• Journal of Conservation Science
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.579-588
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• 2016

This study analyzed nonmetallic inclusions in iron swords with a ring pommel excavated in the Ipbuk-dong, Suwon. Scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive spectroscopy(SEM-EDS) was used to estimate the iron-making temperature, and we compared the oxide with $SiO_2$ to investigate the heat-treatment technology in the production of iron swords with a ring pommel by investigating the artificial insertion of a slag former and the metallurgical structure. From the wustite observed in most of the specimens, it is judged that these swords were produced by heating and forging iron smelted at a low temperature using the solid reduction method. In addition, judging from the partial presence of $P_2O_5$, it is assumed that they were smelted directly with natural ore, not calcined. From the ratios of $CaO/SiO_2$ and $TiO_2/SiO_2$, it is judged that the raw material for iron-making was iron ore and that a calcareous slag former was not artificially inserted. The structure of the blade part on the front end was pure iron. From the high carbon content of the blade part on the ring pommel and the formation of a martensitic structure and pearlite colony, it is judged that they were tempered after carburizing and that the back, handle part, and ring pommel were unintentionally carburized. Judging from the structure of these specimens, it was noted that they were produced by applying artificial partial heat-treatment technology. This study attempted to present a more scientific analysis by using the method of interpretation through component analysis of nonmetallic inclusions appearing in one relic by the ratio of the oxide divided by $SiO_2$. It is judged that reinterpreting the arguments by the results of the existing analysis and research in this way can obtain different interpretations.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.138-153
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• 2015

A Jincheon Seokjangri B23 furnace was reconstructed and iron smelting experiment was performed to investigate an ancient Baekjae iron production process. The work mainly described in this paper is the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ experiments among the several experiments carried out at Jungwon National Research Institute of Cultural Heritage. Iron ore(magnetite) and oak charcoal were used as a source and a foot bellow was used for air supply. Common results of the experiments are masses of iron, slag and charcoal formed in the furnace. Most iron lumps were formed nearby the tuyere rather than the area of tapping hole. Metallographic and chemical analysis shows that the iron lumps can be used for either forge or cast depending on their carbon content. Low Fe content and glassy texture of the inner slags suggest that the operation environment was quite reducing. Based on the results of the iron smelting experiments, measurements and analysis, various information was obtained regarding physical-chemical and metallurgical processes of the ancient iron smelting process. It is firmly believed that its undisclosed contents can be revealed more in depth with continual reconstitution experiments.

• Korean Journal of Heritage: History & Science
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• v.53 no.2
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• pp.4-23
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to explore the diversity of Korea's iron casting technology and to examine various casting methods. The study involved a literature review, analysis of artifacts, local investigation of production tools and technology, and scientific analysis of casting and cast materials. Bellows technology, or Bulmi technology, is a form of iron casting technology that uses bellows to melt cast iron before the molten iron is poured into a clay cast. This technology, handed down only in Jeju Island, relies on use of a clay cast instead of the sand cast that is more common in mainland Korea. Casting methods for cast iron pots can be broadly divided into two: sand mold casting and porcelain casting. The former uses a sand cast made from mixing seokbire (clay mixed with soft stones), sand and clay, while the latter uses a clay cast, formed by mixing clay with rice straw and reed. The five steps in the sand mold casting method for iron pot are cast making, filling, melting iron into molten iron, pouring the molten iron into the cast mold, and refining the final product. The six steps in the porcelain clay casting method are cast making, cast firing, spreading jilmeok, melting iron into molten iron, pouring the molten iron, and refining the final product. The two casting methods differ in terms of materials, cast firing, and spreading of jilmeok. This study provided insight into Korea's unique iron casting technology by examining the scientific principles behind the materials and tools used in each stage of iron pot casting: collecting and kneading mud, producing a cast, biscuit firing, hwajeokmosal (building sand on the heated cast) and spreading jilmeok, drying and biyaljil (spreading jilmeok evenly on the cast), hapjang (combining two half-sized casts to make one complete cast), producing a smelting furnace, roasting twice, smelting, pouring molten iron into a cast, and refining the final product. Scientific analysis of the final product and materials involved in porcelain clay casting showed that the main components were mud and sand (SiO₂, Al₂O₃, and Fe₂O₃). The release agent was found to be graphite, containing SiO₂, Al₂O₃, Fe₂O₃, and K₂O. The completed cast iron pot had the structure of white cast iron, comprised of cementite (Fe₃C) and pearlite (a layered structure of ferrite and cementite).

• Clean Technology
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.61-69
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• 2000

In this study, generation process and properties of inorganic industrial waste which can be used in cement industry were investigated. The scheme of recycling to use the selected waste as raw materials, mineralizer and flux, admixture and raw materials for special cement was decided and then various experiments were carried out. The experimental results were as follows ; In the use of industrial waste as raw materials, ferrous materials could be substituted by Cu-slag, Zn-slag, electric arc furnace or convertor furnace slag etc., and a siliceous material could be substituted by sand from cast-iron industry. By-products from sugar or fertilizer industry, which has $CaF_2$ as the main component, and jarosite from Zn refinery enabled clinker phases to be formed at lower temperature by $100{\sim}150^{\circ}C$. Adding Cu slag and STS sludge in proper proportion to cement improved properties of cement. Fly ash and limestone powder as admixture had the same effect on cement. As a raw material for special cement, aluminium waste sludge could be used in making ultra early strength cement, which had the compressive strength of $300kg/cm^2$ within 2hours. And two different ashes from municipal incinerator could be raw materials of the cement which was mainly composed of $C_3S$ and $C_{11}A_7{\cdot}CaCl_2$ as clinker phases.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.3-15
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• 2008

Different toxic wastes are disposed of in our surroundings and these will ultimately threaten the existence of living organisms. Biohydrometallurgy, which includes the processes of bioleaching and bioremediation through the activities of microorganisms such as bacterial or fungal species, is a technology that has the potential to overcome many environmental problems at a reasonable economic cost. Bioleaching were carried out for dissolution of metals from different materials using most important metal mobilizing bacteria such as Thiobacillus ferrooxidans, Thiobacillus thiooxidans and Laptospirillum ferrooxidans. According to the reaction, bioleaching is parted as direct and indirect mechanism. In direct mechanism the bacteria oxidize the sulphides minerals by accepting electron and producing sulphuric acid in leaching media for their growth and metabolism. In other hand the indirect bioleaching is demonstrated as the oxidation of sulphides mineral by the oxidant like $Fe^{3+}$ produced by the iron oxidizing bacteria. Through this process, substantial amount of metal can be recovered from low-grade ores, concentrates, industrial wastes like sludge, tailings, fly ash, slag, electronic scrap, spent batteries and spent catalysts. This may be alternative technology to solve the high deposition of waste, which moves toward a healthy environment and green world.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.714-721
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• 2016

This paper proposes a simple process to fabricate tin and brass metal discs with a large surface area from molten droplets for the wet-refining process of nonferrous metals by assuming they have precious metal elements. To optimize the droplet condition in a graphite crucible, the appropriate nozzle size was determined using a simulation program (STAR-CCM+) by varying the diameters (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mm). The simulation results showed that both tin and brass do not fall out with a 0.5 mm diameter nozzle but they do fall out in continuous ribbon mode with a 2.0 mm nozzle. Only the 1.0mm nozzle was expected to fabricate droplets. Finally, solidified metal discs were fabricated successfully with the 1.0 mm nozzle within 10 minutes by impacting the droplets with a cooling water flowing over a Ti plate placed at the $40^{\circ}$ falling direction. The weight, average thickness, and surface area of the tin discs were 0.15 g, $107.8{\mu}m$, and $3.71cm^2$, respectively. The brass discs were 1.16 g, $129.15{\mu}m$, and $23.98cm^2$, respectively. The surface area of the tin and brass disc were 8.2 and 17.6 times the size of the tin and brass droplets, respectively. This process for precious metal extraction is expected to save cost and time.

• Ecology and Resilient Infrastructure
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.279-284
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• 2016

Mine tailings generated during mining activity often contain high concentrations of heavy metals, with pyrite-containing mine tailings in particular being a major cause of environmental problems in mining areas. Chemical cell technology, or fuel cell technology, can be applied to leach heavy metals in pyrite-containing mine tailings. As pyrite dissolves through spontaneous oxidation (i.e. galvanic oxidation) in the anode compartment of the cell, $Fe^{3+}$, sulfuric acid are generated. A decrease in pH due to the generation of sulfuric acid allows heavy metals to be leached from pyrite-containing mine tailings. In this study, pyrite was dissolved for 4 weeks at $23^{\circ}C$ in an acidic solution (pH 2) and in a galvanic reactor, which induces galvanic oxidation, and total Fe leached from pyrite and pH were compared in order to investigate if galvanic oxidation can facilitate pyrite oxidation. The change in the pyrite surface was analyzed using a scanning electron microscope (SEM). Comparing the total Fe leached from the pyrite, there were 2.9 times more dissolution of pyrite in the galvanic reactor than in the acidic solution, and thus pH was lower in the galvanic reactor than in the acidic solution. Through SEM analysis of the pyrite that reacted in the galvanic reactor, linear-shaped cracks were observed on the surface of the pyrite. The study results show that pyrite dissolution was facilitated through the galvanic oxidation in the galvanic reactor, and also implied that the galvanic oxidation can be one remediation option for pyrite-containing mine tailings.

• Economic and Environmental Geology
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.201-212
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• 2016

Due to growing problems securing stable mineral and energy resources with international political and economic changes, China has dedicated itself to strategies and policies to enhance its stable mineral and energy resources security. China has established a rare earth elements(REE) industry policy after the abolition of the REE exports quota system. China's six large REE companies have also been integrated into REE mining, smelting and refining companies. Efforts have been increased to enhance China's energy security through unconventional oil and gas exploration and development investment, as well as effort in R&D. The country will focus on technology development and exploration to promote commercial production of unconventional oil and gas based on countries with shale gas. China is making long-term contracts and joint ventures to ensure the acquisition of reliable mineral and energy resources from abroad. Government of China has proposed a range of initiatives, such as the integration of resources development strategies and environmental development strategies, internationalization of resource management, supply diversification and advancement, strengthening industry linking strategy, grouping and diversification strategy.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.608-613
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• 2017

We proposed a pyrometallurgical process to achieve gold alloy with an Au content of more than 80wt% from low grade (<35wt%) gold alloys. We performed the heat treatment at a temperature of $1200^{\circ}C$ for 5 hrs using Au35wt%-Ag5wt%-Cu60wt% gold alloys mixed with 1/2 weighed PbO and CaO flux by varying the ratio of PbO/(PbO+CaO) from 0 to 1. We investigated the change in content of the samples with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and time of flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). The EDS results showed that the Au content increased from 35.0wt% in the PbO-only sample to 86.7wt% (in the PbO/(PbO+CaO) 1:1 sample), while the other samples achieved more that 84wt%. In addition, the 2/3 flux ratio sample showed the lowest Ag loss into the flux. In the ToF-SIMS results, the PbO only and CaO only fluxes had Au+ peak intensities of 349 and 37, respectively. Although the CaO-only flux might be more favorable considering the loss of Au into the flux, we concluded that the amount of Au lost into the flux could be ignored. Our results imply that that the pyrometallurgical process using a mixed flux is an effective hydrometallurgical process.

• Resources Recycling
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.3-14
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• 2020

This study aims to introduce and review on the recovery technologies of rare earth elements(REEs) from coal ash. Many researchers have been carried out by various beneficiation processes, such as particle size separation, magnetic separation, specific gravity, and flotation to recover rare earth elements from coal ash generated from Pulverized Coal(PC) boiler. Through the beneficiation process, it was confirmed that concentration of rare earth elements was much lower than the 4,700 ppm, and that additional enrichment treatment through wet process was needed for the products recovered after the beneficiation process. It was confirmed that the rare earth elements contained in coal ash were applied to the leaching process after pretreatment such as alkali-fusion to improve leaching efficiency. Although beneficiation and leaching methods have been studied, its optimum recovery technologies for rare earth elements not been confirmed up to now, research on the recovery of rare earth contained in coal ash is reported to continue. In case of Korea, the technology for the recovery of rare earth elements from coal ash and coal by-product could not been confirmed up to present. In these reasons, it is urgent to develop technologies such as beneficiation and leaching process continuously.