Extraction of Nuclear and Non-ferrous Metals

This book presents a comprehensive overview of non-ferrous metallurgy, especially its core principles and fundamental aspects, in a concise form. The book covers all basic concepts and definitions related to metal extraction, and provide succinct summaries of relevant metallurgical processes. It also covers the scientific and engineering aspects of nuclear processes and features special chapter on ultra-high-purity metals.  The book employs a step-by-step approach, is written in an easy-to-understand style, and discusses significance of core concepts. As such, it not only offers a valuable guide for professionals and researchers working in the areas of metallurgy, mining, and chemical engineering, but can also be used as a core text in both graduate and professional coursework.

Part I

Extractive Metallurgy of Nuclear Metals

 

Chapter 1           

Fundamental of Nuclear Metallurgy

1.1 Atomic Structure

1.2 Isotopes

1.3 Nuclear Binding Energy

1.4 Radioactivity

1.5 Rate of Radioactive Decay

1.6 Neutron Reaction

1.7 Cross-sections for Neutron Reactions

1.8 Multiplication Factors

1.9 Types of Reactor

1.10 Nuclear Fuel and Breeding Reaction

1.11 Cladding Materials

1.12 Processing of Nuclear Metals

                1.12.1 Separation Processes

                1.12.2 Extraction Techniques

1.13 Reprocessing of Irradiated Fuel

                1.13.1 Cooling Irradiated Fuel Elements

                1.13.2 Head-End Processes

                1.13.3 Separations or Extraction Process

1.14 Radiation Damage

                1.14.1 Atomic Displacement

                1.14.2 Temperature Spikes

                1.14.3 Physical Effects of Radiation          

 

Chapter 2

Uranium

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Sources

2.3 Extraction of U from ore

                2.3.1 Acid Leaching

                2.3.2 Ion Exchange Separation

                2.3.3 Production of Reactor Grade Nitrate

                2.3.4 Production of Uranium Dioxide

                2.3.5 Metallothermic Reduction of Uranium Compounds

 

2.4 High Purity U Metal

2.5 Properties

 

Chapter 3

Plutonium

3.1 Introduction

3.2 Sources

3.3 Extraction

                3.3.1 Separation of Pu

                3.3.2 Reduction to Pu Metal

3.4 Extraction of Pu from Spent Fuel

3.5 Properties

3.6 Application

 

Chapter 4

Zirconium

4.1 Introduction<

4.2 Sources

4.3 Production of Zr

4.3.1 Separation of Zr and Hf 

                4.3.2 Preparation of Zr oxide

                4.3.3 Production of Zr- tetrachloride

                4.3.4 Reduction of ZrCl4  by Mg or Na

4.4 Properties of Zr

4.5 Application of Zr

 

Chapter 5

Hafnium

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Sources

5.3 Extraction

5.3.1 Separation of Zr and Hf

                5.3.2 Preparation of HfO2

                5.3.3 Production of Hf metal

5.4 Properties of Hf

5.5 Application of Hf

 

Chapter 6

Thorium

6.1 Introduction

6.2 Sources

6.3 Extraction and Purification

                6.3.1 Separation of Th Compound from  Monazite

                6.3.2 Th Oxalate Formation

                6.3.3 Chlorination of Th Oxalate

                6.3.4 Purification of ThCl4

                6.3.5 Reduction of ThCl4

                6.3.6 Purification of Th

6.4 Production of Thorium Powder

6.5 Production of Massive Thorium Metal

6.6 Properties

6.7 Application

 

Part II

Extractive Metallurgy of Common Metals

7 Copper

8 Aluminum

9 Zinc

10 Lead

11 Tin

12 Magnesium

13  Nickel

 

Part III

Extractive Metallurgy of Less Common/Ferro-Alloying Metals

    Silicon

    Manganese

    Tungsten

    Chromium

    Vanadium

    Molybdenum

   Niobium and Tantalum

 

 

Part IV

Production of Ultra-High Purity Metals

Dr. Sujay Kumar Dutta is a former Professor and Head of the Department of Metallurgical & Materials Engineering, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India. He received his Bachelor of Engineering (Metallurgy) from Calcutta University in 1975 and Master of Engineering (Industrial Metallurgy) from M. S. University of Baroda in 1980. He was awarded his Ph.D. from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, India in 1992. He joined the M. S. University of Baroda as Lecturer in 1981, subsequently being appointed a Reader in 1993 and a Professor in 2001. 

Prof. Dutta has received several awards, including the Essar Gold Medal (2006) from the Indian Institute of Metals, a Fellowship (2014) from the Indian Institute of Metals, and the IIM Distinguished Educator Award (2015) from the Indian Institute of Metals, Kolkata in recognition of his distinguished service to the Metallurgical Education and to the Indian Institute of Metals.

Prof. Dutta has published three books along with other authors: (i) "Metallurgical Thermodynamics, Kinetics and Numericals" (2011), (ii) "Alternate Methods of Ironmaking (Direct Reduction and Smelting Reduction Processes)" (2012), (iii) "Iron Ore–Coal/Coke Composite Pellets" (2013), and another book (iv) "Extractive Metallurgy (Processes and Applications)" is currently in publication. He has also published 120 papers in national and international journals and conference proceedings. 

Mr. Dharmesh. R. Lodhari is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda in Gujarat, India. He completed his Bachelor of Engineering in Metallurgy in 1996 and Master of Engineering with specialization in Materials Technology from the M. S. University of Baroda in 2000. Presently he is pursuing his Ph.D. in the field of new alloy development. He has thirteen years of teaching and research experience in the metallurgical field, and has published numerous technical papers in national and international journals.