METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING

Hydrometallurgy IV (EYHYD4A)

GRADUATE ATTRIBUTE ASSESSMENT TASK

SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING OF THE SHERRITT-GORDON PROCESS
1. BACKGROUND
As a Metallurgical Engineering graduate, you will be expected to have, among others, a specific attribute
of being able to apply scientific and engineering knowledge you have acquired while studying towards
the qualification or to build on such knowledge you have acquired by life-long self-study and learning,
to solve real life problems. This attribute is listed under as ECSA Graduate Attribute # 2: Graduate
Attribute 2: Application of scientific and engineering knowledge.
You will be required to demonstrate this attribute in the context of Hydrometallurgy, as a stand-alone
requirement for passing Hydrometallurgy IV (EYHYD4), and in partial fulfilment of the requirements for
your qualification.
2. ASSESSMENT TASK AND DUE DATE
To demonstrate this, you will submit a term paper on: Science and Engineering of the Sherritt-Gordon
Process
Due Date: 12.00 noon, Thurs. June 29, 2023
Find below a brief on the assessment task and important notes to guide and help you.
3. BRIEF ON ASSESSMENT TASK
In a proposed operation to execute the Sherritt-Gordon process, it was given that hydrogen
pressure operates at 500 kPa, 200 OC, at pH 4, while nickel concentration in solution is 50 g/l,
and activity coefficient of nickel in solution is 0.25. From the given background:
3.1 Based on relevant thermodynamic analysis, discuss if this condition will achieve
precipitation of nickel from this solution. If otherwise, make further analysis to recommend
operating conditions that will achieve the purpose of the operation.
3.2 Propose a leaching equipment that can be used for this operation, indicate vital
operating parameters on such equipment.
3.3 You want to design such equipment for such operation.
3.3.1 State a target production rate at which you want your equipment to operate.
3.3.2 Present your vital design decisions and your final equipment specifications.
3.3.3 Provide your design drawing of the equipment.
3.3.4 Make a typical plant layout of your operation, in block diagram, and showing relevant
ancillary units in such operation.
3.4 Within the context of this task, differentiate between scientific knowledge and
engineering knowledge, with examples within the context of this task.

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 METALLURGICAL ENGINEERING
Hydrometallurgy IV (EYHYD4A)

4. NOTES

4.1 Supplementary Study Materials: Some book sections were uploaded on blackboard for some
background insight. Check in the folder GA Task Study Material. You will need to search further resources
from library catalogue and databases.
4.2 Assessment Rubric: You should clearly demonstrate depth and content by substantiating and
illustrating your points with relevant thermodynamic equations, chemical equations, figures, data
tables, and specific examples, as necessary. Study assessment rubric in Table 1 to give you useful insights.
4.3 Submission: Submission of the final Term Paper is to be via SafeAssign to assess originality
(Plagiarism / Similarity Index) of your report. After submission, check and ensure similarity index of your
submission does not exceed 15 %, that is, at least 85 % originality, which implies 85 % of the sentences
are your own composition. If your submission returns SI > 15% (< 85 % originality), you must recompose
in section of the writing, then resubmit and recheck until your submission has acceptable originality.
Submission with similarity index higher than 15 %, less than 85 % originality, will not be assessed.
4.4 Submission Filename Format:
EYHYDRO4-GATask2023-Surname-Initials-Student#
eg. EYHYDRO4-GATask2023-RamphosaCK-20210001
Table 1: Assessment Rubric

Issue Good Average Poor

a. 10 – 7 Marks 7 – 4 Marks 4 – 0 Marks
Clear and detailed Logical analysis with Thermodynamics
discussion with relevant relevant chemical equations, analysis and
chemical equations, thermodynamic data and discussion not
thermodynamic data and analysis, but discussions not satisfactory enough,
analysis. very clear and detailed. or missing.
b. 5 – 4 Marks 4 – 2 Marks 2 – 0 Marks
Correct equipment Correct equipment proposal Proposed equipment
proposal, with relevant but specification not is not applicable
and detailed detailed or some irrelevant. and/or irrelevant
specifications. specifications.
c. 20 – 12 Marks 12 – 4 Marks 4 - 0 Mark
All design detail addressed Correct description but Poor, incorrect or no
as requested with correct lacking details and description, with or
explanations and good illustrations without relevant
figures. details and depth.

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Hydrometallurgy IV (EYHYD4A)

d. 5 – 4 Marks 4 – 2 Marks 2 – 0 Marks

Concise statements of the Partly correct definitions of Incorrect definition
meaning of these concepts, with/without and/or illustration.
concepts with original illustration
illustrative examples
Total 40