In-situ Characterisation of Coal from Coal Seam Gas Developments. We aim to develop advanced methods for determination of coal properties required for optimising gas recovery, scheduling future developments and water management by Queensland Gas Company. We will characterise multiphase flow of gas and water in coal cores by Positron Emission Tomography and flooding experiments. Advancement in knowledge is achieved by using massive data from 4D-imaging to predict evolution of petrophysical proper ....In-situ Characterisation of Coal from Coal Seam Gas Developments. We aim to develop advanced methods for determination of coal properties required for optimising gas recovery, scheduling future developments and water management by Queensland Gas Company. We will characterise multiphase flow of gas and water in coal cores by Positron Emission Tomography and flooding experiments. Advancement in knowledge is achieved by using massive data from 4D-imaging to predict evolution of petrophysical properties at in situ condition in different types of coal. This will future proof Australia as the world’s largest exporter of natural gas and will provide significant benefit for the industry in satisfying domestic gas security, maintaining international commitment and addressing environmental concerns. Read moreRead less
An advanced multiphase model for geometrical evolution and anomalous flows. The project aims to provide new insights into the ways that Australia’s abundant energy resources are utilised for energy security and environmental stewardship. Simulation developments and fundamental insights on multiphase porous media flows provide significant outcomes toward the national priorities. These developments are paramount for various applications, such as geological storage of CO2, oil/gas recovery, groundw ....An advanced multiphase model for geometrical evolution and anomalous flows. The project aims to provide new insights into the ways that Australia’s abundant energy resources are utilised for energy security and environmental stewardship. Simulation developments and fundamental insights on multiphase porous media flows provide significant outcomes toward the national priorities. These developments are paramount for various applications, such as geological storage of CO2, oil/gas recovery, groundwater remediation and energy storage. This will provide benefit to the oil/gas industry which spends hundreds of millions of dollars on reservoir modelling; the proposed research will provide the fundamental insights necessary to advance the utility of these simulations and other porous media applications for energy storage.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Training Centres - Grant ID: IC180100008
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,981,223.00
Summary
ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing. The ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing aims to connect the detailed microscopic characteristics of materials with their macroscopic properties and design characteristics of natural and manufactured structures. It will train a new generation of researchers and practitioners in the emerging discipline of Digital Materials. The approach allows optimisation at all scales, enabling cost ....ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing. The ARC Training Centre for Multiscale 3D Imaging, Modelling and Manufacturing aims to connect the detailed microscopic characteristics of materials with their macroscopic properties and design characteristics of natural and manufactured structures. It will train a new generation of researchers and practitioners in the emerging discipline of Digital Materials. The approach allows optimisation at all scales, enabling cost reductions and performance enhancements in key industries, including Oil, Gas and Energy Resources, Medical Technologies, and Advanced Manufacturing. The Centre expects to reduce the time needed in the prototyping cycle and product development, increasing industry’s capacity for accelerated innovation. The developments will build world-class Australian capabilities for developing high-value scaleable production of bespoke products and optimised process design.Read moreRead less
High-resolution optical studies of solids nucleation in cryogenic processes. During liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, low concentration impurities can freeze and block the cryogenic heat exchangers at the heart of the liquefaction process. Substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding the kinetics of these solids (i.e. the rate at which they form), especially at the part per million concentrations relevant to LNG. This project, in partnership with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, will us ....High-resolution optical studies of solids nucleation in cryogenic processes. During liquefied natural gas (LNG) production, low concentration impurities can freeze and block the cryogenic heat exchangers at the heart of the liquefaction process. Substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding the kinetics of these solids (i.e. the rate at which they form), especially at the part per million concentrations relevant to LNG. This project, in partnership with ExxonMobil Upstream Research Company, will use a proven high resolution optical technique to deliver new insight into solid nucleation and growth kinetics in the high-pressure cryogenic fluids that govern industrial blockage risk. The results will enable energy optimisation to increase liquefaction efficiency as well as tests of innovative blockage-remediation methods.Read moreRead less
Unlocking Australia's offshore gas endowment. This project aims to develop practical new methods of predicting and detecting the formation of solids in gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. Australia has large offshore reserves of natural gas and has made the investments necessary to help fuel the global transition to cleaner, reliable energy sources. However, conventional engineering approaches of producing gas from deep-water reserves have reached the limits of viability because of t ....Unlocking Australia's offshore gas endowment. This project aims to develop practical new methods of predicting and detecting the formation of solids in gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) production. Australia has large offshore reserves of natural gas and has made the investments necessary to help fuel the global transition to cleaner, reliable energy sources. However, conventional engineering approaches of producing gas from deep-water reserves have reached the limits of viability because of the costs required to prevent solids forming in subsea pipelines or cryogenic LNG plants. The project’s expected outcome include sophisticated tools in open-access software based on these new predictive methods, and a step-change in Australia’s ability to access its offshore gas.Read moreRead less
Carbon dioxide in water nanoemulsions for carbon sequestration. The project will address a key objection to geological carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration by removing the risk of long-term leakage to drinking water aquifers or to atmosphere. By injecting a nano-emulsion of CO2-in-water, the project seeks to show complete reaction to permanently stable solid carbonate occurs within weeks, eliminating the need for secure caprock or extended seal integrity monitoring. New knowledge will be generated ....Carbon dioxide in water nanoemulsions for carbon sequestration. The project will address a key objection to geological carbon dioxide (CO2) sequestration by removing the risk of long-term leakage to drinking water aquifers or to atmosphere. By injecting a nano-emulsion of CO2-in-water, the project seeks to show complete reaction to permanently stable solid carbonate occurs within weeks, eliminating the need for secure caprock or extended seal integrity monitoring. New knowledge will be generated using innovative approaches to create and stabilise CO2-in-water nano-emulsions and demonstrate the fast conversion of CO2 into stable minerals. The benefits are significant in opening potential sequestration targets to include areas without secure caps, reduced cost and elimination of long-term leakage riskRead moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100209
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,000.00
Summary
A 4-D X-Ray Microscopy Laboratory. We propose a multiscale X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) laboratory for time-lapse imaging. High flux X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) with resolutions from cm- down to Angstrom-scale is proposed by bringing Synchrotron technology to the laboratory. The laboratory aims at revolutionising imaging capability of evolving structures and physical properties in inorganic and organic materials used in mineral, energy, manufacturing, bioengineering, aerospace, automotive and a range of ot ....A 4-D X-Ray Microscopy Laboratory. We propose a multiscale X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) laboratory for time-lapse imaging. High flux X-Ray Microscopy (XRM) with resolutions from cm- down to Angstrom-scale is proposed by bringing Synchrotron technology to the laboratory. The laboratory aims at revolutionising imaging capability of evolving structures and physical properties in inorganic and organic materials used in mineral, energy, manufacturing, bioengineering, aerospace, automotive and a range of other industries. The expected outcome is an integration of XRM between USyd, UNSW, UQ, QUT and ANSTO. The added benefit is to perform long time scale XRM experiments with collaborations in the material- manufacturing, geo- and biomedical sciences and many engineering disciplines.Read moreRead less
Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-den ....Low-density high-performance proppants for hydraulic fracturing process . Australia has vast resources of unconventional oil/gas, which require hydraulic fracturing to stimulate production. This project aims to develop advanced low-density high-performance proppants from industry waste for hydraulic fracturing. This will be achieved by selecting purer SiO2 raw material, carefully designing the porous structure, and fully understanding its relationship with strength and pack conductivity. Low-density means no chemicals in proppant transportation and application. Successful development of such high-performance proppants will significantly increase Australia oil/gas exploration and production with an environmental acceptable technology, a leap forward for the oil/gas industry in Australia and the world.Read moreRead less
Multiscale physics for enhanced oil recovery. The project aims to develop a multiscale mathematical and laboratory modelling methodology for combined enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CO2 storage, and synthesise the technology for Santos’s Mulberry oilfield as a test case. The multidisciplinary team will develop advanced reservoir- and laboratory-scale mathematical models and novel laboratory methods to enhance the reliability of modern EOR and CO2 storage and increase its uptake by companies in A ....Multiscale physics for enhanced oil recovery. The project aims to develop a multiscale mathematical and laboratory modelling methodology for combined enhanced oil recovery (EOR) and CO2 storage, and synthesise the technology for Santos’s Mulberry oilfield as a test case. The multidisciplinary team will develop advanced reservoir- and laboratory-scale mathematical models and novel laboratory methods to enhance the reliability of modern EOR and CO2 storage and increase its uptake by companies in Australia and globally. The expected outcomes are a pioneering methodology with environmental benefits without additional drilling and reduction of greenhouse effect, and economic benefit to the Australian oil industry through increases in productivity.Read moreRead less
Improved hydrogen geological storage via zeta potential measurements. Hydrogen is a clean fuel which has the potential to revolutionize the energy supply chain by complete decarbonisation. An estimated 50-fold increase in the global hydrogen market is expected by 2050, totalling AUD$16.3 trillion. However, the key barrier to a hydrogen economy is hydrogen storage, as hydrogen is highly volatile, compressible and flammable. Underground hydrogen storage, i.e. storage of hydrogen in sedimentary geo ....Improved hydrogen geological storage via zeta potential measurements. Hydrogen is a clean fuel which has the potential to revolutionize the energy supply chain by complete decarbonisation. An estimated 50-fold increase in the global hydrogen market is expected by 2050, totalling AUD$16.3 trillion. However, the key barrier to a hydrogen economy is hydrogen storage, as hydrogen is highly volatile, compressible and flammable. Underground hydrogen storage, i.e. storage of hydrogen in sedimentary geologic formations, is a potential option to solve this problem. In this project we will provide fundamental data required to establish hydrogen underground monitoring techniques, and to develop associated large-scale models with which underground hydrogen storage efficiency and security can be predicted.Read moreRead less