Modelling of particle-fluid reactive flows coupled with phase changes. This project aims to develop an integrated mathematical model for reliably describing multiphase reactive flow coupled with phase change. Particle-fluid reactive flows with phase changes are widely encountered in many energy-intensive industries, yet process design and optimization are hindered by the lack of understanding of complex phenomena governing particularly multiphase flow, phase change and their interactions. The m ....Modelling of particle-fluid reactive flows coupled with phase changes. This project aims to develop an integrated mathematical model for reliably describing multiphase reactive flow coupled with phase change. Particle-fluid reactive flows with phase changes are widely encountered in many energy-intensive industries, yet process design and optimization are hindered by the lack of understanding of complex phenomena governing particularly multiphase flow, phase change and their interactions. The model will be achieved by means of combining advanced particle-scale numerical techniques with pre-database-based thermodynamic model, supported by physical experiments. The outcomes will be applied across a range of industries of vital importance to Australian economic and technological future. It will help transform Australian pyrometallurgy and chemical industries, open new markets for a range of Australian minerals like low-grade coal and iron/copper ore, and ultimately enhance competitiveness of Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Sustainable copper metallurgy and recycling – saving energy and resources. This project aims to develop new, powerful and sophisticated, computer-based models that can reliably predict the results of chemical reactions in complex, high temperature metal production processes. This project expects to use these models, initially applied to copper smelting systems, to enable the improved recycling of other valuable metals. These models should be able to be applied to a wide range of technologies use ....Sustainable copper metallurgy and recycling – saving energy and resources. This project aims to develop new, powerful and sophisticated, computer-based models that can reliably predict the results of chemical reactions in complex, high temperature metal production processes. This project expects to use these models, initially applied to copper smelting systems, to enable the improved recycling of other valuable metals. These models should be able to be applied to a wide range of technologies used in the metallurgical industry as most of the world’s metals are produced by these pyrometallurgical processes. This should provide significant benefits such as substantial improvements in productivity and process efficiencies, whilst at the same time delivering energy savings and improved use of valuable metal resources.Read moreRead less
Creating wealth from new resources - High temperature extraction of metals from complex copper ores and recycled materials. Most of the world’s copper is produced using high temperature chemical processing (smelting). Both primary ores and recycled raw materials contain valuable elements and also potentially harmful impurity elements. To unlock and utilise current and new resources, and also minimise the environmental impacts the industry has identified the need for new fundamental scientific da ....Creating wealth from new resources - High temperature extraction of metals from complex copper ores and recycled materials. Most of the world’s copper is produced using high temperature chemical processing (smelting). Both primary ores and recycled raw materials contain valuable elements and also potentially harmful impurity elements. To unlock and utilise current and new resources, and also minimise the environmental impacts the industry has identified the need for new fundamental scientific data that describe the chemical behaviour of impurity elements in these systems. The project aims to then use the data to develop powerful computer-based thermodynamic models that can predict the products of complex industrial processes. These sophisticated tools are intended to then be used to improve the performance of existing industrial operations and assist in the development of new process designs.Read moreRead less
Future polymetallic processing through lead smelting, recycling, refining. The aim of the project is to provide new data and thermodynamic modelling tools to be used in the development of the next generation of lead metal smelting, refining and recycling processes used to recycle electronic materials, process hazardous wastes and recover valuable metals. The intention is to combine recently developed experimental techniques with the latest advances in FactSage chemical thermodynamic modelling to ....Future polymetallic processing through lead smelting, recycling, refining. The aim of the project is to provide new data and thermodynamic modelling tools to be used in the development of the next generation of lead metal smelting, refining and recycling processes used to recycle electronic materials, process hazardous wastes and recover valuable metals. The intention is to combine recently developed experimental techniques with the latest advances in FactSage chemical thermodynamic modelling to overcome long-standing experimental and modelling obstacles. The new experimental data and databases are intended to provide important information on high-temperature chemistry of complex phase equilibria and on the distribution of minor elements in multiphase systems.Read moreRead less
Coke integrity in blast furnace ironmaking: understanding and technology development. This project's expected outcomes will lead to optimised coke consumption for the blast furnace and to a more competitive steel manufacturing sector, through improved and rational criteria for selection of carbonaceous materials. This will result in more efficient ironmaking with significant operational, economical and environmental benefits.
The use of Australian magnetite ore in advanced ironmaking. The project will study reduction behaviour of Australian magnetite ore in advanced ironmaking with low emission of greenhouse and hazardous substances. Efficient utilisation of magnetite ore which economic demonstrated resources constitute 9.5 gigatonnes will be of high importance to Australian industry and prosperity.
Enhancing Direct Cu Recovery through Increased Gas Processing Understanding. This project aims to investigate mechanisms of copper loss during smelting and find new ways to reduce the loss. Smelting, which produces copper matte product and slag tailings, is an important step of the copper-making process from copper sulphides. The loss of copper to slag can be as high as 12 per cent. The project aims to create new knowledge about copper loss by matte droplets floated with gas bubbles generated by ....Enhancing Direct Cu Recovery through Increased Gas Processing Understanding. This project aims to investigate mechanisms of copper loss during smelting and find new ways to reduce the loss. Smelting, which produces copper matte product and slag tailings, is an important step of the copper-making process from copper sulphides. The loss of copper to slag can be as high as 12 per cent. The project aims to create new knowledge about copper loss by matte droplets floated with gas bubbles generated by chemical reactions to the slag phase. The outcomes are intended to enable copper smelters to maximise direct copper recovery, reduce copper production costs and increase the productivity of the smelting process.Read moreRead less
The significant impacts of morphological and interface stability on gas/solid reaction kinetics and for metals production. This project will provide fundamental scientific information on the reduction of metal oxides in hydrocarbon based systems, information required to successfully reduce Greenhouse gas emissions in metal production technologies. It will also extend our understanding of the fundamental science of decomposition of inorganic metal compounds.
Improvements in Australia’s iron ore resource utilisation . This project aims to support improved extraction and utilisation of Australia’s iron ore resources through providing new technical information on the behaviour of the ores during iron ore sintering. The project will measure the rates of chemical reactions taking place between the minerals and high temperature melts encountered in iron ore sintering. These reactions are critical in determining the microstructures formed and the resulting ....Improvements in Australia’s iron ore resource utilisation . This project aims to support improved extraction and utilisation of Australia’s iron ore resources through providing new technical information on the behaviour of the ores during iron ore sintering. The project will measure the rates of chemical reactions taking place between the minerals and high temperature melts encountered in iron ore sintering. These reactions are critical in determining the microstructures formed and the resulting physical properties of the iron ore sinter. Understanding the effect of these properties on subsequent iron -making process efficiency will support companies to efficiently use, market, and sell different iron ores.Read moreRead less
The use of non-traditional materials in production of manganese alloys with economic and environmental benefits. The use of ironstone and siliceous manganese ore in production of silicomanganese will have technological, economic and environmental benefit through improved technology and the use of local materials. It will also stimulate the development of the Tasmanian mineral industry, infrastructure and improvement of employment.