Course overview
This course aims to provide an understanding of metallurgical techniques for processing minerals, covering hydrometallurgy, electrometallurgy, and pyrometallurgy. Students will explore processes such as leaching, solvent extraction, precipitation, electrowinning, electrorefining, agglomeration, roasting, smelting, and refining, including Ellingham diagrams. Emphasis will be placed on the thermodynamics, physical chemistry, and transport phenomena involved in these processes. This course aligns with the program’s intent to demonstrate a chemical engineering body of knowledge and apply this knowledge, along with critical thinking, creativity, and innovation, to solve complex industrial and real-life problems.
- Hydrometallurgy
- Electrometallurgy
- Pyrometallurgy
Course learning outcomes
- Explain the driving forces behind the thermodynamics and kinetics of leaching and how they impact the design of a hydrometallurgical process
- Explain the concepts of solids/liquids separation and how to apply to a process
- Discuss the concepts and design of separation and purification including; solvent extraction; ion exchange; precipitation; crystallisation; and membrane treatment
- Explain the concepts and design of metal recovery processes including; cementation; reduction; electrowinning and electrolytic refining; and precious metal recovery
- Apply basic engineering principles to the design of pyrometallurgical processes
- Explain the thermodynamics, kinetics, and physical chemistry of pyrometallurgy
Degree list
The following degrees include this course