411-449 Materials and Recycling

411-432 Particle Mechanics and Processing (prior to 2005 411-332), 411-303 Reactor Engineering (prior to 2005 411-433), 411-204 Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics.

Students successfully completing this unit should understand the complex interaction of processes within the material cycle i.e. starting with consumer products, primary material production, material properties and ending with recycled material, waste and environmental issues. This will be based on material science principles, thermodynamics, kinetics (etc.) as well as system engineering and optimization. The students will understand the relationships between materials composition, processing, microstructure and properties.

Content: Industrial Ecology, materials in consumer products, survey of the relationship between metals and non-metals production and the industrial cycle of materials and recycling. Application of fundamental principles to simulate material systems. Advanced aspects of physico-chemical principles of oxide and sulphide processing, to produce metals and ceramic products from ores as well as a recycled materials and consumer products. The systems approach to recycling of products, process sustainability and environmental considerations. The relationship between product sophistication, material properties, separation efficiency and recycling. Case studies, such as the optimization of a material flow system by the use of optimization procedures, thermodynamics, physical separation principles, will be part of the course. Also included are a review of interatomic bonding, material atomic structure, phase diagrams and equilibria, and material mechanical, electrical and magnetic properties. Finally the process of developing material selection criteria and selecting materials for particular applictions will be presented.

The subject will enhance the following generic skills:

• capacity for independent thought

• awareness of advanced technologies in the discipline

• ability to apply knowleddge of basic science and engineering fundamentals

• ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution

• ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance

One written 3-hour end-of-semester examination (80%); a written 1-hour mid-semester test (20%).