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By D Cliff

"Recent underground coal mine incidents have again raised the issue of: under what circumstanceis it safe for personnel to re-enter the mine? Mine rescue guidelines make recommendations aboutthe limits in terms of the circumstances, lives at risk, no lives at risk and training exercises. Theseare based upon percentages of the upper and lower explosive limits. Many factors infl uencesett ing limits for safe re-entry. These include: the representativeness of the sampling location(s),the rapidity of gett ing an underground sample analysed and the rate of change of the atmospherebeing monitored. Value judgements based upon these parameters will then infl uence the sett ing ofa trigger point based upon per cent explosibility. This raises the question of how the percentage ofthe lower or upper explosive limit is established. It is easy to defi ne this when the sampling pointdata sit on the fresh air limit line. However - what value is used when the sample sits somewherein the body of an explosibility diagram? This paper explores the various options and illustratesvarious pitfalls and problems that are faced in making such a determination. These include howthe data are represented and the assumed knowledge of those doing the interpretation."

Jun 1, 2012

By S Gulati, N Sarkar, T Vink, S Battersby, L Okada

This paper examines a successful project implemented by BHP Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and the Polymathian team at Deswik, aimed at enhancing short-term scheduling processes to reduce vessel turn times in the BMA Central Queensland coal value chain. The project’s objective was to digitalise the planning process to enable planners to make data-driven insights to improve the profitability of the value chain. The strategy involved developing a digital mining system that incorporates data storage, cloud computing, and the ability to meet the integration needs of both internal and external business systems. This was complemented by a sophisticated, optimisation-based, decision-support tool to enhance the planning teams’ ability to make timely and effective decisions.

Sep 1, 2024

By Weber W

Methods of calculation of the reliability of process computers are getting more and more important. The paper presents long period observations of 21 process computers with online applications in the iron and steel industry. About 5000 failure events during 10 years have been systematically recorded and evaluated. On the basis of these long time observations it is possible to develop a probability model of the failure behaviour of process computers.This failure model is constructed with four different states of the process computer:Working phase, working phase with undetected reasons, repair phase, failure phase resulting from external influences.The model is defined by differential equations for the probability of one of these four phases. Long time observations show, that all of these four phases are closely correlated with the capa-city of a process computer, restarting without detection of failure reason, changes of programs and software, costs and time of repair. So the result of this analysis is a model of failure for process computers, which allows to predict breakdowns of process computers on the basis of external parameters.

Jan 1, 1985

Recovery of gold by smelting zinc dust concentrate has been carried on at Lake View and Star, Ltd., since July, 1930, when the Merrill-Crowe precipitation plant was first put into operation.Part I describes the development of current gold-room practice, commencing with the clean-up of the MerrillCrowe plant, a procedure that has not materially changed since its inception, and then shows how modifications to straight roasting and smelting became necessary, following a gradual increase in the copper content of the ore treated by the mill.Present smelting practice converts most of the copper into a mixed copper-lead matte, thE sulphur being supplied by the addition of flotation concentrates containing about 35% sulphur as pyrite. The process yields gold bullion of a sufficiently high grade to send to the Royal Mint, but until 1943, suffered from the disadvantage of giving matte and slag by-products high in gold and silver, that were not recovered directly but had to be sent to a smelter.Part Il gives details, of experimental work cnrried out since 1943 which led .to a process for the satisfactory and economic recovery of not only the gold and silver, but also the copper from these, hitherto, troublesome by-products. Nevertheless, incidence of matte in a smelt has always been considered undesirable, and it is hoped that eventually it will be obviated by removing most of the copper from the zinc slime before smelting.Part III indicates the methods by which this might be achieved, and outlines the experimental work that has been done up to the present.

Jan 1, 1948

By B Mennie, R Poedjono, G Coad

PT Freeport Indonesia operates a large copper and gold mining operation near Tembagapura, Papua (formerly, Irian Jaya), Indonesia. This is a remote location with its own set of unique operational characteristics. The mining and concentrating operations typically produce a concentrate containing 2500 tpd of copper and 6000 oz of gold per day from the combined mining of a 45 000 tpd (ore) block cave operation (DOZ Mine) and a 190 000 tpd (ore) open pit mining operation (Grasberg Open Pit). The Grasberg Open Pit mine will be exhausted in 2015 at which time FreeportÆs operations will entirely underground mining methods. The Common Infrastructure Project (CIP) incorporates the elements required for the shift to underground mining at a production rate approaching 200 000 tpd. The AB Adit portion of the CIP will provide deep level access to the Grasberg Block Cave (below the Open Pit), Kucing Liar, Big Gossan, and the Mill Level Zone orebodies. Commencement of the project was September 2003. The Grasberg Block Cave is planned to start production in 2014. This paper provides details on the project scope, innovative contractual framework, advancement of mining methods throughout the life of the operation, equipment selection, manpower selection, training, geological, and socio-political conditions related to the project.

Jan 1, 2005

By M Paine

Work to date has shown that the use of Al2O3:SiO2 ratios is suitable for identifying potential gibbsite bearing samples. Subsequent confirmatory XRD analysis helps to refi ne this initial identification. Based on these methods, gibbsite has been mapped in two common settings:1. along steeply dipping faults, or2. in association with stratigraphic contacts where one unit is aluminous (eg dolerite dyke).On a microscale, the samples studied illustrate an association between haematite, and to a lesser extent goethite, and gibbsite. In these samples the dominant forms of haematite are discrete crystalline phases of either microplaty haematite or euhedral martite. Two dominant forms of gibbsite were observed:1. vein style gibbsite that cross-cuts (or infill’s cracks) in goethite ± martite iron oxide associations, or2. gibbsite intimately intergrown with and forming a matrix to microplaty haematite.Some of the gibbsite microstructures observed suggest that it may have formed during a very hydrous, possibly hypogene, stage of the deposit genesis. The presence of this crystalline gibbsite, and in particular its occasionally euhedral form, suggests that aluminium was at some stage remobilised, at least locally, and then precipitated from solution as gibbsite. These observations suggest that these has been a phase of gibbsite precipitation that may have had a close but complex relationship with regards to the timing of the mineralisation processes, rather than formation as a result of late stage lateritic weathering.

Jul 11, 2011

By P M. Ashley, M T. Costelloe

The Mary Kathleen tailings storage facility (TSF) contains 7.1 Mt of uranium mill tailings. This waste repository was rehabilitated in the mid-1980s using a multibarrier dry cover. At the time of mine closure, it was predicted that acid mine drainage (AMD) generation would not eventuate and that uranium, heavy metals and radionuclides would be adsorbed within the tailings and not seep from the TSF into the environment. This study reports on the environmental status of the TSF. Gamma-ray measurements indicate an intact dry cover of the waste repository. However, seepage (~0.5 L s-1) of acid (pH 5.71), saline (0.31 per cent), high conductivity (8.8 mS cm-1), slightly oxygenated (DO 2.6 mg L-1), radioactive waters occurs from the toe of the tailings dam into the former evaporation ponds and local drainage system. Seepage waters are calcium-magnesium-sulfate rich with elevated Fe, Mn, Ni, U and Zn values. Oxygenation of tailings seepages causes the precipitation of Fe and coprecipitation and adsorption of other metals (Pb, U, Y), metalloids (As), rare earth elements (Ce, La) and radionuclides (U-235, U-238, Th-227). In contrast, Ba, Ni, Sr, Mn, P, S, Ca, Mg, Na and K as well as Ra nuclides (Ra-226 and Ra-228) remain in solution until pH neutralisation and evaporation lead to their precipitation in efflorescences and sulfate-rich evaporative sediments further downstream. Dry capping of Mary Kathleen uranium mill tailings has resulted in physical containment of the wastes. The dry cover shows no signs of erosion and radiation levels are within acceptable limits. However, the flow rate of surface seepage from the TSF occurs at a much higher rate than predicted. Also, the neutralising potential and adsorption capacity of the tailings and underlying aquifer were overestimated at the time of mine closure. AMD has developed mobilising metals, metalloids, rare earth elements, alkalis, radionuclides and sulfate from the waste repository into surface water seepages.

Jan 1, 2003

This paper reviews recent advances in geophysical tools for mineral exploration. It does not restrict comments to methods which are usually applied in the tectonically active belt surrounding the Pacific Ocean, where geophysics has often been secondary to geological prospecting (eg visual recognition of surface alteration) and drainage geochemistry; but considers geophysical tools applied to a broader range of both deposits and terrains. For example, the subdued topography of much of Australia and Canada has lent itself to the development and extensive application of airborne methods. In Australia, deep weathering and transported cover have necessitated the use of geophysical methods to not only detect anomalies but also to map and understand basement geology. This same weathering has caused specific problems, particularly for electrical methods, but recent improvements in instrumentation, processing and visualisation have largely overcome them. A great deal of geophysical data is now being collected by government agencies, often from the air, and made readily available to explorers. In several Australian states it is free, often on line, and in almost all cases it is relatively cheap. These regional data sets are often augmented by more detailed local surveys in areas of interest. Although æanomaliesÆ are still important much more is being done with the high quality data which is now available The results are used for geological mapping, to test geological hypotheses, to construct detailed 3D geological models and, together with fluid flow modeling, to predict optimum locations for mineralisation.

Jan 1, 2004

The last decade has seen a very rapid development in TBM tunnelling. Some trends are purely technical or economical and others relate more to preferences of different interests. Power levels have more than doubled and thrust levels too. Shield machines are developed to be able to handle harder rock and the open TBMs are made more feasible for `difficult' rock. What is right and what is wrong is more a matter of opinion, but one thing is certain: TBMs now are a useful tool and no longer an experimental work-shop for the enthusiasts.This paper highlights some recent developments and indicates some probable future ones. A few features that have increased the open TBMs' ability to cope with ever harder rock and also to overcome problems with poor rock are discussed in detail, using the Atlas Copco JARVA Mk 27 -the most powerful TBM built so far - as a reference.

Jan 1, 1993

One of the earliest and continuing challenges in driving sustainable development in large scale resource industry projects is around the issue of assessment û how do you measure the sustainability of a mineral operation? One of the key road blocks when confronted with this challenge is the temptation of technical folks to reach for a definition of sustainability or sustainable development. But definitions, by definition, have boundaries and limitations that serve to constrain thinking û they limit the thinking of what we can achieve with sustainability (it also acts as a barrier that constrains innovation). Rather than seeking definitions, better understanding of the core perspectives around sustainability and their application to the minerals industry provides a much more powerful platform from which to conduct assessments. But it is only when these perspectives are combined with the right framework and supporting techniques that the complex becomes doable. With the support of the perspectives and the framework, various assessment and measurement methodologies can be used; the challenge is communicating to stakeholders the sustainability character of the project in ways that are meaningful and to which people can connect. Assessment is not about finding the best or most accurate methods that fulfil strictly academic and possibly abstract requirements. The challenge is to help people understand what the impacts are, and what the value contributions will be, in a format and language that make sense in their world-view.

Jan 1, 2009

By Yucheng H, Baogui Y, Wenyong L

High-water rapid-solidifying material, called 'high-water material', is a new material developed by the authors over many years. The material can solidify nine times its volume of water into solid. The material is a fine kind of binder with special properties. The solidifying body of high-water material with water has quite a high early strength. The compressive strength of the material within three days can reach the same strength as conventional Portland in 28 days. One ton of the material can replace three tons of conventional Portland cement as binder. Some important achievements have been made in application of high-water material. In metal mines, based on the material, a new full-tailing cemented backfill technology has been developed. The characteristic of the new technology is that high-water material is used as binder and full tailing or alluvial sand is used as backfill aggregate. Because of the application of the new technology, major technical problems in backfill technology such as classifying of tailing, dewatering, transportation of pulp, low strength of hackfill body. environmental contamination and so on, have been solved.

Jan 1, 1998

By R Bourcier, T Rafferty

Following an underground coal mine explosion, it is important that ventilation is quickly restored to ventilate the mine and affect a mine rescue. To achieve this, surface ventilation fans must be suitably protected from explosion damage, but still able to be quickly restored.A review of all Australian coal mine regulations was carried out, revealing that Australia has no prescriptive regulations that specify the design of explosion relief panels and the protection of ventilation fans in the event of an underground explosion.To better define the level of protection required, this paper reviews and extracts details from relevant major international regulations and standards on the subject.A suitable design methodology for the protection of ventilation fans is presented that could be applied in Australia, using a combination of explosion relief panels, appropriate isolation of the fan, and ventilation shaft/mine design.CITATION:Rafferty, T and Bourcier, R, 2013. The protection of surface ventilation fan installations from underground explosions, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference , pp 169-173 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 1, 2013

By R Shaw, T T. Neidel, C Adams

Sampling equipment manufacturers endeavour to ensure that the mechanical equipment installed in sampling systems are designed and manufactured to adhere to the requirements of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) or other standards relevant to the application. The mechanical parameters necessary to achieve these standards can be well controlled and requirements such as constant speed can be met through good mechanical design and engineering. However, when the equipment is installed and put into operation, the ISO compliance of the system is out of the hands of the equipment manufacturer and handed to the operator, who may be a generalist control system integrator.Making a sampling system perform according to standards, and being able to monitor and report on compliance require that the sampling system knowledge and the control integration is combined and applied in an integrated approach. Using a dedicated library of control routines developed for sampling can change a system from having compliant equipment to being a compliant system. The library has to include monitoring of relevant parameters and control and reporting on sampling parameters.CITATION:Neidel, T T, Adams, C and Shaw, R, 2014. Control and monitoring of International Organization for Standardization compliance for industrial sampling systems, in Proceedings Sampling 2014 , pp 121–126 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Jul 29, 2014

By J Taylor, A Dubowik

To increase the efficiency and improve the quality of diamond drilling at Olympic Dam, mine geologists have adapted and modified common practices in order to overcome the challenges imposed by such a unique environment. Mine geologists have to take into account both the complex geology during the diamond drill hole design phase, as well as incorporating diamond drilling into the larger-scale scheduling process already employed at Olympic Dam. This study seeks to explore how such modifications have evolved over time.The geology of Olympic Dam influences the design process of diamond drill holes, particularly due to the variation of lithology and alteration, as well as the presence of magnetite and major structures within the orebody. Exclusion zones are used to manage interactions with existing and planned mining activities, and their size is dependent upon the geology of the area. Specific deviation checks are used to monitor the deviation of diamond drill holes with respect to these?zones.The highly interactive environment of Olympic Dam requires unique planning for diamond drilling, resulting in the production and implementation of both long- and short-term schedules. Long-term schedules are targeted at determining drilling locations and ensuring drilling is completed prior to stope planning, while short-term schedules aid in enabling access to ensure timely set-up of drill sites. Estimated drilling rates, determined by expected lithologies and historical data, feed into the short-term schedule to assist in managing the operation and minimising the downtime of diamond drill rigs. A mine geologist is appointed as a diamond drill coordinator to organise and manage diamond drilling at a scheduling and operational level, streamlining the entire process.Analysis of historical data shows a strong correlation between implementation of the aforementioned practices and improved drilling rates. This study shows the importance of adapting universal tasks to particular environments and circumstances. Mine geologists at Olympic Dam continue to acquire knowledge to further improve the modified drilling practices as operational requirements, production pressures and economic factors change.CITATION:Taylor, J and Dubowik, A, 2014. The evolution of diamond drilling practices at Olympic Dam, in Proceedings Ninth International Mining Geology Conference 2014 , pp 271–280 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 18, 2014

By S Farrokhpay, C Akop

Copper-gold-pyrite ore types with an elevated pyrite head grade utilise a sequential flotation circuit to recover initially a copper-gold concentrate with a pyrite-gold concentrate being produced from the tailing of the initial circuit.A simpler flotation circuit with lower operating and capital costs for treatment of such copper-gold-pyrite ores with an elevated pyrite head assay was sought in the described work. After characterising the ore, the objective was to apply bulk rougher flotation of both the copper minerals and pyrite for the copper-gold-pyrite ore at natural pH. Hence, no lime or other pyrite depressants were required in bulk roughing. The bulk rougher concentrate was upgraded in a cleaner circuit to reject non-sulfide gangue and then the resulting sulfide concentrate was separated by depressing the pyrite to produce two products (copper and pyrite concentrates, both having significant gold assays). A standard test with a sequential circuit was applied to the same ore for comparison.The chalcopyrite and pyrite losses in the tailing from the rougher circuit were the same for both bulk and sequential roughing (less than six per cent). In cleaning (bulk circuit), the effective pH for pyrite depression was 11.8–11.9; copper recovery was 70–75 per cent (grade of 15–20 per cent copper) and the sulfur recovery (pyrite product) was 80–85 per cent (grade of 34–36 per cent sulfur).These results approached those for the sequential circuit where copper recovery was 80–85 per cent (grade of 15–20 per cent copper) and the sulfur recovery (pyrite product) was 83 per cent (grade of 38 per cent sulfur).The observed effects of feed sizing on the liberation of minerals in the rougher feed are discussed. Options for improving the bulk circuit results are also considered. Importantly, the implications of various aspects of these findings for the bulk circuit are discussed with an industrial focus.CITATION:Akop, C, Farrokhpay, S and Johnson, N W, 2014. An alternative circuit for chalcopyrite-pyrite ores with elevated pyrite content in Cu-Au ore treatment, in Proceedings 12th AusIMM Mill Operators’ Conference 2014 , pp 407–416 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Sep 1, 2014

By M Nagarajan, S Esen

This paper presents three case studies from three surface coalmines. The first case study is from a coalmine where a dragline operates in 60 m wide and 1 km long strips. Typical overburden height ranges from 30 m to 50 m. The base case blast was modelled using an advanced blasting model (Distinct Motion Code – DMC) to establish the baseline using the blasting parameters in use before optimisation. DMC was used to model the alternative blasting scenarios to obtain the following key objectives:the post-blast muck pile profile was required to have an optimum height of ~28 moptimise cast percentageachieve a well-fragmented muck pile for the draglinethe muck pile profile should be appropriate for the dragline entry into the strip.Achieving these objectives would optimise the dragline performance through reducing rehandle and improving advance along the strip. DMC modelling resulted in the following outcomes:the required muck pile profile could be achievedthe cast percentage increased from 21.1 to 25.1 – a four per cent increaserehandle volumes were reduced.Establishing a good quality assurance / quality control (QA/QC) process was essential to delivering a blast that could achieve these outcomes. The blast was fired successfully and the dragline completed the strip approximately two weeks ahead of the time taken for the previous strip.The second case study is from a coalmine where D11 dozers are used to move the blasted material to the spoil. An optimum profile was required for the dozers for this low-cost mining operation. To achieve this, an electronic blasting system (uni tronicTM 600) was introduced to optimise the muck pile profiles being delivered. The new muck pile profiles showed improved cast percentage from 10.6 per cent to 17.8 per cent. The changes in the muck pile centre of mass displacement improved dozer efficiency as a result of pushing material shorter distances to its final position. Dozer productivity (bcm/h) statistically did not change but coal was being exposed at a faster rate.The third case study summarises the results from a site where dozers are used to minimise the total mining cost. Traditionally, excavators had been used on-site with conventional blast designs. After firing the first cast shot, the blasted material was found reasonably well-fragmented. Although dozing productivity hasn’t been quantified on-site, operators were providing positive feedback (easier push) due to the reasonably good muck pile profile suiting to the dozers. This site also realised significant savings with the dozing as compared to their truck/shovel operation.CITATION:Esen, S and Nagarajan, M, 2015. Muck pile shaping for draglines and dozers at surface coalmines, in Proceedings 11th International Symposium on Rock Fragmentation by Blasting, pp 409–416 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Aug 24, 2015

The Cadia Valley Operations currently hosts a large operational open pit, a large operational sublevel caving underground mine and two other underground projects at the study stage. This scenario creates an unusual situation for the evaluation and planning of a fifth major open pit project. The Cadia East Open Pit is a large gold-copper development located adjacent to the operational open pit and above one of the underground projects. A study team is conducting a comprehensive and robust analysis of the target orebody. Two key factors for this project include the existing and planned projects within the valley and the wide range of available mining methods. The aim for the study team is to present an optimal and practical case which suits the entire Cadia Valley Operation. A rigorous and robust analysis of the situation requires that each factor be properly evaluated. A modular system has been developed which allows the wide range of scenarios to be quickly and meaningfully considered. Sensitivities for each module drive the further development of that particular module. As each scenario progresses, an assessment is made evaluating its value, strategic value and practicality. In such a way, the number of scenarios is gradually reduced at each stage to produce a final short list of feasible cases. Each scenario on the shortlist is then assessed with regard to the existing operations and other projects. A qualitative and quantitative analysis is made. This ranking is used to provide the recommended case.

Jan 1, 2007

By P Cesare, S Munro, D Wandel, R A. Bearman

Consideration of the processing plant operational envelope is a key factor in production scheduling,and therefore mine planning, for any mining operation. In many cases hard-wired or regressionbased tonnage-grade-recovery relationships are used as mine planning constraints and as a means of valuing the system output. In extensions of this type of approach, various regressions can be used to describe throughput limits, based on a number of global metallurgical parameters.The ultimate position for the optimisation of a mine plan and production schedule is to have a full process plant model running as an integrated part of the mine planning exercise. A plant model suitable for this needs to have all the required sensitivities to input parameters such asfragmentation, grade, mineralogy, strength and hardness. The model then needs to convert these to performance measures for the plant, which include recovery, throughput, product size distributions, energy consumption, water use and operating cost.In this paper an approach is outlined that takes this view and then goes beyond it to provide a full, time-based bottleneck identifi cation and valuation tool.Using such an approach it becomes possible to run mine plans and production schedules in windows of days, weeks, months and over the life-of-mine with a time-enabled process model acting as the active constraint. In this way virtual bottlenecks can be identifi ed for various mine plans and schedules well ahead of time. The value of de-bottlenecking can be defi ned, not just at a plant scale, but in terms of the overall mining operation, and the data can be used as the basis for capital investment decisions.CITATION:Bearman, R A, Cesare, P, Munro, S and Wandel, D, 2014. Incorporation of a full process plant model as an active constraint for mine planning and production scheduling, in Proceedings Orebody Modelling and Strategic Mine Planning Symposium 2014 , pp 121–128 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne).

Nov 24, 2014

By G Collecutt, D Proud, D Humphreys

"The hazards associated with dust explosions are well known, and coal dust explosions present a significant hazard in the underground coal mining industry worldwide. In earlier work, we presented computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations and test results for coal dust explosions within a 2.5 m diameter circular gallery, along with CFD simulations and test results for the suppression of these explosions with finely atomised water sprays. In this paper, we present refinements to the CFD modelling that yield a significantly improved calibration with the test results, and proceed to investigate by CFD the requirements for suppression of a coal dust explosion in a typical underground roadway. This work was carried out under an ACARP project and we gratefully acknowledge their assistance. CITATION: Proud, D, Collecutt, G and Humphreys, D, 2015. Computational fluid dynamics modelling of coal dust explosions and suppression systems, in Proceedings The Australian Mine Ventilation Conference, pp 309–314 (The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy: Melbourne)."

Aug 31, 2015

Computation is believed to be a powerful tool in scaling-up chemical processes and in designing materials, however, is being challenged by low predictability and limited scalability. This presentation will discuss the promising future of multi-scale computation in solving these two problems to realise the real-time simulation of industrial processes. Multi-scale structures are a common nature of most chemical systems and the meso-scale phenomena are believed to be the road blocks not only in improving the predictability of physical modeling but also in extending the scalability of computation. Focusing on the meso-scale phenomena, a series of research has been carried out at the Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, for the past three decades. Starting with a simple idea of modeling the meso-scale clusters in gas-solid two phase flows, the so-called EMMS (Energy-Minimisation Multi-Scale) model was established. In verifying the stability condition of the model, the pseudo-particle approach was proposed to explore the micro-mechanisms in particle-fluid systems, and the strategy of the EMMS model was extended to other six different multi-phase systems, resulting in a unified conceptual formulation of multi-phase complex systems expressed by a multi-objective variational problem. In applying this model to different multi-phase systems and to industrial problems, it was recognised that the EMMS model defined a new paradigm of multi-scale computation by realising the structural similarity between software, hardware and the problems to be computed. This paradigm of computation was implemented on a multi-scale supercomputer with a capacity of 1.0 petaflops by integrating CPUs and GPUs (Graphic Processing Units), showing high efficiency and low cost. Running the EMMS model on this computer, the simulation of hydrodynamics of multi-phase systems can be speeded up very much, indicating a promising future of virtual reality of process engineering. The presentation will review this series of work, introduce successful applications in industries, and will be concluded by emphasising the critical importance of the meso-scale phenomena as the bridge between macro-dominants and micro-mechanisms. This is an ABSTRACT ONLY. No full paper was prepared for this presentation.

Sep 13, 2010