Hydrophobic particle recovery using permeable hydrophobic media. This project aims to solve an intractable problem in froth flotation. Bubbles will be replaced by permeable, hydrophobic media, minimising the viscous hydrodynamic resistance that limits ultrafine particle recovery. The project expects to generate new knowledge relating the efficacy of the novel media to its underlying physical structure, composition, geometry, and interfacial structure. Expected outcomes include a framework for de ....Hydrophobic particle recovery using permeable hydrophobic media. This project aims to solve an intractable problem in froth flotation. Bubbles will be replaced by permeable, hydrophobic media, minimising the viscous hydrodynamic resistance that limits ultrafine particle recovery. The project expects to generate new knowledge relating the efficacy of the novel media to its underlying physical structure, composition, geometry, and interfacial structure. Expected outcomes include a framework for developing alternative, highly permeable, hydrophobic media, and new high performance separation technologies. This is expected to benefit large scale, low-cost, ultrafast processing of particulate suspensions in mineral processing and waste water treatment.Read moreRead less
Surface characteristics and hydrodynamics in detachment of coarse particles. Froth flotation is widely used for separating coal and minerals from the gangue. The largest particles that can be floated in the industry are 10 times smaller than the particles that can be floated under quiescent conditions. This project aims to better understand and quantify the detachment of large particles from the bubble surface. It aims to develop innovative modelling and experimental approaches to examine the ef ....Surface characteristics and hydrodynamics in detachment of coarse particles. Froth flotation is widely used for separating coal and minerals from the gangue. The largest particles that can be floated in the industry are 10 times smaller than the particles that can be floated under quiescent conditions. This project aims to better understand and quantify the detachment of large particles from the bubble surface. It aims to develop innovative modelling and experimental approaches to examine the effect of particle surface characteristics and hydrodynamic conditions on coarse particle detachment and flotation. New ways to save energy by floating coarse composite particles are proposed to be developed. This research is at the forefront of flotation science and technology, and is expected to deliver significant outcomes to the mining industry.Read moreRead less
Flotation in high salt concentration: resolving critical knowledge gaps relating the ion effect on bubble production and behavior. Flotation separation of coal and mineral particles by attaching to rising air bubbles is significantly affected in high salt concentration but its exact mechanism still remains unclear. This project employs state-of-the-art surface sensitive spectroscopy and modeling tools to investigate how salt ions influence drainage and rupture of liquid films between two bubbles ....Flotation in high salt concentration: resolving critical knowledge gaps relating the ion effect on bubble production and behavior. Flotation separation of coal and mineral particles by attaching to rising air bubbles is significantly affected in high salt concentration but its exact mechanism still remains unclear. This project employs state-of-the-art surface sensitive spectroscopy and modeling tools to investigate how salt ions influence drainage and rupture of liquid films between two bubbles, and bubble production and behaviour relevant to the flotation processes. The research will develop better water use for coal and mineral flotation to reduce reagent usage and environmental impacts of water pollution. The project will contribute significantly to knowledge advancement in the coal and mineral industry.Read moreRead less
Hydrodynamic enhancement and transformation of flotation. The purpose of this project is to address emerging challenges in coal and mineral processing associated with the steep decline in the quality of mining assets and the long term resource demands of China and India. A major advance in flotation technology is expected, leading to the highest possible product grade at a given recovery.
A Fundamental Study of the Breakage of Gibbsite and Smelter Grade Alumina. This project aims to develop a fundamental understanding of the cracking of gibbsite and smelter grade alumina, thus providing useful guidance for the alumina refineries to control the particle size distribution of the smelter grade alumina. This addresses an important issue in alumina refineries in terms of providing a high quality product for the downstream aluminium smelter.
Fundamental investigation of the briquetting behaviour of iron ore fines. Handling, including transport and processing, may account for up to 60 per cent of the total delivered price of iron ore. This project will develop an integrated computer model for an improved briquetting process of ore fines with reduced operation cost and less environmental impact, leading to a more competitive and sustainable mineral industry in Australia.
A Framework for Understanding and Applying the Reflux Classifier in Fine Particle Beneficiation. The Reflux Classifier is a novel Australian technology that is re-defining what is possible in the field of gravity separation across the mining industry. This new research aims to focus on a critical gap in the knowledge, concerned with the powerful internal synergies that exist between the particle-fluid hydrodynamics of the lower fluidised bed and the upper system of inclined channels. The technol ....A Framework for Understanding and Applying the Reflux Classifier in Fine Particle Beneficiation. The Reflux Classifier is a novel Australian technology that is re-defining what is possible in the field of gravity separation across the mining industry. This new research aims to focus on a critical gap in the knowledge, concerned with the powerful internal synergies that exist between the particle-fluid hydrodynamics of the lower fluidised bed and the upper system of inclined channels. The technology has already delivered nearly $1 billion in economic benefit, solving previously intractable problems. Through an experimental and theoretical study a new framework for understanding and applying this technology in fine particle beneficiation across an increasingly diverse range of applications is intended to be established.Read moreRead less
Deep Learning Augmented Intelligent Grinding Mill Simulation and Design. Comminution is a key operation in mineral processing that utilises grinding mills to reduce the size of ore for further mineral enrichment processing. The aim of this project is to provide a step change improvement in the operational efficiency and service life of grinding mills through the development of advanced numerical models to simulate the grinding mill process. The outcome will be a hierarchical deep learning progra ....Deep Learning Augmented Intelligent Grinding Mill Simulation and Design. Comminution is a key operation in mineral processing that utilises grinding mills to reduce the size of ore for further mineral enrichment processing. The aim of this project is to provide a step change improvement in the operational efficiency and service life of grinding mills through the development of advanced numerical models to simulate the grinding mill process. The outcome will be a hierarchical deep learning program to select optimal model parameters from which computational algorithms will optimise grinding mill geometries. This research project will deliver substantial improvements to equipment used to process our most valuable exports and result in immediate industry impact.Read moreRead less
ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals. The aim of the Centre is to progress scientific knowledge to establish transformational improvement in minerals beneficiation, essential for meeting global demand for metals. The research aims to achieve more selective, faster, and efficient separations, combining major advances in separation technologies with increased functionality of new reagents. The Centre outcomes will also ensure the sustainability of the miner ....ARC Centre of Excellence for Enabling Eco-Efficient Beneficiation of Minerals. The aim of the Centre is to progress scientific knowledge to establish transformational improvement in minerals beneficiation, essential for meeting global demand for metals. The research aims to achieve more selective, faster, and efficient separations, combining major advances in separation technologies with increased functionality of new reagents. The Centre outcomes will also ensure the sustainability of the minerals industry in Australia, through a significant reduction in cost, environmental impact, and through lower energy and water usage. The Centre also seeks to establish a new generation of scientists and research leaders in minerals beneficiation to support the innovation needed into the future by this major Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Tuneable energy dissipation for optimal flotation recovery. This project aims to develop a new way of improving mineral flotation recovery of coarse particles. In mechanical cells, coarse particles can be detached due to high power input needed to suspend the solids. Fluidised beds provide a much gentler environment, but the flotation process cannot be optimally controlled because the bed conditions are determined by the incoming feed. This project will propose the addition of foreign particles ....Tuneable energy dissipation for optimal flotation recovery. This project aims to develop a new way of improving mineral flotation recovery of coarse particles. In mechanical cells, coarse particles can be detached due to high power input needed to suspend the solids. Fluidised beds provide a much gentler environment, but the flotation process cannot be optimally controlled because the bed conditions are determined by the incoming feed. This project will propose the addition of foreign particles that can be tuned to generate optimal conditions within the fluidised bed that maximise rate of capture of selected particles whilst minimising their tendency to detach. This new approach is expected to increase the size range of floatable particles resulting in a major reduction in grinding energy requirements.Read moreRead less