THE AMLON RESOURCE
THE SOURCE FOR RECOVERY, RECLAMATION, & ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
FEBRUARY 2009
OBTAINING Mo FROM YOUR INVESMENT
We at Amlon Resources are not financial planners, so we are not about to give advice on matters of financial instruments and
investments! The topic at hand is: how can one ensure they are obtaining fair Mo (or any base metal) value from their spent catalyst?
We have some suggestions:
First, loading diagrams depict the materials loaded into the reactor. Obtaining the fresh catalyst Mo concentration for each grade
multiplied by the as-loaded weight should provide some approximation for the Mo in that reactor, right? Well, perhaps. Similar to the
extremely detailed efforts to fully capture precious metals, one has to take into account the accuracy and precision of fresh catalyst
sampling, analyses, and reporting basis. Base metal and precious metal assays share at least one commonality: error. Some are trivial,
some errors can be significant. So trying to calculate how much metal is contained based upon loading information can lead to
disappointment. Trying to fully eliminate error is both impossible and costly. But there are ways to reduce error.
Let’s begin with sampling. According to one encyclopedia, “Sampling is that part of statistical practice concerned with the selection of
individual observations intended to yield some knowledge about a population of concern, especially for the purposes of statistical
inference. Each observation measures one or more properties (weight, location, etc.) of an observable entity enumerated to distinguish
objects or individuals. Survey weights often need to be applied to the data to adjust for the sample design. Results from probability theory
and statistical theory are employed to guide practice.” What??? Did anyone understand what they just read? Okay, why not recognize
that sampling is actually a science, and we at Amlon firmly believe in acquiring the services of qualified expert sampling services to
statistically acquire samples. This helps overcome the errors one may encounter with perhaps the ‘coffee cup’ collection techniques, or
scooping a sample from atop a few flowbins, or vast pile of dumped spent catalyst.
In similar fashion, relying on antiquated gravimetric techniques, or spectroscopy, fluorescent, or similar analytical procedures that are
not calibrated using N.B.S. or equivalent standardization and control procedures can potentially lead to erroneous, erratic results.
Instruments should be routinely calibrated using an array of control standards that encapsulate the range of expected results. Chemists
and technicians should also be checked for technique and procedural control. Yet, it would certainly be both a challenge and a waste of
one’s precious time to audit every laboratory, instrument, or person that is associated with your metal analyses. Again, this science is
best left to scientists. Amlon’s practice is to utilize independent, accredited analytical laboratories that perform these measures of
control and precision as standard operating procedure in order to assure our customers receive both accurate and objective results. We
believe this is how things are supposed to be done.
Was that result dry basis, wet basis, after ignition, following 3 hours at 1,000 F, before or after screening, and or measured before,
during, or after part or all processing and treatments, or based upon recovery or process results? My goodness! Confusion over
reporting can be particularly frustrating because of the challenges in attempting to rationally understand the comparison of expectations
with results. We provide a simple approach to reporting: report the net weight of treated catalyst, and the as-is measured base metal
concentration. No smoke, no mirrors, no confusion. Net weight multiplied by percent metal yields total metal, and the correct basis for
fair settlements. Q.E.D.
The Amlon Resources Group has been in the business of recovery, recycle, and strategic sourcing for metal-bearing materials for over 30
years. We make every effort to do the right things right, and look forward to the opportunity to demonstrate that to you. Please do not
call us for financial advice; please do call us for your spent catalyst recycle needs today.
Lee Lasher
Managing Director
(212) 685-4456
[email protected]
Robert Koppel
Managing Director
(212) 685-4456
[email protected]
METALS ANALYSIS
1.
Alloys of tin and titanium with which element are used in wires for
superconducting magnets found in Magnetic Resonance Imaging,
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, and even nuclear particle accelerators?
2.
Part of the platinum family and the densest natural element, this
transition metal was used as a stylus in early phonographs (prior to
industrial diamonds and sapphires), especially 78-rpm records, because
of its extreme alloyed hardness. Is anyone of age to recall this metal?
3.
The first element discovered by Marie and husband Pierre Curie in
1898 was named to highlight the political controversy of their
homeland, which at that time lacked independence and was under rule
of three countries. Can you name the ‘homeland’ and element?
4.
First used in large-scale as a coating for bearings in high performance
aircraft engines during World War II, this element is now mostly found
in thin-film LCD application. And although 58% of production is from
recycle, projections indicate only ~13 years supply of this element may
be left! Which element may soon become so scarce?
David Berman
Vice President
(410) 580-0096
[email protected]
Tim Cimperman
Sales Manager
(724) 452-3876
[email protected]
Andrew Lis
Operations & Customer Service Manager
(212) 685-4456
[email protected]
Niobium, Osmium, Poland/Polonium, Indium
AMLON RESOURCES GROUP LLC
10 EAST 40TH STREET NEW YORK, NY 10016
TEL.: (212) 685-4456 FAX: (212) 685-4602
www.amlonresources.com
Amlon Resources Group LLC is an International Metals Reclamation, Recovery and Environmental Management Group that designs, implements and manages full-service, environmentally secure, economically competitive
reclamation programs across the globe. Amlon has brought together experts in the fields of manufacturing, metallurgy, catalyst, environmental law and transportation (see http://www.amlonresources.com/advisory.html)
to provide value-added services for nearly 30 years. Based in New York USA with offices in Brazil, Canada, Central Africa, China, India, Mexico, South Africa, Trinidad, Arkansas USA, Kentucky USA, Pennsylvania USA, New
Jersey USA, and Maryland USA, the Company sources and supplies a broad spectrum of metals, chemicals and other raw material requirements for the chemical, petrochemical, and numerous process industries.