Exclusive interview with Murray Pearson, P.ENG, Director, Technology Development, Pressure Metallurgy, Hatch

We are thrilled to present an exclusive LinkedIn interview with Murray Pearson , P.Eng., an esteemed professional in the field of pressure metallurgy. As the Director of Technology Development at Pressure Metallurgy, Hatch , Murray brings a wealth of expertise to the table. In this interview, Murray provides a sneak peek into his upcoming session at the conference, where he and his colleague will be presenting materials selection for pressure hydrometallurgy.

Attendees can expect to gain valuable insights into key topics such as materials testing, corrosion-related failure mechanisms, and corrosion mitigation strategies. Murray's expertise will undoubtedly impact the future of metallurgical practices, ensuring improved operational efficiency and reduced costs. Join us as we delve deeper into the fascinating world of pressure metallurgy and unlock practical applications for your own operations.

Can you give us a brief overview of your upcoming session at the conference and what attendees can expect to learn?

My Hatch colleague Masoumeh (Masi) Naghizadeh and I will be presenting materials selection for pressure hydrometallurgy as part of the short course entitled Pressure Hydrometallurgy — Theory, Design and Safety in Operation on Monday, August 21st.

The session covers key topics related to materials selection, common metal groups, special metals for oxygen services, non-metallic materials, refractory and ceramic materials, common corrosion-related failure mechanisms, materials testing, and corrosion mitigation and repair strategies.

What specific challenges or topics will your session address, and how do you believe they are important for the metallurgical industry?

This session addresses common corrosion degradation mechanisms including general corrosion, pitting corrosion, stress corrosion cracking, crevice corrosion, and intergranular corrosion. By providing an understanding of these critical aspects, the course equips professionals with the basic knowledge needed to make informed decisions on materials selection that ultimately lead to improved operational efficiency and reduced costs.

This is an important aspect of sustainable plant design and best operating practice, which leads to less waste generation and higher plant availabilty.

Could you share any recent advancements of innovative approaches that will be discussed in your session?

Two of the topics that Masi and | will be addressing are the adoption of corrosion mitigation strategies such as anodic protection, and repair methods such as weld overlay and thermal spray application. With the majority of existing pressure oxidation and pressure leaching facilities now exceeding 25+ years of operation, there is a need to employ more of this expertise to refurbish and extend the useful life of existing assets.

How do you see the findings or insights from your session impacting the future of metallurgical practices?

I hope that the session will provide professionals in the hydrometallurgical industry with a better appreciation of the material selection challenges that result from ever-greater process intensification (i.e. higher temperatures, more aggressive reagents, recycled process solutions), and that they can consider this during the early stage, conceptual design of new facilties.

Are there any particular case studies or success stories that will be highlighted during your session?

I will be highlighting two case studies that | was involved with: one on development of a high strength ruthenium-enhanced titanium alloy (Ti-3AI-2.5V-Ru) for a high-pressure hydrometallurgical application; and the other regarding screening, testing and selection of acid-resistant rubber membranes and refractory materials for a hydrochloric acid leach facilly.

What are the key takeaways or practical applications attendees can implement in their metallurgical operations after attending your session?

One of the key takeaways is an understanding of the effects of concentrating minor elements found in ores, concentrates or process water on the corrosion performance of materials. Such effects can be devastating to the life-cycle cost of the facility, and ultimately the project economics, if not addressed in materials selection, operation, condition monitoring, and maintenance. Another is the consideration of total life-cycle cost in the selection of materials, including energy input, waste generation, carbon footprint, and the ability to repair, recover and recycle materials at the end of their Iie.

What advice or recommendations would you give to professionals who are interested in attending your session?

There has never been a more exciting time to be a metallurgist or materials engineer. The opportunities for getting involved in cutting edge research and development of new materials for energy storage, additive manufacturing, and new processes are enormous.

My advice to professionals is to become an active member of a technical society that is pushing the frontiers of materials development and see how they can help you address challenges you face in your organization or operation.

Are there any additional resources or references that attendees can explore to delve deeper into the topics covered in your session?

I would encourage attendees to explore material societies and associations that support some aspect of their operations. Some examples of great organizations include: Nickel Institute (formerly NiDI), Materials Technology Institute (MTI), and American Metals Society (AMS).

Learn more about the Pressure Hydrometallurgy – Theory, Design and Safety in Operation Short Course