Methanol to diesel. Australia has large remote gas reserves which are not accessible to markets via pipeline and cannot be effectively utilised using liquefied natural gas technology. Fischer-Tropsch conversion of gas to liquid (GTL), being capital intense, is uneconomical for these stranded gas resources. This project will develop a new GTL technology to produce sulphur-free, clean combustion diesel. The outcomes of this research will be a frontier technology that allows more effective utilisat ....Methanol to diesel. Australia has large remote gas reserves which are not accessible to markets via pipeline and cannot be effectively utilised using liquefied natural gas technology. Fischer-Tropsch conversion of gas to liquid (GTL), being capital intense, is uneconomical for these stranded gas resources. This project will develop a new GTL technology to produce sulphur-free, clean combustion diesel. The outcomes of this research will be a frontier technology that allows more effective utilisation of Australian remote gas resources to meet rising global demand for transport fuels, adding enormous value to Australian natural resources and contributing to Building and Transforming Australian industries.Read moreRead less
Syngas Production Using Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming. This project intends to pave the way for turning remote low-value Australian resources and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Most of Australian natural gas reserves are located in the remote north-west shelf, and many are small scale and thus cannot be economically harnessed using conventional methods such as pipeline transportation or gas liquefaction. In this project, a dry reforming reactor with novel catalysts will be des ....Syngas Production Using Catalytic Carbon Dioxide Dry Reforming. This project intends to pave the way for turning remote low-value Australian resources and greenhouse gases into valuable products. Most of Australian natural gas reserves are located in the remote north-west shelf, and many are small scale and thus cannot be economically harnessed using conventional methods such as pipeline transportation or gas liquefaction. In this project, a dry reforming reactor with novel catalysts will be designed for converting natural gas and carbon dioxide to syngas, which is an intermediate step of gas-to-liquid plant. By innovatively integrating advanced catalysis and heating technologies, reactor weight and operational costs will be minimised.Read moreRead less
Process studies for photocatalytic rejuvenation of spent industrial Bayer liquor. A new low-energy photocatalytic process for the continuous treatment of spent liquor from the Bayer process for alumina production has been demonstrated. This new technology can process up to 1500 litres of industrial caustic effluent per day with a reduction in carbon dioxide release. The photo-treated refinery wastewater also provides water savings of 30 per cent.
Highly-efficient, reversible fuel cell. This project aims to develop a reversible fuel cell - electrolyser capable of storing electricity (in the form of hydrogen gas) with the same overall energy efficiency as the best present storage system, pumped hydro. Whereas pumped hydro requires large infrastructure like dams, the proposed cell will be extremely inexpensive and easily scalable.
Model studies of the flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in fluid bed reactors. The Australian steel industry has a turnover of around $11 billion (5% of total manufacturing), being a largest manufacturing sector in Australia. Iron ore sintering and blast furnace ironmaking are two important processes in an integrated steel works. This project aims to understand and model the particle-fluid flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in the two processes, formulating ....Model studies of the flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in fluid bed reactors. The Australian steel industry has a turnover of around $11 billion (5% of total manufacturing), being a largest manufacturing sector in Australia. Iron ore sintering and blast furnace ironmaking are two important processes in an integrated steel works. This project aims to understand and model the particle-fluid flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in the two processes, formulating strategies for improving the process control and productivity and energy saving. The research outcomes (theory/model/understanding) are useful to fluid bed reactors which are widely used in mineral/metallurgical/chemical industries. Their application can improve the competitiveness of the steel and other industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Fundamental Investigation of metal/refractory interactions in processing of non-ferrous metals: Wettability Phenomena. This project aims to develop new understanding of interfacial phenomenon during refractory/metal reactions including the influence of novel additives on wettability leading to optimisation of refractory composition during processing of non-ferrous metals. This project will allow development of advanced refractories that will enhance corrosion resistance thereby improving refract ....Fundamental Investigation of metal/refractory interactions in processing of non-ferrous metals: Wettability Phenomena. This project aims to develop new understanding of interfacial phenomenon during refractory/metal reactions including the influence of novel additives on wettability leading to optimisation of refractory composition during processing of non-ferrous metals. This project will allow development of advanced refractories that will enhance corrosion resistance thereby improving refractory life and efficiency of metal production. This can contribute in further enhancing Australia's position as a significant producer and exporter of aluminium and associated products. The project will generate scientific data on refractory/metal interactions and establish influence of non-wetting agents in improving refractory performance against metal attack. Read moreRead less
Precision Bending of 6xxx Aluminium Extrusions. The use of aluminium in transportation applications is predicted to double over the next 10 years. The use of extruded aluminium in structural components such as space frames is a growing area, and bending is an integral and critical process in the production of such components. The aim of this project is to develop key knowledge and technology necessary for precision bending of extruded aluminium profiles. The main outcomes will be: (i) Understand ....Precision Bending of 6xxx Aluminium Extrusions. The use of aluminium in transportation applications is predicted to double over the next 10 years. The use of extruded aluminium in structural components such as space frames is a growing area, and bending is an integral and critical process in the production of such components. The aim of this project is to develop key knowledge and technology necessary for precision bending of extruded aluminium profiles. The main outcomes will be: (i) Understanding of the relationship between extrusion conditions, microstructure and bendability of structural profiles. This will enable the optimisation of the extrusion process to ensure consistent bending behaviour. (ii) Development of the rubber-pad technology for precision bending.Read moreRead less
New Generation Pipeline and Q&T Plate Steels. If successful, the progressive reformulation of the alloy design of a new family of steels would enhance their properties, greatly reduce the complexity of manufacture, ensure more efficient steelmaking production practices and enable the full capacity of the domestic pipe mills and plate manufacturing facilities to be realised. This innovative and new approach opens up opportunities for market growth and export potential in areas of fundamental impo ....New Generation Pipeline and Q&T Plate Steels. If successful, the progressive reformulation of the alloy design of a new family of steels would enhance their properties, greatly reduce the complexity of manufacture, ensure more efficient steelmaking production practices and enable the full capacity of the domestic pipe mills and plate manufacturing facilities to be realised. This innovative and new approach opens up opportunities for market growth and export potential in areas of fundamental importance to Australia's infrastructure and mining industries and defence capability. Implementation of this newly developed technology would, for the first time, create export market opportunities for Australian pipe manufacturers.
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Thermal management of methane fuelled planar solid oxide fuel cells. Solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs) are novel devices for generating energy with extremely low emissions. This project will conduct novel experiments and numerical simulations to improve the efficiency of SOFCs. This will then allow wider adoption of this technology, thus reducing CO2 and other environmental emissions from our power generation systems.
Understanding and minimising oxidation during hot rolling and metal coating of steel strip. Steel production is one of the few manufacturing industries in which Australia is internationally competitive. Annual steel exports generate about two billion dollars in national income. Substantial value is added to raw steel by hot rolling it into sheet and coating with zincalume and paint. The market for these products is intensely competitive, and continued success is critically dependent on produc ....Understanding and minimising oxidation during hot rolling and metal coating of steel strip. Steel production is one of the few manufacturing industries in which Australia is internationally competitive. Annual steel exports generate about two billion dollars in national income. Substantial value is added to raw steel by hot rolling it into sheet and coating with zincalume and paint. The market for these products is intensely competitive, and continued success is critically dependent on productivity and quality. This project will assist BlueScope Steel in understanding and controlling millscale development on hot rolled products, and avoiding scale defects in zincalume coating.Read moreRead less