An innovative two-phase anaerobic process for biogas production from green waste and animal droppings for remote communities. Australia's remote communities, including agricultural and Indigenous communities, are an important part of Australian society and a significant contributor to the Australian economy, yet their access to cheap, secure, reliable and clean energy remains a significant challenge. Building on recent scientific advancement in anaerobic digestion, this project will develop a ne ....An innovative two-phase anaerobic process for biogas production from green waste and animal droppings for remote communities. Australia's remote communities, including agricultural and Indigenous communities, are an important part of Australian society and a significant contributor to the Australian economy, yet their access to cheap, secure, reliable and clean energy remains a significant challenge. Building on recent scientific advancement in anaerobic digestion, this project will develop a new technology for biogas production using locally available resources such as green waste and animal droppings. The outcome of this project will provide clean energy services to regional communities while minimising greenhouse gas emissions associated with waste disposal and thus contribute to the development of an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Powder blending for dry powder inhalers: a new approach for direct control of powder structure. Over 80 per cent of pharmaceutical products involve the processing of powders. This project will generate new knowledge of how to assemble fine and cohesive particles into the structure required for dry powder inhaler products, leading to the development of new low-cost medicines in Australia and the Asia Pacific region.
A novel mineral looping tar removal process for biomass gasification. A novel mineral looping tar removal process for biomass gasification. This project aims to develop a simple, robust and cost effective method for removing tar from biomass gasification processes. The solution (Mineral Looping Tar Removal) involves the cyclic carbonation and calcination of a mixture of naturally occurring minerals and/or solid waste to remove tar. This project will bring together energy researchers and renewabl ....A novel mineral looping tar removal process for biomass gasification. A novel mineral looping tar removal process for biomass gasification. This project aims to develop a simple, robust and cost effective method for removing tar from biomass gasification processes. The solution (Mineral Looping Tar Removal) involves the cyclic carbonation and calcination of a mixture of naturally occurring minerals and/or solid waste to remove tar. This project will bring together energy researchers and renewable energy developers to resolve science and engineering issues that underpin the performance degradation of these minerals in large-scale settings. Project outcomes include improved understanding of gas cleaning and a cost effective and environmentally sound technology.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: De170100952
Funder
Australian Research Council
Summary
A chemical looping process for carbon fibre production from plastics. This project aims to develop Mineral Looping Plastic Reforming (MLPR), a chemical looping reforming process for tonnage production of carbon nanofibers from plastic waste. This efficient process uses naturally occurring minerals (limestone, dolomite and ilmenite) to convert plastic waste to carbon nanofibers. The project will research the inner working of the MLPR process and the reforming reactions of plastics in the presence ....A chemical looping process for carbon fibre production from plastics. This project aims to develop Mineral Looping Plastic Reforming (MLPR), a chemical looping reforming process for tonnage production of carbon nanofibers from plastic waste. This efficient process uses naturally occurring minerals (limestone, dolomite and ilmenite) to convert plastic waste to carbon nanofibers. The project will research the inner working of the MLPR process and the reforming reactions of plastics in the presence of naturally occurring mineral mixtures. This project is expected to make Australia a leader in waste use, facilitate the uptake of abundant waste streams to produce high value products, and resolve sustainability, energy and environmental issues in Australia.Read moreRead less
Development of Superflux Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Gas Separation. The project seeks to develop gas separation membranes displaying superfluxes - throughputs 10 to 100 times higher than current systems, with lower operating costs. There is compelling evidence that very high flow rates are achievable and they have been shown for single gas transport. Theory predicts that highly selective separations are possible, but this has not yet been experimentally shown - a key outcome from this proje ....Development of Superflux Carbon Nanotube Membranes for Gas Separation. The project seeks to develop gas separation membranes displaying superfluxes - throughputs 10 to 100 times higher than current systems, with lower operating costs. There is compelling evidence that very high flow rates are achievable and they have been shown for single gas transport. Theory predicts that highly selective separations are possible, but this has not yet been experimentally shown - a key outcome from this project. The applications are widespread and include separation of carbon dioxide from power station flue gas for sequestration, purification of natural gas and provision of pure component gases such as oxygen and nitrogen amongst others.Read moreRead less
Multiscale Integrated Modelling and Control of an Ethanol-Fuelled Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The results from this project will allow use of alternative sources for energy through a better understanding of the functioning, design, operability and control of SOFCs. Fuel Cells (FCs) with biomass ethanol feed will not only act as reliable power source but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A successful R&D effort to develop FCs will improve the national energy security by reducing the growin ....Multiscale Integrated Modelling and Control of an Ethanol-Fuelled Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The results from this project will allow use of alternative sources for energy through a better understanding of the functioning, design, operability and control of SOFCs. Fuel Cells (FCs) with biomass ethanol feed will not only act as reliable power source but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A successful R&D effort to develop FCs will improve the national energy security by reducing the growing dependency on foreign energy sources, improve the environment by reducing carbon and other harmful emissions, and improve the economic growth by expanding the portfolio of highly efficient energy and useful spill over technologies. Read moreRead less
Multi-scale strategy to manage chloramine decay and nitrification in water distribution systems. The generation of knowledge and technologies in preventing chloramine decay would greatly benefit the Australian water industry. The success of the project would provide the highest possible quality of water, both economically and reliably, giving public assurances of microbiological compliance and safe drinking water.
Engineering two dimensional polymers for membrane-based chemical separation. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional polymers with precisely controlled pore-sizes for preparing membrane materials which can efficiently separate these gaseous chemicals at ambient temperatures. Key industrial chemical mixtures with similar size and boiling points are difficult to separate by conventional distillation methods. Currently, purification of olefins alone accounts for 0.3% of global energy use ....Engineering two dimensional polymers for membrane-based chemical separation. This project aims to develop novel two-dimensional polymers with precisely controlled pore-sizes for preparing membrane materials which can efficiently separate these gaseous chemicals at ambient temperatures. Key industrial chemical mixtures with similar size and boiling points are difficult to separate by conventional distillation methods. Currently, purification of olefins alone accounts for 0.3% of global energy use. The expected outcomes of the project will have a huge impact on industrial purification processing by providing a disruptive membrane technology, and will significantly reduce energy consumption and open up new routes for resources.Read moreRead less
Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. T ....Advanced Proton-Conducting Ceramic FCs for Power Generation from Ammonia . The project aims to design an innovative ammonia fuel cell using a new perovskite substrate decorated with metal nanoparticles, which demonstrates multi-functionalities and tackles most challenges of conventional fuel cells (FCs). The key concept of this project is the designing of the novel architected smart perovskite as both anode and electrolyte of the fuel cell by systematic modelling and experimental development. The versatile cell components developed in this project will improve the operational stability and efficiency of the fuel cell, thereby providing a promising pathway for ammonia fuel cells to replace hydrogen fuel cells. This study will reinforce the development of the future supply of reliable, low cost and clean energy. Read moreRead less
Fluidised bed biosorption-flocculation granular activated carbon (FBBSF-GAC) for membrane filtration in wastewater reuse. Water resource is limited and has been continuously decreasing. The idea of recycling and reusing of wastewater has been adopted for irrigation, industry and other non-potable uses. In Australia, wastewater reuse is now considered a key strategy for conserving water at national, state and local level. In this study, the proposed treatment unit is to produce a superior effluen ....Fluidised bed biosorption-flocculation granular activated carbon (FBBSF-GAC) for membrane filtration in wastewater reuse. Water resource is limited and has been continuously decreasing. The idea of recycling and reusing of wastewater has been adopted for irrigation, industry and other non-potable uses. In Australia, wastewater reuse is now considered a key strategy for conserving water at national, state and local level. In this study, the proposed treatment unit is to produce a superior effluent quality for water reuse while minimize membrane fouling of the membrane filtration system. Hence, it will benefit water industries globally and communities in Australia. There will be a major export opportunity from Australia to supply efficient, low-cost and sustainable flocculant together with an improved treatment system worldwide.Read moreRead less