Smelting Tests At Onekaka Satisfactory

Chronicle (Levin), 3 October 1949, Page 4

Smelting Tests At Onekaka Satisfactory

; WELLINGTON, Oct. 2. The Minister of Industries and Com-' merce, Mr. Nordmeyer, stated tonight that the smeiting demcinstrations at (Onekaka Are proceeding satisfaetorily and according to plan. Mr. Nordmeyer sa-id both Professor Lemoine, a member of the firm of London consuJtants, John Miles and P.artners (London Ltd.) • and Mr. P. C. Collifi, who represents the film of Elektroltemisk A.S., Olso, Norway, have wide experience in the apergtion of eleetrie furnaees. The firm of EJektrokemisk A.S. has developed a proeess for the smeiting of titaniferous ores in an eleetrie furnace. Such ores are being smelted on a large scale in Norway, producing pig-iron of high quality. These experts have found no serious difficulties in reducing irqnsand concentrates to pig-iron which was practieally free from titanium. They state that- concentrated ironsands and sinter ivhich have been prepared from these eoncentrates by ofiicers of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Rel seareh in advance of smeiting operations, have proved to be of exeellent quality. The eleetrie furnace is being operated continuously day. and night and pig-iron is poured three, times during each 21 hours. The working shifts are in the charge of experienced technical personnel from the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research with the assistance of experienced men from the Departments of Public Works and Railways, those-from the last department being aceustomed to handling pigiron in a molten state. The Dominion Laboratory has set up equipment at the site and its representatives are making analyses of the pigiron and furnace siags. The proportions of ironsand concentrate, fluxing materials and earbon are being varied to ascertain the most suitable mixture to give a fluid iron and slag with a minimum consumption of eleetrie power. , "It is anticipated, " said Mr. Nordmeyer, "that -smeiting operations will continue for another fortnight and it is gratifying to learn that results are proving so satisf actory. ' '