Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/matte/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies. Australia is in the midst of a sustained increase in demand for its mineral resources that is leading to expansion in production and major capital investments across the industry sector. Most of the primary production of copper metal in Australia takes place through the use of high temperature smelting technologies. New technologies and significant ....Fundamental experimental and modelling studies of slag/matte/metal/gas systems in support of sustainable copper smelting and converting technologies. Australia is in the midst of a sustained increase in demand for its mineral resources that is leading to expansion in production and major capital investments across the industry sector. Most of the primary production of copper metal in Australia takes place through the use of high temperature smelting technologies. New technologies and significant changes to existing smelting technologies are currently underway; driven by the need to improve both productivity and environmental performance. This research partnership will provide important fundamental information about the complex chemistries of these high temperature processes. This project will assist these process improvements and will provide competitive advantage to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensla ....A new methodology for the measurement of transition metals ions in complex, high temperature oxide systems relevant to non-ferrous metal production. Complex multi-component molten oxide phases, known commonly as slags, are used in the high temperature production and refining of metals. The slag systems of commercial interest contain transition metals species, such as, Fe2+, Fe3+. Each of these species behaves as if it were a separate chemical component. Researchers at the University of Queensland have developed a new methodolgy, which enables the concentrations of these transition metal ions to be measured.
These types of measurements cannot be made with any of the techniques currently in use. The study will provide data on high temperature slags in a number of industrially and scientifically important systems. This approach will be applicable to a wide range of chemical systems in the fields of extractive metallurgy, materials science and geology; systems which could not previously be characterised.Read moreRead less
Improvements in the pyrometallurgical processing of nickel oxide and laterite ores at QNI Yabulu, North Queensland. The QNI Yabulu operation in Queensland is an important supplier of nickel and cobalt metals to the export market. The company is planning to expand the scale of the operations but is faced with two important sustainability issues. One is the recent changes to the European regulations that require very low levels of residual nickel oxide in the nickel metal product. The second issue ....Improvements in the pyrometallurgical processing of nickel oxide and laterite ores at QNI Yabulu, North Queensland. The QNI Yabulu operation in Queensland is an important supplier of nickel and cobalt metals to the export market. The company is planning to expand the scale of the operations but is faced with two important sustainability issues. One is the recent changes to the European regulations that require very low levels of residual nickel oxide in the nickel metal product. The second issue relates to ensuring the supply and improved recovery of nickel and cobalt from oxide-based ores. Further fundamental scientific information is required to provide improved understanding of the complex chemical reactions occurring during the high temperature treatment of these materials, and to guide improvements in product quality, recovery and process efficiencyRead moreRead less
ADVANCED THERMODYNAMIC AND PROCESS MODELS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE METAL SMELTING TECHNOLOGIES - A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN PYROMETALLURGY. This 5-year ARC Linkage project developed by the Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, UQ brings together several consortia of major mineral companies in a genuinely collaborative way to address a range of complex technical problems associated with the high temperature chemical processing of minerals and metals.
The UQ research team brings new state-of-the- ....ADVANCED THERMODYNAMIC AND PROCESS MODELS FOR HIGH TEMPERATURE METAL SMELTING TECHNOLOGIES - A COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH PROGRAM IN PYROMETALLURGY. This 5-year ARC Linkage project developed by the Pyrometallurgy Research Centre, UQ brings together several consortia of major mineral companies in a genuinely collaborative way to address a range of complex technical problems associated with the high temperature chemical processing of minerals and metals.
The UQ research team brings new state-of-the-art research methodologies, and experimental and computer modelling techniques to provide scientifically important research outcomes which can be used by the industry. The research program will provide fundamental thermodynamic and physical property information on the complex chemical systems encountered in industrial processes, powerful computer models, and applied research outputs for industry. The project will also importantly provide research training in the field pyrometallurgy, deliver competitive advantage to the Australian mineral industry and bring economic benefits particularly to regional Australia.
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The Physicochemical Properties of Complex Silicate Melts - Application of a New Quasichemical Model to Surface Tension Prediction. Most chemical reactions occur at surfaces or interfaces. The contact area and ease in which fluids spread or cover surfaces depends critically on the surface tension or surface energy of the fluid.
In the processing of metals and advanced ceramic materials the behaviour of molten oxides can greatly influence the rates of reactions, the quality of the interfaces bet ....The Physicochemical Properties of Complex Silicate Melts - Application of a New Quasichemical Model to Surface Tension Prediction. Most chemical reactions occur at surfaces or interfaces. The contact area and ease in which fluids spread or cover surfaces depends critically on the surface tension or surface energy of the fluid.
In the processing of metals and advanced ceramic materials the behaviour of molten oxides can greatly influence the rates of reactions, the quality of the interfaces between phases and therefore mechanical and other key properties of advanced materials produced.
This project provides a means of predicting the surface tensions of molten oxides, making it possible to design, control and improve metal and material manufacturing processes.Read moreRead less
ECOLOGICALLY SAFE RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC SCRAP - CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS OF NOVEL HIGH TEMPERATURE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY. As a developed industrialized society we are faced with increasing problems associated with the obsolete electronic materials. These materials are classed as hazardous wastes because they contain heavy metals and other elements that must be removed or made chemically inert before they can be disposed of safely. Electronic components however also represent a source of valuabl ....ECOLOGICALLY SAFE RECYCLING OF ELECTRONIC SCRAP - CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS OF NOVEL HIGH TEMPERATURE PROCESSING TECHNOLOGY. As a developed industrialized society we are faced with increasing problems associated with the obsolete electronic materials. These materials are classed as hazardous wastes because they contain heavy metals and other elements that must be removed or made chemically inert before they can be disposed of safely. Electronic components however also represent a source of valuable elements that can be recovered and reused. The project will assist in finding safe, cost-efficient ways in which we can process these materials and, at the same time, recover the valuable metals contained within them. The project will thus contribute to the sustainable use of our raw materials and a cleaner environment.Read moreRead less