Resources

Authors: Jelena VUKOVIĆ*, Mitar PERUŠIĆ, Srećko STOPIĆ, Duško KOSTIĆ, Slavko SMILJANIĆ, Radislav FILIPOVIĆ, and Vladimir DAMJANOVIĆ

Published In: Ovidius University Annals of Chemistry, Volume 35, Number 2, pp. 165 – 173, 2024

DOI: https://doi.org/10.2478/auoc-2024-0021

Our latest research explores innovative ways to utilize red mud, a byproduct of the alumina industry. With potential applications in construction, metallurgy, and environmental protection, red mud can serve as a valuable resource for raw materials, metal recovery, and ecological solutions such as wastewater treatment and soil remediation. This study highlights the diverse opportunities for red mud utilization, promoting sustainable practices across various industries.

Authors: Duško Kosti´c, Srecko Stopic,*, Monika Keutmann, Elif Emil-Kaya, Tatjana Volkov Husovic, Mitar Peruši and Bernd Friedrich

Published In: www.mdpi.com/journal/materials Materials 2024, 17, 4779.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ma17194779

Our research highlights the use of ultrasonic spray pyrolysis, an efficient aerosol-based method for synthesizing titanium-based nanoparticles from titanium oxy-sulfate. By exploring key parameters such as temperature (700–1000°C), solution concentration, and gas flow conditions, we optimized the process to achieve spherical powders with particle sizes ranging from nanoscale to submicron. The study emphasizes the crucial role of oxygen control in shaping the final powder structure, offering valuable insights for applications in advanced materials and nanotechnology.

Authors: Srecko Stopic, Duško Kosti´c, Richard Schneider, Magnus Sievers, Florian Wegmann, Elif Emil Kaya, Mitar Peruši´c and Bernd Friedrich

Published In: www.mdpi.com/journal/materials Minerals 2024, 14, 1151.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/min14111151

This research presents a novel approach to utilizing red mud, a by-product of alumina production, by combining carbothermic reduction and high-pressure leaching. The process begins with carbon reduction at 1600°C in an electric arc furnace to remove iron through magnetic separation. The resulting slag is then leached in an autoclave under optimized conditions, achieving a 95% titanium extraction rate at 150°C using 5 mol/L sulfuric acid with 9 bar oxygen over 2 hours. The study highlights the effectiveness of high-pressure conditions in preventing problematic silica gel formation, offering a promising solution for enhancing red mud utilization and resource recovery.

Authors: Rosanna Babagiannou, Imark Sargin, Dimitra Skentzou, Antreas Afantitis

Published In: INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF PROGRESSIVE RESEARCH IN ENGINEERING MANAGEMENT AND SCIENCE (IJPREMS)

DOI: https://www.doi.org/10.58257/IJPREMS37866

The EURO-TITAN Big Data Platform offers a cutting-edge solution for data integration, combining lifecycle data management, industry predictions, and decision analysis. The platform employs distribution statistics and exploratory data analysis to identify trends and relationships between process parameters, data levels, and environmental factors. To address data variability, advanced outlier detection methods are applied to improve uncertainty estimation. The platform leverages machine learning, deep neural networks, and regression models for predictive analytics, while reinforcement learning optimizes operational conditions. Real-time insights are delivered through intuitive web-based dashboards, ensuring user-friendly and adaptive analytics for enhanced decision-making.

Authors: Srecko Stopic, Duško Kosti´c , Elif Emil-Kaya, Emircan Uysal, Sebahattin Gürmen, Aleksandar Mitrašinovi´c , Mitar Peruši´c and Bernd Friedrich

Published In:  https://www.mdpi.com/journal/surfaces, Surfaces 2024, 7, 1096–1108.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/surfaces7040072

This study investigates titanium recovery from tionite (a by-product of titanium dioxide production) and carbothermally reduced red mud (a by-product of alumina production). By employing high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching in an autoclave under varying conditions, researchers identified optimal parameters for metal extraction. The results showed higher titanium leaching efficiency in carbothermal-reduced slag due to improved mineral phase alterations. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses confirmed that titanium compounds in tionite were more resistant to dissolution. This research underscores the benefits of thermal pre-treatment for maximizing metal recovery while contributing to sustainable waste management practices in the titanium and aluminum industries.

Authors: Srecko Stopic , Richard Schneider, Duško Kostić, Isnaldi R. Souza Filho, Mitar Perušić, Elif Emil-Kaya and Bernd Friedrich

Published In:  www.mdpi.com/journal/waste, Waste 2025, 3, 11

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/waste3020011

This study presents advanced pyrometallurgical and hydrometallurgical techniques for decarbonizing and extracting valuable metals from bauxite residue, a challenging by-product of the Bayer process. By employing hydrogen plasma reduction, the research achieved 99.9% iron recovery as crude metallic iron, significantly reducing CO2 emissions compared to traditional carbon-based methods. Further metal recovery was optimized through high-pressure sulfuric acid leaching, achieving 93.21% aluminum and 84.56% titanium extraction. Additionally, ultrasound-assisted leaching at atmospheric pressure offered a 54% titanium recovery rate. This innovative approach demonstrates effective resource recovery while promoting environmentally sustainable practices.

Authors: Srecko Stopic , Duško Kostić, Mitar Perušić, Richard Schneider, Isnaldi R. Souza Filho, Aleksandar Mitrašinović and Bernd Friedrich

Published In:  www.mdpi.com/journal/minerals 2025, 15, 470

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/min15050470

A comparative investigation of red mud reduction via carbothermal and hydrogen-based methods was carried out, integrating thermochemical modeling with high-temperature experimental validation (700–1700 °C). The study focused on minimizing red mud generation while maximizing metallic iron recovery, addressing both environmental risks associated with red mud disposal and the potential for downstream hydrometallurgical treatment of the solid residue. Static and dynamic reduction conditions were examined to evaluate reduction efficiency, phase evolution, and material separation behavior, with magnetic separation employed to isolate metallic iron from the residual matrix.