PhD Studentship - Optimising in-situ leaching with electrokinetics and coupled process modelling

Conventional metal mining, in which minerals are physically extracted from the subsurface and then processed to recover target metals (which often make up only a small fraction of the total mass) is highly effective, but inherently energy-intensive and requires the construction of large tailings storage facilities to manage waste rock and processing by-products. This approach has caused widespread environmental damage, which is expected to grow as metal demand accelerates to support modern society and the energy transition. 

To overcome this ‘grand challenge’ issue there is growing interest in electrokinetic in situ leaching (EK-ISL), where a solvent is introduced into the subsurface for the in situ leaching of a target metal, followed by its capture at a recipient electrode. If successful this approach has the potential to unlock an entirely new environmentally sustainable metal mining paradigm whilst also potentially unlocking ore which is currently inaccessible. Whilst EK-ISL has been successfully demonstrated in small-scale laboratory studies, its application for hard-rock ore at large-scale is almost entirely unexplored. 

This PhD aims to bridge this critical knowledge gap by developing novel finite difference and/or finite element coupled process models validated against laboratory data to understand the fundamental behaviour of EK-ISL under varying geological conditions, including heterogeneity, dual porosity, and fracture density and partial saturation on the infiltration of lixivant into the ore body. This work will enable a world-first assessment of EK-ISL viability across different geological settings, while providing essential process insights (such as electrode spacing, solvent chemistry, and operational voltage/current conditions) to support further technological development.

Project specific entry requirements:

The student should have a background in geoscience, civil, chemical or mining engineering. They should have strong mathematical background - it would be advantageous if the have some experience with finite element or finite difference modelling and its underlying fundamentals. The student should be able to program in MATALB or Python (MATLAB preferred as lead supervisor is more familiar with this, python would not be a detriment though). Additional programming help can be gained during the project, but some demonstrable prior experience is essential.

Potential PhD programme of study: PhD in Earth and Environmental Science

Department: Earth and Environmental Science

Location: Daphne du Maurier Building, Penryn Campus 

Please direct project specific enquiries to: Dr Sam Graham (s.graham4@exeter.ac.uk) and Prof. Richard Crane (r.crane@exeter.ac.uk) Please ensure you read the entry requirements for the potential programme you are applying for. To Apply for this project please click on the following link - https://www.exeter.ac.uk/study/funding/award/?id=5734

Funding details - Payment of tuition fees (Home), Research Training Support Grant £5,000 over 3.5 years

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