MET 473 - Modeling of Metallurgical Processes

Course Objectives

The goal of the course is to provide an introduction to the basic steps of physical system modelling, model simplification, and model simulation. The course discusses many example problems from the area of extractive metallurgical processes, both transient and steady-state. Utilization of computers will be a key instrument in all steps of model formulation, model simulation and model approximation. The modelling and simulation exercise is an individual exercise where the student has to formulate a dynamic model on the basis of a description of the system in the form of a term-project from the literature. Subsequently, a simulation using a modelling software is required to investigate and assess the dynamic properties and behaviour of the plant or system under study, as relevant for its operation

Course Description

Examples of metallurgical processes, their mass and energy balances, and simultaneous solutions, Fundamentalsof modeling and simulation, in-class demonstration of modeling software, Description of certain extractivemetallurgical processes (roasting, smelting, leaching, precipitation, electrolysis, refining, etc.) and steps of their
mathematical modeling, Concepts of kinetics, batch, and continuous processes in extractive metallurgy,Determining the effect of controlling parameters, such as particle size, temperature, concentration, pressure,
gas/liquid/solid flow rate, stirring speed, current density, etc., and athematical modeling thereof. Assigning theseparameters to the student groups as term projects, Hands-on experimenting of modeling software in thecomputer-lab to investigate the effect of these parameters, individually assigned to the groups of students,Building the models of metallurgical processes, investigated under the light of related controlling parameters, theirsimulation with modeling software, in-class presentation of these models by the student groups to theirclassmates.