Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

The aim of this collection of articles is to identify changes leading to the development of metallurgy and materials engineering, taking into account a multidisciplinary approach, i.e., environmental protection issues, including the decarbonization of processes, the elimination of generated waste, the possibilities of their disposal and energy saving. Currently, the production of metals is a very important problem, considering their high prices and huge demand. This problem should be considered in two ways, taking into account the economics of the process, i.e., the development of technologies that consume less energy, as well as ecological aspects, i.e., the development of technologies that emit less pollution and at the same time promote green technologies. The purpose of this collection of articles is to contribute to progress in the field of metallurgy and engineering materials. We invite researchers from these and other fields to publish interesting articles on this topic in order to integrate interdisciplinary research combining experimental and theoretical contributions. Topics of interest may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Science and technology of materials;
• Metals recovery from waste;
• Energy-saving processes;
• Physics and numerical modeling;
• Advanced metallurgical technologies;
• Reduction of pollutant emissions;
• Decarbonization of the metallurgical industry;
• Innovations in metallurgical processes;
• Modern methods of analysis and quality control in metallurgy;
• The use of new materials in metallurgical processes;
• Industry 4.0 in metallurgical enterprises;
• New directions in the design of metal alloys;
• Numerical simulation.

Prof. Dr. Mariola Saternus
Dr. Ladislav Socha
Topic Editors

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Energies energies	3.0	6.2	2008	16.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Journal of Manufacturing and Materials Processing jmmp	3.3	5.1	2017	16.5 Days	CHF 1800	Submit
Materials materials	3.1	5.8	2008	13.9 Days	CHF 2600	Submit
Metals metals	2.6	4.9	2011	17.8 Days	CHF 2600	Submit

Preprints.org is a multidisciplinary platform offering a preprint service designed to facilitate the early sharing of your research. It supports and empowers your research journey from the very beginning.

MDPI Topics is collaborating with Preprints.org and has established a direct connection between MDPI journals and the platform. Authors are encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity by posting their preprints at Preprints.org prior to publication:

1. Share your research immediately: disseminate your ideas prior to publication and establish priority for your work.
2. Safeguard your intellectual contribution: Protect your ideas with a time-stamped preprint that serves as proof of your research timeline.
3. Boost visibility and impact: Increase the reach and influence of your research by making it accessible to a global audience.
4. Gain early feedback: Receive valuable input and insights from peers before submitting to a journal.
5. Ensure broad indexing: Web of Science (Preprint Citation Index), Google Scholar, Crossref, SHARE, PrePubMed, Scilit and Europe PMC.

Published Papers (6 papers)

Order results

Content type Publication Date

Result details

Normal Extended Compact

Journals

All Energies JMMP Materials Metals

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

17 pages, 9240 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Investigation on the Impurity Removal Behavior During the Electron Beam Melting of V-Al Alloy

by Zixin Yang, Shuaishuai Wu, Shengli Guo, Baohong Zhu, Haochen Qiu, Wei Jiang and Xuehui Yan

Materials 2025, 18(8), 1710; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18081710 - 9 Apr 2025

Viewed by 230

Abstract

This study systematically investigated the behavior of impurity removal during the electron beam melting (EBM) process of V-Al alloy. Characterization techniques such as ICP, GDMS, SEM, EPMA, and TEM were used to analyze the composition content and microscopic element distribution of V-Al alloy [...] Read more.

This study systematically investigated the behavior of impurity removal during the electron beam melting (EBM) process of V-Al alloy. Characterization techniques such as ICP, GDMS, SEM, EPMA, and TEM were used to analyze the composition content and microscopic element distribution of V-Al alloy and purified metal samples. Additionally, based on thermodynamic principles, the saturation vapor pressure and evaporation coefficients of impurity elements were calculated. The results indicate that the evaporation coefficients of Al, Fe, Co, Ni, Cr, and Ti exceed 1, enabling their effective removal during the melting process, thereby reducing their concentrations. In contrast, Si, Mo, Nb, and W exhibit evaporation coefficients significantly lower than 1, making their removal difficult. Instead, their concentrations increase due to the enrichment effect. Microstructural analysis reveals that Al migrates toward high-temperature regions, forming enrichment zones at the surface layer in contact with the electron beam. In contrast, Si, C, and O exhibit bidirectional migration characteristics, accumulating at both the upper and lower surfaces of the plate-shaped ingot. TEM observations indicate that some C reacts with V to form V₂C, which has a higher melting point than vanadium, making further removal difficult. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

14 pages, 5669 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Numerical and Experimental Study of Packed Bed Heat Transfer on the Preheating of Manganese Ore with Air up to 600 °C

by Sifiso Nation Sambo, Lina Hockaday, Tumisang Seodigeng and Quinn Gareth Reynolds

Metals 2025, 15(3), 269; https://doi.org/10.3390/met15030269 - 28 Feb 2025

Viewed by 515

Abstract

This work studies heat transport in the fluid–solid interface of a packed bed to demonstrate the feasibility of preheating lumpy manganese ores to 600 °C with air at 750 °C. Preheated manganese ores aim to reduce furnace energy consumption during smelting in submerged [...] Read more.

This work studies heat transport in the fluid–solid interface of a packed bed to demonstrate the feasibility of preheating lumpy manganese ores to 600 °C with air at 750 °C. Preheated manganese ores aim to reduce furnace energy consumption during smelting in submerged arc furnaces to produce manganese ferroalloys. The preheating process was experimentally studied in a pilot-scale shaft-type column. The air was heated to 750 °C and used as a heat transfer fluid to heat a packed bed of manganese ore from room temperature to 600 °C. A one-dimensional three-phase (manganese ore, air, and the column wall) numerical model was developed to simulate the preheating process. The energy balance of the three phases was carried across a finite volume using the volume averaging technique. Numerical schemes were applied, and non-dimensional parameters were introduced before applying numerical techniques to solve the systems of linear equations. Python NumPy and SciPy modules were used for the computation of the packed bed temperature fields. Temperature data from the preheating tests were used for model validation. The model prediction of the transfer process agreed with experimental results to least square errors of less than 25 °C. Data from experimental measurements confirmed the feasibility of using air as the transfer fluid in the preheating of manganese ore. Detailed temperature field data generated from the model can be used for the sizing of manganese ore preheating units and the implementation of control protocols for the preheating process. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 9511 KiB  

Open AccessReview

Electrolytic Routes to Titanium: Methodological Innovations, Key Findings, and Prospects for Sustainable Production

by Daoguang Du, Zhihe Dou and Tingan Zhang

Materials 2025, 18(3), 525; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma18030525 - 23 Jan 2025

Viewed by 788

Abstract

Titanium is an indispensable strategic metal, and the greening of titanium production processes is a key safeguard for the further development of the titanium industry. Traditional titanium extraction methods involve high-temperature molten salts and high energy consumption, accompanied by significant environmental issues. The [...] Read more.

Titanium is an indispensable strategic metal, and the greening of titanium production processes is a key safeguard for the further development of the titanium industry. Traditional titanium extraction methods involve high-temperature molten salts and high energy consumption, accompanied by significant environmental issues. The electrolytic method for the production of titanium is a more environmentally friendly and promising production process. This review examines recent advancements in electrolytic titanium production, focusing on methods like the FFC, OS, SHS-ED, and USTB processes. These methods offer more efficient and environmentally friendly alternatives to traditional titanium extraction. Key findings include improvements in anode materials, electrolyte compositions, and process optimizations, which enhance titanium purity and production efficiency. The SHS-ED method, in particular, has shown significant advantages by shortening the deoxidation reaction path, improving process efficiency, and reducing the formation of undesirable phases. Despite these advancements, challenges remain in improving current efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and scaling up production. This article aims to provide guidance for future research directions and to discuss how to further promote the development of electrolytic titanium technology for more efficient and environmentally friendly titanium production. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

13 pages, 3635 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Improvement of the Foaming Agent Feeding Process to an Electric Arc Furnace by Analyzing the Sound Generated by an Electric Arc and the Coefficient of Variation of Active Power Consumption

by Józef Schwietz, Bogdan Panic, Mariola Saternus, Jacek Pieprzyca and Krystian Janiszewski

Materials 2024, 17(23), 5860; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17235860 - 29 Nov 2024

Viewed by 742

Abstract

Electric arc furnaces are commonly used in foamed slag technology for the production of steel from steel scrap through an electric process. The effects of using this technology include increased efficiency, reduced consumption of refractory materials, reduced energy consumption, reduced electrode wear, and [...] Read more.

Electric arc furnaces are commonly used in foamed slag technology for the production of steel from steel scrap through an electric process. The effects of using this technology include increased efficiency, reduced consumption of refractory materials, reduced energy consumption, reduced electrode wear, and improved arc stability. The world is constantly looking for solutions to optimize the feeding of the foaming agent to the electric furnace, including determining the moment of starting its feeding. The authors propose using two parameters to determine the optimal moment of introducing the foaming agent: the change in the sound level emitted by the arc furnace and the fluctuations in active power consumption. In order to determine the above parameters, tests were carried out on an industrial alternating UHP arc furnace with a capacity of 70 tons. The sound intensity level was determined at which the feeding of the foaming agent to the furnace’s working space should begin. A moving coefficient of power consumption variation was developed and decision variables of the software for online foaming agent feeding were determined. As a result of implementing the developed solutions to the electric furnace control system and conducting comparative tests, savings were obtained in the form of reduced foaming agent consumption. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

25 pages, 7662 KiB  

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Systematic Review of CO₂ Reduction Technologies in China’s Iron and Steel Industry: Advancing Towards Carbon Neutrality

by Tianshu Hou, Yuxing Yuan and Hongming Na

Energies 2024, 17(23), 5975; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17235975 - 27 Nov 2024

Viewed by 1310

Abstract

The iron and steel industry, a major energy consumer, faces significant pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions. As the world’s largest steel producer, China must prioritize this sector to meet its carbon neutrality goals. This study provides a comprehensive review of various carbon [...] Read more.

The iron and steel industry, a major energy consumer, faces significant pressure to reduce CO₂ emissions. As the world’s largest steel producer, China must prioritize this sector to meet its carbon neutrality goals. This study provides a comprehensive review of various carbon reduction technologies to drive decarbonization in the steel industry. China’s iron and steel sector, which accounted for approximately 15% of the country’s total CO₂ emissions in 2022, predominantly relies on coke and coal combustion. This study provides a comprehensive review of a variety of carbon reduction technologies to advance decarbonization in the iron and steel industry. This study categorizes carbon reduction technologies in the steel sector into low-carbon, zero-carbon, and negative-carbon technologies. Low-carbon technologies, which are the most widely implemented, are further divided into energy structure adjustment, material structure adjustment, energy efficiency improvement technologies, etc. This study specifically reviews dry quenching technology, high-scale pellet technology for blast furnace, and top pressure recovery turbine power generation technology. As a zero-carbon technology, hydrometallurgy is a central focus of this study and a key area of research within China’s iron and steel industry. While negative-carbon technologies are primarily centered around carbon capture, utilization technologies are still in early stages. By presenting the latest advancements, this study offers valuable insights and guidance to facilitate the iron and steel industry’s transition to a low-carbon future, crucial for mitigating global climate change. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

17 pages, 4346 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Technical Analysis of the Possibility of Burning Hydrogen in Furnaces of the Metallurgical Sector

by Andrzej Gołdasz, Karol Sztekler and Łukasz Mika

Energies 2024, 17(18), 4733; https://doi.org/10.3390/en17184733 - 23 Sep 2024

Viewed by 1140

Abstract

This article analyses the possibility of using hydrogen as fuel in furnaces used in the metallurgical industry. The research was conducted for a selected continuous furnace. For this purpose, based on actual measurements, a heat balance of the furnace was prepared to determine [...] Read more.

This article analyses the possibility of using hydrogen as fuel in furnaces used in the metallurgical industry. The research was conducted for a selected continuous furnace. For this purpose, based on actual measurements, a heat balance of the furnace was prepared to determine its energy indicators. These values were used to verify the developed numerical model in IPSEpro 7.0 software. Numerical calculations were performed for three variants: pure natural gas; 30% hydrogen, 70% natural gas; and 100% hydrogen. The determined values of gas and combustion air streams allowed for achieving the assumed charge temperature in the heating technology. Calculations of the impact of the excess combustion air ratio on process parameters were also carried out. It was found that no changes are required in the exhaust gas removal system, but verification of the fan supplying air to cool the exhaust gases before the recuperator is necessary. The amount of hydrogen required to fuel the continuous furnace also increases significantly (nearly threefold), which may also affect operating costs. At the same time, the emission of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere is completely reduced, which may be an important criterion when considering modernization options for heating furnaces in the metallurgical industry. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Advanced Processes in Metallurgical Technologies, 2nd Volume)

►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less

Select all

Export citation of selected articles as:

Plain Text BibTeX BibTeX (without abstracts) Endnote Endnote (without abstracts) Tab-delimited RIS

 

Error

Oops... you haven't selected anything for export.

Ok

clear

Displaying articles 1-6