Simulation of Metallurgical Processes
Webpage of the courses MET473 (Simulation of Metallurgical Processes) and MET473E (Modeling & Simulation of Metallurgical Processes) at the Metallurgical & Materials Engineering Department of I.T.U.
Description
As in many branches of heavy industry, the use of computers in metallurgical plants for the evaluation of plant data and for plant control is becoming increasingly widespread. Modeling metallurgical processes on the basis of laboratory-scale experimental data and plant data is of great importance for the more efficient operation of plants; such modeling makes it possible to predict how plant data will change in response to a change in any plant input and, on that basis, to decide on the technical changes that need to be made to the system. Therefore, within the scope of this proposed course, beyond giving the students taking the course an understanding of the concepts of simulation and mathematical modeling, the aim is to develop their theoretical knowledge of the simulation / modeling of a metallurgical system based on experimental and/or plant data, and to support this theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice using modeling software.
Description
Examples of metallurgical processes, their mass and energy balances, and simultaneous solutions, Fundamentals of modeling and simulation, in-class demonstration of modeling software, Description of certain extractive metallurgical 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 mathematical modeling thereof, Assigning these parameters to the student groups as term projects, Hands-on experimenting of modeling software in the computer-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, their simulation with modeling software, in-class presentation of these models by the student groups to their classmates.
Objectives
Within the scope of this proposed course, beyond giving the students taking the course an understanding of the concepts of simulation and mathematical modeling, the aim is to develop their theoretical knowledge of the simulation / modeling of a metallurgical system based on experimental and/or plant data, and to support this theoretical knowledge with hands-on practice using modeling software.
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.
References
- R. Peter King, “Modeling and Simulation of Mineral Processing Systems”, ISBN:0-7506-4884-8, 2001.
- B.A. Ogunnaike, “Process Dynamics, Modeling, and Control”, ISBN: 0-19-509119-1, 1994.
- R.I.L. Guthrie, “Engineering in Process Metallurgy”, ISBN: 0-19-856367-1, 1993.
- N.J. Themelis, “Transport and Chemical Rate Phenomena”, Gordon & Breach, New York, 1995.
- C. Arslan, “Modeling the Performance of Aqueous Chromium Electrowinning Cells”, Ph.D. Thesis, Columbia University, New York, 1991.
- E. Peters, D. Dreisinger, “Mixing, Leaching and Modeling Course Notes”, Metals and Materials Eng. Dept. Univ. of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada, 1990.
- R.G. Bautista, R.J. Wesely, G.W. Warren, “Hydrometallurgical Reactor Design and Kinetics”, A Publication of The Metallurgical Society, Inc., U.S.A., 1986.
- A.W. Bryson, “Modeling the Performance of Electrowinning Cells”, Proceedings Hydrometallurgy 81, Manchester 1981, pp.G2/1-G2/11, 1981.