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

该项目的主要目标包括提高用于制造耐火陶瓷的纳米结构结合体系的成本效率，以及应用纳米技术制造用于工业有色冶炼、转化和精炼的更环保的耐火材料。这些问题将首先通过基础研究来解决，即使用纳米氧化物添加剂和土工聚合物类型的粘结系统来促进和加强比目前使用的技术低得多的温度下的烧结。主要途径将是使用化学(非燃烧)而不是热能(化石)来生产致密陶瓷。在基础研究成果的基础上，我们将开发新一代有色金属炉用低温烧成镁质砖和所有金属制造行业的镁铝质浇注料。为了实现我们的目标，我们将致力于以下两个主题：a)开发新的纳米粉基粘结系统，用于制造耐火陶瓷；b)开发成本效益高、环境友好的砖和浇注料。这一研究和开发项目的目标符合加拿大关于将温室气体排放量减少到《京都议定书》规定的水平的承诺。我们预计，在这个项目完成后，加拿大耐火材料制造商将能够在为减少二氧化碳排放做出贡献的过程中，获得或与其他国家交换“碳点”。利用这项研究和开发工作的成果，金属生产商制造耐火材料可以减少40%的化石可燃物，使用耐火材料可以减少40%-60%的可燃物。

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.