Research of process factors increasing metal yield during aluminum waste remelting

The article presents the results of research determining the most effective technologies for increasing metal yield in the processing of aluminum-containing waste. In particular, peculiarities of the processes of melting aluminum alloys were analyzed using complex methods of furnace and off-furnace processing of charge material containing an increased amount of shovelling scrap and swarf. Studies on the impact of charge preparation and aluminum remelting technology were carried out in SAT-0,16 and IAT-0,4 furnaces on the АК12М2 alloy. Experiments proved that batchwise loading 20 kg of swarf briquette preheated to 300–400 °C into the SAT-0,16 furnace with the addition of flux (composition: NaCl – 50 %; KCl –35 %, Na3AlF6 – 15 %) in the amount of 3 % of total metal mass is the most efficient technology. This technology makes it possible to achieve a metal yield of about 94 %. The study of the remelting technology influence on IAT-0,4 furnace metal yield showed that the greatest effect can be obtained in case of furnace charge (95 kg swarf briquette) by batches of 2 kg into the 7 kg liquid bath with modifier flux (composition: NaCl – 62 %; KCl – 13 %, NaF – 25 %) added in the amount of 2 % from the total metal mass. This technology provides up to 93.5 % of metal yield. Data from 10 series of 5–9 melts were also analyzed with the comparison of metal yield results depending on the mass of briquetted swarf charged into the furnace. A histogram of the change in the porosity of AK12M2 and AK9 samples depending on the content of swarf in the charge (from 0 to 45 %) during remelting. It was found that an increase in the content of swarf in the charge, all other things being equal, leads to an increase in the average porosity score, which indicates the need for additional refining of such melts.

Coefficient of local loss of mechanical energy of the flow for a ­mixture of charge materials

Purpose. To determine the dependence of the coefficient of local losses of mechanical energy of flow of a two-component mixture of charge material on its depth, content of components, and average equivalent diameter of particles in the case of their free-dispersed motion. Methodology. The value of the coefficient of local losses of mechanical energy was determined by the value of the hydraulic resistance of the fluid during its movement in open channels and pipes. In this paper, methods were used of comparative analysis, mathematical modeling and forecasting of dynamic processes in the flow of granular material. Findings. Based on the results of theoretical studies, a mathematical model was obtained, the use of which allows calculating the coefficient of local losses of mechanical energy for the flow of a two-component mixture of charge materials with agglomerate particle sizes from 15 to 50 mm, pellets from 6 to 12 mm, coke from 10 to 60 mm. The developed model with satisfactory accuracy makes it possible to evaluate the movement of the charge from the indicated materials along the paths of the charging devices of blast furnaces at a speed in the range from 1.5 to 20 m/s and to determine the trajectories of the mixture of charge materials on the top with an accuracy of 0.2 m. It is noted that the calculation of the above coefficient by the known techniques is not accurate enough, which is associated with the uncertainty in the choice of a single average equivalent diameter of the particles of the two-component charge. Comparative analysis of the developed model with the known models and experimental data indicates that the accuracy of calculating the dynamic parameters of a two-component flow of charge materials using the developed model increases by 510% in comparison with calculations using the previously known models. Originality. For the first time, regularities of changes in the coefficient of internal mechanical losses of a two-component flow of charge materials from its depth, content of components, average equivalent particle diameters when moving along the paths of charging devices of blast furnaces have been established. Practical value. Mathematical dependencies have been developed and can be used to determine the technological parameters of the charge of a modern blast furnace with different characteristics of the granulometry of the charge and the ratios of its components. This will increase the accuracy of predicting the course of the process under consideration, the degree of automation of the control systems for the technological process of the charge supply of blast furnaces, will make it possible to use expensive charge materials more efficiently, reduce energy consumption and reduce the harmful impact on the environment.

Immune System Modulations in Cancer Treatment: Nanoparticles in Immunotherapy

Cancer immunotherapy is based on the idea of overcoming the main problems in the traditional cancer treatments and enhancing the patient’s long-term survival and quality of life. Immunotherapy methods aimed to influence the immune system, to detect and eradicate the tumors site and predict the potential results. Nowadays, nanomaterials-based immunotherapy approaches are gaining interest due to numerous advantages like their ability to target cells and tissues directly and reduce the off-target toxicity. Therefore, topics about immune system components, nanomaterials, their usage in immunotherapy and the benefits they provide will be discussed in this presented book chapter. Immunotherapy can be divided into two groups mainly; active and passive immunotherapy including their subtitles such as immune checkpoint inhibitors, adoptive immunotherapy, CAR-T therapies, vaccines, and monoclonal antibodies. Main classification and the methods will be evaluated. Furthermore, state-of-art nanocarriers based immunotherapy methods will be mentioned in detail. The terms of size, charge, material type and surface modifications of the nanoparticles will be reviewed to understand the interference of immune system and nanoparticles and their advantages/disadvantages in immunotherapy systems.

A Model to Control the Formation of Multi-Component Charge Portions on a Blast Furnace Conveyor

Introduction. Bell-less tops used in the charging area give significantly wider opportunities for regulating and distributing the charge material along the furnace top radius. Moreover, it becomes feasible to develop the methods for gas flow control and these methods shall differ from the conventional ones. One of such methods is introduction of multi-component portions of the charge with a technology based component ratio. Problem Statement. The bell-less top charging device is not designed for that type of portioning when the charge material mixing is accompanied with a simultaneous shift of one component with respect to other one for a certain set value, while charging. These portions can be formed with the use of computer-aided stock-conveying system, while discharging the material from weighing hoppers into the blast furnace conveyor. Purpose. This research aims at the development of the structure, the functioning algorithms and the mathematical model for the system to control the formation of multi-component mixed charge batches in order to increase the blast furnace productivity and to reduce the specific coke consumption. Materials and Methods. In this research, the methods of automatic control theory and artificial intellect for the synthesis of weight neuro-fuzzy controllers within the automatic control system of charge dosage have been used. The developed system designed to control multi-component charge portioning via PC has been tested by means of simulation modelling methods. Results. There has been developed an algorithm for operating the system for controlling the multi-component mixed charge preparation on the conveyor, given the arrangement of the specified components, their ratios in portions, total volumetric productivity of the conveyor, the variable geometry of the unloaded material, in the connection with the on-line information on the mixing process. The feasibility of the system has been verified by its simulation with the use of standard application tools. Conclusions. It has been established that the designed control system allows the formation of mixed portions of any composition defined by an operator at a given maximum output of the conveyor and prevents its overload in terms of mass or volume.

Development of New Preheating Methods for Hot Forging Tools Based on Industrial Case Studies and Numerical Modeling

The study performs an overview and evaluation of the currently applied methods of preheating forging tools used in hot die forging processes performed on presses and presents the development and tests of new, more effective methods. Based on the conducted complex analysis of the temperature changes taking place on and directly beneath the surface of forging dies during their preliminary heating, an analysis was performed of one of the most commonly used methods of tool heating, i.e., using a charge material and a waste material. Next, the study proposes the introduction of changes and improvements of this method to achieve repeatability and stability of the obtained temperatures. To that end, detailed guidelines concerning the manner and time of the heating process were elaborated. The following step was the development of a new, more effective heating method. The first draft involved a new concept of heating using heaters localized in the die’s housing or heaters in the shape of forgings placed between the dies. Both concepts of heating were numerically modeled, which made it possible to assess their effectiveness. The last step of the research was the development of a heating method using induction heaters. This method was the most effective and brought the best results, which was confirmed during the modeling of the heating process and in the tests conducted on the prototype test stand. The obtained results confirm the effectiveness of almost all the methods, especially the method of heating by means of a charge material, supported by new guidelines, the method of heating with the use of forging-shaped heaters and the method of induction heating. Only in the case of heating with heaters mounted in the tool housing was the assumed working temperature not achieved. Some differences were observed mainly related to efficiency, that is, the heating speed in respect to the assumed temperature. The performed tests showed that the best method is induction heating as it is over twice as fast. Therefore, it is usually recommended for the process of heating and the additional heating realized in the work center of the press on the mounted tools, where the time aspect is especially important.