After successfully completing this course the student will be able to:
- Apply thermodynamic and kinetic principles to metal refining and electrometallurgical systems and processes;
- Explain why a given established process or sequence of processes is used in steelmaking and refining of metals like lead and copper, and electrochemical recovery of metals from aqueous or fused salt solutions;
- Consider alternative processes for refining of a crude metal and evaluate the thermodynamic feasibility of each alternative;
- Consider how a thermodynamically feasible refining or electrochemical process can be conducted and decide on the requirements to be met by the materials and the reactor to be used, determine what the important operating parameters are and how these parameters affect the process and the product.