Overview
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is the primary and most abundant copper sulfide mineral but it is also the most difficult to process economically via hydrometallurgical treatments due to its slow leach kinetics, particularly under atmospheric conditions. The factors affecting the leaching of chalcopyrite under aqueous acid conditions are poorly understood and reaction rates are not currently readily predictable. It is only through a complete understanding of the leach mechanism(s) that optimisation of the leach kinetics will be possible.
Our previous work has led to the development of an alternative new three step chalcopyrite leach mechanism, by which surface speciation and leach behaviour observed from our further leach studies in different acid media can be explained. Our current objectives are to further test and develop the proposed mechanism of oxidative chemical leaching of copper from chalcopyrite and to establish a capability for chalcopyrite leach rate prediction within acidic aqueous media, as occurs under conditions of reactor/heap leaching and acid rock drainage.
Two postgraduate scholarships are available in Applied Centre for Structural & Synchrotron Studies (ACeSSS) at the University of South Australia. The PhD programs are part of the project 'The development of a robust chalcopyrite leaching rate law based on fundamental mechanistic understanding' supported by the Technological Resources Pty. Ltd. of Rio Tinto. One of the programs will focus on surface studies of fresh and reacted chalcopyrite to further our undierstanding of aquesous and atomospheric oxidation mechanims at a sub-micron level of spatial resolution and another will specifically study the effect of pyrite and gangue minerals on chalcopyrite leaching to develop our existing rate law model through extensive solution speciation modelling. A series of modern surface analysis techniques are available for the studies. These include synchrotron and laboratory scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM), X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), infrared microscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Payment information
Tax-free $26,669 p.a. Allowances are also available for relocation and thesis preparation. There will be opportunities to attend national and international conferences relevant to the research.
Eligibility
Applicants should have an Honours degree or Bachelors degree with relevant experience in physics, chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or a related field. Application eligibility is not constricted to Australian residents.
How to apply and closing date
For application information please contact Dr Jun Li (Ph 61-8-83025032 61-8-83025032, email Jun.li@unisa.edu.au) and Professor Andrea Gerson (email Andrea.Gerson@unisa.edu.au).
The application deadline is the 30 April 2010.
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this scholarship
Chalcopyrite (CuFeS2) is the primary and most abundant copper sulfide mineral but it is also the most difficult to process economically via hydrometallurgical treatments due to its slow leach kinetics, particularly under atmospheric conditions. The factors affecting the leaching of chalcopyrite under aqueous acid conditions are poorly understood and reaction rates are not currently readily predictable. It is only through a complete understanding of the leach mechanism(s) that optimisation of the leach kinetics will be possible.
Our previous work has led to the development of an alternative new three step chalcopyrite leach mechanism, by which surface speciation and leach behaviour observed from our further leach studies in different acid media can be explained. Our current objectives are to further test and develop the proposed mechanism of oxidative chemical leaching of copper from chalcopyrite and to establish a capability for chalcopyrite leach rate prediction within acidic aqueous media, as occurs under conditions of reactor/heap leaching and acid rock drainage.
Two postgraduate scholarships are available in Applied Centre for Structural & Synchrotron Studies (ACeSSS) at the University of South Australia. The PhD programs are part of the project 'The development of a robust chalcopyrite leaching rate law based on fundamental mechanistic understanding' supported by the Technological Resources Pty. Ltd. of Rio Tinto. One of the programs will focus on surface studies of fresh and reacted chalcopyrite to further our undierstanding of aquesous and atomospheric oxidation mechanims at a sub-micron level of spatial resolution and another will specifically study the effect of pyrite and gangue minerals on chalcopyrite leaching to develop our existing rate law model through extensive solution speciation modelling. A series of modern surface analysis techniques are available for the studies. These include synchrotron and laboratory scanning photoelectron microscopy (SPEM), X-ray photoemission electron microscopy (PEEM), infrared microscopy (IR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS).
Payment information
Tax-free $26,669 p.a. Allowances are also available for relocation and thesis preparation. There will be opportunities to attend national and international conferences relevant to the research.
Eligibility
Applicants should have an Honours degree or Bachelors degree with relevant experience in physics, chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science or a related field. Application eligibility is not constricted to Australian residents.
How to apply and closing date
For application information please contact Dr Jun Li (Ph 61-8-83025032 61-8-83025032, email Jun.li@unisa.edu.au) and Professor Andrea Gerson (email Andrea.Gerson@unisa.edu.au).
The application deadline is the 30 April 2010.
Please kindly mention Scholarization.blogspot.com when applying for this scholarship
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