Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100863
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$460,847.00
Summary
High-Efficiency, Modular and Low-Cost Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage . Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction and storage. This project aims to develop a novel multi-faceted cooling system and software to increase efficiency, lower cost, and improve the safety of hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The project will establish a new multi-disciplinary research capability in Australia and expand our fundamental knowledge to model, design, and build modular liquefaction and zero-boil-off ....High-Efficiency, Modular and Low-Cost Hydrogen Liquefaction and Storage . Australia’s first modular hydrogen liquefaction and storage. This project aims to develop a novel multi-faceted cooling system and software to increase efficiency, lower cost, and improve the safety of hydrogen liquefaction and storage. The project will establish a new multi-disciplinary research capability in Australia and expand our fundamental knowledge to model, design, and build modular liquefaction and zero-boil-off storage systems, allowing widespread distribution and usage of hydrogen. It will create a paradigm shift from traditional scale-up to modern number-up approaches. This level of innovation is crucial for Australia to lead the world in hydrogen and also enable accessible and sustainable clean energy sources for Australians.Read moreRead less
Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing ....Biochar as a renewable catalyst for hot gas cleaning. This project aims to generate new knowledge for the development of a novel hot gas cleaning technology. This project expects to understand the mechanisms of tar reforming using biochar as a renewable catalyst, which can avoid the problems associated with the catalyst deactivation and catalyst disposal if conventional supported catalysts are used. Expected outcomes of this project include a theoretical framework and a kinetic model describing the catalytic reforming of tar as part of the hot gas cleaning during the conversion of biomass. The technology will contribute to Australia’s improved energy security and reduced carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in the carbon-constrained future.Read moreRead less
A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through t ....A New Spin on Liquid Hydrogen: Controlled Cold Energy. While hydrogen is set to play a leading role in global decarbonisation, significant challenges remain regarding methods for its reliable storage and transportation. Hydrogen liquefaction has emerged as a promising approach in this regard due to its high energy density and hydrogen purity, but is currently prohibitively expensive. In this project we will exploit the peculiar spin physics of hydrogen to alleviate liquefactions costs through the provision of controllable refrigeration (so-called 'cold energy') following regasification. In particular we will measure, optimise and exploit the highly endothermic catalysed conversion of para- to ortho- hydrogen, which can provide up to 525 kJ/kg of cooling at convenient temperatures. 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
Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and s ....Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and steel industries. It is not only significant for low-carbon steel production, but also for better fundamental understanding to develop the future zero-emission iron and steelmaking with hydrogen. The project will be very beneficent because it increases the use of lump iron ore and expends Australian export of iron ores.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220101043
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$413,482.00
Summary
Peculiar membrane structures for removing microplastics from water. Microplastic pollution can inflict irreparable damage to human health and the environment. This project aims to develop functional membrane structures specifically designed to remove microplastics from aquatic and wastewater treatment systems. The approach will utilise advanced techniques in material science, separation science and fluid mechanics. The expected outcomes include advanced membranes with high separation efficiency ....Peculiar membrane structures for removing microplastics from water. Microplastic pollution can inflict irreparable damage to human health and the environment. This project aims to develop functional membrane structures specifically designed to remove microplastics from aquatic and wastewater treatment systems. The approach will utilise advanced techniques in material science, separation science and fluid mechanics. The expected outcomes include advanced membranes with high separation efficiency for microplastics filtration. This will have significant benefits, including the efficient removal of microplastics from water sources securing cleaner potable, irrigation and recycled water, and contributing to a safer, healthier environment for all Australians.Read moreRead less
Regeneration of High Value-Added Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries. This project aims to develop scalable processing techniques for the regeneration of cathode materials and the production of high-purity alumina and graphene from spent lithium-ion batteries. The techniques reduce the cost and time of the processing of degraded cathode materials and increase the value of the spent battery materials (e.g., metallic aluminum and graphite) by converting them into high value-added specialty ....Regeneration of High Value-Added Materials from Spent Lithium-Ion Batteries. This project aims to develop scalable processing techniques for the regeneration of cathode materials and the production of high-purity alumina and graphene from spent lithium-ion batteries. The techniques reduce the cost and time of the processing of degraded cathode materials and increase the value of the spent battery materials (e.g., metallic aluminum and graphite) by converting them into high value-added specialty chemicals. The outcomes and further technology adoptions will extend the capacity of the Partner Organisation for producing specialty battery materials. The outcomes could help Australia’s battery industry switch to a more diversified pathway, which benefits the economic development of Australia in a long term.Read moreRead less
Monitoring Desalination Membrane Fouling using Sodium Magnetic Resonance. Seawater desalination using membrane modules is critical technology for potable water access, however it faces significant challenges due to fouling. Sodium magnetic resonance techniques will be developed to non-invasively detect and image salt accumulation in these opaque membrane modules due to fouling. These data will first be used to improve our understanding of the unexplored interplay between fouling and detrimental ....Monitoring Desalination Membrane Fouling using Sodium Magnetic Resonance. Seawater desalination using membrane modules is critical technology for potable water access, however it faces significant challenges due to fouling. Sodium magnetic resonance techniques will be developed to non-invasively detect and image salt accumulation in these opaque membrane modules due to fouling. These data will first be used to improve our understanding of the unexplored interplay between fouling and detrimental salt accumulation in the modules (known as cake-enhanced concentration polarisation) and thus validate 3D simulations of this phenomenon. The ability to unambiguously detect salt accumulation in membrane modules will then be extrapolated to a non-invasive monitoring tool for membrane fouling in desalination facilities.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH230100011
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$4,955,854.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste. This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing underutilised carbon waste within Australia. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, and improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres and plastics. It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneuri ....ARC Research Hub for Value-Added Processing of Underutilised Carbon Waste. This Hub aims to advance upcycling technologies and associated regulatory and social engagement for processing underutilised carbon waste within Australia. Its anticipated goal is to deliver value-added products, and improved technology readiness levels for full exploitation of carbon wastes from agriculture, tyres and plastics. It will also train a large talent pool providing interdisciplinary knowledge and entrepreneurial skills for post-hub commercialisation. The Hub will benefit rural Australia by transforming local job markets and manufacturing capability. Ultimately, this Hub will make a significant contribution towards achieving Australia’s National Waste Action Plan goal by 2030, and a circular economy for a sustainable future. Read moreRead less
Efficient Pipeline Transport of Highly Concentrated Wastewater Sludge . This project aims to investigate the rheology and fluid mechanics of highly concentrated wastewater sludges and develop tools to support effective pipeline designs for wastewater treatment plants. The project expects to generate new knowledge about the complex flow of concentrated wastewater which will enable predictive models to support the design and optimization of pipeline transport systems. Expected outcomes of the proj ....Efficient Pipeline Transport of Highly Concentrated Wastewater Sludge . This project aims to investigate the rheology and fluid mechanics of highly concentrated wastewater sludges and develop tools to support effective pipeline designs for wastewater treatment plants. The project expects to generate new knowledge about the complex flow of concentrated wastewater which will enable predictive models to support the design and optimization of pipeline transport systems. Expected outcomes of the project include a new toolkit that will enable wastewater treatment plants to design and optimize both existing and future pipeline systems. This will support the Australian wastewater industry to plan for future growth, increase throughput and efficiency, reduce environmental pollutants, and capital and operating costs.Read moreRead less