31453 - Raw Materials Engineering T

Course contents

Sustainability and Circular Economy. The Sustainability Development Goals of the United Nations 2030 agenda and in particular the objective 12.

Raw materials in Europe and in Italy. Critical and strategic raw materials, minerals, metals, construction materials and industrial minerals. Supply and mining. Recycling and Urban Mining.

General information on the main rocky and mineral materials.

Main properties of materials and their characterization.

Particles size distribution. The size distribution analysis in laboratory and their analytical representation.

Classification by size: direct and indirect classification methods.

Industrial screening. Main types of screens: capacity and efficiency. Theoretical basis of the indirect classification: the law of motion of a solid immersed in a fluid.

Industrial classifiers: mechanical and centrifugal classifiers. The hydrocyclones. The efficiency of the indirect classification.

Comminution. Comminution theory for the determination of energy consumption. Comminution laws. Definition and calculation of the work index and specific energy in comminution.

Crushing. Types of crushers. Design and operating parameters.

Grinding. Cylindrical ball and bar mills: calculation of energy consumption, choice of grinding elements and coatings.

Concentration methods. Pre-concentration in heavy medium (sink-float). Gravimetric methods: jigs and shaking tables.

Electrostatic and magnetic separation.

Flotation: theoretical and physical chemical basis. The technology of flotation machines.

Specific cases of plant design: general layout of a complete mineral enrichment plant, treatment plants for natural and recycled construction aggregates, recycling plants for some waste streams (for example: waste of electric and electronic equipment, end-of-life vehicles and tires).

Readings/Bibliography

Lecture notes and teaching materials made available by the teacher.

It is recommend:
Barry A. Wills, Mineral Processing Technology, Pergamon Press, in consultation with the interdepartmental library on Via Terracini.

Other texts are suggested in the materials provided during classes.

Teaching methods

Lectures relating to all the course contents.

Exercises in class related on the main demonstration and calculation present in the course contents.

A visit to the DICAM's LAGIRN laboratories will be planned, where the main laboratory-scale equipment presented in class can be observed and partially used.

Assessment methods

Learning is assessed through a final written assignment lasting approximately 2 hours, consisting of a first section on design and problem-solving and a second theoretical section.

The written test aims to ascertain the skills acquired in solving problems and to verify the learning of the topics covered.

The final grade, expressed in thirtieths, takes into account the evaluations reported in both parts of the test.

Teaching tools

ppt presentations

Videos and multi-medial material

Office hours

See the website of Floriana La Marca