Extractive Metallurgy

Ores, reducing agents and other raw materials for production of metals and other inorganic materials. Agglomeration processes and roasting. Thermodynamics and chemical kinetics of reduction processes. Slag systems, refractory materials and ternary phase diagrams. Descriptions of processes for the production of iron and steel, lead, zinc, copper, magnesium and titanium are used as examples of the main principles of extractive metallurgy. Technical and economical feasibility process evaluation principles are included.

This course will enable the student to:
- Identify and describe alternative and possible processes for production of metals/alloys from given raw materials (ores, reduction agents, slag formers, etc.).
- Explain the various principles/aspects of production processes for metals/alloys dependent on characteristic properties for the raw materials (purity, size, strength), the products (melting point, volatility, stability) and bi-products (slag amount and bacisity, offgases, environmental impacts).
- Perform basic process calculations (thermodynamic limitations, mass and energy balances and simple kinetics).
- Choose necessary actions for change and improvement to fulfil new demands for a given process for production of metals/alloys.
- Formulate and analyse economic issues pertaining to construction and operation of processes for metals/alloys production.
- Apply methods to seek and validate options for integration between processes and utilization of by-products (LCA approach).
- Apply simplifications to computations and evaluate their appropratness.

Lectures, excercises and laboratory work. Instruction is provided in English or Norwegian as needed.