Aqueous Processing

Catalog description

A study of the chemical and engineering principles pertinent to metal processing in aqueous systems: hydrometallurgical extraction, plating, materials preparation. MATSE (MN PR) 426 Aqueous Processing (3) This 3-credit course deals with the chemical and engineering principles underlying the aqueous processing of metals: metal extraction from primary and secondary sources, electroplating, and metal finishing, powder synthesis, energy storage and conversion, and treatment of recycling of metal-containing toxic wastes.1. Physico-Chemical Principles - Thermodynamic, chemical kinetic and transport factors which control hydrochemical processes (leaching; precipitation; adsorption; solvent extraction; ion exchange; electrowinning, electrorefining and electroplating; membrane processes; energy storage and conversion); graphical representation of homogeneous and solid/solution equilibria; chemical reagents.2. Engineering Principles - Reactor design and staged operations; ideal batch, continuous stirred-tank and plug-flow reactors; fluidized bed reactors; electrochemical reactors; multistage separation processes (solid-liquid, liquid-liquid, and gas-liquid systems).3. Process Synthesis - Design of metal separation (extraction, refining, waste treatment) materials synthesis, metal finishing, and energy storage/conversion processes and system-integration of unit operations, industrial practice. Emphasis on closing circuits to minimize or eliminate waste effluents.