What's next for Pyrometallurgy? Prof. Evgueni Jak outlines a knowledge-based approach to future developments
Prof. Jak has published over 450 scientific papers and received numerous prestigious international awards during a career spanning over 30 years in both industry and academia, focusing on research in the field of pyrometallurgy.
We're thrilled to have Prof. Jak join us as a plenary speaker at MOLTEN 2024 in Brisbane, 17-19 June 2024. As a Professor in Pyrometallurgy at the School of Chemical Engineering and the driving force behind Pyrosearch, he has pioneered many transformative research programs.
Notably, with his colleagues, Prof. Jak led the development of a cutting-edge multi-component, multi-phase thermodynamic database for high-temperature computer predictions. This approach, blending experiments, thermodynamic modelling, and industrial implementation, has lead to a new era of digitalisation in pyrometallurgy, promising significant advancements for the industry.
As we anticipate Prof. Jak's plenary address at MOLTEN 2024, for the 12th International Conference on Molten Slags, Fluxes and Salts, where he will outline his views derived from the over three decades experiences on the Pyrometallurgy challenges, solutions and opportunities, we caught up with him to hear about his vision for the future of metallurgy, the profound impact his research has on industry practices, and what he is most looking foward to learning at the conference.
Prof. Evgueni Jak
University of Queensland
With over 450 scientific papers to your name and numerous awards, you've made significant contributions to the field of pyrometallurgy. Can you share a particular research finding or project that you are particularly proud of, and how it has impacted the industry or academic community?
The current major strategic research program focuses on the development and implementation into the industrial practice of a multi-component, multi-phase thermodynamic database for high-temperature computer predictions, based on an integrated experimental and thermodynamic optimisation approach.
There are a few key components. Firstly, the core of this program is the experimental methodology based on microanalysis that I developed during my PhD and is continuously refined. Secondly, this program employs a semi-automated continuing thermodynamic optimisation methodology developed with our team.
An essential aspect of this program is the collaborative effort of experts in experimental techniques, analytical methods, thermodynamic modeling, and computation. Critical to the programs success is the consortium of leading international metallurgical and recycling companies actively supporting and participating in this program, with over 30 plants and several dozen of specialists involved. The combination of these components drives the program towards the development of the Pyrometallurgical GPS. I believe this integrated experimental, thermodynamic modelling, and implementation program, represents a significant qualitative step forward towards the future digitalised, knowledge-based pyrometallurgy.
What are you hoping to hear from fellow researchers and industry professionals during the MOLTEN conference? Is there any specific topic or area of discussion that you're particularly excited to explore or learn more about?
I look forward to hearing from:
- Industry - about the opportunities of implementation of high temperature thermodynamic modelling, and the ways to achieve those opportunities.
- Colleagues, Academics and Researchers - about progress in the high temperature thermodynamic experimentation and modelling.
- Industry and Academia – about how we can progress further towards digitalised future pyrometallurgy, and importantly, about metallurgical education.
As a leading expert in pyrometallurgy and high-temperature processing, your expertise is highly anticipated for your Plenary address at MOLTEN 2024: University research on molten slags, matte, speiss and metal systems for high temperature processing – challenges, opportunities and solutions. Can you give us a quick teaser on your address, and who would benefit from it?
As I mentioned, the current Pyrosearch program integrates experimental, thermodynamic modeling, and implementation efforts to develop a multi-component, multi-phase thermodynamic database for high-temperature computer predictions. This initiative represents the development of Pyrometallurgical GPS, marking a significant qualitative advancement toward future digitalised, knowledge-based pyrometallurgy. The program:
i) Incorporates several components, including experiments, analytics, computational thermodynamics, implementation, and education
ii) Addresses a number of scientific, technical, financial and organisation issues
iii) Involves many junior, intermediate and senior research, industry R&D and management professionals.
The aim of my plenary address is to identify and outline these components and issues, informing and bringing together many professionals of different levels and areas of expertise to encourage further collaboration and development in this direction.
Could you share a fun fact about pyrometallurgy to those who are new to the field?
A fun fact about pyrometallurgy is the continuous stream of challenges that emerge daily, making each day exciting with new opportunities to discover, identify, and solve. It's great to witness the unwavering determination of my colleagues at Pyrosearch and across the industry to progress pyrometallurgy to further knowledge-based levels.