Minerals Engineering and Extractive Metallurgy
Primary Contact: Associate Professor Don Ibana d.ibana@wasm.curtin.edu.au
The major areas of research are:
Hydrometallurgy
Development of an Electrostatically Agitated Liquid-Liquid Extraction Column
Electrostatically agitated liquid-liquid extraction (LLX) involves the use of electrostatic field to effect intimate contact between an organic and an aqueous phase in order to achieve mass transfer between the phases. Theoretical considerations together with a few experimental data indicate that the technique has many potential advantages over conventional LLX techniques including higher mass transfer rates, minimal loss of reagents and much lower power consumption. This work aims to develop an electrostatically agitated liquid-liquid extraction column for hydrometallurgical separation, purification and concentration particularly nickel and cobalt from laterite ores.
Separation and Purification of Metal Ions from Pregnant Liquor Streams Using Electrostatic Pseudo Liquid Membrane
Electrostatic pseudo liquid membrane (ESPLIM) is a novel liquid-liquid extraction (LLX) technique that incorporates the principles of liquid membranes and electrostatic dispersion allowing simultaneous extraction and stripping in a single cell and thus, circumventing the limitations imposed by equilibrium in conventional LLX. In theory, this would allow complete extraction and separation of metal ions in a single stage compared with multiple stages in conventional LLX. The focus of this work is the development of ESLIM applications in hydrometallurgy.
Mineral Processing
Reprocessing of red mud from bauxite processing (Bayer Process)
The object is to extract valuable by-products of silica, iron, alumina and titania. Work has been conducted over the past 3 years in conjunction with the CRC for Sustainable Resource Processing and Alcoa to consider a wide range of options for use of red mud tailings. This work is ongoing.
Improving Nickel Sulphide Flotation Recovery
With the current high price of nickel, there is a considerable need to improve nickel recovery from existing operations. Work is currently being done with BHP Billiton and has potential to be expanded for other producers.
Sustainable minerals processing of By-products
The production of by-product materials from current tailings offers the potential to reduce the quantity of tailings produced globally, and aid the primary production of raw materials for the global market. Large mines are good targets for this research.
Non-Ferrous Pyrometallurgy
Optimisation of Sulphide Nickel Smelting
This research focuses on the effect of key nickel smelting process data on a distribution coefficient term called K' which if fully quantified, can be used to predict the distribution and recovery of metals throughout the smelting process, and thereby provide the basis for a process prediction and optimisation model.�� Since the magnitude of K' and its response to operating conditions depends on certain reaction mechanisms and also on activity coefficient ratios in matte, a successful correlation will also provide estimates of these unknown factors and thereby enhance our fundamental understanding of the process.
Sustainable Hydrometallurgy
Novel uses for waste streams in the mineral industry
Waste streams in mineral processing are treated as a resource to be utilised to decrease the environmental cost of metal extraction. Several examples include the use of bauxite, waste sands and oxalates in the gold and nickel industries. Hydrometallurgical methods of arsenic removal from nickel sulphide concentrate and the stabilisation of arsenic is being researched.
Reduction of Environmental Impacts of Gold Processing
In conjunction with the CSIRO, the AJ Parker CRC for Hydrometallurgy and Industry, process optimisation has been targeted at the reduction of the environmental impacts of gold processing. A method for measuring HCN (g) emissions from CIP/CIL tanks has been developed and research is focusing alternative reagents to cyanide, low pH cyanidation, and the remediation and use of highly saline ground water.
Back to top