Study Programmes 2016-2017
GEOL1043-1  
Extractive metallurgy
Duration :
30h Th, 20h Pr, 1d FW
Number of credits :
Master in geology and mining engineering (120 ECTS)5
Lecturer :
Stoyan Gaydardzhiev, Andreas Pfennig
Coordinator :
N...
Language(s) of instruction :
English language
Organisation and examination :
Teaching in the first semester, review in January
Units courses prerequisite and corequisite :
Prerequisite or corequisite units are presented within each program
Learning unit contents :
The course has objective to deepen the knowledge of geological engineering students into metallurgical processes used for production of the main non-ferrous (Cu, Zn, Pb,..) nd precious metals. The course covers both theoretical aspects of extractive metallurgical processes as well as refers to selected case studies. It encompasses the core units listed below which are complemented with case studies and site visits:
  • Metallurgical processes for production of the main non-ferrous metals
  • Basics of chemical thermodynamics
  • Hydrometallurgy of main mineral ores
  • Pyrometallurgical basis: Smelting and converting processes
  • Electrometallurgy (electro refining)
  • Reactive extraction and liquid membranes
  • Hydro/ pyro metallurgical advances in processing of "critical" metals from EoL products
The course begins with an introduction to metallurgical processes enabling the students to get aware about the challenges in metals extraction and purification processes from both technological as well as an economical points of view. The basics of chemical thermodynamics related to mineral compounds stability in aqueous systems follows. The theoretical grounds of the modern hydrometallurgy are presented together with examples of operational flowsheets for leaching common mineral ores and concentrates. Smelting and converting processes as part of the pyrometallurgy of non-ferrous and precious metals are equally discussed, followed by the basics of electrorefining, reactive extraction and liquid membrane possesses as supplementary methods. The practical application of the latter techniques is likewise illustrated as part of the contemporary strategies in recovery of "critical" metals from EoL (End-of-Life) products.
The associated laboratory classes include calculation exercises relative to real systems (Pourbaix diagrams, metallurgical balances) while site visits are thought to give students an industrial perspective view.
Learning outcomes of the learning unit :
By the end of this course, a student should be able to:
  • Understand the origin of metal value from process chain point of view
  • Determine the correct stoichiometry for a metal leaching reaction
  • Understand the thermodynamics of ideal mixtures and calculate phase compositions of mineral-solution systems at equilibrium
  • Understand the main stages involved in the pyrometallurgical refining of metals
  • Get aware about pyro- and hydrometallurgical advances in recovery of critical metals from EoL streams
 
Prerequisite knowledge and skills :
It is advisable that the students possess knowledge on raw materials value chain, chemical thermodynamics and basic principles of process engineering.
Planned learning activities and teaching methods :
Theoretical lectures, laboratory exercises and site visits. The lab exercises involve: chemical stability calculations (HSC Chemistry) likewise experiments on hydration of oxides (MgO), reactive extraction and liquid membrane separation.
Mode of delivery (face-to-face ; distance-learning) :
Face-to-face
Recommended or required readings :
Habashi, F., 1999. A Textbook of Hydrometallurgy (2nd edition), Metallurgie Extractive Quebec
Havlik, T. 2008. Hydrometallurgy: Principles and Applications, Woodhead Publishing in Materials
Jergensen I, Gerald V. (Eds.). 1999, Copper Leaching, Solvent Extraction, and Electrowinning Technology-Society for Mining, Metallurgy, and Exploration (SME)
Garrels R.M. and Christ C., 1965, Solutions minerals and equilibria, New York: Harper & Row
Gupta, C. K., Krishnamurthy, Nagaiyar, 2016. Extractive metallurgy of rare earths-CRC Press
Assessment methods and criteria :
Written exam (70%), reports from the lab sessions and the site visits (30 %).
In case of limited number of students oral exam will be organized. Same is valid in case of exam retake.
Work placement(s) :
no work placement is scheduled
Organizational remarks :
The course is delivered during the first quadrimester. Thursdays am; Room 1-/433 B52
Contacts :
Stoyan GAYDARDZHIEV - Prof.
tel: 9120
B52 -1/412
s.gaydardzhiev@ulg.ac.be
 
Andreas PFENNIG - Prof.
tel: 3521
B6c, office 1/66
andreas.pfennig@ulg.ac.be