Mémoire numérisé par la Division de la gestion de documents et des archives de l'Université de Montréal

The South Manasan ultramafic intrusion (ca. 1880 Ma) located in the Early Proterozoic Thompson Nickel Belt (TNB) contains Ni and platinum group element (PGE) mineralization hosted by disseminated sulfide. Whole-rock Ni values range from 0.3 to 1.7 wt. % and total precious metals (TPMs) range from 0 to 1.3 ppm Pt + Pd + Au and equate to tenor values (i.e., metal in 100% sulfide) of 11-39 wt. % Ni and 8-27 ppm TPMs. The South Manasan intrusion is a steeply dipping sill-like body with a boudinaged outline having a strike length of approximately 1200 m, average width of 125 m and a minimum depth extent of 1000 m. The intrusion is composed of approximately 25% fresh dunite, 50% serpentine altered dunite and 25% tectonized and carbonate altered dunite. The most intense alteration is found near the intrusion’s margin where it is in contact with metasedimentary rocks of the Pipe Formation, part of the surrounding Ospwagan Group. In fresh dunite the sulfide assemblage characterized by an intercumulate texture is dominated by pentlandite with accessory pyrite; the latter having a symplectic-like texture. The pentlandite-pyrite assemblage in the serpentinized dunite, although still characterized overall by an intercumlate-texture, has well developed platy intergrowths with chlorite and serpentine. In the most intensely modified unit (the carbonate altered dunite) the sulfide assemblage consists primarily of pyrrhotite and pentlandite. Whole-rock geochemical data (n=360), modal mineralogy and mineral chemistry obtained on representative drill core throughout the South Manasan intrusion have been used to establish a type section in order to evaluate the relative roles of primary magmatic versus secondary (i.e., serpentinization, carbonate alteration and deformation) processes. These data indicate that the primary silicate-sulfide assemblage was systematically modified during : serpentinization, carbonate alteration and deformation of the South Manasan intrusion such that a sequence of primary versus secondary events can be established. Intrusion of the original komatiitic magma and formation of the South Manasan intrusion took place at a shallow level into consolidated Ospwagan Group sediments with subsequent contamination of this melt with crustal S. This triggered sulfide saturation and generation of an immiscible sulfide melt. Calculated Ni and TPM tenor values constrain the R factor to between 500 and 2500. The early crystallization of olivine inhibited the sulfide melt from settling to the bottom of the magma column and as a consequence, the sulfides now have a primary interstitial magmatic texture. The current sulfide association dominated by pentlandite>>pyrite>chalcopyrite has a mineral paragenesis that is consistent with subsolidus re-equilibration of a primary pentlanditepyrrhotite- chalcopyrite assemblage. The subsequent processes of serpentinization, deformation and carbonate alteration resulted in modifying the primary sulfide assemblages and their textures (i.e., to platy habits), but did not greatly alter the bulk composition, in particular metal contents, except for addition of volatiles (H2O, CO2). It is concluded therefore that the enrichment of the sulfide assemblage at South Manasan in Ni and PGEs is a consequence of a primary magmatic process involving high R factor and that the effects of later overprinting processes (alteration, deformation) are not responsible for the presently observed high-tenor sulfide association.

The power requirement for the soldier's equipment is largely supplied by batteries. Situational awareness is critical for a soldier to perform his tasks. Therefore the radio used by the soldier is a key element in situational awareness and also consumes the most power. The South African National Defence Force (SANDF) uses the A43 tactical radio specifically designed for them. The radios are regarded as old technology but will be in use for about another five years. The radios still use non-rechargeable alkaline batteries which do not last very long and are not cost effective. The purpose of this study is to research the new generation secondary batteries as a possible replacement for the alkaline battery packs. The new generation batteries investigated in this study are the latest rechargeable batteries, also called secondary batteries. They include nickel cadmium, nickel metal hydride, lithium ion, rechargeable alkaline manganese and zinc air. The main features of rechargeable cells are covered and the cell characteristics are defined to allow the technology to be matched to the user requirement. Li-ion technology was found to be the best choice. This research also showed that international trends in battery usage are towards Li-ion. A new Li-ion battery was designed based on commercial cells. Tests showed that commercial Li-ion cells can be used in the radio and that they outperform the current battery by far. The study also examined the design of a New Generation Battery System consisting of an intelligent battery, a charger which uses a Systems Management Bus and a battery 'state of health" analyser to assist the user to maintain the batteries. Tests were done to demonstrate that the battery can withstand typical military environmental conditions. Expected military missions for a battery system were defined and used to compare the cost between the existing batteries and the new batteries system. Important usage factors which will influence the client when using a New Generation Battery System were addressed. To summarise, this study showed that by using a New Generation Battery System, the SANDF could relieve the operational cost of the A43 radio while saving on weight and enabling the soldier to carry out longer missions. / Thesis (M.Ing. (Electronical Engineering))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2008.

This thesis examines the bioleaching of six different Canadian nickel sulphide ores at pH levels above what is generally considered optimum (~ 2). The majority of work discussed in this thesis was conducted with a low-grade metamorphosed ultramafic nickel sulphide ore from Manitoba, Canada (Ore 3), which is not currently exploitable with conventional technologies. The ore contains 21% magnesium and 0.3% nickel. Nickel is the only significant metal value, and is present primarily as pentlandite. A substantial fraction of the magnesium is present as the serpentine mineral lizardite, making processing difficult with conventional pyro- and biohydrometallurgical techniques. The work with this ore has two equally important objectives: to minimize magnesium mobilization and to obtain an acceptable level of nickel extraction. Batch stirred-tank bioleaching experiments were conducted with finely ground ore ( 147 µm) with temperature and pH control. The first phase of experimentation examined the effect of pH (2 to 6) at 30 °C, and the second phase examined all combinations of three pH levels (3, 4 and 5) and five temperatures (5, 15, 22.5, 30, and 45 °C).

Face milling machinability investigation of two difficult-to-machine nickel-based superalloys, namely Inconel 718 and Waspaloy, has been carried out with four different types of tungsten carbide tools under various cutting conditions. The tools comprised of one double-layer CVD-TiCN+Al2O3 coated (KC994M), two PVD-TiN coated (KC720 and KC730) and one uncoated (KMF) tungsten carbide tools. The objectives of the study include investigation of tool performance, failure modes and wear mechanisms under the cutting conditions employed. In addition, surface integrity of the machined surfaces, with regard to surface finish, subsurface microhardness and metallographic examination of the subsurface microstructure, was investigated. CVD-coated KC994M gave the best overall performance in terms of tool life at low and high cutting conditions on both workpieces. The second best-performing tool was the uncoated KMF grade which gave as high tool lives as KC994M at lower cutting speeds. However at higher cutting speeds, KMF was generally outperformed by PVD-TiN coated tools. Short tool lives were obtained at higher cutting speeds of 75 and 100 m/min due to premature failure by chipping. Tool wear at low cutting speed range was due to a combination of progressive microchipping and plucking through a fracture/attrition related wear mechanism associated with cyclic workpiece adhesion and detachment and abrasion/diffusion-related flank wear. Plucking and microchipping were the dominant wear mechanisms. Coating layers on the rake face of both CVD and PVD coated tools were almost completely removed within the first few seconds of cutting at all cutting speeds tested, thus becoming ineffective. On the flank face, however, they remained intact for a longer period and hence increasing tools performance at the medium cutting speed range. Analysis of the subsurface microstructures and microhardness measurements showed that plastic deformation was the predominant effect induced onto the machined surface, the degree of which influenced by the cutting speed, tool wear and prolonged machining. In addition surface irregularities in the form of tearing and embedded hard particles were found to occur which was mainly associated with the chipping dominated wear mode.

Western Mining Corporation produces nickel matte at the Kalgoorlie Nickel Smelter(KNS)from nickel sulphide concentrates within an integrated flash smelter.

Diss. (sammanfattning) Linköping : Linköpings universitet, 2008. / Härtill 6 uppsatser.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Ohio State University, 2008. / Title from first page of PDF file. Includes bibliographical references (p. 160-164).

Thèse (D.R.M.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1997. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU

Thèse (D.R.M.)--Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, 1999. / Document électronique également accessible en format PDF. CaQCU