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

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:

Industrial Deportment of Minor and Trace Elements in Direct Nickel Matte Smelting

Oskar Astikainen, Lassi Klemettinen, Joonas Tammela, Pekka Taskinen, Radoslaw M. Michallik, Hugh O’Brien, Daniel Lindberg 2024 JOM

Pyrometallurgical Reduction of Copper Slag with Biochar for Metal Recovery

Desmond Attah-Kyei, Dmitry Sukhomlinov, Lassi Klemettinen, Radoslaw Michallik, Hugh O’Brien, Pekka Taskinen, Daniel Lindberg 2024 Journal of Sustainable Metallurgy

Ignition and combustion of synthetic nickel mattes in simulated flash smelting conditions

Min Chen, Dmitry Sukhomlinov, Pekka Taskinen, David Grimsey, Anthony Rich, Ari Jokilaakso 2024 Minerals Engineering

Phase equilibrium study of the CaO–SiO2–CrOx system at 1600°C in reducing atmospheres

Min Chen, Pekka Taskinen, Dmitry Sukhomlinov, Daniel Lindberg, Radoslaw Michallik, Ari Jokilaakso 2024 Journal of the American Ceramic Society

Corrosion of Heat-Transfer Materials Induced by KCl, HCl, and O2 Under Chemical-Looping Conditions

Jan Erik Eriksson, Juho Lehmusto, Linus Silvander, Daniel Lindberg, Maria Zevenhoven, Patrik Yrjas, Anders Brink, Mikko Hupa, Leena Hupa 2024 High Temperature Corrosion of Materials

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 2024 NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING

Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Properties of Selected Compounds in the Ag–Ga–S–AgBr System for Modern Application in Energy Conversion Devices

Mykola Moroz, Fiseha Tesfaye, Pavlo Demchenko, Myroslava Prokhorenko, Bohdan Rudyk, Orest Pereviznyk, Emanuela Mastronardo, Daniel Lindberg, Oleksandr Reshetnyak, Leena Hupa 2024 Energy Technology 2024: Carbon Dioxide Management and Other Technologies

Phase Equilibria and Thermodynamic Properties of Selected Compounds in the Ag-Ga-Te-AgBr System

Mykola Moroz, Fiseha Tesfaye, Pavlo Demchenko, Myroslava Prokhorenko, Emanuela Mastronardo, Oleksandr Reshetnyak, Daniel Lindberg, Leena Hupa 2024 JOURNAL OF PHASE EQUILIBRIA AND DIFFUSION

Influence of PbCl2 and KCl salt mixture on high temperature corrosion of alloy 625

Alice Moya Núñez, Eric Börjesson, Hanna Kinnunen, Daniel Lindberg, Rikard Norling 2024 Fuel

Oxidation Behavior of AlxHfNbTiVY0.05 Refractory High-Entropy Alloys at 700–900 °C

Fadhli Muhammad, Dmitry Sukhomlinov, Lassi Klemettinen, David Sibarani, Eddy Agus Basuki, Daniel Lindberg, Pekka Taskinen, Akhmad Ardian Korda, Zulfiadi Zulhan, Djoko Hadi Prajitno 2024 High Temperature Corrosion of Materials
More information on our research in the Aalto research portal.
Research portal
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