Hydrodynamics of Bubble Column Reactors. This project will study the hydrodynamics of bubble columns with the aim of optimising these reactors for offshore gas-to-liquid plants. Along with experiments using the state-of-art techniques such as the particle image velocimetry, radioactive particle tracking, electrical capacitance tomography and optical probes, computational fluid dynamics simulations will be conducted to gain a deeper insight into bubble-induced turbulence and regime transitions in ....Hydrodynamics of Bubble Column Reactors. This project will study the hydrodynamics of bubble columns with the aim of optimising these reactors for offshore gas-to-liquid plants. Along with experiments using the state-of-art techniques such as the particle image velocimetry, radioactive particle tracking, electrical capacitance tomography and optical probes, computational fluid dynamics simulations will be conducted to gain a deeper insight into bubble-induced turbulence and regime transitions in these reactors. This information will then be used to devise scale-up strategies of these complex and industrially important equipment.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
Influence of adsorbed surfactants on three phase contact line motion at high capillary number. The interaction between thin films and solid surfaces underpins the performance of a number of value-adding industrial processes, most notably metallurgical coating operations. Typically, these operations are performed at speeds well beyond the range of existing models, thereby limiting their value when changes in operation occur or when there are problems with product quality. Existing models are also ....Influence of adsorbed surfactants on three phase contact line motion at high capillary number. The interaction between thin films and solid surfaces underpins the performance of a number of value-adding industrial processes, most notably metallurgical coating operations. Typically, these operations are performed at speeds well beyond the range of existing models, thereby limiting their value when changes in operation occur or when there are problems with product quality. Existing models are also limited by their inability to account for the presence of surfactants commonly used throughout industry. This study will produce a capability for predicting how velocity and local changes in molecular composition affect the wetting/dewetting of coated surfaces.Read moreRead less
New technology for designing advanced surface textures. This project aims to develop new methods for the characterisation of advanced textures to aid the manufacturing industry. There is an increasing demand for surfaces with various texture patterns manufactured by modern industry. Thus, novel texture characterisation methods are needed. New methods will allow for optimisation of surface textures for example for improved energy efficiency, bone growth in artificial implants, and others.
Development of Novel Metaconcrete to Resist Impulsive Loads. This project aims to develop innovative metaconcrete for structural protection by utilising the concept of phononic crystals and metamaterials which has been recently developed by physicists. Traditional construction materials are used in new structural forms to mitigate dynamic loading effects by exploiting the unique characteristics of the proposed metaconcrete. Theoretical, numerical and experimental methods will be used to derive t ....Development of Novel Metaconcrete to Resist Impulsive Loads. This project aims to develop innovative metaconcrete for structural protection by utilising the concept of phononic crystals and metamaterials which has been recently developed by physicists. Traditional construction materials are used in new structural forms to mitigate dynamic loading effects by exploiting the unique characteristics of the proposed metaconcrete. Theoretical, numerical and experimental methods will be used to derive the best performing metaconcrete and verify its static and dynamic load resistant capacities. The expected outcomes of the project will lead to innovative extreme-loading resistant designs and provide significant benefit to the Australian construction industry, general public and economy.Read moreRead less
Developing innovative concrete composites by upscaling material properties. This project aims to develop an upscaling process to correlate micro-nano properties of engineering materials to their comprehensive physicochemical properties based on systematic mechanical and statistical analysis approaches and nanoindentation technology. The process will enable assessing material mechanical and viscoelastic properties at a microscale level thus will generate a new knowledge in structural engineering ....Developing innovative concrete composites by upscaling material properties. This project aims to develop an upscaling process to correlate micro-nano properties of engineering materials to their comprehensive physicochemical properties based on systematic mechanical and statistical analysis approaches and nanoindentation technology. The process will enable assessing material mechanical and viscoelastic properties at a microscale level thus will generate a new knowledge in structural engineering discipline including health monitoring, assessment of existing structures, historical buildings, and strengthening and repairing materials in structures. The outcomes are a multiscale link model for upscaling material properties and a development of innovative reinforced concrete composites which are cost-effective and efficient.Read moreRead less
A 21st century laboratory testing device for geotechnical engineering. This project aims to use advanced image analysis and cloud computing technologies to replace manual, time-consuming and subjective geotechnical engineering practices with a rapid, automated, and more rational approach. A new geo-materials testing system based on the existing triaxial apparatus will be developed that employs three-dimensional image capture hardware and advanced image analysis techniques. The data measured over ....A 21st century laboratory testing device for geotechnical engineering. This project aims to use advanced image analysis and cloud computing technologies to replace manual, time-consuming and subjective geotechnical engineering practices with a rapid, automated, and more rational approach. A new geo-materials testing system based on the existing triaxial apparatus will be developed that employs three-dimensional image capture hardware and advanced image analysis techniques. The data measured over the entire sample surface will feed into an automated, intelligent parameter selection procedure combining finite element analysis with numerical optimisation techniques. Application of the proposal’s findings will allow more accurate and efficient engineering design of transport and energy infrastructure that supports modern economies.Read moreRead less
Development of design and analysis methods for blast-resistant window structures. More than 80 per cent of casualties in explosion events are caused by glass shards from fractured windows. This project aims to develop design guidelines for blast-resistant windows, develop numerical methods to predict window failure and fragmentation, and investigate the effectiveness of various window-strengthening measures for life and property protection.
Improved analysis and design of structures to resist blast and impact. This project aims to develop an improved single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model which can be easily used in design analysis by engineers and yield accurate structural response predictions in analysis of structures subjected to blast and impact loads. Current practice uses SDOF models in analysis of structures subjected to blast and impact loads, however many experimental tests and high fidelity numerical simulations have revea ....Improved analysis and design of structures to resist blast and impact. This project aims to develop an improved single-degree-of-freedom (SDOF) model which can be easily used in design analysis by engineers and yield accurate structural response predictions in analysis of structures subjected to blast and impact loads. Current practice uses SDOF models in analysis of structures subjected to blast and impact loads, however many experimental tests and high fidelity numerical simulations have revealed the SDOF analysis does not always lead to accurate structural response predictions. This project will develop an improved SDOF model, which can be easily used in design analysis by engineers and yield accurate structural response predictions. These will lead to more economical designs and robust structures that resist blast and impact loads.Read moreRead less
Development of Precast Concrete Segmental Columns to Resist Dynamic Loads. Using precast segmental concrete columns in structures improves the construction efficiency and site safety, leads to better construction quality control, and reduces the construction cost, site disruption and environmental impacts. The performance of segmental columns to resist earthquake and blast loads is not well studied yet. As a structure might be subject to such loads during its service life, understanding its resi ....Development of Precast Concrete Segmental Columns to Resist Dynamic Loads. Using precast segmental concrete columns in structures improves the construction efficiency and site safety, leads to better construction quality control, and reduces the construction cost, site disruption and environmental impacts. The performance of segmental columns to resist earthquake and blast loads is not well studied yet. As a structure might be subject to such loads during its service life, understanding its resistance capacities is essential for structural safety. This project aims to perform experimental and numerical investigations to study the performance of precast segmental concrete columns under earthquake and blast loads, and develop analytical and design methods for applications of such columns in building and bridge structures.Read moreRead less