Course detail
Theory of Metallurgical Processes
FSI-HPC Acad. year: 2025/2026 Winter semester
Students are made familiar with the physical and chemical fundamentals of metallurgical processes to an extent that enables preparing mathematical models of these processes and controlling them purposefully. Derivation of fundamental relations of thermodynamic activities and partial molar enthalpies of the components of molten alloy. Criterial functions used in PC modelling of metallurgical processes. Creating models of the processes inside alloys and at the interface of alloy and in surrounding environment. Modelling of selected processes in the Mathcad program environment.
Language of instruction
Czech
Number of ECTS credits
7
Supervisor
Department
Entry knowledge
Students must have the knowledge of inorganic chemistry (qualitative and quantitative aspects of chemical reactions and their energetics), thermomechanics (1st law of thermodynamics – heat, work, latent energy, enthalpy. 2nd law of thermodynamics – entropy), principles of thinking in algorithms, structured approach to problem solutions, and working with PC under the Windows operating system.
Rules for evaluation and completion of the course
Conditions of awarding the course-unit credit: participation in exercises. Examination: the knowledge of fundamental relations and, above all, the ability to apply these relations are tested. It is a written and oral examination.
Attendance in lectures is recommended, attendance in exercises is obligatory.
Attending at the exercises is required, being checked by the leader of practicals. In the case of absence from exercises, the leader assigns a topic for independent written work.
Aims
The objective of the course is to make students familiar with the thermodynamic fundamentals of metallurgical processes so that they can apply this knowledge when creating mathematical models of these processes, pursuing purposeful management based on the prediction of the progress or equilibrium of the process.
In the course, students will learn how to analyse the progress or equilibrium of specific metallurgical processes using mathematical models. They will also learn how to make use of the Mathcad program environment when modelling basic metallurgical processes.
The study programmes with the given course
Programme N-SLE-P: Foundry Technology, Master's, compulsory
Type of course unit
Lecture
26 hours, optionally
Syllabus
1. Equilibrium and thermodynamic probability of processes
2. Ideal solution, the Gibbs energy of components
3. Real solutions, chemical potential of components
4. Vapour pressure of components of real solutions, activity of components
5. Standard state of pure substance and 1% solution
6. The Van Hoff reaction isotherm
7. Thermal dissociation of gas compounds, equilibrium gas pressure
8. Oxygen dissolution in melts, deoxidation
9. Dissolution of nitrogen and hydrogen in melts. The Sieverts law.
10. Thermodynamics and kinetics of degassing
11. Reactions between the melt and refractories
12. The molecule and ion theory of slag
13. Equilibrium data on liquid steel- slag reactions of oxygen, phosphorus and sulphur.
Computer-assisted exercise
26 hours, compulsory
Syllabus
1. Mathcad program environment, calculation of concentrations.
2. The Boudouard model and diagram.
3. Decomposition of limestone, calculation of decomposition temperature.
4. Analysis of the progress of redox reactions.
5. Calculation of metal vapour pressure, temperature dependence.
6. Calculation of activity coefficients in multi-component alloys.
7. Maximum solubility of oxygen in iron.
8. Calculation of equilibrium oxygen pressure of oxides.
9. Analysis of oxygen solution in Fe-Al-O alloys.
10. Analysis of carbon/oxide equilibrium in steel.
11. Dissolution of nitrogen in Fe and steel.
12. Reactions between the melt and refractories.
13. The oxygen transfer from slag to iron.