A Bi-level Decomposition Algorithm for Multi-factory Scheduling With Batch Delivery Problem

This paper introduces a multi-factory scheduling with batch delivery problem. A novel mixed-integer programming model is proposed to minimize the sum of total tardiness, holding and batching costs. A bi-level decomposition algorithm (BLDA) is developed involving two sub-problems: scheduling problem in the upper level and batching problem in the lower level. Four versions of the BLDA are created by combinations of CPLEX and simulated annealing in both levels, which interactively collaborate until the algorithm converges to a solution. The BLDAs are examined on several random and real-life test instances. A statistical analysis is performed by comparing the BLDAs’ solutions with the exact minimum and lower bound values of the total cost. The results indicate that about all versions of the developed BLDA provide high quality solutions for real-world zinc industry problems as well as generated instances in a reasonably short time. Finally, some managerial insights are derived based on sensitivity analysis.

Contaminated Areas as Recreational Places—Exploring the Validity of the Decisions Taken in the Development of Antonia Hill in Ruda Śląska, Poland

This paper describes the experimental developing of a post-zinc industry spoil heap in Ruda Śląska, Silesia (an industrial region of Poland), that was turned into a recreational area. The aim of the present article is to analyse the design process and evaluate its effects. The project in question was meant to be a pilot action of the international one entitled Implementation of Sustainable Land Use in Integrated Environmental Management of Functional Urban Areas—LUMAT, whose Polish part was the Action Plan for the Functional Urban Area of Chorzów, Ruda Śląska and Świętochłowice. The Antonia Hill project involved many aspects and fields of study in order to achieve its aims: limiting the health risk of the Hill’s users, maximising the safety of its use as a recreational area, educating its users in the local history and their cultural identity, raising their awareness of the natural environment and its protection. The predominant remediation method was the process described by Loures and Vaz with a modified order of the elements so as to obtain the effect of remediation and development at the same time. The first step was carried out in the form of the site analysis and the potential adaptation possibilities. The next stage was the participatory workshops in the form of Enquiry by Design. The implementation was carried out in accordance with the evidence-based design. The multi-layered structure of the area was built by selecting ideas, activities and goals following the Modelling Nature Method. After the implementation, the facility evaluation process was made by means of the POE method.

Algorithmic Modelling of Advanced Chlorination Procedures for Multimetal Recovery

In the course of developing an innovative process for CO2-optimised valuable metal recovery from precipitation residues accumulating in the zinc industry or nickel industry, the chlorination reactions were investigated. As the basis of small-scale pyrometallurgical experiments, the selected reaction systems were evaluated by means of thermodynamic calculations. With the help of the thermochemical computation software FactSage (Version 8.0), it is possible to simulate the potential valuable metal recovery from residual materials such as jarosite and goethite. In the course of the described investigations, an algorithmically supported simulation scheme was developed by means of Python 3 programming language. The algorithm determines the optimal process parameters for the chlorination of valuable metals, whereby up to 10,000 scenarios can be processed per iteration. This considers the mutual influences and secondary conditions that are neglected in individual calculations.

Potential Investigation of Stabilised Fuming Furnace Slag for Road Construction

Fuming furnace (FF) slag is one of the industrial waste materials which is generated during extraction of zinc metal at the zinc industry. It is deposited at the designated FF slag yard near the plant area with very limited use. As a result, the deposits are increasing year after year posing threat to the environment and occupying large area of precious land. The present research explores the possibility of using this waste material in the road construction. The tests like Scanning electron microscope (SEM), Energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS) and X-ray diffraction was carried out on FF slag. To improve its geotechnical properties, it was mechanically stabilised with jarofix (another waste material generated from the same zinc industry) in the range of 25 to 75 percent. Apart from compaction characteristics, shear strength and consolidation characteristics of these mixes were studied to conclude about its feasibility in embankment and granular layers of road pavement. These mixes were further chemically stabilized with cement in the range of 3 to 9 percent to investigate their potential application in sub base and base layers of road construction. Compressive and durability characteristics of these mixes were also studied. Detailed laboratory study concluded that FF slag is a porous; amorphous cohesionless coarse grained material with high angle of internal friction. Engineering properties viz. dry density, CBR, and shear strength characteristics improved significantly after mechanical stabilisation with jarofix. These parameters of FF slag were compared with other industrial waste materials. Unconfined compressive strength and durability characteristics indicated suitability of cement stabilised slag-jarofix mixes for sub base and base layers of road pavement. It was concluded that about 20-30 percent of FF slag can be used as a replacement of fine aggregate in these granular layers. A typical pavement design indicated that it is possible to reduce the total pavement thickness of about 13 percent by using cement stabilised slag-jarofix mix.

Selective recovery of zinc from goethite residue in the zinc industry using deep-eutectic solvents

A mixture of levulinic acid and choline chloride can be used to selectively leach zinc from industrial residues with iron-rich matrices.

Methanesulfonic acid: a sustainable acidic solvent for recovering metals from the jarosite residue of the zinc industry

Leaching the industrial jarosite residue with pure methanesulfonic acid resulted in a solid–liquid separation of iron from dissolved lead and zinc by precipitation.