Production of non-ferrous metal concentrate in the processing of pyrite slags

The method of preliminary chemical activation of mineral raw materials was used in the conducted studies for the complex processing of pyritic slags. The influence of preliminary chemical activation of kaolinite clays of Alexeevsky deposit in the solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate on the separation of kaolinite and quartz fractions was studied. The temperature of 150 oC, the duration of 120 minutes, and the concentration of sodium bicarbonate solution of 120 g/dm3 should be considered the optimum mode of activation. As a result of activation, the phase composition of the kaolinite fraction changed: the percentage of kaolinite fraction decreased; new phases of muscovite and sodium aluminosilicate appeared; the amount of quartz increased.

Study of the Potential of Sodium Carbonate Extracted from Trona as a Drilling Fluid Additive

Drilling additives play a unique role during drilling operations, from aiding in the control of various drilling challenges to successfully enhancing downhole drilling efficiency. pH enhancers are amongst the plethora of additives imported into Nigeria at exorbitant prices to aid in drilling operations. These additives includes NaOH, Na2CO3, Ca (OH)2 etc. These additives are used to improve the mud pH and mitigates drill string corrosion. The high cost of importation of these additives, has warranted the need for product substitution which should take advantage of the locally available resources. This paper evaluated the suitability of locally-sourced Trona, as a mud additive in drilling mud. Trona is known chemically as Sodium Sesquicarbonate or Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate. A distinguishing factor in this research work was the purification of Trona by extracting the compound of interest (Na2CO3) from it using the monohydrate process. The purification method involved crushing and screening of Trona as well as calcination, filtration and evaporation processes. The analysis of the Trona and the extracted product was performed using quantitative analysis and characterization tools such as FTIR and EDX. Further experimentation was carried out to evaluate the effects of the extracted sodium carbonate on the mud pH, rheology, and density of the water-based mud. The results were also compared to the results gotten from the addition of conventional Na2CO to similar mud samples. The extracted Na2CO was observed to increase the pH of the mud samples from 8.73 to 9.52 and the commercial Na2CO increased it from 8.73 to 10 and this value is still in the range of API standard. The pH enhancers from both sources also had effect on the mud rheological properties. This indeed showed that the extracted Na2CO from Trona acted as drilling fluid pH enhancer and hence possess the potential for usage in the industry.

Effect of Different Solutions on Hydrothermal Treatment of β-Tricalcium Phosphate Scaffold

Carbonate apatite would be ideal for bone substitute due to its composition of 4-8% carbonate similar to bone mineral. The purpose of the present study was to produce carbonate apatite scaffold by using hydrothermal treatment of β-TCP scaffold as a precursor. The effect of different solutions on hydrothermal treatment was studied. The microstructure of scaffold before and after hydrothermal were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It is observed that surface characteristics are governed by the types of immersion solution. The typical smooth surface of the β-TCP scaffold was observed before hydrothermal. Different morphology was observed after hydrothermal in different solutions. X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) pattern indicates that the peak of apatite with low intensities present after hydrothermal treatment in sodium hydrogen carbonate solution.

Using Sodium Hydrogen Carbonate for Foaming Polymers

All plastics products are made of the essential polymer mixed with a complex blend of materials known collectively as additives. Without additives, plastics would not work, but with them, they can be made safer, cleaner, tougher and more colourful. Additives cost money, but by reducing production costs and making products live longer, they help us save money and conserve the world's precious raw material reserves. In fact, our world would be a lot less safe, a lot more expensive and a great deal duller without the additives that turn basic polymers into useful plastics. One of these additives is sodium bicarbonate. Influence of sodium bicarbonate on properties of the product made of polystyrene was observed in the research described in this paper. Since polystyrene is typically used as a material for electrical components, the mechanical properties of tensile strength and inflammability were measured as a priority. Inflammability parameters were measured using a cone calorimeter.