Thermodynamics extractive metallurgy

The scientific basis of extractive metallurgy is inorganic physical chemistry, mainly chemical thermodynamics and kinetics (see Thermodynamic properties). Metallurgical engineering reties on basic chemical engineering science, material and energy balances, and heat and mass transport. Metallurgical systems, however, are often complex. Scale-up from the bench to the commercial plant is more difficult than for other chemical processes. 

Turnbull, A.G. and Wadsley, M.W. (1984) Thermodynamic modelling of metallurgical processes by the CSIRO-SGTE THERMODATA system. In Proceedings of the Symposium on Extractive Metallurgy. Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Melbourne, pp. 79-114. 

Extractive Metallurgy F. Basic Thermodynamics and Kinetics VIGNES Alain... 

Other definitions include Fontana s description that corrosion is the extractive metallurgy in reverse, which is expected since metals thermodynamically are less stable in their elemental forms than in their compound forms as ores. Fontana states that it is not possible to reverse fundamental laws of thermodynamics to avoid corrosion process however, he also states that much can be done to reduce its rate to acceptable levels as long as it is done in an environmentally safe and cost-effective manner. 

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