Pyrometallurgical Research Group

The PYROmetallurgical group aims to develop and support fundamental research that provides insights into how new and existing high temperature metallurgical processes may be developed and optimized.

The group specialises in thermodynamic and kinetic characterisation of molten metal-slag-refractory systems and has unique facilities including high temperature melting capability (up to 1750°C), gas sensing, mixing and logging facilities, high temperature TGA and sessile drop apparatus for measuring interfacial tension and dynamic wetting.

Current Research Areas

• Morphology and Control of Steelmaking Inclusions
• The Fundamentals of Liquid Flow Through A Reactive Packed Bed
• Thermodynamic Modelling of Novel Magnesium Production Processes
• The Hot Metal Vanadium Removal
• Sidewall Materials for Use in Electrolytic Aluminium Production; Novel Spinel Based Materials
• A Novel Multi-Stage High Temperature Aluminium Production Route
• Fundamental of Iron Carburization in the New Zealand Melter Process
• The Kinetics of Blast Furnace Hearth Refractory and Coke Ash Mineral Interactions