Reactivity of Carbon-Carbon Composites. This project investigates the reactivity of pitch-coke carbon composites with the aim of minimising oxidative carbon loss from anodes during aluminium smelting. Such carbon loss accounts for about 15 percent of the total carbon consumption in smelting, and its reduction will provide considerable economic benefit besides contributing to mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. In the present project the effect of coke calcination and composite baking temper ....Reactivity of Carbon-Carbon Composites. This project investigates the reactivity of pitch-coke carbon composites with the aim of minimising oxidative carbon loss from anodes during aluminium smelting. Such carbon loss accounts for about 15 percent of the total carbon consumption in smelting, and its reduction will provide considerable economic benefit besides contributing to mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. In the present project the effect of coke calcination and composite baking temperatures on the relationship between anode microstructure and reactivity in oxygen as well as carbon dioxide will be investigated, and optimum process conditions determined for minimum reactive carbon loss during smelting.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions. A successful dual-fuel compression ignition (diesel) engine technology utilizing renewable alcohol fuels will provide a commercially attractive, immediate solution to the global fuel challenges of security and cost of oil supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality . This project provides both the rigorous laboratory and field testing required to develop, test, optim ....Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions. A successful dual-fuel compression ignition (diesel) engine technology utilizing renewable alcohol fuels will provide a commercially attractive, immediate solution to the global fuel challenges of security and cost of oil supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality . This project provides both the rigorous laboratory and field testing required to develop, test, optimize and validate both engine performance and pollution emissions. This ethanol dual fuel approach has the potential to reduce Australia's dependence on imported fuels, support the development of regional agriculture and employment through the expansion of the biofuels industry and enhance the environmental performance of transport and stationary engines.Read moreRead less
Optimisation of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and energy usage within buildings located in busy transit oriented urban developments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project include (i) a novel holistic modelling tool to building design that maximises indoor comfort and provides acceptable air quality for the inhabitants whilst minimising energy usage in transit oriented urban developments; and (ii) estimation of energy consumption for different building designs and operat ....Optimisation of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and energy usage within buildings located in busy transit oriented urban developments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project include (i) a novel holistic modelling tool to building design that maximises indoor comfort and provides acceptable air quality for the inhabitants whilst minimising energy usage in transit oriented urban developments; and (ii) estimation of energy consumption for different building designs and operation with respect to air quality and thermal comfort. The ultimate economic benefit of this research will be a reduction in health care costs and lost productivity as well as reduction of energy used and associated emissions. The research will also place Australia in the forefront of international progress and the race towards better methods for achieving environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
Development of High Frequency and High Power Density Magnetics and its Integrated Magnetic Circuit for Solar Renewable Energy Conversion Systems. The proposed project will result in theoretical and practical contributions to the field of high frequency (HF) magnetics and computational electromagnetics based computer modelling technologies for the power converter used in solar PV systems and high power density converters. The project will provide industry with several novel HF magnetic structures ....Development of High Frequency and High Power Density Magnetics and its Integrated Magnetic Circuit for Solar Renewable Energy Conversion Systems. The proposed project will result in theoretical and practical contributions to the field of high frequency (HF) magnetics and computational electromagnetics based computer modelling technologies for the power converter used in solar PV systems and high power density converters. The project will provide industry with several novel HF magnetic structures and the associated design methodology, and an innovative technology to industry and society with following major benefits: a) increased productivity and minimization of product risk, b) faster project management cycles through the use of cost-effective new design methodology, and c) an improved problem solving environment for scientific research and commercial applications.Read moreRead less
High Efficient and Reliable Power Converters with Low Electromagnetic Interference Based on an Intelligent Distributed Control System in Train Systems. A large percentage of the old train systems in Australia have old equipment which decreases the efficiency and reliability of the system and they can be replaced by high power smart converters with minimum losses and electromagnetic interference. This project aims to improve the efficiency of train systems by intelligent distributed control syste ....High Efficient and Reliable Power Converters with Low Electromagnetic Interference Based on an Intelligent Distributed Control System in Train Systems. A large percentage of the old train systems in Australia have old equipment which decreases the efficiency and reliability of the system and they can be replaced by high power smart converters with minimum losses and electromagnetic interference. This project aims to improve the efficiency of train systems by intelligent distributed control systems which reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The outcomes can be applied to other transport systems in Australia. Another benefit is the production of a PhD graduand with significant experience in the use of smart power converters to improve efficiency of all types of transport systems. Read moreRead less
Design tools for optimising data centre layout to minimise energy usage. Data centres are major consumers of energy worldwide, mainly through the need to cool the equipment. It has become imperative to develop the science for reducing this consumption. Rising computing demand, increasing power density, and increasing infrastructure and energy costs are major issue for data centres around the world. Our research will provide a powerful alternative to conventional thermal management techniques for ....Design tools for optimising data centre layout to minimise energy usage. Data centres are major consumers of energy worldwide, mainly through the need to cool the equipment. It has become imperative to develop the science for reducing this consumption. Rising computing demand, increasing power density, and increasing infrastructure and energy costs are major issue for data centres around the world. Our research will provide a powerful alternative to conventional thermal management techniques for cooling high-density heat loads in mixed-density environments. We will address the key issue of energy minimisation through a detailed flow analyses by the use of numerical simulations and optimisation algorithms.Read moreRead less