevoeg kan word sal egter beperk word deur die finale PGM graad in die allooi, oond-slak hoeveelhede wat herwin kan word en slakweerstand wat benodig word in die allooi-oond. Die effektiwiteit van SiC as reduktant is ook vergelyk met C reduksie. C reduksie van ʼn optimale konsentraatvoer het 'n effens hoër metaalval wanneer dieselde reduktant tot konsentraat verhouding behou was vir SiC reduksie van 'n optimale konsentraatvoer. Gas hoeveelhede van C reduksie is gemiddeld 3 keer meer en vereis te minste 300 MJ meer om 1 ton LG konsentraat te smelt. Dit is hoofsaaklik te wydte aan C wat endotermies reageer met FeO om Fe (l) en CO (g) te produseer, in teenstelling met SiC wat eksotermies reageer met FeO om Fe (l), SiO2(l) en CO (g) te produseer. Integrasie van SiC reduksie met LG konsentrate in die bestaande smeltroete by Lonmin Western Platinum Limited is ook voorgestel deur 'n proses vloeidiagram. Uit 'n ekonomiese oogpunt, is daar gevind dat SiC reduksie van 1 ton LG konsentraatvoer met 'n omskakelaarslak byvoeging ongeveer 700 MJ meer benodig as om 1 ton UG2 gemengde konsentraat te smelt en 'n mat-fase te produseer. Dit moet wel in ag geneem word dat die sulfied ryk lae in die Bosveld-kompleks vinnig uitgeput word en dat hierdie alternatiewe prosesse soos SiC reduksie en ʼn allooiversameling proses vinniger as verwagtend benut sal word. Verder, gas hoeveelhede van SiC reduksie is laer en daarom is dit 'n meer omgewingsvriendelik proses. Ten slotte, vanaf die bevindinge van hierdie studie, kan dit gesê word dat basismetale en PGM'e in 'n ysterallooi herwin kan word deur middel van SiC reduksie met LG konsentrate en die toevoeging van omskakelaarslak. Daarom kan die integrasie van so 'n proses in die huidige mat-gebaseerde versameling proses beskou word as 'n alternatief vir die toekoms om UG2 LG konsentrate te smelt.

Thesis (PhD) -- Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The process route for the production of base and platinum-group metals from natural sulfide ores commonly requires the conversion of high-iron furnace matte into an iron-lean converter matte. This is followed by pre-treatment through cooling of the iron-lean molten matte, physical processing of the solidified matte and hydrometallurgical metal extraction. Lonmin is the third largest producer of platinum-group metals in the world and utilizes Peirce-Smith converters for blowing high-iron furnace matte with air to a final iron concentration or endpoint. The molten matte is water granulated and solidification occurs via fast-cooling. The solidified matte is ground in a closed circuit ball mill with hydrocyclone classification and subjected to first stage atmospheric leaching. The specification of an ideal or desirable converter iron endpoint requires careful consideration. Most importantly, it must ensure the crystallization of converter matte with mineralogical qualities that are within the setpoints of the downstream unit processes and techniques. An additional consideration is for the final blown converter matte to achieve an optimum bulk concentration of the base metals Ni and Cu and platinum-group metals Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru and Ir. Mattes characteristic of variable iron endpoints were regularly produced at the Lonmin converter plant section. Uncertainty by plant metallurgists in knowing the desirable iron endpoint, particularly within the context of the Lonmin base metal refinery, and poor control has had detrimental effects on the mineralogical quality of the final matte and hence on the processing characteristics of the solidified matte particles downstream. A desirable iron endpoint required investigation, selection and implementation at Lonmin. The primary focus of this study was therefore to quantify the effect of a specific iron endpoint on the mineralogy and mineral chemistry of solidified converter matte. A fundamental examination of the solidification process upon cooling was regarded as critical to an in-depth understanding of the attained mineralogy and mineral chemistry as a function of a specific iron endpoint. It became equally important to quantify the effect of the resultant mineralogy, and hence iron endpoint, on the physical property of mineral structures in relation to downstream grinding, liberation and leaching characteristics. Despite considerable industry context, limited in-depth and coherent studies on the effect of a specific iron endpoint on fast-cooled converter matte systems were found in both industrial and scholarly literature. Previous findings in literature offered a limited quantitative understanding of the effect on mineralogy and mineral chemistry. Phase and cooling equilibria of multi-component, iron endpoint specific Ni-Cu-S matte systems were also not fully available. These would have been particularly useful in understanding the complexities of converter matte solidification as a function of iron endpoint. Physical property knowledge of converter matte mineral structures was hardly available and even less so in relation to grinding, liberation and leaching processes. A comprehensive investigation was therefore required to address these extensive knowledge gaps with respect to fastcooled converter matte systems in an industrial framework. Three Peirce-Smith converter production samples, representative of the extent in variability of iron endpoints attained at the converter plant, were used in a systematic investigation coupled to a novel combination of modern analytical techniques, computational thermochemistry and metallurgical testwork. The modern analytical techniques included the application of high resolution transmission electron microscopy and focused ion beam scanning electron microscopy tomography. Computational thermochemistry was applied through the use of MTDATA phase diagram software. Metallurgical testwork involved laboratory batch grinding at various specific energies. Closely associated leach experiments were also considered relevant to this wide-ranging investigation. The Peirce-Smith converter samples investigated were indicative of mattes that attained specific endpoints of 5.17%, 0.99% and 0.15 weight% Fe. The highest combined bulk concentration of the important base and platinum-group metals was achieved in the matte which attained a specific iron endpoint of 0.99%. The mineralogy of all three converter mattes was dominated by nickel sulfide mineral structures matched to the natural mineral of heazlewoodite. Mineral structures of copper sulfide, NiCu-alloy, spinel and OsRu-alloy were also constituents of the different converter mattes. The attainment of a specific iron endpoint was found to result in measurable mineralogical differences with respect to relative mineral abundances, external morphological characteristics and mineral chemistry. The mineralogical differences were particularly distinct between mineral structures of the high (5.17%) and low (0.99% and 0.15%) iron mattes. Subtle mineralogical differences were evident between mineral structures of the low iron mattes. The 0.99% Fe matte was characteristic of a significantly higher NiCu-alloy relative abundance, compared to the 5.17% Fe matte. The NiCu-alloy structures were found to act as the primary collectors of the economically significant platinum-group metals. Mineralogical observations were used to develop an understanding of the underlying mineralization mechanism of NiCu-alloy structures. High-fidelity color and grayscale 3D reconstructions were produced of the resultant mineralized structures. It was shown theoretically that variations in iron endpoint specific starting compositions of oxygen-free liquid matte systems alter the solidification pathway towards the eutectic. Moreover, a quantitative understanding of liquid phase solidification of the high and low iron matte systems, including oxygen, was developed to within ±2.5 oC. Most of the specific energy available for grinding was expended breaking the nickel sulfide matrix, particularly of the high iron matte. The breakage rates of copper sulfide mineral structures in the 5.17% Fe matte were calculated to be higher than in the 0.15% Fe matte at 25kWh/t specific energy. The degree of copper sulfide liberation was shown to be higher for the 5.17% Fe matte than for the 0.15% Fe matte at the same specific energy of grinding. A higher degree of Ni extraction and Cu cementation could be achieved when leaching low iron matte particles. The production of converter matte attaining a specific iron endpoint of 0.99% was found to be the most suitable with respect to endpoint selection criteria. A practical iron endpoint range of 1.6% to 1.0% was recommended for the production of converter matte with a resultant mineralogical quality within the constraints of the Lonmin base metal refinery. This study offers an integrated understanding of base and platinum-group metals production as a function of a desirable iron endpoint at Lonmin. This was not previously available in metal production literature. New technology for the monitoring and consistent control of such a practical iron endpoint range can subsequently be implemented. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die prosesroete vir die produksie van onedel en platinumgroepmetale uit natuurlike swawelertse vereis gewoonlik die omsetting van ’n ysterryke hoogoondmat in ’n ysterarm omsettermat. Hierna volg voorbehandeling deur die afkoeling van die ysterarm gesmelte mat, fisiese verwerking van die soliede mat, en hidrometallurgiese metaalekstraksie. Lonmin is die derde grootste produsent van platinumgroepmetale ter wêreld en gebruik Peirce-Smith-omsetters om ysterryke hoogoondmat met lug te blaas totdat dit ’n finale ysterkonsentrasie- of ystereindpunt bereik. Die gesmelte mat word met water granuleer, en solidifikasie vind deur middel van snelafkoeling plaas. Die soliede mat word in ’n geslotekringbalmeul met hidrosikloonklassifikasie gemaal en aan eerstestadium- atmosferiese loging onderwerp. Die spesifikasie van ’n ideale of gewenste ystereindpunt verg deeglike oorweging. Bowenal moet dit verseker dat die omsettermat kristalliseer met mineralogiese eienskappe wat binne die setpunte van die eenheidsprosesse en - tegnieke verder af in die prosesstroom val. ’n Bykomende oorweging is dat die uiteindelike geblaasde omsettermat ’n optimale massakonsentrasie van die onedel metale Ni en Cu en die platinumgroepmetale Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru en Ir moet bevat. Matte met die kenmerke van wisselende ystereindpunte is gereeld by die Lonminomsetteraanleg geproduseer. Die onsekerheid van metallurge by die aanleg oor die gewenste ystereindpunt – veral binne die konteks van die Lonmin-raffinadery vir onedel metale – sowel as swak beheer het ’n nadelige uitwerking gehad op die mineralogiese gehalte van die uiteindelike mat, en dus ook op die verwerkingskenmerke van die soliede matdeeltjies verder af in die prosesstroom. Die bepaling van die gewenste ystereindpunt het sorgvuldige ondersoek, seleksie en toepassing deur Lonmin vereis. Hierdie studie is dus hoofsaaklik uitgevoer om die uitwerking van ’n spesifieke ystereindpunt op die mineralogie en minerale chemie van soliede omsettermat te kwantifiseer. ’n Grondliggende ondersoek na die solidifikasieproses by afkoeling is as noodsaaklik beskou vir ’n diepgaande begrip van die verworwe mineralogie en minerale chemie as ’n funksie van ’n spesifieke ystereindpunt. Mettertyd het dit egter ewe belangrik geword om die uitwerking van die gevolglike mineralogie, en dus die ystereindpunt, op die fisiese eienskappe van minerale strukture met betrekking tot maling-, vrystellings- en loogprosesse verder af in die prosesstroom te kwantifiseer. Ondanks heelwat bedryfskonteks, het nóg bedryfs- nóg vakkundige literatuur veel diepte- en samehangende studies oor die uitwerking van ’n spesifieke ystereindpunt op snelafgekoelde omsettermatstelsels opgelewer. Vorige bevindinge in die literatuur het boonop ’n beperkte kwantitatiewe begrip van die uitwerking op mineralogie en minerale chemie getoon. Die fase- en afkoelingsekwilibriums van ystereindpuntspesifieke Ni-Cu-S-matstelsels met veelvuldige komponente was ook nie ten volle beskikbaar nie. Dít sou veral goed te pas gekom het om die kompleksiteite van omsettermatsolidifikasie as ’n funksie van ystereindpunt te verstaan. Kennis van die fisiese eienskappe van die minerale strukture van omsettermat was kwalik beskikbaar, terwyl selfs minder inligting oor maling-, vrystellings- en loogprosesse opgespoor kon word. Daarom was ’n omvattende ondersoek nodig om hierdie beduidende kennisleemtes met betrekking tot snelafgekoelde omsettermatstelsels in ’n nywerheidsraamwerk aan te vul. Drie Peirce-Smith-omsetterproduksiemonsters wat die wisselende bestek van ystereindpunte by die omsetteraanleg verteenwoordig, is in ’n stelselmatige ondersoek gebruik, tesame met ’n vernuwende kombinasie van moderne ontledingstegnieke, gerekenariseerde termochemiese bewerkings en metallurgiese toetswerk. Die moderne ontledingstegnieke sluit onder andere in hoëresolusie-transmissie-elektronmikroskopie (HRTEM) en gefokusdeioonstraalskandering-elektron-mikroskopie (FIB SEM) tomografie. Die gerekenariseerde termochemiese bewerkings is met behulp van MTDATAfasediagramsagteware uitgevoer. Metallurgiese toetswerk het die maling van laboratoriumlotte teen verskillende spesifieke energieë behels. Nou verwante loogproefnemings is ook as relevant vir hierdie omvattende studie beskou. Die bestudeerde Peirce-Smith-omsettermonsters het op matte met spesifieke eindpunte van 5.17%, 0.99% en 0.15 gewig% Fe gedui. Die hoogste gekombineerde massakonsentrasie van die belangrike onedel en platinumgroepmetale is in die mat met ’n spesifieke ystereindpunt van 0.99% gevind. Die mineralogie van ál drie omsettermatte is oorheers deur die minerale strukture van nikkelsulfied, wat met die natuurlike mineraal heazlewoodiet ooreenstem. Die verskillende omsettermatte het ook die minerale strukture van kopersulfied, NiCu-allooi, spinel en OsRu-allooi bevat. Daar is bevind dat die verkryging van ’n spesifieke ystereindpunt tot meetbare mineralogiese verskille in die relatiewe volopheid van minerale, die eksterne morfologiese kenmerke sowel as minerale chemie lei. Die mineralogiese verskille was veral duidelik te sien tussen die minerale strukture van die ysterryke (5.17% Fe) en ysterarm (0.99% en 0.15% Fe) matte. Fyn mineralogiese verskille is ook tussen die minerale strukture van die ysterarm matte bespeur. Die 0.99% Fe-mat het tipies beduidend meer NiCu-allooi as die 5.17% Fe-mat bevat. Die NiCu-allooistrukture tree oënskynlik op as die hoofversamelaars van die ekonomies belangrike platinumgroepmetale. Mineralogiese waarnemings is gebruik om ’n begrip te ontwikkel van die onderliggende mineralisasiemeganisme van NiCuallooistrukture. Die gevolglike gemineraliseerde strukture is met behulp van driedimensionele rekonstruksies met hoë kleurgetrouheid sowel as in grysskaal voorgestel. Daar is teoreties aangetoon dat variasies in ystereindpuntspesifieke beginsamestellings van suurstofvrye vloeibare matstelsels die solidifikasieroete na die eutetikum wysig. Daarbenewens is die vloeifasesolidifikasie van die ysterryke en ysterarm matstelsels, wat suurstof insluit, op sowat ±2.5 oC gekwantifiseer. Die meeste van die spesifieke energie wat vir maling beskikbaar was, is gebruik om die nikkelsulfiedmatriks te breek, veral vir die ysterryke mat. Berekeninge toon dat die breektempo’s van die minerale strukture van kopersulfied by die 5.17% Fe-mat hoër was as by die 0.15% Fe-mat teen ’n spesifieke energie van 25 kWh/t. Die mate van kopersulfiedvrystelling was hoër by die 5.17% Fe-mat as by die 0.15% Fe-mat by dieselfde spesifieke energie vir maling. ’n Hoër mate van Ni-ekstraksie en Cu-sementasie is verkry toe ysterarm matdeeltjies geloog is. Wat eindpuntseleksiemaatstawwe betref, is die produksie van ’n omsettermat met ’n spesifieke ystereindpunt van 0,99% as die mees geskikte aangewys. ’n Praktiese ystereindpuntbestek van 1.6% tot 1.0% word aanbeveel vir die produksie van ’n omsettermat met ’n gevolglike mineralogiese gehalte wat binne die perke van die Lonmin-raffinadery vir onedel metale val. Hierdie studie bied ’n geïntegreerde begrip van die produksie van onedel en platinumgroepmetale as ’n funksie van ’n gewenste ystereindpunt by Lonmin. Hierdie inligting was nie voorheen in literatuur oor metaalproduksie beskikbaar nie. Nuwe tegnologie vir die monitering en konsekwente beheer van so ’n praktiese ystereindpuntbestek kan dus op grond hiervan in werking gestel word.

Copper losses to slag are generally between 0.7-2.3% during the copper matte smelting stage. In this study, the aim was to reduce these losses in the slag phase. For this purpose, usage of some additives (especially calcined colemanite labeled as CC, boric oxide-B2O3 and calcium oxide-CaO as well) as flux material was investigated. The flash furnace matte-slag (FFM-FFS) obtained from Eti Copper Inc. and a master matte-slag (MM-MS) produced synthetically were used as starting materials. Additives were tested in various amounts under two different atmospheres (N2 and low Po2 obtained by mixture of CO2/CO gases). Temperature and duration were also used as experimental variables. Experimental results have indicated that 2 hours was sufficient to obtain a low copper content in slag about 0.3% and 0.4% for FFS and MS, respectively. It was also seen that the copper content in slag decreased with increasing CC addition at all oxygen partial pressures and at all temperatures. Furthermore, the addition of all additives up to 4% had great influence in lowering the copper content in the final slags (~0.3%Cu). From FactSage calculations, it could be concluded that the colemanite addition decreased the liquidus temperature which led to early melting of slag and allowed enough duration for settling of matte particles within the slag without substantial changing its viscosity, which resulted in less mechanical copper losses to the slag. By using colemanite in copper production, it was possible that a new application area for boron compounds which are produced in Turkey could be created.

This diploma thesis deals with matte coatings for optical 3D scanning. The aim of this thesis is to find a method of spraying the mixture of TiO2 and ethanol that would provide layer thickness beyond the measurable range of the 3D scanner. A spray gun allowing deposition of atomized mixture was design. The coatings created by this gun and by airbrush gun, which is commonly used for this purpose, were compared. The matting effect, thickness and the influence of used TiO2 particles were investigated in the coatings. The paper shows method of applying coatings that ensure sufficient matting of the surface for scanning purposes, and simultaneously have thicknesses that should not affect scanning results.