High temperature properties of by-product cold bonded pellets containing blast furnace flue dust

In this investigation, the fundamental reactions occurring during the heat treatment of cold bonded pellets (CBP) comprised of iron and steelmaking by-products have been studied. Blast furnace (BF) flue dust, which contains fractions of coal and coke particles, has been included in the CBP blend as a source of solid reductant. Thermal analysis was performed on CBP samples in inert atmosphere at a heating rate of 10 °C/min in order to observe their high temperature properties, specifically, the mechanisms of self-reduction within CBPs. Both endothermic and exothermic reactions were observed during heating. The gases generated during thermal analysis were analyzed using a quadropole mass spectrometer (QMS). Furthermore, CBP samples heated to several different temperatures and quenched in argon were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results from this investigation demonstrate that the decomposition of hydrates and carbonates in CBP samples contribute, as gaseous intermediates, to an earlier reduction of contained iron oxides. The gaseous intermediates are responsible for an initial gasification of carbon contained in blast furnace flue dust leading to low temperature iron oxide reduction. The step-wise reduction of iron oxides in CBPs at the given conditions begins at ∼500 °C and is nearly completed at 1200 °C. This work can help to provide a fundamental understanding of the reduction characteristics of iron and steelmaking by-product agglomerates.     

Devolatilisation characteristics of coal and biomass blends

The characterisation of the initial devolatilisation products could provide important information for understanding synergistic effects and subsequently the formation routes leading to toxic organic compounds and soot during co-combustion. Initial devolatilisation characteristics of the fuels have been characterised following co-pyrolysis experiments. This paper investigates the devolatilisation behaviour during co-pyrolysis of pinewood together with one of three coals of different rank, lignite or high-volatile bituminous of different origin. A range of pyrolysis experiments has been performed over a temperature range from 400 to 900 °C using pyrolysis–GC–MS (py–GC–MS) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Larger scale batch pyrolysis experiments of the hv bituminous coal–pine mixture have been performed enabling collection of the evolved tars. These tars have then been characterised by GC–MS and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). For these batch pyrolysis tests, synergy (non-additive behaviour) was observed and the blend pyrolysis oil contained a decrease in aromatics and an increase in phenols than would be expected for additive behaviour. The molecular weight distributions of the evolved tars also show non-additive behaviour. For the TGA experiments, additive behaviour was seen for all the coal–pine blends studied. Similarly, no obvious synergy was observed by py–GC–MS for the bituminous coal–pine blends, or for model compound–coal and coal–biomass component blends. Non-additive combustion behaviour is not easily explained by studying devolatilisation because of the difficulty in replicating the conditions of temperature profile and residence time experienced by the volatiles. Thus, conflicting behaviour is exhibited depending upon pyrolysis technique.     

Assessment of evolution of loss on ignition matter during heating of iron ores

Ironmaking involves reduction of iron ores to metallic iron using coke, coal or gas as reductants. Although different iron ore reduction processes exist, prior to each reduction type, commonly, the hydroxyl and clay materials present in the iron ores undergo decomposition as a first stage. The mass loss during decomposition of these materials is termed as Loss on Ignition (LOI). The aim of this work is to apply a computer aided thermoanalytical technique to evaluate five different iron ore types during decomposition of the LOI matter and determine associated decomposition temperature ranges and heats of reactions. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TG) were also incorporated to support the analysis interpretation. Three distinctive temperature ranges of decomposition of iron ore LOI matter were detected. The first region was associated with dehydration of the hygroscopic moisture at a temperature range between 100 and 150 °C. The second region occurred at a temperature range between 260 and 425 °C during which strongly bonded water was released and the OH groups associated with primarily iron oxyhydroxides were fractured. The third range, which occurred at a temperature range of 530 and 605 °C, was related to decomposition of the aluminosilicate clay materials.     

Infrared study of the thermal transformation of goethite to magnetite in alkali-iodide disks

Synthetic and natural goethites (0.5–1.5 mg) were heated up to 600°C in alkali-halide disks (400 mg). The thermal transformations occurring at different temperatures are found to depend on the preparation of the disks. For mixtures of alkali-halides and goethite not ground during the preparation of the disks, heating at >200°C resulted in protohematite, which persisted up to 600°C. However, disks which were subjected to repeated grinding—pressing cycles before thermal treatments gave rise to protohematite at >200°C, which on further heating at >300°C was transformed to a transitional iron oxide. In CsI disks, the transitional oxide derived from synthetic goethite can be further transformed to maghemite at 500°C; however, almost no maghemite could be obtained from natural goethite. At 600°C, both the transitional oxide and the maghemite resulting from the synthetic goethite in CsI disks were reduced to magnetite. On the other hand, in KI disks, transitional oxides obtained from both synthetic and natural goethites were reduced to magnetite upon re-pressing and gradual heating of the disks at 600°C. In KI disks, magnetite can be formed only if the reduction temperature is reached gradually, whereas in CsI disks magnetite is formed upon direct heating of the disks to 600°C. The iron oxides referred to above, including the transitional oxides resulting from thermal treatments, were studied by IR absorption spectroscopy.     

Nanocomposites based on opal matrices and iron subgroup metal nanoparticles

Three-dimensional nanocomposites based on ordered opal matrices (OMs) and metal nanoparticles were prepared by the reduction of salts and oxides of iron subgroup metals (M = Ni, Co, and Fe) and their binary and ternary mixtures with isopropanol in a supercritical state. The effect of the composition of the initial salts (nitrates or chlorides) on the phase composition of OM/M composites was determined. For a binary system of Ni and Co nitrates (1 : 1), the particles of a NiCo solid solution in a cubic modification were formed in an opal matrix after treatment in supercritical isopropanol. For the Ni-Fe and Co-Fe systems, the nanoparticles of solid solutions based on nickel or ??-, ??-cobalt metal and also oxides or an MFe₂O₄ phase with the spinel structure were formed in opal matrices with the use of iron trichloride. The nanoparticles of iron metal and Ni₃Fe, NiFe, and CoFe intermetallic compounds with regular distributions of metal atoms were detected for the first time in addition to spinel phases upon the reduction of composites with Fe, Ni-Fe, and Co-Fe nitrates with supercritical isopropanol. The reduction of composites obtained by the thermal treatment of a ternary mixture of nickel and cobalt nitrates and iron chloride in supercritical isopropanol led to the formation of solid solution nanoparticles based on Ni, Co, and Fe with an fcc structure and an oxide phase with the spinel structure in the voids of opal matrices. In the composite based on an opal matrix and a ternary system of Ni-Co-Fe nitrates (1 : 1 : 1), the complete reduction of spinel phases to the intermetallic phases of Ni₃Fe, NiFe, and CoFe was noted.     

Thermophysical studies on uranyl nitrate hexahydrate–Iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate system

Individual nitrates, UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O and Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O as well as their binary mixtures in various mol ratios have been studied using simultaneous thermal techniques and X-ray powder diffraction measurements. Nature and stoichiometry of hydroxynitrates of iron and uranium were altered by changing the heating rates for the equal mass of binary nitrate mixtures under identical gas flow conditions. Evolved gas analysis and thermogravimetric measurements indicated the absence of direct interaction between two nitrates in the binary nitrate mixtures. Both the nitrates decomposed independently in the mixtures to their respective oxides. These results have been supported by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. Phase diagram of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O–Fe(NO₃)₃·9H₂O system containing 0–100 mol% of UO₂(NO₃)₂·6H₂O was constructed using differential thermal analysis technique. The formation of the eutectic at 33 °C for 50 mol% uranyl nitrate hexahydrate–50 mol% iron (III) nitrate nonahydrate mixture has been observed for the first time.     

Flash pyrolysis of grape residues into biofuel in a bubbling fluid bed

The pyrolysis of two grape residues (grape skins and the mixture of grape skins and seeds) has been carried out in a pilot bubbling fluidized bed pyrolyzer operating under a range of temperature from 300 to 600 °C and three vapor residence time (2.5, 5, and 20 s), with the aim of determining their pyrolysis behavior including products yields and heat requirements. The composition of the product gases was determined, from which their heating value was calculated. The liquid bio-oil was recovered with cyclonic condensers and separated into two phases, an aqueous phase and an organic phase. The chemical composition of these liquid phases was characterized. In addition, the environmental parameters of the distilled fraction (85–115 °C) of the aqueous phase were tested, while the heating value of the organic phase was determined. Furthermore, the thermal sustainability of the pyrolysis process was estimated by considering the energy contribution of the product gases and of the liquid bio-oil in relation to the pyrolysis heat requirements. The optimum pyrolysis temperatures were identified in terms of maximizing the liquid yield, maximizing the energy from the product bio-oil, and maximizing the net energy from the product bio-oil after ensuring a self-sustainable process by utilizing the product gases and bio-oil as heat sources.     

A Comparative Study of Pigments from the Wall Paintings of Two Greek Byzantine Churches

The goal of this study was to characterize pigments used in the murals of two Byzantine churches, from Kastoria, northern Greece. The identification of the iconographer was also investigated by comparing the pigments applied in the wall paintings of the churches. Pigment microsamples of various colors were collected and analyzed by environmental scanning electron microscopy coupled with an energy dispersive system to characterize the elemental composition. Raman spectroscopy was employed to collect molecular spectra for characterization of mineralogical phases. Hematite, cinnabar, and minium were identified in red surfaces. Brown and yellow colors were assigned to mixtures of iron oxides, iron hydroxides, and calcite. Mixtures of iron, lead, and mercury compounds were used to produce different hues in the murals. Black tones were prepared primarily using charcoal and bone black. Grey colors were produced by a mixture of black carbon with calcite; blue hues, by a mixture of iron oxides, calcite, and black carbon. The minerals used were similar for both churches. However, the green color was prepared either by green earth or mixtures of iron oxides and calcite. A modern pigment, lithopone, was also determined, demonstrating restoration or overpainting and thus complicating possible correlations. Based on these preliminary results, the wall paintings could not be ascribed to a specific iconographer.     

基于钾基修饰铁矿石载氧体的煤化学链燃烧循环实验

对天然的铁矿石加以钾基修饰,在流化床上进行了煤化学链燃烧循环实验。研究了改性后的铁矿石对气体产物浓度及含碳气体体积分数影响的持续力。钾基铁矿石缩短了反应时间并明显提高了CO₂浓度;在20次循环中,钾基铁矿石能明显提高CO₂体积分数并降低CO体积分数,11次循环后,CO₂体积分数稍有减少,CO体积分数略有增加。借助于扫描电镜与电子能谱(SEM-EDX)和X射线衍射(XRD),对不同循环后的载氧体进行表征。与纯铁矿石相比,前10次循环钾基铁矿石载氧体表面严重烧结,20次循环之后烧结减轻,恢复多孔结构。结果表明,钾基铁矿石载氧体中KFe₁₁O₁₇或其衍生物对煤气化有催化作用;在20次循环中存在钾流失现象;20次循环后钾基铁矿石载氧体能完全氧化为Fe₂O₃。     

Effect of heating rate on the thermal properties and devolatilisation of coal

The apparent specific heat of coal was measured by employing a computational calorimetric technique during continuous pyrolysis at heating rates of 10, 25 and 100°C min^-1. For all of the examined heating rates, the apparent specific heat was found to be approximately 1.4 kJ kg^-1 K^-1 at room temperature. When the sample reached decomposition temperature (~410°C), the specific heat increased to 1.9 kJ kg^-1 K^-1. From this point, the apparent specific heat was greatly influenced by the coal reaction mechanism. For this purpose a detailed gas analysis was carried out for the three examined heating rates. It was found that with increased heating rates, the devolatilisation reactions were shifted to higher temperatures, as reflected in the measured apparent specific heat. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Influence of yttria addition on the phase transformations of zirconia from zircon ore by carbothermal reduction process

Zircon ore carbothermal reduction with yttria addition has been carried out. The influences of heating temperature and yttria addition on the phase transformations of zirconia from zircon ore by carbothermal reduction have been investigated in detail. The phase transformations of zirconia from zircon ore by carbothermal reduction were monitored by X-ray diffraction. The microstructure and micro-area chemical analysis of the products were characterized by scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectrometer. The chemical states of Zr 3d, Y 3d and O 1s presented in the products of zircon carbothermal reduction with 10 wt% yttria addition were investigated by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The results showed that the optimized heating temperature of zircon carbothermal reduction with no addition was 1600 °C, and the main phase of the products consists of m-ZrO₂, c-ZrO₂, ZrC and β-SiC. Yttria addition could be introduced into zirconia lattice and caused it to form Y₂O₃ stabilized zirconia. Zirconia in the products would be turned into partially stabilized zirconia with yttria addition from 1 wt% to 5 wt% while it would exist in the form of fully stabilized zirconia with over 8 wt% yttria addition.     

TG measurement of reactivity of candidate oxygen carrier materials

This study examined several candidate raw materials for use as the reactive agents in developing new oxygen carriers for chemical looping combustion. A thermogravimetric analyzer, Mettler TGA/DSC1, was used to measure oxygen capacity and relative reaction rates during oxidation and reduction cycles. The reactive gases used were 4 % hydrogen in inert gas for the reduction cycle and air for the oxidation cycle, with a nitrogen purge between reduction and oxidation cycles. Samples were typically tested for at least ten cycles to study any change in reactivity or oxygen capacity. Reaction temperatures tested ranged from 700 to 900 °C. Materials tested included an iron oxide ore, iron-based tailings from a metals extraction process, a nickel oxide supported on nickel aluminate and a copper oxide plus inert material system. The materials varied in their oxygen capacity, reactivity and the change in properties with repeat cycles. Of the samples tested, the NiO–NiAl₂O₄ oxygen carrier demonstrated the fastest reaction in reduction and oxidation and had stable properties over ten cycles. The iron oxide ore sample performance declined significantly with repeat cycles. The performance of the iron-based tailings declined slightly over the ten cycles. The addition of inert second phase materials to CuO improved the performance by inhibiting sintering of the oxide at the operating temperature. Although the reactivity of the tailings and iron hydroxide samples was not as high as the NiO based oxygen carrier, they are promising carrier materials due to their low cost and lower toxicity relative to nickel. Future experiments will look at CO and CH₄ reduction reactions using the TG, surface characterization using SEM, XRD, and cyclic testing in a batch fluidized bed reactor.     

Thermal Characterisation of Brake Pads

The chemical-physical decomposition processes that occur in a brake pad heated to 1000°C have been studied. This temperature can be reached when a brake pad is applied. Thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis were used in combination with evolved gas analysis, and image analysis using a scanning electron microscope. A brake pad is essentially a mixture of iron, carbon and binder. Combined techniques have been used,because of chemical reaction overlap, to determine how and at what temperature the binder decomposes, the coal and graphite combust and the iron oxidises. This work enables the development of brake pads that are stable at high temperature. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

The applications of microwaves in chemical syntheses

The application of microwave dielectric heating techniques for chemical syntheses has attracted considerable interest in recent years. A fundamental understanding of the mechanisms responsible for effective coupling of microwave radiation to liquid and solid chemicals and the establishment of techniques for containing the chemicals safely within a microwave cavity have contributed to the rapid progress in this area. A wide range organic and inorganic reactions have been accelerated using microwave techniques. The rapid syntheses of these compounds can be attributed primarily to superheating effects which result from the effective coupling of microwaves to the polar organic solvent in the containment vessel. Similar methods have been used for accelerating intercalation reactions resulting in the incorporation of organic molecules between the layers of an inorganic host material. In the solid state mixed metal oxides may be synthesized at an accelerated rate if one of the components has a high loss tangent. The ceramic high temperature superconducting materials have been synthesized in this manner and have utilized the high loss tangent of copper oxide. Metal chlorides, chalcogenides and oxides have also been synthesized directly from the elements using microwave dielectric heating effects resulting from the efficient coupling of microwaves to the particles of metal powder.     

Evolution of surface chemistry during sintering of water-atomized iron and low-alloyed steel powder

Water-atomized iron and steel powder is commonly used as the base material for powder metallurgy (PM) of ferrous components. The powder surface chemistry is characterized by a thin surface oxide layer and more thermodynamically stable oxide particulates whose extent, distribution, and composition change during the sintering cycle due to a complex set of oxidation–reduction reactions. In this study, the surface chemistry of iron and steel powder was investigated by combined surface and thermal analysis. The progressive reduction of oxides was studied using model sintering cycles in hydrogen atmospheres in a thermogravimetric (TG) setup, with experiments ended at intermediate steps (500–1300°C) of the heating stage. The surface chemistry of the samples was then investigated by means of X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) to reveal changes that occurred during heating. The results show that reduction of the surface oxide layer occurs at relatively lower temperature for the steel powder, attributed to an influence of chromium, which is supported by a strong increase in Cr content immediately after oxide layer reduction. The reduction of the stable oxide particulates was shifted to higher temperatures, reflecting their higher thermodynamic stability. A complementary vacuum annealing treatment at 800°C was performed in a furnace directly connected to the XPS instrument allowing for sample transfer in vacuum. The results showed that Fe oxides were completely reduced, with segregation and growth of Cr and Mn oxides on the particle surfaces. This underlines the sequential reduction of oxides during sintering that reflects the thermodynamic stability and availability of oxide-forming elements.     

Thermal characteristics of ammonium nitrate, carbon, and copper(II) oxide mixtures

Ammonium nitrate (AN) has been extensively used as an oxidizer in energetic compositions, and is a promising compound as a propellant and gas generator. It is well-known that metal oxides help to address some of the disadvantages of AN, such as low stability and a low burning rate in these applications. In order to investigate the effects of copper(II) oxide (CuO) on the thermal decompostion of AN mixtures, the thermal characteristics of AN, carbon, and CuO mixtures were measured using simultaneous differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis connected with infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry. As a combustible material, activated carbon (AC), and carbon black (CB) were used in this study. In the TG–DTA results for AN/AC/CuO and AN/CB/CuO mixtures in an open cell, an exotherm was observed at approximately 210 and 230 °C, respectively. In addition, the IR and mass spectra of the gases produced from the AN/AC/CuO and AN/CB/CuO mixtures indicated the presence of CO₂. Notably, the effect of CuO addition on the oxidation of the AN/AC/CuO mixture was different from that on the AN/CB/CuO mixture; the oxidation of AC shifted to a lower temperature, while the oxidation of CB shifted to a higher temperature. These results suggest that the effect of CuO on the oxidation of different types of carbon depends on the chemical reactivity of the carbon, which is derived from its physical properties.     

Heat capacities of the tungsten oxides WO3, W20O58, W18O49 and WO2

The heat capacities of the tungsten oxides WO₃, W₂₀O₅₈, W₁₈O₄₉ and WO₂ have been measured over the temperature range 340–999 K using differential scanning calorimetry. The lower oxides were prepared by controlled reduction of WO₃ in H₂/H₂O gas atmospheres. Previous calorimetric work on WO₃ is confirmed in the temperature range 340–800 K, however, significant increases in heat capacity were observed in the range 800–999 K prior to the orthorhombic—tetragonal phase transition. W₂₀O₅₈ is shown to behave similarly to WO₃. A high temperture phase change is evident, however, this appears to be complete by 970–990 K. The measured values of heat capacity for W₁₈O₄₉ are in close agreement with estimated data for W₁₈O₄₉. There is no evidence of any phase transitions for this oxide in the temperature range studied. The heat capacity data for WO₂ confirm previous drop calorimetry measurements and give no evidence of any phase changes for WO₂ in the temperature range 340–990 K.     

Investigation on the reaction of iron powder mixture as a portable heat source for thermoelectric power generators

This paper reports our investigation on the thermal behavior and ignition characteristics of iron powder and mixtures of iron with other materials such as activated carbon and sodium chloride in which iron is the main ingredient used as fuel. Thermal analysis techniques such as differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetric analysis were used to characterize the materials and for further understanding of reaction kinetics of the pyrophoric iron mixtures. The experimental results demonstrated that iron micron particles react exothermically to the oxygen in atmosphere and produced iron oxide with ignition temperature of 427.87 °C and heat generation of 4,844 J g^?1. However, in this study, the pyrophoric iron mixture acts as a heat source for the thermoelectric power generators, the final mixture composition is determined to compose of iron powder, activated carbon, and sodium chloride with the mass ratio of approximately 5/1/1. The mixture generated two exothermic peaks DSC curves that showed ignition temperature of 431.53 and 554.85 °C and with a higher heat generation of 9,366 J g^?1 at higher temperature. The effects of test pan materials and heating rate on the ignition were also examined by DSC method. Kinetic data such as the activation energy (E _a), the entropy of activation (ΔS ^# ), enthalpy of activation (ΔH ^# ), and Gibbs energy of activation (ΔG ^# ) on the ignition processes was also derived from the DSC analysis. From the ignition temperature, heat generation, and kinetics test data, the mass ratio of 5/1/1 proved to generate the most amount of heat with high temperatures for the standalone thermoelectric power generators.     

Thermal and chromatographic behaviour of metal complexes. Part II. Complexes of platinum(II) with dipeptide ester

Experimental measurements of the rate of reduction of particles of Carol Lake and Kiruna ores have been made using pure hydrogen and pure carbon monoxide and mixtures of these two gases. The temperature range covered was 773–1143 K and throughout this range the reduction rate with hydrogen was greater than that with carbon monoxide. A retracting core model was found to best fit the experimental data even when granules of 9 × 10^?4 m diameter were used. Reduction with gas mixtures of hydrogen and carbon monoxide give rates intermediate between those of the pure gases.     

Ignition of coal powders in the presence of natural gas,oxygen, and reactive admixtures

At elevated temperatures (650–750°C), coating the inner surface of the reactor with coal dust exerts a significant effect on the ignition of hybrid coal-gas mixtures because coal evolves an effective inhibitor of methane combustion upon heating. The hybrid mixtures consisting of a coal powder and a stoichiometric natural gas-oxygen mixture do not ignite in the reactor lined with coal dust.