Computational Modelling in Mineral Processing 08
November 13-14, 2008
Cape Town, South Africa
Sponsored by: DEM Solutions, ANSYS & Qfinsoft

Computational modelling is the use of fundamental physical equations to predict the behaviour of complex systems. Techniques include Discrete Element Modelling (DEM), Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) and Finite Element Methods (FEM). Due to rapid increases in computing power, it is now possible to carry out highly sophisticated and realistic simulations of scientific and engineering processes. Computational modelling has become an indispensable adjunct to the traditional modes of investigation via theory and experiment, and is increasingly viewed as ‘a peer methodology to experiment and theory’.

Computational modelling has been used in the mineral and metallurgical process industries to simulate charge motion in mills, mixing in flotation cells, heat transfer in furnaces and the kinetics of heap leaching. Computational modelling has been applied to improve mill liner design, compare flotation cell impellers, improve thickener performance and optimise furnace layout and geometry. Many of these applications have resulted in significant advances in equipment design and operation, at relatively low cost.

There is considerable scope to expand and enhance the use of computational methods in mineral and metallurgical processing. This has the potential to increase understanding of processes, improve the capability to simulate changes to equipment and circuit operation, guide equipment design and develop novel equipment and processes. The combination of existing computational techniques (e.g. DEM/CDF) and the development of comparatively new techniques (e.g. SPH) is beginning to show potential. Advanced measurements (e.g. tomography, PIV, LDV, PEPT) are required to validate the simulation results. Expanding the simulations to combine separate parts of a single unit operation (e.g. pulp & froth zones in flotation cells), multiple unit operations (e.g. mills & cyclones) and complete minerals flowsheets is in progress. Dynamic computational models for control and stability studies are under development.

This conference will bring together researchers, mill operators and software developers to present and discuss the application of computational modelling to the mineral and metallurgical process industries. The current status and latest developments in all these areas of computational modelling, as applied to this industry, will be presented.

Themes include:

• Case studies in simulating and improving plant operation
• Simulation of process circuit operation
• New and improved equipment designs
• Validation of simulation outputs
• Measurement techniques for model validation
• Advances in simulation algorithms and software
• Limitations and drawbacks of computational techniques
• Dynamic computational models

The organisers

The conference is organized by Minerals Engineering International (MEI) in consultation with Associate Professor Dave Deglon, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Cape Town.

Dave is Deputy Director of the Centre for Minerals Research at UCT. He has co-authored a wide range of papers on flotation cell modelling.