Course content

The course is given every year. The course aims at a deeper understanding of metallurgical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics, and their interaction in heterogeneous metallurgical processes. The following main topics are treated:

1)Thermodynamic data; experimental methods and calculations. 2) Reaction equilibria in systems with condensed phases (Solid-gas and liquid-gas systems, solid-liquid and liquid-liquid systems, solid-liquid-gas systems). 3) Kinetics of metallurgical reactions

Evaporation and condensation (Heterogeneous solid-gas and liquid-gas reactions (calcination, direct reduction, precipitation from aquease solutions,…) and related kinetic models. Heterogeneous liquid-liquid reactions (reactive slag-liquid relations, slag refining, …). Heterogeneous solid-liquid-gas reactions (oxidative refining, gas refining, leaching,…). Kinetics data; experimental methods and calculations.

Electrolytic processes are not part of the course.

Learning outcome

After completing this course the student will be able to:

-describe the interaction between thermodynamics and reaction kinetics in high-temperature, heterogeneous metallurgical processes

- describe methods for thermodynamic measurements and describe the principles for estimation of thermodynamic data,

- explain phase stability diagrams for solid systems, and gas/solid equilibria for multi component systems,

- describe thermodynamic relations for liquids and their equilibria with solid phases and gases,

- describe selected statistical models for liquid mixtures of metals and salts, structure of slags and their reactions with liquid metals and the gas phase,

- describe heterogenous reactions between solids and a fluid (gas or liquid), reactions between solids through gaseous intermediates and between two fluids.

-outline/apply the basic principles of reaction engineering for the construction of metallurgical processes mainly for the production of metals, including the design of reactors for such processes.

- use the acquired knowledge on own research problems

Learning methods and activities

Lectures, assignments, work on the semester project and presentation. Lectures 40 hours, Assignments: 40 hours, work on semester project and presentation: 120 hours.

Compulsory assignments

• Exercises and a term paper

Recommended previous knowledge

Prerequisites TMT4276 (basic thermodynamics), and TMT4155 (Heterogeneous equilibria and phase diagrams) or similar knowledge.

Knowledge about transport phenomena (fluid, heat and mass transport) is required TMT4206/TMT4208

Course materials

Information on reference literature will be given at course start.

Credit reductions