Department of Chemical and Metallurgical Engineering

Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Modelling

The research and teaching at the Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Modeling research group focuses experimental phase equilibria and thermodynamic modeling of metallurgical processes, mainly related to extractive pyrometallurgy and hydrometallurgy from primary and secondary resources.
Aalto University/Metallurgical Thermodynamics and Modelling

Our research areas:

1. Study of chemical reactions, phase equilibria & elemental distribution in existing and new metallurgical processes:

  • Primary ore feeds become leaner and more complex

  • New feeds (E-scrap, WEEE, recycled batteries

2. Development of Process models, calculational tools & thermochemical databases for pyro- and hydrometallurgical processes

3. Study of large industrial processes on a very detailed level through laboratory studies and modeling, Including non-metallurgical processes (e.g. biomass combustion, waste incineration, high-T corrosion)

The Group is responsible for teaching and research in metallurgical thermodynamics. 

The research projects focus on experimental thermodynamics. We utilize experimental techniques, such as equilibration-quenching, EMF measurements, high-temperature furnace treatments to study phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of metallurgical slags, mattes, and alloys.

We also utilize and develop advanced thermodynamic modeling databases and software for modelling and equilibrium calculations in close cooperation with industrial partners within the field of metallurgical engineering. The industrial projects deal with metal-making processes in the areas of liquid and solid phases (e.g. flash smelting, roasting of sulphides, and salts decomposition by the fluidized bed technology).

The Group is establishing National Centre of Thermodynamics, in cooperation with external partners: we collaborate closely also with universities in Finland, the Nordic countries, South Africa, Canada, China and Indonesia.

Ongoing projects:

Finland-based Circular Ecosystem of Battery Metals, BATCircle

Led by Aalto University, the Finland based circular ecosystem of battery metals consortium (BATCircle in short) aims at improving the manufacturing processes of mining industry, metals industry and battery chemicals, and to increase the recycling of lithium-ion batteries. Its goal is to strengthen the cooperation between companies and research organisations in Finland, and to find new business opportunities.

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Symbiosis of metals production and nature, SYMMET

There is currently not enough mining capacity to meet the demand for metals while the use of renewable energy, such as wind and solar energy, and electro-mobility is increasing. The Symbiosis of Metals Production and Nature (SYMMET) project’s objective is to find solutions for the sustainability gap caused by the ever-increasing demand for metals.

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FLASH

Predicting the FLow behavior of ASH mixtures for production of transport biofuels in the circular economy

Professori Daniel Lindberg, kuva Mortti Saarnia

Join us to study the chemical details for industrial metallurgical processes through advanced experimental, analytical and modeling tools.

Daniel Lindberg, head of the research group

Research group members:

Related content:

New Academy Projects to be launched in September

New Academy Projects funded by the Academy of Finland involve expertise from all six Aalto schools

Organ type of image with white "veins" and small bacteria dots in red background, original image by Valeria Azovskaya

Towards carbon-neutrality in metal production – new €18 million project to develop solutions for reducing CO2 emissions

Metal processing industry has the greatest greenhouse gas reduction potential of Finland's manufacturing industries. Joint project between companies and universities is a significant step towards carbon-neutral metal production.

Metalls, CMET

Creating a unique professional profile by combining different fields of science

Professor Daniel Lindberg, a geologist and a chemist, encourages his students to study combinations of different subjects and fields of science.

Professori Daniel Lindberg, kuva Mortti Saarnia

Latest publications:

Morphological and chemical differences within superheater deposits from different locations of a black liquor recovery boiler

Roland Balint, Markus Engblom, Jonne Niemi, Daniel Lindberg, Timo Saarinen, Jaakko Rautala, Mikko Hupa, Leena Hupa 2023 Energy

Novel fluxing strategy of copper matte smelting and trace metals in E-Waste recycling

Min Chen, Katri Avarmaa, Pekka Taskinen, Lassi Klemettinen, Radoslaw Michallik, Hugh O'Brien, Ari Jokilaakso 2023 Minerals Engineering

Phase equilibria of the Al2O3-SiO2-CrOx system at 1600 °C and pO2 of 10-10-10-11 atm

Min Chen, Pekka Taskinen, Dmitry Sukhomlinov, Daniel Lindberg, Radoslaw M. Michallik, Ari Jokilaakso 2023 Journal of the European Ceramic Society

Phase relations of the MgO–SiO2–CrOx system at 1600°C in air and reducing atmospheres

Min Chen, Dmitry Sukhomlinov, Pekka Taskinen, Mia Tiljander, Daniel Lindberg, Ari Jokilaakso 2023 Journal of the American Ceramic Society

The effect of Cl, Br, and F on high-temperature corrosion of heat-transfer alloys

J. E. Eriksson, J. Lehmusto, M. Dirbeba, L. Silvander, D. Lindberg, L. Hupa 2023 Fuel

Synthesis of solid NMC622 particles by spray drying, post-annealing and lithiation

Mika Ihalainen, Miika Kortelainen, Arunas Mesceriakovas, Tommi Karhunen, Sara Maaria Mesceriakove, Daniel Lindberg, Jari T.T. Leskinen, Timo Kankaanpää, Jorma Jokiniemi, Anna Lähde 2023 Advanced Powder Technology

CO2 or Carbonates – What is the Active Species in Electrochemical CO2 Reduction over Fe-Porphyrin?

Reza Khakpour, Daniel Lindberg, Kari Laasonen, Michael Busch 2023 ChemCatChem

Rapid Quenching of Molten Salts as an Approach for the Coordination Characterization of Corrosion Products

Juho Lehmusto, J. Matthew Kurley, Ercan Cakmak, James R. Keiser, Daniel Lindberg, Markus Engblom, Bruce A. Pint, Stephen S. Raiman 2023 NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Thermodynamic Examination of Selected Phases in the Ag–Co–Sn–S System at T < 600 K by the Solid-State EMF Method

Mykola Moroz, Fiseha Tesfaye, Pavlo Demchenko, Myroslava Prokhorenko, Oksana Mysina, Lyudmyla Soliak, Daniel Lindberg, Oleksandr Reshetnyak, Leena Hupa 2023 Energy Technology 2023
More information on our research in the Research database.
Research database
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