The course focuses on explaining how sustainable metal production in a modern industry is a part of the circular economy in society. Here, the fundaments of metal production are given based on both ore raw materials and recycled materials, with examples from iron and steel production, aluminium production, copper production and metal powder production. Furthermore it is explained how basic thermodynamic and kinetic theories can be used to optimise metal production.

After passing the course, the student should be able to:

1. Analyse the basic processes for metal production and explain how a sustainable metal production is a part of the circular economy.
2. Analyse and apply basic kinetic and thermodynamic theories to evaluate metal production processes.
3. Analyse and explain how an industrial process chain for metal production is built-up.

The course consists of:

• One introduction lecture
• Three lectures on thermodynamics of metals processes
• Three exercise sessions on thermodynamics processes
  • questions are set and students answer them with the help of a teacher
• Three lectures on kinetics of materials processes
• Three exercise sessions on materials processes
• Six lectures on various metals processes
  • Pyrometallurgy, hydrometallurgy and electrometallurgy
  • Circular ecomony of metallurgical processes
  • Aluminium production
  • Copper production
  • An overview of steelmaking processes
  • Metal powder production
• One exercise on hydrogen refining
• Three field trips to metals producers in Sweden
  
  • Students may not necessarily be required/permitted to attend all trips, more information shall be given during the course

The following table is correct at the time of writing.  It is subject to change and the correct schedule may always be found on the KTH website.  You should be able to subscribe to the calendar for the course using a calendar program on your computer or mobile device and the following link: https://cloud.timeedit.net/kth/web/staff01/ri60tv505865ZZQY9nQ6998XZ506513Qd6t021Yy765Y1QQg09QZZ0D3CF0E869EB19453E1D399CA1CDD2A8.ics.  Further instructions are available on the KTH Schedule website.

In total 90 higher education credits in the main field of study of Technology or equivalent.

No specific preparations are required before the start of the course.

Literature shall be provided during the course and any recommended reading shall be communciated by each lecturer where necessary during the course.

No special equipment is needed for the course

No specialist software is used during the course.

Students at KTH with a permanent disability can get support during studies from Funka:

Funka - compensatory support for students with disabilities

• LAB1 - Computer assignment, 1.0 credits, grading scale: P, F
• STU2 - Study trip, 0.5 credits, grading scale: P, F
• KON1 - Partial exam, 6.0 credits, grading scale: A, B, C, D, E, FX, F

Based on recommendation from KTH’s coordinator for disabilities, the examiner will decide how to adapt an examination for students with documented disability.

The examiner may apply another examination format when re-examining individual students.

If the course is discontinued, students may request to be examined during the following two academic years.

Should any part of the examination be failed with a grade of FX, the examiner shall determine a suitable activity to enable the student to achieve a grade of E.  Alternatively, the student may choose to take a new examination to achieve a higher grade.

Should any part of the examination be failed with a grade of F, the student may choose to take a new examination to achieve a grade that shall be no higher than E.

There is no possibility to improve an approved grade for any exam or for the course overall once it is obtained.

Results for each part of the exam will be published on Canvas in the first instance and then reported on Ladok.

• All members of a group are responsible for the group's work.
• In any assessment, every student shall honestly disclose any help received and sources used.
• In an oral assessment, every student shall be able to present and answer questions about the entire assignment and solution.

The official course syllabus is valid from the autumn semester 2025 in accordance with the decision by the Director of First Cycle Education: HS-2025-0765. Date of decision: 2025-04-08.