Thesis (PhD (Process Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2006. / In the smelting of copper waste slags to recover cobalt and copper, the prediction of the metal liquidus temperature and the associated superheat for liquid metal handling for subsequent treatments cannot be done with certainty, making the management of furnace integrity very difficult. By studying the phase equilibria and solution thermodynamics in liquid ferrocobalt new experimental data on the liquidus temperature and phase equilibria of the quaternary system can contribute to the improvement of existing copper slag smelting processes. This will alleviate the operational uncertainties and difficulties associated with ferrocobalt production in electric arc furnaces. There is no specific literature available that describes the physicochemical and thermochemical properties of the ferrocobalt produced from smelting of waste copper slags. Therefore, the quaternary system Fe-Co-Cu-Si has been characterised by studying and reviewing the binary and ternary subsystems with respect to the high temperature phase equilibria. The ferrocobalt metal has been modelled on the Fe-Co-Cu-Si quaternary system. The liquidus temperatures and phase equilibria in the Fe-Co-Cu-Si system, within the composition and temperature regimes pertinent to smelting of slag, were investigated by differential thermal analysis and metallography. Drop-quench techniques coupled with scanning electron microscopy were used to study the phase equilibria. The activity of silicon in liquid Fe-Co-Cu-Si at 1450 °C was calculated from gas-alloy-silica equilibrium experiments conducted in controlled oxygen partial pressure atmospheres at 10-13 P, 10P -14 P, and 10P -15 atmosphere (absolute) corresponding to the conditions found in the industrial application. The liquidus temperature of the quaternary Fe-Co-Cu-Si is influenced by the content of silicon in the system. When silicon is added to the Fe-Co-Cu ternary the liquidus temperature is lowered in the new system (Fe-Co-Cu-Si). In the range of silicon content studied (0 0.1) < XSi ≤ , the liquidus temperature decreased by over 70 °C. The liquidus temperature profiles of the subsystems of the quaternary Fe-Co-Cu-Si, show large composition dependence too, except in the Fe-Co system. In the ternary Fe-Co-Cu, the liquidus temperature decreases with increasing copper content and is characteristic of the profiles of the liquidus lines in the binary subsystems Fe-Cu and Co-Cu.In the dilute concentrations of silicon, it is shown that the phase equilibria in the quaternary system have attributes of the Fe-Si and Fe-Cu-Si systems. Silicon is associated more with the iron rich phase than it is with the copper rich phase. It stabilises the metastable liquid immiscibility when added to the Fe-Cu, Co-Cu, and Fe-Co-Cu in the corresponding ternary systems Fe-Cu-Si, Co-Cu-Si and quaternary Fe-Co-Cu-Si system. The activity of silicon in liquid Fe-Co-Cu-Si at 1450 °C, in the composition range 1 to 5 wt. %Si exhibits a negative deviation from ideal liquid solution behaviour. The activity coefficient approaches a constant value of 0.2×10P -3 P, with pure liquid silicon as reference state, as the silicon concentration approaches zero implying a Henrian solution behaviour. This information should be useful in the thermodynamic modelling of the system.

Thesis (MScEng.)--University of Stellenbosch, 2001. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Slag cleaning has become a common practice at many smelters in the nonferrous industry to maximize recovery of valuable metals. However, during the carbothermic reduction of nonferrous slag to recover cobalt, in particular, iron is recovered predominantly. High iron levels present a problem for the subsequent treatment of the alloy as it may increase the solids loading to the filter and lead to increased reagent consumption during leaching. Finding an appropriate slag modifier that would selectively improve the recovery of cobalt against that of iron to the metallic alloy can solve this problem. In the present study the effects of lime (CaO), rutile (Ti02), and fluorspar (CaF2) on the recovery of cobalt from waste nonferrous slag have been investigated under reducing conditions at 1500°C. The selective recovery of cobalt compared to the recovery of iron at different levels of flux additions is discussed in this study, to show the selectivity of these fluxes. It is also shown in the study that the recovery of cobalt does not only depend on the oxygen partial pressure and temperature but on the slag composition as well. The slags used in the experiments were a) synthetic slag prepared from chemically pure reagents and its composition was derived from that of the industrial nonferrous slag composition typical of reverbaratory furnace and b) actual slag obtained from an old slag dump situated on the Zambian Copperbelt region. The investigation has shown that Ti02 addition leads to the most selective cobalt recoveries in all cases. On the other hand, both CaO and CaF2 lead to higher overall cobalt recoveries. The effect of Ti02 on the slag chemistry leads to the formation of iron titanate compounds in the slag unlike CaO, which displaces "FeO" from the fayalitic slag and thus increases the activity of FeO in the molten slag, which in tum affects the iron recoveries to the alloy product. CaF2 on the other hand, affects the fluidity of the slag leading to improved recoveries by improved settling of metals through the slag to the alloy product. A 44V/I100A DC-plasma arc furnace was used to reduce slag to recover cobalt at about 13.5kV A power input. The major part of the study was conducted in a tube furnace and the findings were applied to the extraction of cobalt from slag using the plasma-arc furnace. It was found that the synthetic slag experiments could be used as a guide to understand the behaviour of cobalt during the carbothermic recovery of cobalt from silica saturated fayalitic slags. Cobalt recoveries were higher in the DC furnace than the corresponding reduction experiments carried out in the tube furnace. However, significant amounts of silicon and carbon were detected in the metallic alloy product of the DC plasma-arc furnace. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Slak suiwering is besig om standaard praktyk te word by vele smelters om die herwinning van waardevolle metale uit slak te maksimeer. Tydens die karbotermiese reduksie van slakke vanaf kopersmelters om kobalt te herwin, word beduidende hoeveelhede yster ook herwin. Hoë ystervlakke in die herwinde legering veroorsaak probleme met die stroom-af verwerking van die legering aangesien dit lei tot verhoogde reagensgebruik tydens loging en 'n verhoogde vastestof las of die filterstelsel. Die identifisering van 'n geskikte slak modifiseerder, wat die selektiwiteit van herwinning van kobalt relatief tot yster verhoog, sal hierdie probleem verminder. In hierdie tesis word die rol van kalk (CaO), rutiel (Ti02) en vloeispaat (CaF2) toevoeging tot die selektiewe herwinning van kobalt uit afvalslakke ondersoek. Die karbotermiese reduksie van die slak vind by 1500 °C plaas. Dit word getoon dat bo-en-behalwe die suurstofpotensiaal en die bedryfstemperatuur, die slakchemie 'n beduidende rol speel. Die slakke gebruik in hierdie studie is: a) 'n sintetiese slak gemaak van chemies-suiwer rou-materiale (waarvan die samestelling afgelei is van die samestelling van tipiese reverbereeroond slakke), en b) monsters van die ware slak verkry vanaf 'n slakhoop van die Zambiese Kopergordel. Die studie het getoon dat Ti02 toevoeging gelei het tot die hoogste selektiwiteit in alle gevalle. Daarteenoor het CaF2 en CaO gelei tot hoër algehele herwinnings van kobalt. Ti02 toevoeging lei tot die vorming van ystertitanaat komplekse in die slak, teenoor CaO wat die "FeO" uit die fajaliet struktuur verplaas en die aktiwiteit van FeO in die slak verhoog en dus gevolglik herwinning van yster tot die legering beïnvloed. CaF2 verhoog egter die vloeibaarheid van die slak wat lei tot verhoogde herwinning deurdat die legering druppels makliker uitsak deur die slak. 'n 44VIII OOAGelykstroom-plasmaboogoond is gebruik om die kobalt te herwin uit die slak teen ongeveer 13.5 kVA Die grootste gedeelte van die studie is gedoen in 'n buisoond en die bevindings was dan toegepas op die ekstraksie van kobalt uit slak in die plasmaboogoond. Dit was gevind dat die sintetiese slak eksperimente gebruik kan word as 'n voorlopige gids om die gedrag van kobalt in silika-versadigde slakke tydens karbotermiese reduksie te verstaan. Kobalt herwinnings was oor die algemeen hoër il) die plasmaboogoond as vir die ooreenstemmende reaksies in die buisoond. Daar het egter beduidende hoeveelhede silikon en koolstof In die legering opgelos tydens die plasmaboogoond eksperimente.

Thesis (MScEng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2002. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Slag foaming occurs in several pyrometallurgical processes. These processes include steelmaking in basic oxygen steelmaking furnaces and electric arc furnaces (EAF) as well as various non-ferrous operations like sulphide smelting/converting and base metal slag cleaning. Although slag foaming in steelmaking processes has been extensively researched, little attention has been given to slag foaming in non-ferrous operations. Slag foaming phenomena are complex because often the system consists of three or more phases. The objectives of this study is to review the published work on slag foaming, to obtain through physical modelling an understanding of the principles governing foaming and to investigate slag foaming phenomena through pyrometallurgical experiments. To obtain these objectives, experiments were carried out with aqueous mixtures at different column sizes, different pore sizes for gas injection and varying liquid depths, and also for high temperature metallurgical slags with varying composition and at different temperatures. Through gas injection, foaming conditions were simulated and the equilibrium foam height was measured for different gas velocities. The following conclusions were drawn: 1. For physical modelling of slag foaming in 3-phase systems the average foam index increases with increasing amounts of solids present in the system. The effect of additional solids in the system is independent of the system geometry. 2. The following conclusions were reached by determining coefficients for an empirical dimensional model fitted to aqueous mixtures: Higher liquid density leads to lower foam index values. The influence of the liquid viscosity is dependent on the system investigated and may have a positive or negative result on foaming. The empirical model should only be applied to the property range and geometric set-up for which it was derived, as coefficients may vary greatly for different systems. 3. Influence of solid precipitates on slag foaming can be summarised by noting that small amounts of magnetite stabilise slag foaming, while precipitates of wollastonite and anorthite decreased foaming. The influence of solid precipitates is thought to be related to the density, morphology and degree of surface activity of the solid precipitates. 4. The foam index decreases with increasing basicity due to the lowering of the slag viscosity. This continues until the precipitation of solids starts and the foam index once again increases. 5. For increasing "FeO" concentration the foam index will decrease due to lower viscosity, but higher surface tension depression may lead to increased foam index values at high "FeO" concentrations. 6. Higher foam index values were obtained for slags with lower densities. The _1 empirical relationship observed is L IX: P 3 . 7. Higher foam index values were obtained for slags with higher viscosity. The empirical relationship observed is L IX: f1 . 8. Higher foam index values were obtained for slags with lower surface tensions. The empirical relationship observed is L IX: U-I. 9. Models derived for the foaming of basic steelmaking slags does not satisfactorily describe the foaming behaviour of acidic slags. 10. The physical properties of the slag influence the foam stabilisation mechanism. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Slak skuiming kom in verskeie pirometallurgiese prosesse voor. Hierdie prosesse sluit die maak van staal in basiese staalmaakoonde en elektriese boogoonde in, sowel as verskeie nie-yster prosesse soos sulfied smelting/omsetting en die skoonmaak van basis metaal slakke. Alhoewel slak skuiming in staalmaak slakke reeds intensief nagevors is, is min aandag gegee aan slak skuiming in nie-yster prosesse. Slak skuiming verskynsels is kompleks, want dikwels betaan die sisteem uit drie of meer fases. Die doelwitte van hierdie studie is om werk wat reeds oor slakskuiming gepubliseer is te hersien, om deur fisiese modellering 'n begrip van die prinsiepe waarop skuiming berus te bekom en om slak skuiming verskynsels na te vors deur piromettallurgiese eksperimente te beplan en uit te voer. Ten einde hierdie doelwitte te bereik, is eksperimente uitgevoer met water mengsels in verskillende kolom groottes, verskillende porie groottes vir gas inspuiting en by verskillende vloeistof hoogtes, en ook vir hoë temperatuur metallurgiese slakke met variërende samestelling en by verskillende temperature. Skuimingskondisies is deur gas inspuiting gesimuleer en die ewewig skuimhoogte is gemeet by verskillende gas snelhede. Die volgende gevolgtrekkings is bereik: 1. Tydens fisiese (koue) modellering van slak skuiming in 3-fase sisteme styg die gemiddelde skuim indeks met toenemende hoeveelhede vastestof in die sisteem. Die uitwerking van addisionele vastestof in die sisteem is onafhanklik van die sisteem geometrie. 2. Die volgende gevolgtrekkings is gemaak deur die koëffisiente vir 'n empiriese dimensionale model te pas op waterige mengsels. Hoër vloeistof digtheid lei na laer skuim indeks waardes. Die invloed van die vloeistof viskositeit is afhanklik van die sisteem ondersoek en mag 'n positiewe of 'n negatiewe resultaat op skuiming hê. Die empiriese model moet slegs toegepas word op die eienskap omvang en geometriese opstelling waarvoor dit bepaal is, omdat koëffisiënte grootliks kan varieer vir verskillende sisteme. 3. Die invloed van vastestof partikels op slak skuiming kan opgesom word deur die waarneming dat klein hoeveelhede magnetiet slakskuiming stabiliseer terwyl neerslag van wollastoniet en anhortiet skuiming verminder. Die invloed van vastestof neerslag hou vermoedelik verband met die digtheid, vorm en graad van oppervlak aktiviteit van die vastestof partikels. 4. Die skuim indeks verminder met toenemende basisiteit as gevolg van die afname in die slak viskositeit. Dit geld tot die neerslag van vastestof begin en die skuim indeks weereens toeneem. 5. Vir toenemende 'FeO' konsentrasie sal die skuim indeks afneem as gevolg van laer viskositeit, maar hoër oppervlakspanning onderdrukking kan lei na hoër skuim indeks waardes by hoër 'FeO' konsentrasies. 6. Hoër skuim indeks waardes is verkry vir slakke met laer digthede. Die empiriese _1 verhouding is bepaal as L cx: p 3 . 7. Hoër skuim indeks waardes is verkry vir slakke met hoër viskositeit. Die empiriese verhouding is bepaal as L cx: Jl . 8. Hoër skuim indeks waardes is verkry vir slakke met laer oppervlakspannings. Die empiriese verhouding is bepaal as L cx: 0--1 • 9. Modelle afgelei vir die skuiming van basiese staalmaak slakke beskryf nie die skuimings gedrag van suur slakke bevredigend nie. 10. Die fisiese eienskappe van die slak beïnvloed die skuim stabiliseerings meganisme.

In this work, the chloride transport related properties of slag concrete have been studied. For this, traditional experiments and an innovative computational method were applied to novel mixes with a low carbon footprint. In part 1 combination of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag and Steel Basic Oxygen Slag activated using ordinary Portland cement, waste cement industrial residues and recycled Plasterboard Gypsum were studied. In order to characterize these blended binders, the compressive strength, the volume stability, the mineralogical changes due to hydration and the setting times were measured. In part 2 the chloride penetration was simulated to study the transport properties using a multi-species model. In this, the ionic species flow is given by the Nernst– Planck equation; however, due to ion–ion interactions there are ionic fields that affect the final flux producing an additional voltage known as the membrane potential. In order to calculate the inputs of the model a neural network methodology was developed to find the fundamental properties of concrete including the diffusion coefficients In part 3 a range of traditional transport chloride related experimental tests were carried out on concrete mixtures developed in part 1. These tests were workability, compressive strength, open porosity, initial water absorption capacity (sorptivity), carbonation, chloride migration and self diffusion, electrical resistivity, water permeability, and corrosion. Additionally, the methods developed in part 2 were used to calculate the chloride transport related properties of those mixes.

Thesis (MScIng)--University of Stellenbosch, 2004. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis details results obtained in an experimental study conducted to determine the effects of operating temperature, oxygen partial pressure, bulk chromium oxide content and bulk FeOx/MgO ratio on the solubility of chromium oxide in melter type slags in the platinum industry. Two PGM-containing layers in the Bushveld Complex in South Africa, the Merensky and UG2 reefs, are currently being mined for the extraction of base metals and platinum group metals (PGM). While the Merensky reef is a pyroxenitic layer, the UG2 reef is a platiniferous chromitite seam. Due to a gradual depletion in Merensky ore reserves, platinum producers have been moving towards the processing of more UG2 concentrates, which are higher in chromium oxide content. The technical difficulties associated with the smelting of concentrates with high chromium oxide contents is a matter of concern. The formation of chromite spinels in melts increases liquidus temperatures and viscosities and subsequently hampers tapping of slags and mattes from furnaces. Bottom build-up from the smelting of high chromium oxide containing concentrates could reduce effective furnace volume. From the literature reviewed it was found that very few published investigations covered melt compositions and oxygen partial pressures similar to those encountered in the platinum industry. Relevant studies were found to deal with significantly lower bulk chromium oxide and iron oxide contents. It became clear that a need exists for information on the behaviour of chromium oxide and its effects on phase chemistry and stability in melter slags. It was decided to study the phase equilibria through drop-quench experiments using six synthetic slags with bulk FeOx/MgO ratios between 0.6 and 1.9 and bulk chromium oxide contents between 1.2 and 7 wt%. Temperatures investigated were 1400, 1500 and 1600°C. The oxygen partial pressure was varied between 6.8x10-10 atm at 1400°C to8.3x10-5 atm at 1600°C. Experiments were conducted in a sealed vertical tube furnace and the required oxygen partial pressure in the furnace tube was maintained by controlling the flow rates of purified CO and CO2 gas mixtures through the tube. Reaction products were quenched after a reaction time of between 20 and 24 hours, depending on temperature, and the phase compositions were analysed by microprobe. The experimental study revealed that chromium oxide partitions very strongly into the spinel phase relative to the liquid phase, especially at lower temperatures, and higher oxygen partial pressures and bulk chromium oxide contents. The solubility of chromium oxide in the liquid phase was found to increase with increasing temperature and decreasing oxygen partial pressure. An increase in bulk chromium oxide contents of 1 wt%, under otherwise constant conditions, resulted in an increase in slag liquidus temperature of approximately 100°C over the range of temperatures investigated. At 1500°C and bulk chromium oxide contents of 3.7 and 6.4 wt% a reduction in oxygen partial pressure from 1.1x10-5 to 1.1x10-7 atm resulted in increases in soluble chromium oxide of 0.9 and 2.0 wt%, respectively. A further decrease in oxygen partial pressure to 6.7x10-9 atm resulted in increases in soluble chromium oxide of 2.8 and 4.7 wt%, respectively. Experimental results were compared to values predicted by the multi-phase equilibrium (MPE) model developed by CSIRO, and found to agree well. Slag basicity was not varied experimentally and therefore the model was used to predict its effect on the solubility of chromium oxide in the liquid phase and the stability of crystalline phases. At constant temperature, an increase in basicity resulted in a decrease in the solubility of chromium oxide in the liquid phase as well as stabilisation of the spinel phase. It was concluded that practicable combinations of one or more of four main factors, namely increased operating temperature and decreased bulk chromium oxide content, slag basicity and oxygen partial pressure, should be applied and evaluated in a plantenvironment to optimise furnace operation. The MPE model would be a valuable tool in predicting the outcomes of such investigations. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis detaileer die resultate wat verkry is uit ‘n eksperimentele studie uitgevoer om die effek van bedryfstemperatuur, die parsiële druk van suurstof, die algehele chroomoksied inhoud en die algehele FeOx/MgO verhouding op die gedrag van chroomoksied in smelter slakke in die platinum industrie te bestudeer. Twee PGM-bevattende ertslae in die Bosveldkompleks in Suid Afrika, die Merensky en UG2 riwwe, word huidiglik gemyn vir die ekstraksie van basismetale en platinumgroep metale (PGM). Die Merensky rif is ‘n piroksenitiese laag terwyl die UG2 rif ‘n platinumbevattende chromitiet laag is. As gevolg van ‘n geleidelike afname in reserwes van Merensky erts beweeg platinumprodusente al meer na die verwerking van groter hoeveelhede UG2 erts. Die tegniese probleme wat gepaard gaan met die smelting van konsentrate met hoë chroomoksied inhoud kan ‘n rede tot kommer wees. Die vorming van chromiet spinelle in die slak- en matfases verhoog likuidus temperature en viskositeite en bemoeilik die tap van hierdie fases uit oonde. Die opbou van soliede fases verlaag ook die effektiewe oondvolume. Uit die literatuurstudie is gevind dat gepubliseerde studies waarin slak samestellings en parsiële suurstofdrukke wat betrekking het op die platinumindustrie bespreek is, baie beperk is. Dit is gevind dat relevante navorsing gedoen is met aansienlik laer algehele chroom- en ysteroksied konsentrasies. Gevolglik het dit duidelik geword dat ‘n behoefte bestaan vir inligting oor die gedrag van chroomoksied in oonde en die effekte daarvan op fasechemie en –stabiliteit in smelter slakke. Daar is besluit om eksperimente uit te voer deur die gebruik van ses sintetiese slakke met algehele FeOx/MgO verhoudings tussen 0.6 en 1.9 en algehele chroomoksied konsentrasies tussen 1.2 en 7.0 % (op ‘n massabasis). Temperature van 1400, 1500 en 1600°C en suurstof parsiële drukke tussen 6.8x10-10 atm by 1400°C en 8.3x10-5 atm by 1600°C is ondersoek. Eksperimente is uitgevoer in ‘n geseëlde vertikale buisoond en dievereiste suurstofdruk in die oond is gehandhaaf deur beheer van die vloeitempos van gesuiwerde CO en CO2 gas deur die oond. Reaksieprodukte is in water geblus na ‘n reaksietyd van tussen 20 en 24 ure, afhangende van die reaksietemperatuur. Fasesamestellings is bepaal deur mikrosonde analises. Die eksperimentele studie het bewys dat chroomoksied baie sterk in die spinelfase konsentreer relatief tot die vloeistoffase, veral by laer temperature, suurstofdrukke en algehele chroomoksied konsentrasies. Dit is gevind dat die oplosbaarheid van chroomoksied in die vloeistoffase toeneem met toenemende temperatuur en afnemende suurstofdruk. ‘n Toename in die algehele chroomoksied konsentrasie van 1 massa%, onder andersins onveranderde toestande, het ‘n toename van ongeveer 100°C in likuidus temperature veroorsaak tussen 1400 en 1600°C. By 1500°C en algehele chroomoksied konsentrasies van 3.7 en 6.4 massa%, het ‘n verlaging in suurstofdruk vanaf 1.1x10-5 tot 1.1x10-7 atm respektiewelike toenames in die chroomoksied oplosbaarheid van 0.9 en 2.0 massa% veroorsaak. ‘n Verdere verlaging in suurstofdruk tot 6.7x10-9 atm het respektiewelike toenames in chroomoksied oplosbaarheid van 2.8 en 4.7 massa% veroorsaak. Eksperimentele resultate is vergelyk met waardes wat voorspel is deur die multifase ewewigsmodel (MPE), ontwikkel deur CSIRO, en goeie ooreenstemming is gevind. Verskillende slak basisiteite is nie eksperimenteel ondersoek nie en daarom is die model gebruik om die effek daarvan op die oplosbaarheid van chroomoksied in die vloeistoffase asook die stabiliteit van kristallyne fases te bepaal. By konstante temperatuur het ‘n toename in slak basisiteit ‘n afname in chroomoksied oplosbaarheid veroorsaak en die spinelfase gestabiliseer. Die aanbeveling is gemaak dat ‘n kombinasie van een of meer van vier hooffaktore, naamlik hoër bedryfstemperature en laer algehele chroomoksied konsentrasies, slak basisiteit en suurstofdruk, in die praktyk toegepas en geëvalueer moet word om sodoendeoptimum bedryfkondisies te bepaal. Die multifase ewewigsmodel is ‘n nuttige instrument wat gebruik kan word om die resultate van sulke ondersoeke te voorspel.

<p>The main objectives of this study were to investigate (i) anovel wetland treatment technology and (ii) selected bed filtermedia for the removal of contaminants from landfill leachate. Areview of the literature concerning experiences of the use ofconstructed wetlands (CW) for the removal of nitrogen fromlandfill leachate, showed that at least three groups oftreatment systems are in practice: sub-surface flow wetlands,hybrid systems (a combination of vertical and horizontal flowwetlands) and, compact constructed wetland (CCW). Most of thesetypeswere generally effective in reducing nitrogen (N,<i>e.g.</i>NH₄-N, dominant N species in leachate) down toeffluent concentrations of about 10 mg L^-1. Unfortunately, very little evidence ofresponsible mechanisms for the removal of N was presented,although some data indicated denitrification. The treatmentperformance of a compact constructed wetland (CCW) applied atthe Tveta Landfill, Södertälje, Sweden, wasevaluated. Chemically purified leachate and untreated leachatewere applied in periods of 7 day submergence and 7 day drainageto different sections of the CCW. The removal efficiency variedbetween 40 and 82%, and a mass removal rate of up to 5.1 g m²d^-1was achieved. The chemical pre-treatment had adecisive role for the highest removal efficiencies obtained andit was unclear whether that treatment enhanced the efficiencybecause of lower toxicity and/or content of fewer competingcations. The possible combination of bed filter media and CCWas an ecotechnological treatment method for landfill leachatewas investigated by bench-scale laboratory column experiments.Reactive filter media (sorbents) was selected from their knownor suggested capacities for removal of heavy metals, nitrogenand phosphorus. Quartz sand or natural sand from an esker wasused as reference medium. Peat was used as an additionalcomponent in mixtures with the reactive media Polonite^®(product from the bedrock opoka) and blastfurnace slag (BFS). A small column study also involved zeolite.Phosphorus was efficiently removed by Polonite^®and NH₄-N to some extent. Concerning metal removal, thebest performance was found as well for Polonite^®, especially for Mn, Fe, Zn and Cu. The BFSshowed good removal efficiency for Cu, Ni and Mo. The removalof different elements was suggested to be a combination ofseveral factors,<i>e.g.</i>precipitation, ion exchange and adsorption. Priorto full-scale application of reactive filters at a landfillsite, matrix selection, filter design and operationalprocedures must be developed.</p><p><b>Keywords:</b>Blast furnace slag; Compact constructedwetland; Metals; Nitrogen; Polonite; Sorbents</p>

Slag, by itself, shows very little hydraulic activity. However, hydration is greatly accelerated by incorporation of the slag with Portland cement. This phenomenon is due to the activating role of calcium hydroxide released from the hydration of Portland cement. This study was aimed at finding other activators that will increase hydration in both synthetic and commercial slags. The effects of chemical composition and the aggregation state of the slag on the hydration process were also investigated. For the synthetic slags, the aggregation state was altered by different quenching techniques. The chemical composition was varied by synthesizing a series of slags. The degree of hydration was studied by developing a thermogravimetric analysis technique and the glass content was determined using microscopy. Minerals were determined using powder x-ray diffraction analysis.

This study was aimed at understanding the environmental performance of two abrasives, coal slag and garnet which are commonly used by shipyards and many other industries in surface preparation of metallic surfaces. Environmental performance evaluated in this study included, (1) productivity (ft2/hr), (2) consumption and or used-abrasive generation rate (ton/2000 ft2; lb/ ft2), (3) particulate emission factors (mg/ft2; mg/lb; lb/lb; lb/kg; lb/ton). In order to achieve the study objectives, an emission test facility was built and necessary equipment and materials were procured. Blasting was performed on rusted steel panels inside the test facility and emissions were measured using EPA Source Test Method to quantify particulate emissions. By measuring the area cleaned, blasting time, and the abrasive consumed, environmental performance of coal slag and garnet was evaluated. Simple mathematical models were developed to predict performance based on feed rate and blast pressure. Garnet was observed to be more productive, less consuming, and more environmentally-friendly compared to coal slag. These study findings will valuable in reducing costs, improving productivity, and protecting the environment.

Student Number : 0318397E - MSc dissertation - School of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering - Faculty of Engineering and the Built Environment / An experimental study of the effects of a slag phase on mass transport in a onefifth water model of a 100ton CLU-converter was conducted. The study was a follow up to earlier investigations conducted in the absence of a simulated slag phase. Kerosene (10% by volume) was used to represent the slag phase in the cold model experiments. The presence of a slag phase increased the mixing time of a tracer solution in the bath. The mixing time, defined at 99.66% bath homogeneity, was found to increase with bath height and a lowering gas flow rate. The functional relationship, Tmix = 4.39Q-0.73W0.24H1.12, was established as expressing the effect of gas flow rate (Q), bath weight (W), and bath height (H) on the mixing time (Tmix). The mixing time increased by an average of 16.3% after slag inclusion. The mass transfer parameter [(Reloc,r)0.25(Ret)0.32] values obtained in the absence of a slag phase decreased by an average of 32.2% with slag inclusion. Calculated mass transfer coefficients increased with gas flow rate and a decrease in bath height. The relationship, K Q0.08, showing derived mass transfer coefficient (K) dependence on the gas flow rate (Q) was established. The proportionality constant in the equation was observed to vary with bath height, gas flow rate and sample location. Contour maps representing variation of mass transfer coefficients in the bath regions were produced.

Os cimentos de escória apresentam boas possibilidades de mercado, especialmente em aplicações em que o cimento Portland não possa ser utilizado ou onde o seu uso provoque uma elevação dos custos. A confecção de matrizes para fibras sensíveis aos álcalis e a produção de cimentos com baixo calor de hidratação são exemplos. Neste trabalho, a escória foi ativada com silicato de sódio e cal hidratada. O ativador foi formulado de maneira a proporcionar teores de Na2O de 2,5% e 5%, SiO2 de 0% a 14,8% e Ca(OH)2 de 0%, 2,5% e 5%. O aumento dos teores de Na2O e de SiO2, dentro de determinados limites, propicia um notável crescimento da resistência à compressão. Este crescimento da resistência está associado a uma diminuição da porosidade, para um mesmo fator/água aglomerante. Certamente a diminuição da porosidade é devida a um menor grau de organização cristalina dos produtos hidratados, decorrente do aumento da velocidade de precipitação de hidratados e de gel de N-C-S-H. A adição de Ca(OH)2 diminui a velocidade de perda da trabalhabilidade. Os cimentos de escória ativada com silicatos de sódio podem apresentar resistência à compressão de até 100 MPa, superior à dos cimentos Portland, com calor de hidratação da mesma ordem de grandeza. A velocidade de carbonatação destes cimentos é equivalente a dos cimentos Portland de mesma resistência. No entanto, estes cimentos apresentam maior retração hidráulica. / Binders based on ground granulated blast furnace slag (BFS) are suitable for the building industry, mainly if the use of Portland cement is expensive or may cause problems, such as: alkali sensitive fibre-reinforced cement and concretes and low heat-hydration concretes. BFS is activated by sodium silicates and hydrated lime. The compound\'s proportions are: Na2O - 2.5 and 5.0%; SiO2 from 0 to 14.8%; CaOH2 - 0, 2.5 and 5%. The increase of Na2O and SiO2 amounts allows a considerable improvement of binder strength, with values up to 100 MPa. This increase of the strength is related to the decrease of the porosity for a constant water-binder ratio. The porosity is affected certainly by the reduction of the degree of cristalynity of the hydrated compounds, due to the increase of the speed of precipitation of the hydrates or the N-C-S-H gel. It is possible to obtain BFS binders stronger than the Portland cement, with similar hydration heat. The carbonation rate of these new binders is equivalent to those of Portland cement specimens with similar strength. However these BFS binders have higher drying shrinkage.