Project Topics Supervised by Dr M Akbar Rhamdhani

Contact: ARhamdhani@swin.edu.au, ATC844, Phone: 9214 8528

Master Topics
1. Phase Equilibrium of Iron Ore Sinter
Supervisors: Dr. Akbar Rhamdhani, Dr Mark Pownceby (CSIRO), Dr Nathan Webster
(CSIRO/ANSTO)
Australias reserves of high quality iron ores are being rapidly depleted and replaced by lower
grade ores in order to meet increasing demand from Asian markets. The lower grade ores are
characterized by a higher proportion of fine particles (<1mm) leading to significant problems
in the management and handling of these ores in commonly used blast furnace technology.
The fine grained ores, however, can still be used if agglomerated into larger particles (sinter).
The fines (consisting of a mixture of iron-rich minerals hematite, magnetite and hydrated iron
oxides, plus silicate and clay minerals), are mixed with limestone flux and char and heated to
~1,300C. This results in partial melting of the mixture and converts the loose raw materials
into a porous, but physically strong, sinter cake in which the iron bearing minerals are bonded
by a glue phase termed SFCA (Silico-Ferrite of Calcium & Aluminium). The mechanism of
SFCA formation as well as the general phase relations in the Fe-Ca-Al-Si-O system, are not
fully understood. The aim of the project is to conduct high temperature solid state synthesis
experiments to prepare examples of the various bonding phases and to characterize them
using a range of techniques including X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction,
scanning electron microscopy and electron probe microanalysis.
Suitable for HIR514
2. Study of Wetting and Interfacial Tension of Cryolite with Spinel Substrates Part II
Supervisors: Dr. Akbar Rhamdhani
The current process to make Aluminium is through the Hall Heroult process. In this process
heat needs to be released through sidewall to create protective frozen cryolite layer. To
improve the heat utilisation of the smelter, a new sidewall material and a new design of
sidewall are needed. Spinel has been identified as good materials candidate for sidewall of Al
smelter. Unfortunately, there is limited information on the interfacial characteristics and
behaviour between cryolite and spinel materials. This study will involve measurement of
wetting angle and interfacial tension through sessile droplet method.
Suitable for both HIR 513 and HIR514 (but preferably HIR514)
3. Study of Basic Nickel Carbonate (BNC) Decomposition
Supervisors: Dr. Akbar Rhamdhani
Basic nickel carbonate (BNC) is an intermediate compound in the processing of nickel from
laterite through the Caron process. In the Caron process, BNC is reduced or oxidised to
obtain nickel or nickel oxide. The thermal cycle and gas condition will have an effect on the
microstructure (and pore structure) of the final nickel/nickel oxide products. This study will
systematically investigate the decomposition behaviour and microstructure evolution of BNC
using STA (Simultaneous Thermal Analyser) technique and High Temperature microscope at
temperature range 25oC-1000oC.
Suitable for both HIR 513 and HIR514 (but preferably HIR514)
Dr Rhamdhanis research interest:

Dr Rhamdhanis research interests are on the thermodynamics and kinetics of high

temperature material processes. He is also interested on the application of analytical material
characterisation techniques and surface analyses on high temperature systems. His current
research include: (1) Chemically enhanced interfacial mass transfer at metal/slag interfaces
and their potential application in new metals processing technologies; (2) Reaction kinetics
and mechanism study of oxide reduction; (3) Phase equilibria in systems related to nickel
laterite.
Website: http://www.swinburne.edu.au/engineering/staff/?q=M-Akbar-Rhamdhani-341