Nanostructures of Surfactants at Solid-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Interfaces and Interfacial Properties. The proposed research aims to investigate nanostructures of surface-active agents at interfaces and related interfacial properties. Specifically, the proposal focuses on quantitative models for the self-assembly of surfactants at solid-liquid and gas-liquid interfaces, experimental validation of the models and interfacial properties produced by the surfactants for industrial applications. The stud ....Nanostructures of Surfactants at Solid-Liquid and Gas-Liquid Interfaces and Interfacial Properties. The proposed research aims to investigate nanostructures of surface-active agents at interfaces and related interfacial properties. Specifically, the proposal focuses on quantitative models for the self-assembly of surfactants at solid-liquid and gas-liquid interfaces, experimental validation of the models and interfacial properties produced by the surfactants for industrial applications. The study will increase our understanding of surfactant-interface interaction to allow us to have greater control over the interfacial properties and improve the interface-based industrial processes. The research is relevant to the minerals and coal processing industry worth hundreds of billions dollars annually to Australia and USA.Read moreRead less
Microdynamic study of the flow of granular materials in bladed mixers. This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of granular mixing mechanics in bladed mixers. The study will be carried out by means of newly developed advanced numerical and experimental techniques to generate particle scale information. The flow and mixing behaviour of particles under different conditions will be analysed at both micro- and macro-scopic levels. The research outcomes such as predictive equations ....Microdynamic study of the flow of granular materials in bladed mixers. This project aims to develop a comprehensive understanding of granular mixing mechanics in bladed mixers. The study will be carried out by means of newly developed advanced numerical and experimental techniques to generate particle scale information. The flow and mixing behaviour of particles under different conditions will be analysed at both micro- and macro-scopic levels. The research outcomes such as predictive equations will be tested by simulating and analysing complicated industrial mixing processes; modelling to improve granulation and breakage will be targets. It will significantly improve the design, optimisation and control of mixing processes that are widely used in many industries.Read moreRead less
Adsorption and recovery of gold thiosulfate using nanoporous carbon. The gold industry is a major export earner for both Australia and the United States. This collaborative project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable, cost effective process for the recovery of gold from thiosulfate leachate. Development of this process will remove one of the barriers to the acceptance of thiosulfate leaching over conventional cyanide extraction, leading to substantial benefits to the gold industry and ....Adsorption and recovery of gold thiosulfate using nanoporous carbon. The gold industry is a major export earner for both Australia and the United States. This collaborative project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable, cost effective process for the recovery of gold from thiosulfate leachate. Development of this process will remove one of the barriers to the acceptance of thiosulfate leaching over conventional cyanide extraction, leading to substantial benefits to the gold industry and the environment. A successful outcome in the research project would also lead to export earnings resulting from technology transfer and an enhanced reputation for high quality research.Read moreRead less
Particle scale studies of powder mixing in bladed mixers. Powder handling and processing are widely used in both conventional and modern industries but rarely reach more than 60% of design capacity because of poor fundamental understanding. Such operations are important to Australia in view of the heavy dependence on raw materials processing (about 40% of the GNP). This project will tackle the core problems in powder mixing which is a key operation in many industries. Application of the research ....Particle scale studies of powder mixing in bladed mixers. Powder handling and processing are widely used in both conventional and modern industries but rarely reach more than 60% of design capacity because of poor fundamental understanding. Such operations are important to Australia in view of the heavy dependence on raw materials processing (about 40% of the GNP). This project will tackle the core problems in powder mixing which is a key operation in many industries. Application of the research outcomes can lead to better process or product control, a decrease in energy consumption and an improvement in productivity, which is very helpful to maintaining Australia's leading position in resource, energy, process and allied industries.Read moreRead less