A process and system for adjusting chemistry of a ferrous metallurgical processes, including a hot metal in an integrated steelmaking plant. The system and process comprises receiving a molten ferrous material comprising a high silicon content in a ladle station downstream of a furnace, for example downstream of an electric smelting furnace. Chemistry of the molten ferrous material may be adjusted by adding an oxide thereto. The oxide may be solid or gaseous. The gaseous oxide may be recycled from elsewhere in the plant (such as an integrated steelmaking plant), for example, collected from off-gas. The oxide may be bubbled or injected into the molten ferrous material to reduce silicon in the molten ferrous material to form slag with SiO2. Carbon in the molten ferrous material may also be increased when the oxide comprises an element of carbon.
A jig for Soderberg electrode casing alignment and a method of aligning Soderberg electrode casings using a plurality of jigs. A plurality of jigs may be disposed about the circumference of an existing casing and a new addition casing may be lowered on to the jigs such that the plurality of jigs forms a funnel guiding the new addition casing against horizontal guides of each of the jigs. Each jig comprising horizontal guides and vertical guides, such as lips, for engaging with and aligning the existing casing and the new addition casing while maintaining a vertical gap between the casings.
A process, system, and method for cycling carbon in an integrated electric steelmaking plant. The process and method comprise receiving an off-gas comprising nitrogen and carbon-containing gases from the plant, methanation of the off-gas, separating nitrogen from the carbon-containing gases, and recycling the carbon-containing gases within the plant. The system comprises an electric steel-making plant comprising a shafter furnace for producing direct reduced iron, an electric smelting furnace, an off-gas recycling unit comprising a methanation unit, a nitrogen separation unit downstream of the methanation unit, and a conduit for receiving from the nitrogen separation unit and providing to the electric steel-making plant carbon containing off-gases.
C07C 1/02 - Preparation of hydrocarbons from one or more compounds, none of them being a hydrocarbon from oxides of carbon
C07C 1/04 - Preparation of hydrocarbons from one or more compounds, none of them being a hydrocarbon from oxides of carbon from carbon monoxide with hydrogen
C21C 5/52 - Manufacture of steel in electric furnaces
H02K 7/18 - Structural association of electric generators with mechanical driving motors, e.g.with turbines
4.
WASTE FERROUS SLAG CLEANING METHOD, FURNACE, AND SYSTEM
A method, system, and furnace for cleaning slag produced by a steelmaking or oxidizing process. The method comprising, receiving into a slag cleaning furnace an input slag with a high FeO content and adding reductant to the slag cleaning furnace to produce molten iron and a cleaned slag with a lower FeO content compared to the input slag. The method may further comprise cooling and/or granulating the cleaned slag. The system comprising an input for receiving steelmaking slag from a steelmaking process, a reductant addition component, and optionally, a slag cooling or granulating component and, an off-gas output.
A process for generating a metal sulfate that involves crystallizing a metal sulfate from an aqueous solution to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor with uncrystallized metal sulfate remaining in the mother liquor; separating the crystallized metal sulfate from the mother liquor; basifying a portion of the mother liquor to convert the uncrystallized metal sulfate to a basic metal salt; and using the basic metal salt upstream of crystallizing the metal sulfate. So crystallized, the generated metal sulfate may be battery-grade or electroplating-grade.
A process for helping improve hydrometallurgical precious metal recovery from preg-robbing ores or concentrates, such as double refractory ores or concentrates or carbonaceous ores. The process comprises treating the ore or concentrate in the presence of oxygen at a temperature and pressure sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic carbon material in the ore or concentrate. A vessel is used to treat the ore or concentrate to oxidize the organic carbon material. The vessel may be a pipe. The vessel maintains the ore at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of oxygen. The vessel may have an inlet for receiving a pre-treated slurry of ore or concentrate, a mechanism for oxygen addition, a mechanism for degassing the pipe reactor, and an outlet for providing the treated slurry to further processing. The vessel may be used in series after an autoclave. The pipe reactor may also include a pre-heating step and a cooling step.
C22B 1/00 - Preliminary treatment of ores or scrap
C22B 3/24 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by physical processes, e.g. by filtration, by magnetic means by adsorption on solid substances, e.g. by extraction with solid resins
C22B 3/44 - Treatment or purification of solutions, e.g. obtained by leaching by chemical processes
A method and system are provided for feeding a feed mixture into an electric furnace. The method comprising producing a homogeneous feed mixture and charging the furnace with the homogeneous feed mixture. The homogeneous feed mixture, being one or both of compositionally and thermally homogeneous, includes DRI, and one or more of fluxes, scrap, reductants and reverts, used to charge electric furnaces. The system comprises a mixing unit for combining feed components into a homogeneous mixture. The mixing unit may be a screw conveyor. The mixing unit is connected to the furnace to charge the furnace with the homogeneous feed mixture.
A process and system are provided for reducing the concentration of lithium using direct lithium extraction (DLE) in a lithium-bearing aqueous effluent, for example from a chemical production process. The system and process comprise using direct lithium extraction to produce a DLE Li-depleted effluent with a concentration of lithium within effluent discharge limits. The DLE Li- depleted effluent may then be directly or indirectly discharged into a body of water. The system and process also result in an DLE Li-rich effluent with a high concentration of lithium that may be further processed for lithium recovery or management.
A method for resurfacing a reactive metal surface using a cold spray coating of reactive metal particles. The particles comprise a non-spherical morphology and properties similar to or the same as the reactive metal surface needing repair. The particles may be accelerated to undergo plastic deformation to cause the particles to bond to the reactive metal surface. The bonded particles form a repaired reactive metal surface that is continuous with the existing reactive metal surface.
An additive composition for providing a chemical additive to liquid metal in a furnace, and a method for adjusting the chemical composition of molten metal in a furnace. The additive composition comprises an additive component and a ballast component. The ballast component is a high-density component, the high-density component for helping the additive composition to sink through the slag layer to contact the molten metal using the force of gravity.
C21B 3/02 - General features in the manufacture of pig-iron by applying additives, e.g. fluxing agents
C21B 13/00 - Making spongy iron or liquid steel, by direct processes
C22B 9/10 - General processes of refining or remelting of metalsApparatus for electroslag or arc remelting of metals with refining or fluxing agentsUse of materials therefor
11.
LOW FREQUENCY PULSE ULTRASONIC SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR NON-INTRUSIVE EVALUATION OF MULTI-LAYERED INDUSTRIAL STRUCTURES
A system and method for measuring thicknesses of one or more thin layers in a multi-layered industrial structure. One of the layers may comprise a coarse- grained material. The multi-layered structure may be less than 600mm thick. The method comprises emitting ultrasonic pulses into the multi-layered industrial structure and detecting thickness frequencies of the layers of the structure and comparing against known thickness frequencies. The ultrasonic pulses being a frequency sweep pulse or a broadband frequency sweep pulse uniquely programmed for the multi-layered structure.
A metal-dissolving apparatus and process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reactor, a metal inlet for receiving a metal-containing substance, a solution inlet for receiving a metal-dissolving solution, a solution outlet for providing the metal-dissolving solution comprising dissolved metals. The apparatus comprises a length and a height, the height being less than the length. The process comprises providing a metal-dissolving solution into a first location of a reactor comprising metal-containing substances, flowing the metal-dissolving solution through the reactor, dissolving metal from the metal-containing substances into the metal-dissolving solution, and discharging the metal-dissolving solution from the reactor.
A metal-dissolving apparatus and process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reactor, a metal inlet for receiving a metal-containing substance, a solution inlet for receiving a metal-dissolving solution, a solution outlet for providing the metal- dissolving solution comprising dissolved metals. The apparatus comprises a length and a height, the height being less than the length. The process comprises providing a metal-dissolving solution into a first location of a reactor comprising metal- containing substances, flowing the metal-dissolving solution through the reactor, dissolving metal from the metal-containing substances into the metal-dissolving solution, and discharging the metal-dissolving solution from the reactor.
A metal-dissolving apparatus and process is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a reactor, a metal inlet for receiving a metal-containing substance, a solution inlet for receiving a metal-dissolving solution, a solution outlet for providing the metal-dissolving solution comprising dissolved metals. The apparatus comprises a length and a height, the height being less than the length. The process comprises providing a metal-dissolving solution into a first location of a reactor comprising metal-containing substances, flowing the metal-dissolving solution through the reactor, dissolving metal from the metal-containing substances into the metal-dissolving solution, and discharging the metal-dissolving solution from the reactor.
A system and method for assessing deterioration of a metallurgical runner using acoustic emissions. The system may be referred to as an acoustic emission runner integrity system (AERIS). The system comprises acoustic emission sensors mounted on the runner. At least some of the sensors can detect acoustic emission signals in the runner. The sensors may be able to emit acoustic emission signals into the runner. The sensors are in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to one or more of identify and monitor deterioration of the runner based on the acoustic emission signals of the sensors. The method comprises affixing AE sensors to the runner, detecting AE signals with the sensors, and assessing deterioration of the runner based on the AE signals of the sensors.
Processes and methods for refining ferronickel alloy, and producing nickel sulfate or other nickel product, are provided, where the ferronickel alloy is treated with an oxidizing leach. The oxidizing leach may be, for example, a pressure oxidation (POX) leach or a leach with peroxide or copper (II) ions. The treatment may be in the presence of added copper, such as by providing a copper sulfate solution. Producing nickel sulfate may comprise removing copper and iron after the leach, removing impurities, and either crystallizing the nickel sulfate or precipitating/winning another nickel product.
A method, device, and system for detecting a current leak in a traction power rail. Magnetic or electrical properties of the rail are measured. The measurements are performed using a rail instrument that senses the properties around the rail at various times while the instrument is being moved down the rail, such as using a cart or train. The rail instrument may be a flux concentrator or open Rogowski coil. The locations of the rail, about which the readings are taken by the rail instrument, may be determined and correlated with the measurements themselves. The method may comprise measuring the magnetic field of the rail along a length of the rail, and identifying a leak based on differences between the magnetic field measurements. The system may comprise a cart comprising the rail instrument and a location instrument.
B61L 27/53 - Trackside diagnosis or maintenance, e.g. software upgrades for trackside elements or systems, e.g. trackside supervision of trackside control system conditions
G01R 31/00 - Arrangements for testing electric propertiesArrangements for locating electric faultsArrangements for electrical testing characterised by what is being tested not provided for elsewhere
G01R 31/11 - Locating faults in cables, transmission lines, or networks using pulse-reflection methods
G01R 31/52 - Testing for short-circuits, leakage current or ground faults
G01R 33/00 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables
A treatment process for crystallizing a metal sulfate involving pre-treating a feedstock comprising calcium, magnesium, and/or lithium impurities, the pre-treating involving pre-leaching the feedstock in the presence of a lixiviant, selectively extracting a first portion of any of the impurities from the feedstock, and forming a leached solution comprising an uncrystallized metal sulfate and any remaining impurities; and/or refining the leached solution and removing a second portion of any of the remaining impurities; and crystallizing the uncrystallized metal sulfate from the leached solution to form a crystallized metal sulfate. So processed, the crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade or electroplating-grade.
A process and method for producing a crystallized metal sulfate. The crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade. The method may comprise receiving a metal ion-containing stream and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may comprise receiving a stream from a metal processing plant, and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may be a metal electrowinning process comprising crystalizing a metal ion-containing stream to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor. The process or method may comprise returning the mother liquor upstream or to the metal electrowinning process.
A process for battery chemical production, where a sodium sulfate stream is treated with an ion exchange process to provide potassium sulfate and sodium chloride. The sodium chloride may be treated with a chlor-alkali to produce sodium hydroxide for use upstream in the battery chemical production process.
A process for removing impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, including contacting crystallized metal sulfate with a liquor rich in metal sulfate. The metal may be cobalt, nickel, or manganese, and the impurities may be magnesium or calcium. The liquor rich in metal sulfate may be an overflow liquor from crystallization of the metal sulfate, and said overflow liquor may be subject to one or more impurities removal steps prior to contacting the crystallized metal sulfate, such that the overflow liquor contains lower levels of impurities than the crystallized metal sulfate to be contacted. A counter-current wash circuit may be used to remove impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, whereby a plurality of washing tanks are configured to receive crystallized metal sulfate in a sequence, and washing liquor in reverse of said sequence.
A process and reactor for removing impurities from a carbon material, involving providing a carbon feed into the electrothermal reactor; providing a gas into the reactor; passing the carbon feed through the reactor in a direction; heating the carbon feed using one or more electrodes; volatizing non-carbon material of the feed with the heat; and discharging the purified carbon material at the second location. So purified, the carbon material may be battery-grade. The feed may be passed through the reactor in a generally horizontal direction. The velocity of the feed in the reactor may be controlled to achieve a select resident time sufficient to volatize a desired amount of impurity. The process and reactor may be configured to inhibit back-mixing of the feed.
A process and reactor for removing impurities from a carbon material, involving providing a carbon feed into the electrothermal reactor; providing a gas into the reactor; passing the carbon feed through the reactor in a direction; heating the carbon feed using one or more electrodes; volatizing non-carbon material of the feed with the heat; and discharging the purified carbon material at the second location. So purified, the carbon material may be battery-grade. The feed may be passed through the reactor in a generally horizontal direction. The velocity of the feed in the reactor may be controlled to achieve a select resident time sufficient to volatize a desired amount of impurity. The process and reactor may be configured to inhibit back-mixing of the feed.
A process for helping improve hydrometallurgical precious metal recovery from preg-robbing ores or concentrates, such as double refractory ores or concentrates or carbonaceous ores. The process comprises treating the ore or concentrate in the presence of oxygen at a temperature and pressure sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic carbon material in the ore or concentrate. A vessel is used to treat the ore or concentrate to oxidize the organic carbon material. The vessel may be a pipe. The vessel maintains the ore at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of oxygen. The vessel may have an inlet for receiving a pre-treated slurry of ore or concentrate, a mechanism for oxygen addition, a mechanism for degassing the pipe reactor, and an outlet for providing the treated slurry to further processing. The vessel may be used in series after an autoclave. The pipe reactor may also include a pre-heating step and a cooling step.
A process for helping improve hydrometallurgical precious metal recovery from preg-robbing ores or concentrates, such as double refractory ores or concentrates or carbonaceous ores. The process comprises treating the ore or concentrate in the presence of oxygen at a temperature and pressure sufficient to oxidize at least a portion of the organic carbon material in the ore or concentrate. A vessel is used to treat the ore or concentrate to oxidize the organic carbon material. The vessel may be a pipe. The vessel maintains the ore at an elevated temperature and pressure in the presence of oxygen. The vessel may have an inlet for receiving a pre-treated slurry of ore or concentrate, a mechanism for oxygen addition, a mechanism for degassing the pipe reactor, and an outlet for providing the treated slurry to further processing. The vessel may be used in series after an autoclave. The pipe reactor may also include a pre-heating step and a cooling step.
A process for removing impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, including contacting crystallized metal sulfate with a liquor rich in metal sulfate. The metal may be cobalt, nickel, or manganese, and the impurities may be magnesium or calcium. The liquor rich in metal sulfate may be an overflow liquor from crystallization of the metal sulfate, and said overflow liquor may be subject to one or more impurities removal steps prior to contacting the crystallized metal sulfate, such that the overflow liquor contains lower levels of impurities than the crystallized metal sulfate to be contacted. A counter-current wash circuit may be used to remove impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, whereby a plurality of washing tanks are configured to receive crystallized metal sulfate in a sequence, and washing liquor in reverse of said sequence.
A process for removing impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, including contacting crystallized metal sulfate with a liquor rich in metal sulfate. The metal may be cobalt, nickel, or manganese, and the impurities may be magnesium or calcium. The liquor rich in metal sulfate may be an overflow liquor from crystallization of the metal sulfate, and said overflow liquor may be subject to one or more impurities removal steps prior to contacting the crystallized metal sulfate, such that the overflow liquor contains lower levels of impurities than the crystallized metal sulfate to be contacted. A counter-current wash circuit may be used to remove impurities from a crystallized metal sulfate, whereby a plurality of washing tanks are configured to receive crystallized metal sulfate in a sequence, and washing liquor in reverse of said sequence.
A system and method for affecting the crossbow in a metal sheet in continuous coating process. The system comprises strip distance sensors for determining distances to the metal sheet. A controller is configured to adjust the position of the correcting roll, based on the strip distances, to affect the crossbow in the sheet to help control the thickness of the coating on the sheet. The system may comprise a crossbow model to help determine the new correcting roll position. The distances determined by the strip distance sensors may be also be used to adjust the position of the air knives.
A process for battery chemical production, where a sodium sulfate stream is treated with an ion exchange process to provide potassium sulfate and sodium chloride. The sodium chloride may be treated with a chlor-alkali to produce sodium hydroxide for use upstream in the battery chemical production process.
A system and method for affecting the crossbow in a metal sheet in continuous coating process. The system comprises strip distance sensors for determining distances to the metal sheet. A controller is configured to adjust the position of the correcting roll, based on the strip distances, to affect the crossbow in the sheet to help control the thickness of the coating on the sheet. The system may comprise a crossbow model to help determine the new correcting roll position. The distances determined by the strip distance sensors may be also be used to adjust the position of the air knives.
B05D 1/18 - Processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials performed by dipping
B05D 7/14 - Processes, other than flocking, specially adapted for applying liquids or other fluent materials to particular surfaces or for applying particular liquids or other fluent materials to metal, e.g. car bodies
31.
FERRONICKEL ALLOY DIRECT REFINING PROCESSES AND PROCESSES FOR PRODUCING NICKEL SULFATE OR OTHER NICKEL PRODUCTS
Processes and methods for refining ferronickel alloy, and producing nickel sulfate or other nickel product, are provided, where the ferronickel alloy is treated with an oxidizing leach. The oxidizing leach may be, for example, a pressure oxidation (POX) leach or a leach with peroxide or copper (II) ions. The treatment may be in the presence of added copper, such as by providing a copper sulfate solution. Producing nickel sulfate may comprise removing copper and iron after the leach, removing impurities, and either crystallizing the nickel sulfate or precipitating/winning another nickel product.
Processes and methods for refining ferronickel alloy, and producing nickel sulfate or other nickel product, are provided, where the ferronickel alloy is treated with an oxidizing leach. The oxidizing leach may be, for example, a pressure oxidation (POX) leach or a leach with peroxide or copper (II) ions. The treatment may be in the presence of added copper, such as by providing a copper sulfate solution. Producing nickel sulfate may comprise removing copper and iron after the leach, removing impurities, and either crystallizing the nickel sulfate or precipitating/winning another nickel product.
A system and method for assessing deterioration of a metallurgical runner using acoustic emissions. The system may be referred to as an acoustic emission runner integrity system (AERIS). The system comprises acoustic emission sensors mounted on the runner. At least some of the sensors can detect acoustic emission signals in the runner. The sensors may be able to emit acoustic emission signals into the runner. The sensors are in communication with a controller. The controller is configured to one or more of identify and monitor deterioration of the runner based on the acoustic emission signals of the sensors. The method comprises affixing AE sensors to the runner, detecting AE signals with the sensors, and assessing deterioration of the runner based on the AE signals of the sensors.
G01N 29/14 - Investigating or analysing materials by the use of ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic wavesVisualisation of the interior of objects by transmitting ultrasonic or sonic waves through the object using acoustic emission techniques
F27D 21/00 - Arrangement of monitoring devicesArrangement of safety devices
F27D 3/14 - Charging or discharging liquid or molten material
A process and method for producing a crystallized metal sulfate. The crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade. The method may comprise receiving a metal ion-containing stream and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may comprise receiving a stream from a metal processing plant, and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may be a metal electrowinning process comprising crystalizing a metal ion-containing stream to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor. The process or method may comprise returning the mother liquor upstream or to the metal electrowinning process.
C30B 7/14 - Single-crystal growth from solutions using solvents which are liquid at normal temperature, e.g. aqueous solutions the crystallising materials being formed by chemical reactions in the solution
35.
PROCESSES AND METHODS FOR PRODUCTION OF CRYSTALLIZED METAL SULFATES
A process and method for producing a crystallized metal sulfate. The crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade. The method may comprise receiving a metal ion-containing stream and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may comprise receiving a stream from a metal processing plant, and crystalizing a metal sulfate from the stream. The process may be a metal electrowinning process comprising crystalizing a metal ion-containing stream to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor. The process or method may comprise returning the mother liquor upstream or to the metal electrowinning process.
C30B 7/14 - Single-crystal growth from solutions using solvents which are liquid at normal temperature, e.g. aqueous solutions the crystallising materials being formed by chemical reactions in the solution
C01B 17/96 - Methods for the preparation of sulfates in general
A treatment process for crystallizing a metal sulfate involving pre-treating a feedstock comprising calcium, magnesium, and/or lithium impurities, the pre-treating involving pre-leaching the feedstock in the presence of a lixiviant, selectively extracting a first portion of any of the impurities from the feedstock, and forming a leached solution comprising an uncrystallized metal sulfate and any remaining impurities; and/or refining the leached solution and removing a second portion of any of the remaining impurities; and crystallizing the uncrystallized metal sulfate from the leached solution to form a crystallized metal sulfate. So processed, the crystallized metal sulfate may be battery-grade or electroplating-grade.
A process for generating a metal sulfate that involves crystallizing a metal sulfate from an aqueous solution to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor with uncrystallized metal sulfate remaining in the mother liquor; separating the crystallized metal sulfate from the mother liquor; basifying a portion of the mother liquor to convert the uncrystallized metal sulfate to a basic metal salt; and using the basic metal salt upstream of crystallizing the metal sulfate. So crystallized, the generated metal sulfate may be battery-grade or electroplating-grade.
A method, device, and system for detecting a current leak in a traction power rail. Magnetic or electrical properties of the rail are measured. The measurements are performed using a rail instrument that senses the properties around the rail at various times while the instrument is being moved down the rail, such as using a cart or train. The rail instrument may be a flux concentrator or open Rogowski coil. The locations of the rail, about which the readings are taken by the rail instrument, may be determined and correlated with the measurements themselves. The method may comprise measuring the magnetic field of the rail along a length of the rail, and identifying a leak based on differences between the magnetic field measurements. The system may comprise a cart comprising the rail instrument and a location instrument.
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
G01R 15/18 - Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks using inductive devices, e.g. transformers
A method, device, and system for detecting a current leak in a traction power rail. Magnetic or electrical properties of the rail are measured. The measurements are performed using a rail instrument that senses the properties around the rail at various times while the instrument is being moved down the rail, such as using a cart or train. The rail instrument may be a flux concentrator or open Rogowski coil. The locations of the rail, about which the readings are taken by the rail instrument, may be determined and correlated with the measurements themselves. The method may comprise measuring the magnetic field of the rail along a length of the rail, and identifying a leak based on differences between the magnetic field measurements. The system may comprise a cart comprising the rail instrument and a location instrument.
B61K 9/08 - Measuring installations for surveying permanent way
B60M 3/00 - Feeding power to the supply lines in contact with collector on vehiclesArrangements for consuming regenerative power
B61L 25/02 - Indicating or recording positions or identities of vehicles or trains
G01R 15/18 - Adaptations providing voltage or current isolation, e.g. for high-voltage or high-current networks using inductive devices, e.g. transformers
A machine and method for making underground excavations in rock, The machine comprises hydraulic percussion hammers which drive drill bits into the rock face to be bored. A hydraulic power unit (HPU) is located on the machine. The HPU powers the hydraulic percussion hammers. The HPU and percussion hammers form a hydraulic power distribution circuit. The percussions hammers may be moved during operation. The method comprises providing a hydraulic pressure to drill bits using a hydraulic pressure means, pulsing the drill bits against the rock face using the hydraulic pressure to form an excavation, and advancing the hydraulic pressure means into the excavation.
E21D 9/11 - Making by using boring or cutting machines with a rotary drilling-head cutting simultaneously the whole cross-section, i.e. full-face machines
E21D 1/06 - Sinking shafts mechanically with shaft-boring cutters
E21C 27/28 - Mineral freed by means not involving slitting by percussive drills with breaking-down means, e.g. wedge-shaped tools
E21C 35/20 - General features of equipment for removal of chippings, e.g. for loading on conveyor
E21B 1/38 - Hammer piston type, i.e. in which the tool bit or anvil is hit by an impulse member
E21B 4/16 - Plural down-hole drives, e.g. for combined percussion and rotary drillingDrives for multi-bit drilling units
A process for generating a metal sulfate that involves crystallizing a metal sulfate from an aqueous solution to form a crystallized metal sulfate in a mother liquor with uncrystallized metal sulfate remaining in the mother liquor; separating the crystallized metal sulfate from the mother liquor; basifying a portion of the mother liquor to convert the uncrystallized metal sulfate to a basic metal salt; and using the basic metal salt upstream of crystallizing the metal sulfate. So crystallized, the generated metal sulfate may be battery-grade or electroplating-grade.
A method of managing a liquid solvent inventory in a condensing solvent gravity drainage extraction chamber includes growing the extraction chamber by injecting a solvent vapour under conditions which cause at least a portion of the solvent vapour to condense on a hydrocarbon extraction interface at a condensation temperature, then accumulating within the extraction chamber condensed liquid solvent which is draining through the chamber under the influence of gravity, which liquid solvent includes a hydrocarbon rich fluid production layer which is proximal to said extraction interface, and then heating a portion of the extraction chamber from a location near, in and/or above the injector to create a heated zone having a temperature above the condensation temperature without heating the hydrocarbon rich production layer to permit the hydrocarbon rich production layer to continue to drain to a production well.
A method and system for stabilizing electrical power for arc furnaces and their power supplies. The method comprises causing a load to absorb power in response to determining a loss of arc event of an arc furnace electrode. After the electrode arc is re-established, power to the load is stopped. The load helps maintain a consistent power consumption during the loss of arc event without significantly changing the power supply output to balance supply with demand. The system comprises a load, and a controller to regulate the amount of power being absorbed by the load. The controller may help expedite re-establishing the electrode arc and help minimize the size of the load. The controller may be part of, or interact with, a furnace power electronic control system.
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27D 11/08 - Heating by electric discharge, e.g. arc discharge
44.
SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR DRY ABLATION BENEFICATION OF ORE
A system and method for dry ablation beneficiation of ore. The system comprises a nozzle to emit an air stream, and a feeder to provide ore particles for entraining in the air stream and colliding. The ore comprises gangue grains bound together with a cementing material. The cementing material comprises a desired material. The collisions are controlled to help preferentially break the cementing material over breaking the bonds holding a gangue grain together. The system also comprises a classifier to separate broken cementing material from the remaining material (which includes gangue grains) based on size. The method comprises entraining the ore particles in an air stream and colliding to preferentially break the cementing material. The ore particles may be collided with each other or a surface. The broken cementing materials are then separated from the remaining materials (which includes gangue grains). The enriched ore is the separated cementing material.
A system measures parameters of the electricity drawn by an arc furnace and, based on an analysis of the parameters, provides indicators of whether arc coverage has been optimized. Factors related to optimization of arc coverage include electrode position, charge level, slag level and slag behaviour. More specifically, such indicators of whether arc coverage has been optimized may be used when determining a position for the electrode such that, to an extent possible, a stable arc cavity is maintained and an open arc condition is avoided. Conveniently, by avoiding open arc conditions, the internal linings of the furnace walls and roof may be protected from excessive wear and tear.
A device and burner for a flash furnace, and methods for monitoring the operation, and operating, a flash furnace burner. The burner comprises a burner block and a sensor positioned to take readings of combustions within a combustion envelope. The sensor may be positioned within a channel that passes through the burner block in communication with the interior of a furnace. The device comprises a sensor connected to an actuator. The actuator is configured to insert the sensor into a channel in a burner. The method for operating the burner comprises combusting feed, taking readings of the combustions from within the combustion envelope, and adjusting the operation of the burner based on the readings.
C22B 5/14 - Dry processes by gases fluidised material
C22B 9/05 - Refining by treating with gases, e.g. gas flushing
F23C 1/12 - Combustion apparatus specially adapted for combustion of two or more kinds of fuel simultaneously or alternately, at least one kind of fuel being either a fluid fuel or a solid fuel suspended in air gaseous and pulverulent fuel
F23D 1/00 - Burners for combustion of pulverulent fuel
F23M 11/04 - Means for supervising combustion, e.g. windows
A gate, leaf, and method for controlling water levels in a body of water. The gate comprises a moveable barrier (which may be a leaf), a restoring device such as a spring, and a profile. The barrier automatically opens or closes an amount to allow less or more water through as a result of changes in the water pressure in the upstream body of water. This helps maintain a water level in the upstream body of water. The profile disturbs the flow of water through the gate to influence the water pressure on the barrier. The profile may help provide a more linear curve for the water moment on the barrier across the range of barrier positions. A more linear curve for the water moment may help maintain equilibrium with the restoring moment across the range of barrier positions. The method comprises disturbing the flow of water over a barrier to redistribute the pressures of the water on the barrier.
A gate, leaf, and method for controlling water levels in a body of water. The gate comprises a moveable barrier (which may be a leaf), a restoring device such as a spring, and a profile. The barrier automatically opens or closes an amount to allow less or more water through as a result of changes in the water pressure in the upstream body of water. This helps maintain a water level in the upstream body of water. The profile disturbs the flow of water through the gate to influence the water pressure on the barrier. The profile may help provide a more linear curve for the water moment on the barrier across the range of barrier positions. A more linear curve for the water moment may help maintain equilibrium with the restoring moment across the range of barrier positions. The method comprises disturbing the flow of water over a barrier to redistribute the pressures of the water on the barrier.
A system and method for identifying imperfections in a reflective surface. The reflective surface may be a metal coating on a sheet such as in a galvanization process. The system comprises a laser detector. The laser detector may be part of a triangulation unit. The laser detector takes readings corresponding to the angles of travel of diffuse light of a laser off of different portions of the reflective surface. Imperfections in the surface are identified based on variance in the readings. The method comprises detecting diffuse light of a laser beam off of different portions of the reflective surface, and identifying imperfections based on variances in the angles of travel of the diffuse light detected.
G01B 11/14 - Measuring arrangements characterised by the use of optical techniques for measuring distance or clearance between spaced objects or spaced apertures
G01N 21/88 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination
G01N 21/95 - Investigating the presence of flaws, defects or contamination characterised by the material or shape of the object to be examined
50.
Flexible electrical connectors for electrolytic cells
A flexible electrical connector assembly is adapted to connect a bus bar of an electrolytic cell to a collector bar of the electrolytic cell. The assembly includes an electrical connector including a plurality of conductive metal sheets, the electrical connector having a collector bar end and a bus bar end. The electrical connector may be adapted for being joined, at the collector bar end, to the collector bar and, at the bus bar end, to the bus bar. The electrical connector may be adapted to implement a change in direction, at a bend along a current-carrying path between the bus bar end and the collector bar end, the bend assisting to define the change in direction as greater than 90 degrees.
A configuration of switches added to a line control circuit allows for switching back and forth between a configuration featuring a series-connected thyristor switch and reactor and a configuration featuring a parallel-connected thyristor switch and reactor. Connecting the reactor in series with the thyristor switch allows a controlled high-impedance circuit configuration that is particularly well adapted for cold furnace start-ups and furnace idling. In this manner, there is reduced need for such equipment as extra startup transformers, alternate low-voltage power supply configurations and temporary specialty electrical apparatus for cold furnace start-ups.
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the networkCircuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
C21C 5/52 - Manufacture of steel in electric furnaces
C22B 4/00 - Electrothermal treatment of ores or metallurgical products for obtaining metals or alloys
F27B 3/10 - Details, accessories or equipment, e.g. dust-collectors, specially adapted for hearth-type furnaces
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
H05B 7/20 - Direct heating by arc discharge, i.e. where at least one end of the arc directly acts on the material to be heated, including additional resistance heating by arc current flowing through the material to be heated
A configuration of switches added to a line control circuit allows for switching back and forth between a configuration featuring a series-connected thyristor switch and reactor and a configuration featuring a parallel-connected thyristor switch and reactor. Connecting the reactor in series with the thyristor switch allows a controlled high-impedance circuit configuration that is particularly well adapted for cold furnace start-ups and furnace idling. In this manner, there is reduced need for such equipment as extra startup transformers, alternate low-voltage power supply configurations and temporary specialty electrical apparatus for cold furnace start-ups.
H02J 3/18 - Arrangements for adjusting, eliminating or compensating reactive power in networks
H03K 17/72 - Bipolar semiconductor devices with more than two PN junctions, e.g. thyristors, programmable unijunction transistors, or with more than three electrodes, e.g. silicon controlled switches, or with more than one electrode connected to the same conductivity region, e.g. unijunction transistors
A configuration of switches added to a line control circuit allows for switching back and forth between a configuration featuring a series-connected thyristor switch and reactor and a configuration featuring a parallel-connected thyristor switch and reactor. Connecting the reactor in series with the thyristor switch allows a controlled high-impedance circuit configuration that is particularly well adapted for cold furnace start-ups and furnace idling. In this manner, there is reduced need for such equipment as extra startup transformers, alternate low-voltage power supply configurations and temporary specialty electrical apparatus for cold furnace startups.
F27B 3/10 - Details, accessories or equipment, e.g. dust-collectors, specially adapted for hearth-type furnaces
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
H02J 13/00 - Circuit arrangements for providing remote indication of network conditions, e.g. an instantaneous record of the open or closed condition of each circuitbreaker in the networkCircuit arrangements for providing remote control of switching means in a power distribution network, e.g. switching in and out of current consumers by using a pulse code signal carried by the network
H05B 7/20 - Direct heating by arc discharge, i.e. where at least one end of the arc directly acts on the material to be heated, including additional resistance heating by arc current flowing through the material to be heated
54.
METHODS OF MANAGING SOLVENT INVENTORY IN A GRAVITY DRAINAGE EXTRACTION CHAMBER
A method of managing a liquid solvent inventory in a condensing solvent gravity drainage extraction chamber includes growing the extraction chamber by injecting a solvent vapour under conditions which cause at least a portion of the solvent vapour to condense on a hydrocarbon extraction interface at a condensation temperature, then accumulating within the extraction chamber condensed liquid solvent which is draining through the chamber under the influence of gravity, which liquid solvent includes a hydrocarbon rich fluid production layer which is proximal to said extraction interface, and then heating a portion of the extraction chamber from a location near, in and/or above the injector to create a heated zone having a temperature above the condensation temperature without heating the hydrocarbon rich production layer to permit the hydrocarbon rich production layer to continue to drain to a production well.
An abrasion-resistant material for the working face of a metallurgical furnace cooling element such as a stave cooler or a tuyere cooler having a body comprised of a first metal. The abrasion-resistant material comprises a macro-composite material including abrasion-resistant particles which are arranged in a substantially repeating, engineered configuration infiltrated with a matrix of a second metal, the particles having a hardness greater than that of the second metal. A cooling element for a metallurgical furnace has a body comprised of the first metal, the body having a facing layer comprising the abrasion-resistant material. A method comprises: positioning the engineered configuration of abrasion-resistant particles in a mold cavity, the engineered configuration located in an area of the mold cavity to define the facing layer; and introducing molten metal into the cavity, the molten metal comprising the first metal of the cooling element body.
An electronic device, and a magnetic energy harvesting device and method of harvesting magnetic energy, for electric metallurgical furnaces and similar environments. The device comprises a conductor which is configured to become induced with electricity in response to a time-varying magnetic field. The field may be irregular, such as near a metallurgical furnace or a similar environment. The electronic device may be a transmitter in a metallurgical electric furnace. The transmitter may be connected to an environment sensor. The electronic device may be powered by the magnetic energy harvesting device. The magnetic energy harvesting device may a wire loop or a coil. The method comprises inductively harvesting energy from magnetic field fluctuations caused by a metallurgical furnace or a similar environment to wirelessly power the electronic device.
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
H01M 10/42 - Methods or arrangements for servicing or maintenance of secondary cells or secondary half-cells
57.
MAGNETIC ENERGY HARVESTING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR ELECTRIC METALLURGICAL FURNACES AND SIMILAR ENVIRONMENTS
An electronic device, and a magnetic energy harvesting device and method of harvesting magnetic energy, for electric metallurgical furnaces and similar environments. The device comprises a conductor which is configured to become induced with electricity in response to a time-varying magnetic field. The field may be irregular, such as near a metallurgical furnace or a similar environment. The electronic device may be a transmitter in a metallurgical electric furnace. The transmitter may be connected to an environment sensor. The electronic device may be powered by the magnetic energy harvesting device. The magnetic energy harvesting device may a wire loop or a coil. The method comprises inductively harvesting energy from magnetic field fluctuations caused by a metallurgical furnace or a similar environment to wirelessly power the electronic device.
G01K 7/02 - Measuring temperature based on the use of electric or magnetic elements directly sensitive to heat using thermoelectric elements, e.g. thermocouples
G08C 17/02 - Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link using a radio link
An electronic device, and a magnetic energy harvesting device and method of harvesting magnetic energy, for electric metallurgical furnaces and similar environments. The device comprises a conductor which is configured to become induced with electricity in response to a time-varying magnetic field. The field may be irregular, such as near a metallurgical furnace or a similar environment. The electronic device may be a transmitter in a metallurgical electric furnace. The transmitter may be connected to an environment sensor. The electronic device may be powered by the magnetic energy harvesting device. The magnetic energy harvesting device may a wire loop or a coil. The method comprises inductively harvesting energy from magnetic field fluctuations caused by a metallurgical furnace or a similar environment to wirelessly power the electronic device.
H05B 7/11 - Arrangements for conducting current to the electrode terminals
H02J 50/80 - Circuit arrangements or systems for wireless supply or distribution of electric power involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
A modified air mixer heats mixing air to an elevated temperature using plasma heating torches retrofitted to an air mixer in a blast furnace system. The plasma heated air is mixed in the hot blast main with heated air from hot blast stoves to increase the temperature of mixed blast air prior to delivery to the blast furnace. Conveniently, the air delivered to the blast furnace can be at a temperature equal to or greater than the highest air temperature that the hot blast stoves can technically produce. The air temperature can be increased to the maximum design temperature of the hot blast air refractory system (from stove exit to tuyere discharge). The increased hot blast air temperature delivered to the blast furnace may be seen to reduce coke rate, allow increased fuel injection, increase blast furnace productivity and reduce CO2 emissions.
A system measures parameters of the electricity drawn by an arc furnace and, based on an analysis of the parameters, provides indicators of whether arc coverage has been optimized. Factors related to optimization of arc coverage include electrode position, charge level, slag level and slag behaviour. More specifically, such indicators of whether arc coverage has been optimized may be used when determining a position for the electrode such that, to an extent possible, a stable arc cavity is maintained and an open arc condition is avoided. Conveniently, by avoiding open arc conditions, the internal linings of the furnace walls and roof may be protected from excessive wear and tear.
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 5/18 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 14/20 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27D 11/08 - Heating by electric discharge, e.g. arc discharge
A system measures parameters of the electricity drawn by an arc furnace and, based on an analysis of the parameters, provides indicators of whether arc coverage has been optimized. Factors related to optimization of arc coverage include electrode position, charge level, slag level and slag behaviour. More specifically, such indicators of whether arc coverage has been optimized may be used when determining a position for the electrode such that, to an extent possible, a stable arc cavity is maintained and an open arc condition is avoided. Conveniently, by avoiding open arc conditions, the internal linings of the furnace walls and roof may be protected from excessive wear and tear.
F27D 11/08 - Heating by electric discharge, e.g. arc discharge
F27B 14/20 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 5/18 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
It is proposed herein to employ thyristor firing angles as a fast prediction of flicker in power supply for an electric arc furnace. It is further proposed to actively modify operating variables for the electric arc furnace to maintain the flicker below a predefined threshold. Aspects of the present application use the thyristor firing angles in combination with control ranges of variable reactance devices to predict the flicker severity level generated by the electric arc furnace with thyristor-controlled variable reactance devices. Based on the predicted flicker level, at least one operating variable of the electric arc furnace may be changed, if required, to maintain flicker to acceptable limit.
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27D 21/00 - Arrangement of monitoring devicesArrangement of safety devices
F27D 11/08 - Heating by electric discharge, e.g. arc discharge
A process and reactor for arsenic fixation in which a first gas stream comprises oxygen and an iron-containing particulate material. The oxygen and particulate material may be fed to reactor through respective first and second inlets. A second gas stream containing one or more volatile arsenic compounds is fed through a third inlet and mixed with the first gas stream and the particulate material to produce a combined gas stream containing the volatile arsenic compounds and the particulate material. The arsenic compounds are reacted with iron in the particulate material as the combined gas stream flows through the reactor to produce solid iron arsenates which are then recovered. The portion of the reactor including the first, second and third inlets is vertically oriented, and the reactor may include a venturi arrangement having a throat at which the second inlet is located.
A61B 17/70 - Spinal positioners or stabilisers, e.g. stabilisers comprising fluid filler in an implant
B01J 8/18 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles
A method for determining a length parameter of an electrode during operation of an electric arc furnace. An internal duct extends through the length of the electrode and is open at its lower end. A waveguide having a solid core is received in the internal duct and comprises a material having a low dielectric constant and high temperature resistance. The solid core of the waveguide includes at least one target. An electromagnetic radiation signal is emitted from a source and transmitted through the waveguide and the signal is diffracted and/or reflected from at least one target to produce at least one return signal which is transmitted back through the waveguide. A time or frequency difference between the emitted signal and the return signal is measured and the length parameter is calculated based on this difference.
G01S 13/88 - Radar or analogous systems, specially adapted for specific applications
F27D 21/00 - Arrangement of monitoring devicesArrangement of safety devices
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
A method and system for optimizing a train rail system. The method comprises creating a model of the rail system in a memory, creating an objective function in the memory, and determining, using a computer, a configuration of the rail system which optimizes the objective function for the process systems model. The model may be a process systems model. The aspect being optimized may be a train schedule for the rail system. The trains may be operated in accordance with the train schedule. The system comprises a computer and a memory. The memory stores a program configured to create in the memory the model, create the objective function, and determine the configuration of the rail system, using the computer, which optimizes the objective function for the model.
B61L 27/00 - Central railway traffic control systemsTrackside controlCommunication systems specially adapted therefor
G06Q 10/04 - Forecasting or optimisation specially adapted for administrative or management purposes, e.g. linear programming or "cutting stock problem"
66.
FLEXIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
A flexible electrical connector assembly is adapted to connect a bus bar of an electrolytic cell to a collector bar of the electrolytic cell. The assembly includes an electrical connector including a plurality of conductive metal sheets, the electrical connector having a collector bar end and a bus bar end. The electrical connector may be adapted for being joined, at the collector bar end, to the collector bar and, at the bus bar end, to the bus bar. The electrical connector may be adapted to implement a change in direction, at a bend along a current-carrying path between the bus bar end and the collector bar end, the bend assisting to define the change in direction as greater than 90 degrees. The flexible electrical connector assembly may incorporate features that allow for a substantial reduction in required depth relative to the prior art. Especially when used with potshells incorporating low-profile sidewall structural support elements, the low-profile flexible electrical connectors allow for a substantial increase in the overall production area of a cell within a fixed footprint, compared to electrolytic cells found in the prior art utilizing conventional flexible electrical connectors.
C25C 3/08 - Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
C25C 3/16 - Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars
H01R 4/34 - Conductive members located under head of screw
H01R 4/58 - Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one anotherMeans for effecting or maintaining such contactElectrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
H02G 11/00 - Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
67.
FLEXIBLE ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR ELECTROLYTIC CELLS
A flexible electrical connector assembly is adapted to connect a bus bar of an electrolytic cell to a collector bar of the electrolytic cell. The assembly includes an electrical connector including a plurality of conductive metal sheets, the electrical connector having a collector bar end and a bus bar end. The electrical connector may be adapted for being joined, at the collector bar end, to the collector bar and, at the bus bar end, to the bus bar. The electrical connector may be adapted to implement a change in direction, at a bend along a current-carrying path between the bus bar end and the collector bar end, the bend assisting to define the change in direction as greater than 90 degrees.
H01R 4/58 - Electrically-conductive connections between two or more conductive members in direct contact, i.e. touching one anotherMeans for effecting or maintaining such contactElectrically-conductive connections having two or more spaced connecting locations for conductors and using contact members penetrating insulation characterised by the form or material of the contacting members
C25C 3/08 - Cell construction, e.g. bottoms, walls, cathodes
C25C 3/16 - Electric current supply devices, e.g. bus bars
H01R 4/34 - Conductive members located under head of screw
H02G 11/00 - Arrangements of electric cables or lines between relatively-movable parts
68.
Low-profile aluminum cell potshell and method for increasing the production capacity of an aluminum cell potline
An aluminum reduction cell having a shell structure with a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls, a pair of transversely extending endwalls, a bottom wall, and an open top having an upper edge. The aluminum reduction cell also has a transverse support structure with transverse bottom beams located under the shell structure and extending transversely between the sidewalls, each of the transverse bottom beams having a pair of opposed ends. The aluminium reduction cell also has compliant binding elements fixed to the transverse support structure, each extending vertically along an outer surface of one of the sidewalls for applying an inwardly directed force said sidewall. The compliant binding elements are in the form of cantilever springs. Each spring has a metal member with a lower end which is secured to the transverse support structure, and a compliant, upper free end which is movable inwardly and outwardly in response to expansion and contraction of the shell structure.
C25B 9/00 - Cells or assemblies of cellsConstructional parts of cellsAssemblies of constructional parts, e.g. electrode-diaphragm assembliesProcess-related cell features
C25C 3/10 - External supporting frames or structures
69.
METHOD FOR SOLVENT RECOVERY FROM GRAVITY DRAINAGE CHAMBER FORMED BY SOLVENT-BASED EXTRACTION AND APPARATUS TO DO THE SAME
A method and apparatus to recover the solvent that remains in a mature in situ gravity drainage chamber formed by solvent-based extraction is disclosed. The method involves transitioning from an oil production phase to a liquid solvent recovery phase by continuing to produce fluids from the chamber, even after solvent injection has stopped. Additional liquid solvent that cannot drain freely from the chamber and some solvent that is held up in the gas phase in the chamber are then recovered by drawing gas from the chamber. Chamber pressure management by injection of non-condensable gas or formation water into the chamber, as well as injecting water to improve solvent recovery from reservoirs with low initial water saturation are also comprehended. An apparatus suitable to carry out the present invention is also disclosed.
E21B 43/241 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection combined with solution mining of non-hydrocarbon minerals, e.g. solvent pyrolysis of oil shale
E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
E21B 49/08 - Obtaining fluid samples or testing fluids, in boreholes or wells
A system for processing a syngas stream including particulate matter, a combustible gas, and acid components is disclosed. The system includes a gasifier vessel configured to produce a raw syngas stream; a gas cooling apparatus configured to cool the raw syngas stream to produce a cooled syngas stream; an HCl and particulate removal apparatus configured to produce a reduced-HCl syngas stream; a first reheat apparatus configured to produce a first reheated syngas stream; a COS and HCN hydrolysis apparatus configured to produce a hydrolyzed syngas stream; an H2S removal apparatus configured to produce a reduced-H2S syngas stream; a second reheat apparatus configured to produce a second reheated syngas stream; an activated carbon bed apparatus configured to produce a polished syngas stream; and a compression and intercooling apparatus configured to compress and cool the polished syngas stream to produce a clean syngas stream.
An exhaust elbow includes an inlet, an outlet, a curved gas guiding duct between the inlet and the outlet, and a plurality of thermally insulated stiffeners connected to an external surface of the curved gas guiding duct, each of the stiffeners including a metallic component and thermal insulation adjacent to at least a portion of a surface of the metallic element.
An in situ hydrocarbon mobilization process includes the steps of: Selecting a working solvent for a condensing in situ gravity drainage extraction process; injecting the working solvent as a liquid into a hydrocarbon bearing formation to create a gravity drainage flow path to a production well through a portion of the formation; and transitioning to in situ condensing conditions with said working solvent within said formation to create an extraction chamber above said gravity drainage flow path.
E21B 43/17 - Interconnecting two or more wells by fracturing or otherwise attacking the formation
E21B 43/22 - Use of chemicals or bacterial activity
E21B 43/241 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection combined with solution mining of non-hydrocarbon minerals, e.g. solvent pyrolysis of oil shale
E21B 43/30 - Specific pattern of wells, e.g. optimising the spacing of wells
APPARATUS CONNECTING A WATER SAMPLE BOTTLE TO AN UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE (UAV) IN ORDER TO COLLECT WATER SAMPLES FROM BELOW THE SURFACE OF A WATER BODY
An apparatus to connect a multi-parameter probe or water sampling vessel to an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV), or aerial drone, facilitates the safe collection of samples from various depths in any water body or storage tank. Aspects of the present invention reduce risks to humans, who would, under normal circumstances, be required to be present on the water body surface to carry out sampling. The invention also reduces sampling costs.
A method of separating a heavy hydrocarbon fraction from a mixed fluid production stream produced from an underground reservoir is shown wherein the mixed fluid production stream is produced by means of a solvent based in situ gravity drainage process, the mixed fluid production stream including at least some water, some heavy hydrocarbons including oil, some light hydrocarbons including solvent and some solids. The method includes adjusting a solvent to oil ratio of the mixed fluid stream by doing one or both of reducing the solvent content and increasing an oil content in an amount to dissolve asphaltene particles found in the mixed fluid stream and to thereby destabilize any emulsions present in said mixed fluid production stream. This promotes passive separation of a water fraction from said mixed fluid stream.
E21B 43/22 - Use of chemicals or bacterial activity
E21B 43/241 - Enhanced recovery methods for obtaining hydrocarbons using heat, e.g. steam injection combined with solution mining of non-hydrocarbon minerals, e.g. solvent pyrolysis of oil shale
E21B 43/34 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well
E21B 43/38 - Arrangements for separating materials produced by the well in the well
75.
RECOVERY OF SOLVENTS FROM MIXED PRODUCTION FLUIDS AND SYSTEM FOR DOING SAME
A water separation system, including a bulk fluids separation vessel and a slop oil tank, for separating solvent from water produced from a solvent based in situ hydrocarbon extraction process. The bulk fluids separation vessel is configured to separate produced fluids into mixed water and light/heavy hydrocarbons. A first piping connection directs the light/heavy hydrocarbons to a downstream light/heavy separation stage. A second piping connection directs the mixed water downstream to a further water separation stage, which includes a skim tank. The skim tank permits the mixed water to separate into a lower density hydrocarbon rich stream and a higher density water stream. A third piping connection permits the slop oil tank to receive the lower density hydrocarbon rich stream. A fourth piping connection permits the slop oil tank to return at least a portion of the lower density hydrocarbon rich stream back to the bulk fluids separation vessel.
A hydrocarbon separation system and process to separate solvent from mixed fluids extracted from an underground formation. The separation system includes a main separation chamber, a reboiler circuit, and a multi-stage reflux circuit. The main separation chamber separates liquid inputs into bottom liquids and top vapours. The reboiler circuit separates bottom liquids received from the main separation chamber into purified solvent and a reboiler vapour fraction. The multi-stage reflux circuit receives the top vapours from the main separation chamber and separates solvent from the top vapours in two stages. The first stage separates a first reflux liquid from the top vapours, and passes the first reflux liquid to the main separation chamber. The second stage receives top vapours remaining in the first stage, separates solvent therefrom, passes the separated solvent to the main separation chamber, and exhausts any remaining vapours.
An abrasion-resistant material for the working face of a metallurgical furnace cooling element such as a stave cooler or a tuyere cooler having a body comprised of a first metal. The abrasion-resistant material comprises a macro-composite material including abrasion-resistant particles which are arranged in a substantially repeating, engineered configuration infiltrated with a matrix of a second metal, the particles having a hardness greater than that of the second metal. A cooling element for a metallurgical furnace has a body comprised of the first metal, the body having a facing layer comprising the abrasion-resistant material. A method comprises: positioning the engineered configuration of abrasion-resistant particles in a mold cavity, the engineered configuration located in an area of the mold cavity to define the facing layer; and introducing molten metal into the cavity, the molten metal comprising the first metal of the cooling element body.
A reactor comprises an outer sidewall and a bottom wall enclosing a hollow chamber comprising a lower fluidized bed zone and an upper freeboard zone. A plurality of inlets is provided for injecting at least one fluidizing medium into the fluidized bed zone and creating a swirling flow. At least one feed inlet communicates with the fluidized bed zone; and at least one product outlet is provided for removing a product from the chamber, the outlet(s) communicating with either the fluidized bed zone or the freeboard zone. The reactor has at least one internal barrier located inside the hollow chamber, and at least partly located in the fluidized bed zone. The internal barrier(s) have at least one opening within the fluidized bed zone, such as an underflow opening, to permit internal recirculation of material from the product zone to the feed zone, thereby simplifying reactor structure.
B01J 8/24 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles according to "fluidised-bed" technique
B01J 8/20 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles with liquid as a fluidising medium
B01J 8/22 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles with liquid as a fluidising medium gas being introduced into the liquid
B01J 8/26 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles according to "fluidised-bed" technique with two or more fluidised beds, e.g. reactor and regeneration installations
B01J 8/34 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles according to "fluidised-bed" technique with stationary packing material in the fluidised bed, e.g. bricks, wire rings, baffles
C10B 49/10 - Destructive distillation of solid carbonaceous materials by direct heating with heat-carrying agents including the partial combustion of the solid material to be treated with hot gases or vapours, e.g. hot gases obtained by partial combustion of the charge while moving the solid material to be treated in dispersed form according to the "fluidised bed" technique
C10B 53/02 - Destructive distillation, specially adapted for particular solid raw materials or solid raw materials in special form of cellulose-containing material
B01J 8/18 - Chemical or physical processes in general, conducted in the presence of fluids and solid particlesApparatus for such processes with fluidised particles
F26B 3/084 - Drying solid materials or objects by processes involving the application of heat by convection, i.e. heat being conveyed from a heat source to the materials or objects to be dried by a gas or vapour, e.g. air the gas or vapour flowing through the materials or objects to be dried so as to loosen them, e.g. to form a fluidised bed with heat exchange taking place in the fluidised bed
A highly flexible sealing arrangement designed to seal high-temperature furnace ports, particularly the electrode port of an electric furnace. The seal comprises an annular support member fixed to a flexible sealing member and employs the use of a garter spring to uniformly apply the desired amount of seal compression. The arrangement and flexibility of the sealing member allows the seal to adapt itself to the wide range of operating and upset conditions that typically exist for a furnace electrode seal. Frictional wear on the seal may be greatly reduced as the design inherently allows for a much lower amount of seal compression to be applied, furthermore, the seal is able to move axially which can significantly reduce wear caused by electrode regulation.
A dry slag atomization is applied in upgrading slags. The atomized slag may be subjected to a leaching process to produce upgraded slag. In the case of titania-rich slags, conveniently, the titanium in the atomized slag has been oxidized to Ti4+, which does not dissolve in the leaching medium. In one embodiment, a method comprising receiving molten slag, atomizing the slag with material in a glass phase and material in a crystalline phase, wherein atomizing is carried out with varying gas composition to modify oxidation states and chemical make-up of the phases, thereby permitting upgrading of the slag.
It is proposed herein to employ thyristor firing angles as a fast prediction of flicker in power supply for an electric arc furnace. It is further proposed to actively modify operating variables for the electric arc furnace to maintain the flicker below a predefined threshold. Aspects of the present application use the thyristor firing angles in combination with control ranges of variable reactance devices to predict the flicker severity level generated by the electric arc furnace with thyristor-controlled variable reactance devices. Based on the predicted flicker level, at least one operating variable of the electric arc furnace may be changed, if required, to maintain flicker to acceptable limit.
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27B 3/10 - Details, accessories or equipment, e.g. dust-collectors, specially adapted for hearth-type furnaces
It is proposed herein to employ thyristor firing angles as a fast prediction of flicker in power supply for an electric arc furnace. It is further proposed to actively modify operating variables for the electric arc furnace to maintain the flicker below a predefined threshold. Aspects of the present application use the thyristor firing angles in combination with control ranges of variable reactance devices to predict the flicker severity level generated by the electric arc furnace with thyristor-controlled variable reactance devices. Based on the predicted flicker level, at least one operating variable of the electric arc furnace may be changed, if required, to maintain flicker to acceptable limit.
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27B 3/10 - Details, accessories or equipment, e.g. dust-collectors, specially adapted for hearth-type furnaces
F27B 3/28 - Arrangement of controlling, monitoring, alarm or like devices
A method for determining a length parameter of an electrode during operation of an electric arc furnace. An internal duct extends through the length of the electrode and is open at its lower end. A waveguide having a solid core is received in the internal duct and comprises a material having a low dielectric constant and high temperature resistance. The solid core of the waveguide includes at least one target. An electromagnetic radiation signal is emitted from a source and transmitted through the waveguide and the signal is diffracted and/or reflected from at least one target to produce at least one return signal which is transmitted back through the waveguide. A time or frequency difference between the emitted signal and the return signal is measured and the length parameter is calculated based on this difference.
F27B 3/08 - Hearth-type furnaces, e.g. of reverberatory typeElectric arc furnaces heated electrically, e.g. electric arc furnaces, with or without any other source of heat
F27D 21/00 - Arrangement of monitoring devicesArrangement of safety devices
A process for producing high-manganese steel uses a low cost manganese source comprising manganese oxide, such as manganese ore fines. A mixture is provided, comprising the manganese source, an iron source comprising an iron oxide, a carbon source, and a fluxing agent. Micro-pellets comprised of the mixture are prepared, and the micro-pellets are pre-reduced to reduce at least a portion of the manganese oxide and iron oxide. The pre-reduced micro-pellets are then fed into a liquid steel bath in a steelmaking furnace to produce high-manganese steel. An apparatus comprises a pelletizer for pelletizing the mixture; a reducing unit for pre- reducing at least some of the manganese and iron oxides in the pelletized mixture and producing pre-reduced micro-pellets; and an electric steelmaking furnace containing a liquid steel bath, and having an injection port in communication with the liquid steel bath for direct injection of the pre-reduced micro-pellets into the bath.
A process and reactor for arsenic fixation in which a first gas stream comprises oxygen and an iron-containing particulate material. The oxygen and particulate material may be fed to reactor through respective first and second inlets. A second gas stream containing one or more volatile arsenic compounds is fed through a third inlet and mixed with the first gas stream and the particulate material to produce a combined gas stream containing the volatile arsenic compounds and the particulate material. The arsenic compounds are reacted with iron in the particulate material as the combined gas stream flows through the reactor to produce solid iron arsenates which are then recovered. The portion of the reactor including the first, second and third inlets is vertically oriented, and the reactor may include a venturi arrangement having a throat at which the second inlet is located.
A62D 3/33 - Processes for making harmful chemical substances harmless, or less harmful, by effecting a chemical change in the substances by reacting with chemical agents by chemically fixing the harmful substance, e.g. by chelation or complexation
A combined cycle power generation system configuration uses a steam- injected gas turbine as a topping cycle and a turbine in a bottoming cycle with liquefied natural gas as a cold sink. The turbine operates with a low boiling point fluid. The low boiling point fluid may, for example, be carbon dioxide.
F01K 13/00 - General layout or general methods of operation, of complete steam engine plants
F01K 7/16 - Steam engine plants characterised by the use of specific types of enginePlants or engines characterised by their use of special steam systems, cycles or processesControl means specially adapted for such systems, cycles or processesUse of withdrawn or exhaust steam for feed-water heating the engines being only of turbine type
87.
Measuring apparatus for determining distances to points on a reflective surface coated with metal and method for same
A measuring apparatus, for measuring the distance to a surface having fluctuating reflectivity, the measuring apparatus comprising, a measuring light source and sensor unit positioned at an angle to the perpendicular of the surface to allow the light to be reflected to a diffuse target surface in a known position; and a processor unit, wherein the processor unit is adapted to collect and analyze data from the a measuring light source and sensor unit and classify whether the reading of the measuring light source and sensor unit is a direct reading or a reflected reading.
A furnace is provided suitable for metallurgical processes, comprising at least one section comprised of refractory bricks with an outer shell plate adjacent to the refractory bricks, including exterior bricks whose external faces adjacent the shell plate define gaseous media cooling channels extending along the exterior of the refractory bricks between them and the shell plate. The furnace further comprises cooling plates within the cooling channels and joints between the successive courses of bricks. Advantageously, the conductivity of the cooling plates is at least 5 times the conductivity of the refractory lining into which it is inserted. Suitable materials include copper and copper-based alloys, brasses, bronzes, cast irons, aluminum alloys, silver, high-temperature steels, refractory metals and their alloys, graphite, silicon carbide, and aluminum nitride.
An aluminum electrolysis cell anode assembly has an anode, a stub and a thimble. The stub is inserted into a stub hole of the anode. The thimble is formed between the stub and the anode within the stub hole. A lateral wall of the stub has a discontinuity, which may be a recess, a protrusion or a combination thereof. An inner surface of the thimble engages the discontinuity of the stub. The engagement restricts axial movement of the thimble relative to the stub. Under thermal expansion of the anode assembly, the base of the stub is urged towards the stub hole bottom and stub-to-anode resistance is improved. This further improves efficiency of an aluminum electrolysis process.
Supplementary cooling elements in addition to a primary cooling element of a furnace. The supplementary cooling elements, with two or more components, may be inserted from the outside of the furnace into holes that pass through and the primary cooling element such that the cooling elements protrude beyond the inner surface of the primary cooling element. An inner one of the components of the supplementary cooling element may be received by an outer one of the components in a manner that forces the outer component into a thermally conductive pressure connection with the primary cooling element.
An aluminum electrolysis cell anode assembly has an anode, a stub and a thimble. The stub is inserted into a stub hole of the anode. The thimble is formed between the stub and the anode within the stub hole. A lateral wall of the stub has a discontinuity, which may be a recess, a protrusion or a combination thereof. An inner surface of the thimble engages the discontinuity of the stub. The engagement restricts axial movement of the thimble relative to the stub. Under thermal expansion of the anode assembly, the base of the stub is urged towards the stub hole bottom and stub-to-anode resistance is improved. This further improves efficiency of an aluminum electrolysis process.
An extendable sleeve system, covering the outside perimeter of a pile, may assist in prevention of the development of adfreeze bonding between frozen soil and the pile and, consequently, may assist in reduction of the adfreeze uplift load to the pile. When soil becomes frozen and heaves, the sleeve may responsively extend/stretch upward together with the adjacent soil while the pile remains its original position. Thus, the uplift load may be reduced from a direct bonding grip strength between the soil and the pile to an interface friction between the sleeve and the pile.
A method for recovering metal values from a molten slag composition includes atomizing the slag with an oxygen-containing gas in a gas atomization apparatus, to produce solid slag granules. Oxygen in the atomizing gas converts metals to magnetic metal compounds, thereby magnetizing the metal-containing slag granules. These metal-containing slag granules are then magnetically separated. Larger amounts of metals may be removed by passing the molten slag through a pre-settling pan with an adjustable base, and/or discontinuing atomization where the metal content of the slag exceeds a predetermined amount. Solid slag granules produced by atomization may be charged to a recovery unit for recovery of one or more metal by-products. An apparatus for recovering metal values from molten slag includes a gas atomization apparatus, a flow control device for controlling the flow of atomizing gas, a control system, and one or more sensors to detect metal values in the slag.
A composite sleeve system, covering a pile, serves to reduce adfreeze uplift load on the pile. The sleeve system consists of a protection casing and a rigid sleeve, covering the pile and extends below the frost depth. The sleeve material may be selected to have a low-friction outer surface, a sufficient wall thickness to resist the adfreeze force. In accordance with other aspects, a top lock may be installed above the top of the sleeve to control the upward jack-up displacement of the sleeve and the consequently potential damage to the pile cap or foundation. The casing is to protect the sleeve during installation. In service life, the casing is allowed to be jacked up by adfreeze force and is expected to be squeezed/yielded at the top lock location. The rigid sleeve is permanent and serves to minimize adfreeze force transferred to the pile.
An aluminum reduction cell, comprising: (a) a shell structure comprising a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls, a pair of transversely extending endwalls, a bottom wall, and an open top having an upper edge; (b) a transverse support structure comprising a plurality of transverse bottom beams located under the shell structure and extending transversely between the sidewalls, each of the transverse bottom beams having a pair of opposed ends; and (c) a plurality of compliant binding elements fixed to the transverse support structure, each extending vertically along an outer surface of one of the sidewalls, for applying an inwardly directed force said sidewall; wherein the compliant binding elements are in the form of cantilever springs, each comprising a metal member having a lower end which is secured to the transverse support structure, and a compliant, upper free end which is movable inwardly and outwardly in response to expansion and contraction of the shell structure.
An aluminum reduction cell, comprising: (a) a shell structure comprising a pair of longitudinally extending sidewalls, a pair of transversely extending endwalls, a bottom wall, and an open top having an upper edge; (b) a transverse support structure comprising a plurality of transverse bottom beams located under the shell structure and extending transversely between the sidewalls, each of the transverse bottom beams having a pair of opposed ends; and (c) a plurality of compliant binding elements fixed to the transverse support structure, each extending vertically along an outer surface of one of the sidewalls, for applying an inwardly directed force said sidewall; wherein the compliant binding elements are in the form of cantilever springs, each comprising a metal member having a lower end which is secured to the transverse support structure, and a compliant, upper free end which is movable inwardly and outwardly in response to expansion and contraction of the shell structure.
A low-profile potshell includes a base structure, furnished with compliant binding elements, and a freely-moving and independent shell structure. The base structure supports the lining and bath of an aluminum cell, while the compliant binding elements accommodate the thermal and chemical dilation of the lining. The binding elements may be designed such that they apply and maintain a sufficient load on the lining, to prevent the opening of gaps in the lining elements either on start-up, or during normal dimensional changes caused by fluctuations in operating temperature. The shell structure may be designed to move freely, expanding and contracting in response to the applied loads and the dilation of the lining.
A feed charging device comprises a holding vessel having an interior chamber for holding a reserve of a solid particulate feed material in a fluidized state, wherein the feed material is held in said fluidized state in a lower zone of the interior chamber. The feed material is supplied to the interior chamber through at least one outlet opening, and is discharged from the interior chamber through at least one outlet opening. The at least one outlet opening is in flow communication with the lower zone of the interior chamber. A gas supply means supplies a fluidizing gas to the lower zone of the interior chamber, and an outlet conduit in flow communication with the at least one outlet opening receives said feed material discharged from the interior chamber.
A burner for a flash smelting furnace comprises a tubular lance enclosing a first gas flow passage and having a lower end portion which includes one or more gas outlet passages. The lower end portion has upper and lower annular sealing surfaces facing one another, with an annular nozzle portion located between the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces. The gas outlet passages are at least partly defined by the annular nozzle portion, and extend between the first gas flow passage and the outer surface of the lance. The annular nozzle portion may comprise a plurality of arcuate segments which are separable from each other and from the upper and lower sealing surfaces, such that the annular nozzle portion can be removed for service upon separation of the upper and lower annular sealing surfaces from one another.
Metallurgical processes and systems for gas atomization of molten slag and/or molten metals from a metallurgical furnace are integrated with off-gas handling processes and equipment, such that the off-gases are fed to the gas atomization plant for atomizing the molten slag and/or molten metal. The use of by-product off-gases for atomizing molten slag and/or molten metals provides a number of benefits, including elimination of off-gas handling and treatment equipment, centralization and upgrading of heat via atomization to improve heat recovery, prevention of oxidation of granular products of atomization, and reduction of CO2 emissions. A process for preparing a granular product comprises: feeding a molten material and a by-product off- gas to a dispersion apparatus; and contacting the gas with the molten material in the dispersion apparatus, whereby the molten material is dispersed and solidified by contact with the gas to form the granular product.
B01J 2/04 - Processes or devices for granulating materials, in generalRendering particulate materials free flowing in general, e.g. making them hydrophobic by dividing the liquid material into drops, e.g. by spraying, and solidifying the drops in a gaseous medium
