Published October 1982 | Version v1
Journal article

Modified process for refining niobium by electron beam

  • 1. Universidade Estadual de Campinas (Brazil). Inst. de Fisica
  • 2. Fundacao de Tecnologia Industrial, Sao Paulo (Brazil)
  • 3. Sao Paulo Univ. (Brazil). Escola Politecnica

Description

The experimental results, thermodynamic equilibrium and kinetic theory of the metal/gas interaction in refractory metals are reviewed. The adsorption and desorption of nitrogen, hydrogen and CO are reversible, whereas those of oxygen are irreversible, with adsorption of an oxygen atom and volatilisation of the metal oxide. Based upon this fact, a new electron beam refining technology is proposed for niobium, consisting of four points: preparation of an electrode by aluminothermic reduction; zone refining in the first melt; kinetic refining in subsequent melts and compact design of the refining plant. Experimental results from a 300 kW pilot plant were in complete agreement with the technology proposed, giving 2.4 times the productivity predicted by the conventional technology. (Author)

Abstract (Portuguese)

Sao revisados os resultados experimentais, teoria termodinamica de equilibrio e teoria cinetica de interacao metal-gas nos metais refratarios. O processo de absorcao e degaseificacao do nitrogenio, hidrogenio e CO e reversivel, enquanto o do oxigenio e irreversivel, com absorcao do atomo de oxigenio e volatilizacao do oxido metalico. Baseando-se neste fato e proposta uma nova tecnologia de refino de niobio por feixe eletronico a partir de quatro pontos, preparacao de eletrodo reduzido por aluminotermia; refino por zona na primeira fusao; refino cinetico nas fusoes subsequentes; configuracao compacta da instalacao do refino. Resultados experimentais numa instalacao piloto de 300 kW mostraram concordancia completa com a tecnologia proposta, fornecendo produtividade 2,4 vezes maior que a prevista pela tecnologia convencional. (Autor)

Additional details

Additional titles

Original title (Portuguese)
Processo modificado de refino de niobio por feixe eletronico

Publishing Information

Journal Title
Metalurgia (Sao Paulo)
Journal Volume
38
Journal Issue
299
Series
Metalurgia (Sao Paulo).
Journal Page Range
591-597
ISSN
0026-0983

Conference

Title
36. Annual Congress of the Brazilian Association of Metals.
Dates
5 Jul 1981.
Place
Recife, PE (Brazil).

INIS

Country of Publication
Brazil
Country of Input or Organization
Brazil
INIS RN
14771326
Subject category
S36: MATERIALS SCIENCE;
Resource subtype / Literary indicator
Conference
Descriptors DEI
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS; ELECTRON BEAMS; NIOBIUM; PILOT PLANTS; REFINING; REFRACTORIES; ZONE REFINING
Descriptors DEC
BEAMS; ELEMENTS; FUNCTIONAL MODELS; LEPTON BEAMS; METALS; PARTICLE BEAMS; SEPARATION PROCESSES; TRANSITION ELEMENTS