Mineral processing and interfacial processes
The UQ Mineral Processing and Interfacial Processes Research Group specialises in the study of the physics and chemistry of interfacial processes involving gas/liquid/solid phases.
These fundamental studies, using state-of-the-art research techniques and methodologies, are directly relevant to a range of important industrial processes, including mineral and coal flotation, dissolved air flotation, tailings dewatering, water purification, salt removal from ground water co-produced with natural gases, foliar fertiliser delivery and methane hydrate formation/sequestration in aqueous solutions.
These studies also provide the important link between fundamental science of the processes and industrial practice. The research group also participates in collaborative research with the Julius Kruttschnitt Mineral Research Centre.
What is Mineral Processing?
Mineral processing involves the study, design and implementation of processes that transform coal and mineral resources into useful products that improve the quality of our lives.
We need coal to generate electricity and minerals to produce metals to make vehicles, machines and home appliances.
Mineral processing engineers work to meet the mineral demands of the modern civilisation in an environmentally responsible way by designing innovative processes that minimise solid waste and water usage, and maximise energy efficiency.
- Atomic Force Microscope (AFM) (Asylum Research, USA)
- Integrated Facility with AFM, Cyclic Voltammetry & Raman Spectrometry (in-situ Study of Surface Electrochemistry)
- SFG (Sum Frequency Generation) Spectrometry Facility (EKSPLA, Lithuania)
- Drop and Bubble Profile Analyser Tensiometer (PAT1, SInterface, Germany)
- Plate Tensiometer (Wilhelmy Plate Method)
- Microelectrophoresis Apparatus Mk II (Rank Brothers Ltd, England)
- Thin Liquid Film Balances (Derjaguin-Scheludko Setup)
- Streaming Potential Apparatus (Anton Paar GmnH, Austria)
- Interfacial Rheometer (Camtel, UK)
- Deep-Channel Surface Viscometer (Manheimer & Schechter Design)
- Foam Tester and Analyser (SITA Messtechnik, GmbH, Germany)
- Powder Wettability Analyser (Washburn Method)
- Software and Programs (MC & MD, FLUENT, Matlab, Mathematica)
- Flotation cells (Microcel column, Jameson Cell, mechanical cells)
- Dewatering and Filtration Facilities
- Crushing and Grinding Facilities
- Particle Size Analysers
Academic and Research Staff
- Professor Anh V. Nguyen
- Dr Liguang Wang
- Professor Yongjun Peng
- Dr Khoi Tan Nguyen (Adjunct)
- Dr Xumeng Chen
- Dr Toby Hamilton
- Dr Tiisetso Moimane
Postgraduate Students
- Xiaozhen Ma
- Junyu Wang
- Liang Cao
- Yang Chen
- Wonder Chimonyo
Visiting Researchers
- Assoc Prof Liqun Luo, (Wuhan University of Technology, 2010-2011, China)
- Professor Guohua Gu, (Central South University of Science & Technology, 2010, China)
- Dr Vishal Gupta, (University of Utah, 2010, USA)
- Dr Jin Liu, (University of Utah, 2010, USA)
- Assoc Professor Guichun He, (Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, 2009, China)
- Professor Yuhua Wang, (Central South University of Science & Technology, 2009, China)
- Dr Shoeleh Assemi, (University of Utah, 2008, USA)
- Professor Rumen Tsekov, (University of Karlsruhe, Germany, 2007)
Alumni
- Dr Orhan Ozdemir, Istanbul University, Turkey
- Ms Kim Fyfe, Brisbane, Australia
- Ms Li Bao, Northeastern University, China
- Dr Bogdan Donose, AWMC, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Dr Elena Taran, AIBN, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- Dr Stoyan I Karakashev, University of Sofia, Bulgaria