CHEM ENG 4058 - Metallurgical Processes

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2024

This course aims to provide the Chemical Engineering students with an understanding of metallurgy techniques that are used in the processing of minerals. The course provides an introduction to the thermodynamics of pyrometallurgical processes including predominance area and Ellingham diagrams and the physical chemistry and transport phenomena involved in a number of pyrometallurgical unit operations including, agglomeration, roasting, smelting, thermal and electrolytic refining. The course covers the processes used in zinc roasting, copper smelting and refining, iron and steel making, lead smelting and refining, nickel smelting, aluminium production, synthetic rutile and titanium production. At the end of this course you should be able to undertake a range of pyro-metallurgical calculations and have an appreciation of the wide range of thermal processes used to extract useful metals and minerals from their ores. The main topics covered in hydrometallurgy include acid, alkaline and pressure leaching, thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of leaching, purification of leach liquors by ion exchange, solvent extraction, adsorption using activated carbon, selective precipitation operations, and solid-liquid separation techniques. Several practical processes are studied including heap and tank leaching, copper extraction, nickel, zinc, cobalt, gold and uranium processing etc. The main topics in electrometallurgy include Pourbaix diagrams, recovery of metal values by cementation, electrowinning and refining from aqueous solutions, electrolyte preparation, cell potential, effect of additives, aluminium smelting from molten salt electrolytes, design of electrochemical reactors and application of processes for the recovery of copper, zinc, gold and aluminium. At the end of this course you should be able to demonstrate a good understanding of the key factors that govern the successful operation of metallurgical processes in the minerals industry.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code CHEM ENG 4058
    Course Metallurgical Processes
    Coordinating Unit Chemical Engineering
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 4 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Assessment Final exam, assignments and case-study
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Woei Saw

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

     
    1 Explain the driving forces behind the thermodynamics and kinetics of leaching and how they impact the design of a hydrometallurgical process;
    2 Explain the concepts of solids/liquids separation and how to apply to a process;
    3 Discuss the concepts and design of separation and purificaiton including; solvent extraction; ion exchange; precipitation; crystallisation; and membrane treatment;
    4 Explain the concepts and design of metal recovery processes including; cementation; reduction; electrowinning and electrolytic refining; and precious metal recovery;
    5 Apply basic engineering principles to the design of pyrometallurgical processes; and
    6 Explain the thermodynamics, kinetics, and physical chemistry of pyrometallurgy.

     
    The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):  
     
    1.11.21.31.41.51.62.12.22.32.43.13.23.33.43.53.6
    A C A C A C C C A A C A A
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    1-6

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    1-7

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Hydrometallurgy– Fundamentals and Applications, Michael L. Free, Wiley 2013 
    ISBN: 978-1-118-23077-0

    Recommended Resources
    Extractive Metallurgy of Uranium, Robert C. Merritt, 1971
      ISBN: 0918062101

    Extractive Metallurgy of Copper, Schlesinger, M. E., King, M. J., Sole, K. C., &   Davenport, W. G., 5th Ed
      ISBN: 978-0-08-096789-9

    Online Learning
    Students are expected to be able to use various sources of online content to apply to their learning.

    Basic cource information will be supplied on MyUni.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course will be delivered via weekly online mini-lectures and on-line quizzes which are to be completed before weekly workshops.
    Workshops will be focussed on explanations of problems and solutions to them.

    Weekly tutorials will allow students to investigate problems in more detail.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The course will consist of weekly 2 hour workshops with required pre-viewing of an on-line mini-lecture and participation in an on-line quiz. Tutorials will be held on a weekly basis of up to 2 hour. 

    As a guide, 12 hours per 3 unit course is expected weekly. 3 unit courses are required to have a minimum workload of 156 hours regardless of the length of the course.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Week 1: Introduction, Communition and Flotation
    Week 2: Water Chemistry 
    Week 3: Leaching Principles and Practice
    Week 4: Solids/Liquids Separation
    Week 5: Solvent Extraction/Ion Exchange
    Week 6: Ion Exchange, Precipitation and Crystallisation
    Week 7: Electrowinning and Electrorefining
    Week 8: Ellingham Diagram
    Week 9: Fluidised Bed Roasting
    Week 10: Bauxite to Aluminium
    Week 11: Iron Making
    Week 12: Revision
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative
    Due (week)*
    Learning outcomes
    Online quizzes 5 Individual Formative Most weeks 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
    Assignments 25 Group Formative Most weeks 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
    Tests 20 Individual Summative Weeks 6, 12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
    Final exam 50 Individual Summative Exam period 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
    Total 100
    * The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.
     
    This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.


    Assessment Detail
    Online quizzes are based on the theoretical content.

    Assignments: Problem-solving questions based on the theoretical content 

    Mid Semester Test: Closed-book test in week 6 or 7, covering the first half of the content.

    End of Semester Test: Closed-book test in the week 12, covering the first half of the content.

    Final Exam: 2 hour, closed-book exam.
    Submission

    No information currently available.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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  • Policies & Guidelines
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