Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. This project aims to develop a microwave-generated plasma combustion system for the in-cylinder formation of hydroxyl radicals, achieving cost-effective reduction of engine-out emissions in diesel engines. This new system should overcome high-load particulate emissions and high-cost fuel injection systems, which limit further improvement of diesel engines. T ....Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. This project aims to develop a microwave-generated plasma combustion system for the in-cylinder formation of hydroxyl radicals, achieving cost-effective reduction of engine-out emissions in diesel engines. This new system should overcome high-load particulate emissions and high-cost fuel injection systems, which limit further improvement of diesel engines. This project expects to accomplish this by combining laser diagnostics in optical combustion facilities and computational modelling, which should lead to the scientific knowledge accelerating the development cycle of the new system.Read moreRead less
Application of tuneable nanofluids in regenerative supercritical power generation. The proposed project combines the simplicity, flexibility, robustness and thermodynamic effectiveness of GRANEXTM cycle with the advances recently made in nanotechnology. If deployed across Australia to recover even 50 per cent of the 11,000 Gigawatt hour annual bioenergy potential, it will generate a revenue stream of approximately $550 million per annum while reducing greenhouse emissions by 14 mega tonne, which ....Application of tuneable nanofluids in regenerative supercritical power generation. The proposed project combines the simplicity, flexibility, robustness and thermodynamic effectiveness of GRANEXTM cycle with the advances recently made in nanotechnology. If deployed across Australia to recover even 50 per cent of the 11,000 Gigawatt hour annual bioenergy potential, it will generate a revenue stream of approximately $550 million per annum while reducing greenhouse emissions by 14 mega tonne, which is about 2.5 per cent of the annual national emissions. The proposed research will place Australia within the forefront of the research and development activities in the field of low grade heat recovery and will clearly contribute the Australian Government's National Research Priority an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Wave to Wire: Optimising Hydrodynamic Performance and Capture Efficiency of Next Generation Ocean Wave Energy Systems. Wave energy in the oceans of the world represents a vast renewable energy resource that has not been tapped. This project will play a crucial role in maximising the performance and economic viability of a unique Australian wave energy technology. We will develop a dynamically integrated theoretical model aimed at capturing the complex behaviour of ocean waves and optimising the ....Wave to Wire: Optimising Hydrodynamic Performance and Capture Efficiency of Next Generation Ocean Wave Energy Systems. Wave energy in the oceans of the world represents a vast renewable energy resource that has not been tapped. This project will play a crucial role in maximising the performance and economic viability of a unique Australian wave energy technology. We will develop a dynamically integrated theoretical model aimed at capturing the complex behaviour of ocean waves and optimising the energy capture efficiency of the Oscillating Water Column (OWC) wave energy system. One of the most exciting aspects of the technology is its potential to provide on-site bulk desalination of seawater, whilst being driven entirely by renewable energy. It will also result in significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation.Read moreRead less
Advances in real-time satellite monitoring of flow in rivers and estuaries. This project plans to improve the monitoring of our waterways by developing a novel moving drifter system that takes flow and water quality measurements along the pathlines of the drifters. One of the key challenges for Australian water management lies in monitoring and managing rivers and estuaries effectively over large geographical areas. Traditionally, instrumentation at stationary points has been used for such monit ....Advances in real-time satellite monitoring of flow in rivers and estuaries. This project plans to improve the monitoring of our waterways by developing a novel moving drifter system that takes flow and water quality measurements along the pathlines of the drifters. One of the key challenges for Australian water management lies in monitoring and managing rivers and estuaries effectively over large geographical areas. Traditionally, instrumentation at stationary points has been used for such monitoring, under the simplifying assumption that a single point adequately represents a very large region of water. By contrast, the Real-Time Flow Logging of Water (RT-FLOW) system expects to provide information from large regions of our waterways, providing stakeholders with more information to enable them to better manage issues including storm surge and erosion. The project also aims to provide improved validation of hydrodynamic models.Read moreRead less
Development of mock circulatory system for complex haemodynamic modelling. This project aims to develop a unique mock experimental system to study blood flow dynamics in anatomically realistic coronary artery phantoms. The field of cardiology involves complex fluid dynamic problems, which require the expertise of the fluid dynamics engineer to understand the hemodynamics. Significant innovation in manufacturing and experimental measurement methodologies will be required to develop accurate model ....Development of mock circulatory system for complex haemodynamic modelling. This project aims to develop a unique mock experimental system to study blood flow dynamics in anatomically realistic coronary artery phantoms. The field of cardiology involves complex fluid dynamic problems, which require the expertise of the fluid dynamics engineer to understand the hemodynamics. Significant innovation in manufacturing and experimental measurement methodologies will be required to develop accurate models, which will be designed to allow the partner organisation to undertake further hemodynamic research.Read moreRead less
Burning characteristics of solid combustibles in fire investigation. Predictive fire models are increasingly being considered to analyse fire events. Nevertheless, the burning characteristics of solid combustibles relevant to household and industrial fires are yet to be thoroughly understood and described. This project focuses on the development of novel and innovative predictive fire models by incorporating a more comprehensive analysis of the combustion process of solid fuel, and directly link ....Burning characteristics of solid combustibles in fire investigation. Predictive fire models are increasingly being considered to analyse fire events. Nevertheless, the burning characteristics of solid combustibles relevant to household and industrial fires are yet to be thoroughly understood and described. This project focuses on the development of novel and innovative predictive fire models by incorporating a more comprehensive analysis of the combustion process of solid fuel, and directly linking the chemistry with particular volatiles emitted from the solid combustibles. These volatiles are regarded as being game-changing for fire engineering design assessments for a wide range of high temperature conditions in different settings and configurations.Read moreRead less
Characterization of Fast Propagating Fires in Green Buildings. This project aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of fast-propagating fires and to address the deficiency in current fire models in assessing the fire safety requirement of green buildings. Although there are many compelling advantages associated with green building designs, because they promote better natural ventilation they could pose a significant fire hazard to occupants due to the propensity of rapid fire and s ....Characterization of Fast Propagating Fires in Green Buildings. This project aims to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of fast-propagating fires and to address the deficiency in current fire models in assessing the fire safety requirement of green buildings. Although there are many compelling advantages associated with green building designs, because they promote better natural ventilation they could pose a significant fire hazard to occupants due to the propensity of rapid fire and smoke spread within the enclosed space. The new predictive fire model in this project is expected to promote a safer and sustainable building environment.Read moreRead less
Insulated sandwich panels in high temperature environments. A robust model comprising pyrolysis of polymeric material coupled with gas combustion will be developed to predict the burning behaviour of expanded polystyrene insulated sandwich panels. These models will provide an effective design tool for fire safety engineering design and the assessment of a wide range of polymeric materials in fire conditions.
Numerical and experimental studies of the gas-particle flow and dust collection in electrostatic precipitation systems. This project will generate an integrated computer model to describe the gas-solid flow and dust collection in an ElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP). The model can be used to aid the design and control of ESP systems which are widely used for dust collection, leading to more competitive energy and related industries.
Research into techniques for enhancing the heat transfer performance of finned-tube heat exchangers. This project explores several methods for enhancing the heat transfer performance of mechanically bonded finned tube heat exchangers. The methods would be analysed experimentally, and using finite elements, numerically. Any increase in heat transfer efficiency would contribute to the conservation of energy, and therefore, of natural resources. An improved design of heat exchangers would give a de ....Research into techniques for enhancing the heat transfer performance of finned-tube heat exchangers. This project explores several methods for enhancing the heat transfer performance of mechanically bonded finned tube heat exchangers. The methods would be analysed experimentally, and using finite elements, numerically. Any increase in heat transfer efficiency would contribute to the conservation of energy, and therefore, of natural resources. An improved design of heat exchangers would give a definite competitive edge to the Australian manufacturer. An equally significant outcome would be the training of a research person in industry-related research and skilled both in experimental and numerical procedures.Read moreRead less