Process engineering of cost effective and environmentally friendly refractories through nano-technology

该项目的主要目标包括提高制造用于制造耐火陶瓷的纳米结构结合系统的成本效率，以及在为工业有色金属冶炼、转化和精炼炉制造更环保的耐火材料方面实施纳米技术。这些问题将首先通过使用纳米粉末氧化物添加剂和土工聚合物类型结合系统的基础研究来解决，以促进和增强烧结的温度比目前使用的技术低得多。主要途径将是使用化学（非燃烧）而不是热能（基于化石燃料）来生产致密陶瓷。以基础研究成果为基础，开发新一代有色炉用低温烧制镁基砖和全金属工业用镁铝基浇注料。为了实现我们的目标，以下两个主题将继续进行：a)开发用于制造耐火陶瓷的新型纳米粉末结合系统；b)开发具有成本效益和环保的砖和浇注耐火材料。这项研究和发展项目的目标符合加拿大将温室气体排放量减少到《京都议定书》规定的水平的承诺。我们期望，在这个项目完成后，加拿大耐火材料制造商将能够在减少二氧化碳排放的过程中获得或与其他国家交换“碳点”。通过使用这项研究和开发工作的结果，化石可燃物的数量可以减少多达40%用于制造耐火材料，40-60%用于金属生产商使用耐火材料。

The main objectives of this project include the increase of the cost efficiency in making nano-structured binding systems for manufacturing refractory ceramics and the implementation of nano-technologies in making more environmentally friendly refractories for industrial non-ferrous smelting, converting and refining furnaces. These will be firstly addressed through fundamental research on using nano-powder oxide additives and geoplymer type binding systems to promote and enhance sintering at much lower temperatures than the current in-use technologies. The main avenue will be the use of chemical (non-combustion) instead of thermal (fossil based) energy to produce dense ceramics. Based on the fundamental research results, we will develop a new generation of low-temperature fired magnesia based bricks for non ferrous furnaces and magnesia and alumina based castables for all metals making industries. In order to achieve our objectives the following two topics will be pursued: a) develop new nano-powder based binding systems for making refractory ceramics and b) develop cost effective and environmentally friendly brick and castable refractories. The objectives of this research and development project are in line with the Canadian commitment of reducing the green house emissions to the levels stipulated by the Kyoto Accord. We expect that upon completion of this project the Canadian refractory manufacturers will be able to gain or exchange "carbon points" with other countries, in the process of their contribution to reducing the CO2 emissions. By using the results of this research and development work, the amount of fossil combustibles could be reduced with as much as 40% for making Refractories and 40-60% for using Refractories by metal producers.