Quantification and Modelling of Particle Flow Mechanisms in Conveyor Transfers. A critical area of solids handling and processing is the transfer of bulk material between conveyor belts. Design of conveyor transfers rely heavily on trial and error and/or experience and cannot cope with the complexities of varying particle properties and process requirements. Poor transfer designs can result in reduced QC and service life, significant maintenance/environmental costs and safety concerns. The main ....Quantification and Modelling of Particle Flow Mechanisms in Conveyor Transfers. A critical area of solids handling and processing is the transfer of bulk material between conveyor belts. Design of conveyor transfers rely heavily on trial and error and/or experience and cannot cope with the complexities of varying particle properties and process requirements. Poor transfer designs can result in reduced QC and service life, significant maintenance/environmental costs and safety concerns. The main aims of this project are experimental and theoretical investigations into the flow of particulates through conveyor transfers. This will result in: development of a novel conveyor transfer facility; quantification of transfer parameters and data; development of models to simulate and assist in the design of complete transfers.Read moreRead less
Energy Dissipation and Nanoscale Processes at Moving Contact Lines. The dynamic process of liquids wetting and dewetting, as moving contact lines pass over solid surfaces is central to many industrial operations and natural phenomena. Contact line motion plays a key role in micro and nanofluidics, the foundation of an emergent technology called process intensification, where large industrial processes can be reduced to Lilliputian in size. Substantial energy reduction and other benefits are exp ....Energy Dissipation and Nanoscale Processes at Moving Contact Lines. The dynamic process of liquids wetting and dewetting, as moving contact lines pass over solid surfaces is central to many industrial operations and natural phenomena. Contact line motion plays a key role in micro and nanofluidics, the foundation of an emergent technology called process intensification, where large industrial processes can be reduced to Lilliputian in size. Substantial energy reduction and other benefits are expected from this project, including the transformation of coarse particle flotation. Young PhD scientists and engineers will be educated in a rich research environment, with strong international research collaboration in areas of national priority.Read moreRead less
Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes ....Advanced Nanoscale Materials Engineered from Diatomaceous Earth. Using natural materials of diatomaceous earth (DE) as a cheap and available resource by applying synthetic routes this project is directed towards the innovative development of new nanoscale materials with advanced properties. New mesoporous materials with intricate 3-D structures and nano sized features will be engineered from diatom silica for use in demanding applications such as separation and catalysis. These research outcomes will enhance Australia's capacity in frontier technology and advanced materials, as well as bringing a competitive advantage to local industry through the development of such advanced materials.Read moreRead less
Environmentally Benign Flotation Chemicals. The research described in this proposal and the anticipated outcomes are concerned with replacing toxic and environmentally hazardous chemicals used in the mineral processing industry with benign chemicals that are biodegradable and have low toxicity. Replacing these chemicals reduces the risk of workplace injuries and damage to the environment that could be caused by industrial accidents.
Evaluation of reaction mechanisms and products in acid rock drainage treatments. There are more than 54 sites in Australia managing major ARD wastes (either >10% of the waste or >10M tonnes) with another 62 sites with less ARD. At operating sites, the annual costs are $60M p.a.; over 15 years, a total cost of $900M for the whole industry. The value of the project outcomes to industry (and government) in reduction of acid and toxic metal release and reduced cost of treatments is potentially in th ....Evaluation of reaction mechanisms and products in acid rock drainage treatments. There are more than 54 sites in Australia managing major ARD wastes (either >10% of the waste or >10M tonnes) with another 62 sites with less ARD. At operating sites, the annual costs are $60M p.a.; over 15 years, a total cost of $900M for the whole industry. The value of the project outcomes to industry (and government) in reduction of acid and toxic metal release and reduced cost of treatments is potentially in the tens of $M p.a.. Improvements in environmental and social quality of life in mining areas and towns will also result from improved treatment.Read moreRead less
Matching flotation concentrate composition to downstream processing in copper production at the Olympic Dam operations of BHP Billiton. This research is important for the Australian and South Australian economies. There are both large capital and operating costs benefits if a successful and robust mineral separation can be achieved. Being able to separate different copper sulphide minerals in copper concentrates will have global significance. In the particular case of Olympic Dam mine, the imp ....Matching flotation concentrate composition to downstream processing in copper production at the Olympic Dam operations of BHP Billiton. This research is important for the Australian and South Australian economies. There are both large capital and operating costs benefits if a successful and robust mineral separation can be achieved. Being able to separate different copper sulphide minerals in copper concentrates will have global significance. In the particular case of Olympic Dam mine, the impact of being able to separate the copper sulphide minerals at the mineral processing stage is a significant reduction in operating costs, which is a result of reduced ore handling, mining and smelting costs.Read moreRead less
Optimising the Recovery of Fine and Coarse Particles in Mineral Flotation. The collection of fine (<10 microns) and coarse (>100 microns) mineral particles by gas bubbles is the very heart of the selective froth flotation process. In the flotation of minerals, losses of fine and coarse value minerals equate to approximately $500M annually in Australia alone. The significance of flotation to the Australian economy may be judged from the fact that over $39b in commodity exports was derived from t ....Optimising the Recovery of Fine and Coarse Particles in Mineral Flotation. The collection of fine (<10 microns) and coarse (>100 microns) mineral particles by gas bubbles is the very heart of the selective froth flotation process. In the flotation of minerals, losses of fine and coarse value minerals equate to approximately $500M annually in Australia alone. The significance of flotation to the Australian economy may be judged from the fact that over $39b in commodity exports was derived from the minerals and energy industries in 2001, rising to well over $75b in 2005 (Australian Bureau of Statistics). These industries produce mineral concentrates of specific interest to our Industry Partner, such as copper, nickel, zinc and coal.Read moreRead less
Optimising Froth Zone Performance in Mineral Flotation. Froth flotation is the most widely applied technique for the selective separation of valuable mineral from gangue mineral particles. This project aims to optimize the selective separation of valuable minerals from gangue minerals within the froth zone of flotation. This project has very high national significance as deficiencies in the froth zone performance of industrial flotation plants, leads to a significant loss of valuable mineral f ....Optimising Froth Zone Performance in Mineral Flotation. Froth flotation is the most widely applied technique for the selective separation of valuable mineral from gangue mineral particles. This project aims to optimize the selective separation of valuable minerals from gangue minerals within the froth zone of flotation. This project has very high national significance as deficiencies in the froth zone performance of industrial flotation plants, leads to a significant loss of valuable mineral from mineral concentrates, as well as a reduction in concentrate grade and quality. An expected outcome of this project will be a series of new tools and methodologies to optimize froth zone performance, which will have industry wide application.Read moreRead less
BEACH FORMATION OF NON-SEGREGATING TAILINGS. Thickened tailings from mining operations discharged onto flat ground build into a low conical hill, forming a straight beach slope. This method of stacked tailings disposal is currently employed at nine Australian mine-sites. It is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Discharged thickened pastes can develop steeper slopes, thus requiring less area for the tailings stack. However, a tailing discharge system design must be based on an accurate ....BEACH FORMATION OF NON-SEGREGATING TAILINGS. Thickened tailings from mining operations discharged onto flat ground build into a low conical hill, forming a straight beach slope. This method of stacked tailings disposal is currently employed at nine Australian mine-sites. It is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Discharged thickened pastes can develop steeper slopes, thus requiring less area for the tailings stack. However, a tailing discharge system design must be based on an accurate prediction of the beach slope. The aim is to produce a method of predicting the beach slope angle from laboratory experiments involving particle mechanics, rheology, and process parameters like flowrate and concentration.Read moreRead less
Effect of Saline Water on Flotation Processes. The Australian mineral and coal industry is valued at $40 billion in export income per year. This significant component of the Australian economy will benefit from this research into the increased use of highly saline water to improve coal and mineral flotation recovery. The project will keep Australia at the leading edge of flotation research, research training and development for the coal and mineral industry. With direct relevance to the National ....Effect of Saline Water on Flotation Processes. The Australian mineral and coal industry is valued at $40 billion in export income per year. This significant component of the Australian economy will benefit from this research into the increased use of highly saline water to improve coal and mineral flotation recovery. The project will keep Australia at the leading edge of flotation research, research training and development for the coal and mineral industry. With direct relevance to the National Research Priorities: Water - a Critical Resource, this project will make contributions to the development of a more environmentally sustainable coal and mineral processing industry.Read moreRead less