Process Flowsheets

Code:

MEMG0002

Acronym:

DP

Keywords
Classification	Keyword
CNAEF	Extractive industries

Instance: 2020/2021 - 1S

Active?	Yes
Responsible unit:	Mining Engineering Department
Course/CS Responsible:	Master in Mining and Geo-Environmental Engineering

Cycles of Study/Courses

Acronym	No. of Students	Study Plan	Curricular Years	Credits UCN	Credits ECTS	Contact hours	Total Time
MEMG	10	Plano de estudos oficial a partir de 2008/09	1	-	6	56	162

Teaching language

Portuguese
Obs.: Suitable for English-speaking students

Objectives

Development of a quantitative point of view of Treatment diagrams in operations. Study of the indicators which describe separation processes performance.
Flowsheet as "optimal solution".
Project: structural optimization and parametric optimization.

Learning outcomes and competences

Competence in formulating and solving optimization problems in ore processing, and extending capabilities for optimization in related areas (engineering/physics).

Working method

Presencial

Program

1. Introduction to the course unit 1.1 Objectives of ore processing: preliminary characterization of ores properties and definition of the desired properties of the final product. Process design: structural optimization and parametric optimization. Notion of Process flow diagram: chaining rules of unit operations. 1.2 Concepts of separation and discharge, stages of mineral operations and general mineral diagram 1.3 Technical and technical-economical points of view. Sales agreement Economic benefit and net smelter return. 2. Introduction to treatment flow diagrams – base treatment flow diagrams 2.1 Classification base diagrams Classification diagrams: sand and kaolin Solid mass and water balance. Dimensioning problem. 2.2 Base fragmentation diagrams Fragmentation diagrams: crushing and crushed stone, inerts and pyrites granulation; Limestone milling for cement and corrective, talc; milling diagrams by humid via; autogenous milling diagrams. 2.3 Separation base diagrams. Concentration diagrams: general concepts of application (metallic ores vs. non-metallic; high-grade ores vs. low-grade ores); concentration units 3. Treatment diagram analysis: an operational point of view over a running facility 3.1 Theory of separation methods 3.3.1 Problem proposition 3.3.2 Partition or Tromp curve: ideal separation and real separation; types of inefficiencies 3.3.3 Heidenreich curves 3.3.4 Washability curves: limit or potential washability and real washability 3.2 Fragmented ores sampling 3.3. Mineral balances: analysis of recovery calculation variance 3.4 Reconciliation of superabundant data in mass balance calculation 3.5 Analysis of complex circuits 4. Knowledge in treatment diagrams 4.1 Qualitative and quantitative diagrams 4.2 Different types of diagrams presented as “studied cases”: Flotation (global and differential of sulphides and non-sulphides); magnetic separation; gravity concentration. 4.3 Diagrams which operate on Portuguese ores: Cu-Pb-Zn in Aljustrel; Cu and Cu-Sn in Neves-Corvo; WO3- Sn-Cu in Panasqueira, special sands in Rio Maior and Seixoso; Coal in Pejão. 4.4 Diagrams used in industrial and urban waste treatment, sludge treatment and water and effluent treatment.
5. Mathematical Models of some industrial size-reduction machines: Cone Crushers, Rod Mills, Ball Mills.
Mathematical simulation of operating circuits.
6.Mathematical Models of some industrial size-separation machines: Screen and Hydrocyclones.
7. Model of froth flotation.

Mandatory literature

M. Machado Leite; Modelação de Operações e Circuitos
M.Machado Leite; Diagramas de Processo

Complementary Bibliography

Barry A. Wills; Wills´s Mineral Processing Technology
A. J. Lynch; mineral Crushing and Grinding Circuits. Their simulation, Optimisation, Design and Control, Elsevier Scientific Publishing Company, 1977. ISBN: 0-444-41528-9

Teaching methods and learning activities

Theoretical classes – Presentation of the fundamental concepts of the design of process flow diagrams, ore preparation and study of mathematical concepts which enable the use of quantitative approaches. Practical classes.

Laboratory Classes - Development / Construction of mathematical models of equipment and mineral processing circuits.
Resolution of some application exercises

Evaluation Type

Distributed evaluation with final exam

Assessment Components

Designation	Weight (%)
Exame	35,00
Trabalho prático ou de projeto	65,00
Total:	100,00

Amount of time allocated to each course unit

Designation	Time (hours)
Elaboração de relatório/dissertação/tese	14,00
Estudo autónomo	67,00
Frequência das aulas	56,00
Trabalho de investigação	25,00
Total:	162,00

Eligibility for exams

Students are obliged to attend at least 75% of the lectures and also perform the specific work (continuous assessment component)

Calculation formula of final grade

Final grade = 0.65* Grade of the continuous assessment component + 0.35* Grade of the final assessment component.
Continuous assessment component -each student will have to perform several practical works with preparation of their reports.
Practical work: Construction / development of different mathematical models presented in TP classes.
The reports should include: 1- execution of the model; 2 - interpretation and exploitation of results; 3 - applicability, analysis of the modelo and future perspective.
To complete the course unit, students have to rech a minimum grade of 8 out of 20 in the Final assessment component and continuous assessment component