Ehanced Hydrodynamic Fractionation of Particles. The coal industry, which is a major contributor to the Australian economy, urgently needs a new washability method following its decision to abandon the existing laboratory standard. The existing method relies on the use of heavy organic liquids which are known to be toxic to human health. The 'water-based' approach proposed in this study overcomes the problem of risk to human health, thus benefiting Australian workers, the immediate industry, and ....Ehanced Hydrodynamic Fractionation of Particles. The coal industry, which is a major contributor to the Australian economy, urgently needs a new washability method following its decision to abandon the existing laboratory standard. The existing method relies on the use of heavy organic liquids which are known to be toxic to human health. The 'water-based' approach proposed in this study overcomes the problem of risk to human health, thus benefiting Australian workers, the immediate industry, and wider community. New separation technologies that could benefit the minerals industries and other key industries should follow. The project will also result in the education and training of two postgraduate students, and the advancement of two postdoctoral researchers in this area of industry. Read moreRead less
Application of Water Based Fractionation in the Assessment of Metallurgical Coal. The metallurgical coal market (13% of coal market) is highly specialized, and competitive. The coal, which is utilized as a reducing agent in iron making, represents more than 52% of Australian coal exports. This study addresses growing evidence that organic liquids used to fractionate and in turn assess metallurgical coals lead to negative assessments, hence loss of markets, and lost opportunities. A new water bas ....Application of Water Based Fractionation in the Assessment of Metallurgical Coal. The metallurgical coal market (13% of coal market) is highly specialized, and competitive. The coal, which is utilized as a reducing agent in iron making, represents more than 52% of Australian coal exports. This study addresses growing evidence that organic liquids used to fractionate and in turn assess metallurgical coals lead to negative assessments, hence loss of markets, and lost opportunities. A new water based fractionation method will be established, and a systematic investigation into the effects of the organic liquids will be undertaken. These results will be used to build a case for replacing the organic liquids used in the industry, which are known to have negative health and environmental impacts. Read moreRead less
Optimising non-explosive rock breaking technology. Non-explosive rock breaking technology has the potential to significantly improve safety and production in mining and construction industries. This project will quantify a non-explosive hydraulic rock breaking technology through innovative theoretical and numerical investigations. The influences of all the key factors on the efficiency of this technology will the examined. It is envisaged that the outcomes from this proposal will optimise the no ....Optimising non-explosive rock breaking technology. Non-explosive rock breaking technology has the potential to significantly improve safety and production in mining and construction industries. This project will quantify a non-explosive hydraulic rock breaking technology through innovative theoretical and numerical investigations. The influences of all the key factors on the efficiency of this technology will the examined. It is envisaged that the outcomes from this proposal will optimise the non-explosive rock breaking technology, greatly improve its application and guide our industry partner to develop reliable equipment.Read moreRead less
Polymers at Mineral Interfaces. Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. In spite of this, there remains a gap in our understanding of how polymers interact with mineral surfaces and how their surface structure affects the mineral surface properties. The aim of this project is to fill this gap by performing fundamental research on adsorbed polymer structure and properties, coupled with applied research on real mineral ores from a ....Polymers at Mineral Interfaces. Polymers are used widely in the mineral processing industry to alter mineral surfaces, often selectively. In spite of this, there remains a gap in our understanding of how polymers interact with mineral surfaces and how their surface structure affects the mineral surface properties. The aim of this project is to fill this gap by performing fundamental research on adsorbed polymer structure and properties, coupled with applied research on real mineral ores from a number of mineral companies. The combination of fundamental and applied research makes this project unique in the study of polymers at mineral interfaces, and will enable us to solve real processing problems through a rational choice of polymers for a given application.Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical studies of the packing and piling of coal. This project is oriented to the coal and steel industries, which are important to Australia. In fact, the coal industry creates a significant employment and produces 80% of electricity in Australia. Australia is also the world's biggest coal exporter. This project will develop methods to control the packing and piling processes of coal, which are of fundamental importance to many granular processes. The benefits from the proje ....Experimental and numerical studies of the packing and piling of coal. This project is oriented to the coal and steel industries, which are important to Australia. In fact, the coal industry creates a significant employment and produces 80% of electricity in Australia. Australia is also the world's biggest coal exporter. This project will develop methods to control the packing and piling processes of coal, which are of fundamental importance to many granular processes. The benefits from the project include improvements in productivity, coke quality and fuel efficiency, which will lead reduced energy consumption and pollution emission and thereby improve the competitiveness of Australia's coal and steel industries. Read moreRead less
Practical Application of Filtration Theory to the Minerals Industry. The project aims to provide a quantitative basis for the selection, design, operation and maintenance of filter devices in the minerals industry. This will be achieved through characterisation of materials to be filtered by developing a model of the true role of the membrane in filtration. Experimental parameters will be input to first principles filtration models. This will reduce the incidence of poor operational outcomes ....Practical Application of Filtration Theory to the Minerals Industry. The project aims to provide a quantitative basis for the selection, design, operation and maintenance of filter devices in the minerals industry. This will be achieved through characterisation of materials to be filtered by developing a model of the true role of the membrane in filtration. Experimental parameters will be input to first principles filtration models. This will reduce the incidence of poor operational outcomes for filter presses and provide a sound basis for the maintenance of filter cloths and membranes.Read moreRead less
Optimising Froth Zone Performance in Mineral Flotation. Froth flotation is the most widely applied technique for the selective separation of valuable mineral from gangue mineral particles. This project aims to optimize the selective separation of valuable minerals from gangue minerals within the froth zone of flotation. This project has very high national significance as deficiencies in the froth zone performance of industrial flotation plants, leads to a significant loss of valuable mineral f ....Optimising Froth Zone Performance in Mineral Flotation. Froth flotation is the most widely applied technique for the selective separation of valuable mineral from gangue mineral particles. This project aims to optimize the selective separation of valuable minerals from gangue minerals within the froth zone of flotation. This project has very high national significance as deficiencies in the froth zone performance of industrial flotation plants, leads to a significant loss of valuable mineral from mineral concentrates, as well as a reduction in concentrate grade and quality. An expected outcome of this project will be a series of new tools and methodologies to optimize froth zone performance, which will have industry wide application.Read moreRead less
Polymers in the Depression, Aggregation and Dispersion of Particles in the Mineral Industry. The aim of this project is to use a generic approach to the selection of the best-suited polymer for specific applications such as in the depression, aggregation and dispersion of particles in the mineral industry. A "tool box" of particular tests will be developed based on key chemical structure-solid surface activity relationships between the polymer and the host solid surface in each application consi ....Polymers in the Depression, Aggregation and Dispersion of Particles in the Mineral Industry. The aim of this project is to use a generic approach to the selection of the best-suited polymer for specific applications such as in the depression, aggregation and dispersion of particles in the mineral industry. A "tool box" of particular tests will be developed based on key chemical structure-solid surface activity relationships between the polymer and the host solid surface in each application considered. Potential process improvements leading to improved flotation grades, increased fine particle recovery, increased slurry throughput in pipelines and decrease in reagent dosage will result.Read moreRead less
Fundamental studies of screening processes in coal preparation. Screening is a most important unit operation widely used in industries but not well understood. This project will investigate the fundamentals governing the dynamic behaviour of coal slurry on desliming screens by a combined theoretical and experimental program. Its aim is to develop and validate a computer model that can simulate the operation under various conditions at a particle level, providing a cost effective way to quantify ....Fundamental studies of screening processes in coal preparation. Screening is a most important unit operation widely used in industries but not well understood. This project will investigate the fundamentals governing the dynamic behaviour of coal slurry on desliming screens by a combined theoretical and experimental program. Its aim is to develop and validate a computer model that can simulate the operation under various conditions at a particle level, providing a cost effective way to quantify the screening performance in relation to materials, machine and operation conditions. It will generate a basis for developing better design and control strategies of screen operation, resulting in an improved competitiveness of Australia's mineral industry.Read moreRead less
Improving Aqueous Processing and Control of Copper-Uranium Leach Tails Behaviour. The research will provide essential training and equip us with better understanding, appropriate scientific knowledge and diagnostic tools for establishing an effective U and Cu mineral leaching and subsequent treatment processes. Specifically, improved valuable mineral dissolution rate, greater pulp handleability, efficient particles washing and pulp dewatering technology for treating U-Cu metal containing pulps ....Improving Aqueous Processing and Control of Copper-Uranium Leach Tails Behaviour. The research will provide essential training and equip us with better understanding, appropriate scientific knowledge and diagnostic tools for establishing an effective U and Cu mineral leaching and subsequent treatment processes. Specifically, improved valuable mineral dissolution rate, greater pulp handleability, efficient particles washing and pulp dewatering technology for treating U-Cu metal containing pulps, significant increase in productivity and production with reductions in reagents and human risk, will emerge. These beneficial outcomes will increase profitability and competitiveness of BHP-Billiton and Australian mineral export. Read moreRead less