CHEM ENG 2019 - Introduction to Minerals Processing
North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code CHEM ENG 2019 Course Introduction to Minerals Processing Coordinating Unit Chemical Engineering Term Semester 2 Level Undergraduate Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assessment Tutorials/assignments, final examination Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Cristiana Ciobanu
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Explain the principles governing a range of processes applied in the minerals industry; 2 Describe typical unit processes and flow-sheets for production of a number of metals; 3 Apply basic engineering principles to the design of minerals processes; and 4 Produce conceptual designs for simple extraction processes. 5 Work proficiently and effectively in small teams.
The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 A — B A A A B A A — A A A B A — University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1, 2 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
3, 4 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
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Learning Resources
Recommended Resources
Reference Books
B. Wills and T. Napier-Munn, Wills' Mineral Processing Technology, 7th Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann,
2005
P. Mullinger and B Jenkins, Industrial Furnaces, 1st Edition, Butterworth-Heinemann,
2008.
A. Burkin, Chemical Hydrometallurgy: Theory and Principles, Imperial College Press, 2001.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
This course uses a number of different teaching and learning approaches including:
- Lectures
- Problem solving tutorials
- Final examination
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Activity
Contact hours
Workload hours
Lectures
33
66
Tutorials
12
24
TOTALS
45
90
Learning Activities Summary
1. Introduction
An overview of the minerals processing industry and its importance to the Australian and world economy. Historical development of minerals processing from pre-history to the current time. Basic flowsheets.2. Ore handling
Crushing, ore transport, stockpiling and pre-blending3. Comminution
Crushing, grinding, breakage of materials, crushing and grinding laws & particle size analysis. Grinding machinery, milling circuits, sizing, screening and classification, hydro-cyclones, modelling of grinding circuits. Slurry properties, pumping, and transport.4. Separation and Concentration
Introduction to mass balances and metallurgical accounting calculations. Separation and concentration techniques. Sizing and sorting. Screening and classification. Gravity separation. Dense medium separation. Magnetic and electrical separation. Dewatering. Froth flotation. Practical processes coal washing, minerals sands, iron ore and non ferrous ore concentration. Recovery economics.5. Pyro-processing
Introduction to combustion processes, basic combustion chemistry and calculations, heat transfer and concept of “available heat” and its influence on furnace efficiency. Introduction to mass and energy balances, practical furnace systems including an overview of pyro-metallurgy in Australian minerals processing. Non-metallic mineral processing, rotary kiln processes, ensuring safe operation of furnace processes.6. Hydrometallurgy
Principles of electro-chemistry, the electrochemical series, principles of corrosion processes and leaching, solvent extraction & chemistry, pH-Eh, solution separation, purification. Practical hydrometallurgy processes, alumina, gold copper, nickel, uranium. Safety issues in hydrometallurgical processes.7. Electrometallurgy
The basic principles of an electrolytic cell, the importance of the electro-chemical series in determining energy consumption of electro metallurgical processes, aqueous and molten salt electrolytes, principles of the design of electrochemical reactors, energy consumption, current efficiency, practical electro-refining and electro-winning processes8. Process Instrumentation and Control
Need for control systems, basic measurement techniques for level, flow, temperature, etc. Measurement errors, actuators, valves, etc.
9. Process Safety
Modern process hazard identification techniques, risk analysis, fatal accident rate & ALARP, hazard analysis and protective systems, case studies. -
Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.Assessment Task Weighting (%) Individual/ Group Formative/ Summative Due (week)* Learning outcomes Assignment 1 - Mineralogy 6 Group* Summative Week 4 1. 5. Assignment 2 - Grinding and milling 6 Group* Summative Week 6 1. 2. 3. Assignment 3 - Separation and concentration 6 Group* Summative Week 8 1. 2. 3. 5. Assignment 4 - Pyrometalurgical and hydrometalurgical processing 6 Group* Summative Week 10 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Assignment 5 - Hydro/electrometallurgy and Process Control 6 Group* Summative Week 12 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Exam 70 Individual Summative 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. * can be individual if desired by student Total 100
This assessment breakdown complies with the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy.Assessment Detail
No information currently available.
Submission
No information currently available.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme) Grade Mark Description FNS Fail No Submission F 1-49 Fail P 50-64 Pass C 65-74 Credit D 75-84 Distinction HD 85-100 High Distinction CN Continuing NFE No Formal Examination RP Result Pending Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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