Syllabus

Fast-paced review of introductory thermodynamics and kinetics (9 lecture hours):
Laws of thermodynamics, Solution thermodynamics, Concepts of enthalpy, heat capacities, entropy, fugacity, activity, equilibrium constant, chemical potential, partial molar quantities. First, second, and third order reactions, Arrhenius equation – activation energy, determination of order of reaction, rate constants, and rate limiting steps.

Metal extraction and refining processing (8 lecture hours):
Brief introduction of extraction and refining processes, Role of Ellingham diagram and phase stability diagrams, Thermodynamics and kinetics of Roasting: Predominant Area Diagram (PDA), Thermodynamics and kinetics of Reduction of oxides, sulfides and halides, Slag-Metal reaction thermodynamics and kinetics, ionic and molecular theory.

Electro-metallurgical/chemical processes (8 lecture hours):
Electrode and Cell potential, Electrochemical cell, electrochemical series, Eh – ph/Pourbaix diagrams, Current density and efficiency, Galvanic cells, relation between chemical and electrical energy, Thermodynamics and kinetics of leaching processes, Application of thermodynamics to corrosion, Corrosion Kinetics: Concepts of corrosion rate, Exchange current density, polarization, Mixed potential theory, Kinetics of oxidation, Pilling-Bed worth ratio.

Phase transformations in metals and alloys (4 lecture hours):
Thermodynamic principles of phase transformations: Binary solutions; equilibrium of heterogeneous systems; Principles of solidification: Nucleation and growth of pure metals and alloys, eutectic solidification, Diffusional control of rates: precipitation, Ostwald ripening, eutectic growth, nucleation and surface energy, interface migration, grain growth, Massive transformation, formation of amorphous phases from liquid, kinetics of recrystallization and grain growth.

Mechanical working of metallic materials (4 lecture hours):
Plastic deformation of metals, Work of deformation, Conversion of plastic deformation into heat, application of first and second laws of thermodynamics to metal deformation, Adiabatic plastic deformation.

To introduce the basic concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics from a metallurgical perspective

To learn the application of thermodynamics in metal extraction processing

To understand the applications of thermodynamics in electrochemical cells

To understand the thermodynamics and kinetics of phase transformation

To introduce the thermodynamic principles of metal working operations

The students will learn the principles of thermodynamics and kinetics. They will be introduced to various thermodynamic properties of materials and develop a vision to apply these in various metallurgical processes.

The students will be able to analyze the role of the chemical composition of slag and the thermodynamics of slag-metal reactions involved during the extraction of metals.

The students will be able to analyze the electrochemistry of cells and their applications based on the thermodynamic and kinetic principles.

The students will be able to analyze the stability of phases, their equilibrium, and the kinetics of their transformation.

The students will be able to analyze the plastic deformation processes in metals and alloys and the related microstructural changes.

The students will be able to employ modern tools including open software for analysis of thermodynamics problems.

D. R. Gaskell, D.E. Laughlin, Thermodynamics of Materials, CRC Press , 6th Edition, 2018

D. A. Jones, Principles and Preventions of corrosion, Pearson , 2nd edition, 1995

M. Shamsuddin, Physical Chemistry of Metallurgical Processes, Wiley , 1st edition, 2016

D. S. Porter, K.E. Easterling, Phase transformation in metals and alloys, Chapman & Hall , 1981

W. Kurtz, D.J. Fischer, Principles of Solidification, Trans Tech Publications , 3rd edition, 1992

G.S. Upadhayay, R.K. Dubey, Problems in Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Kinetics, Pergamon , 1977