Methane Coupling Using Mixed Conducting Catalytic Ceramic Hollow Fibre Membrane Reactor. The Gas product industry is one of the most important economic sectors in Australia, employing 10000 people with market value of $ 100 billion per year from power generation and LNG export. However, there are increasing concerns over issues of the green house gases emission and petroleum dwindling. This project addresses the technology needs in converting natural gas to more useful chemicals via a more effic ....Methane Coupling Using Mixed Conducting Catalytic Ceramic Hollow Fibre Membrane Reactor. The Gas product industry is one of the most important economic sectors in Australia, employing 10000 people with market value of $ 100 billion per year from power generation and LNG export. However, there are increasing concerns over issues of the green house gases emission and petroleum dwindling. This project addresses the technology needs in converting natural gas to more useful chemicals via a more efficient and cleaner means of methane utilization. The project target is to make the natural gas resources in Australia to delivery high value products with considerable economic benefits and increased employment opportunities. Read moreRead less
Ignition Mechanisms and Flame Evolution of Single Particles and Clouds of Pulverised Coal under Microgravity Condition. Gravity obscures some of the most subtle phenomena that are key to answering outstanding questions today, including combustion phenomena. The main scientific benefit from this fundamental research stems from the fact that it addresses far-reaching issues that transcend the boundaries of combustion science. It provides a rare opportunity to observe and understand the fundamental ....Ignition Mechanisms and Flame Evolution of Single Particles and Clouds of Pulverised Coal under Microgravity Condition. Gravity obscures some of the most subtle phenomena that are key to answering outstanding questions today, including combustion phenomena. The main scientific benefit from this fundamental research stems from the fact that it addresses far-reaching issues that transcend the boundaries of combustion science. It provides a rare opportunity to observe and understand the fundamental phenomena of combustion beyond the limitation of gravity on the earth surface, thus enriching our body of knowledge in this area. This new knowledge will provide a foundation for tomorrow's combustion science and technology.Read moreRead less
Unravelling the geodynamics of eastern Australia during the Permian: the link between plate boundary bending and basin formation. Using paleomagnetic and sedimentological investigations, this project will unravel the Permian tectonic history of eastern Australia, which has hitherto remained poorly understood. The reconstruction will provide a crucial component in our attempt to model the evolution of the Australian continent and its associated natural resources.
Theoretical and experimental study of elastic properties of porous media permeated by aligned fractures. The aim of the project is to develop a theoretical model for the elastic properties of fractured porous reservoir rocks, taking into account the wave-induced fluid flow between pores and fractures. This will be done by theoretical analysis based on the model of fractures as planes of discontinuity in porous rock, and on the theory of wave propagation in anisotropic porous media. The theoretic ....Theoretical and experimental study of elastic properties of porous media permeated by aligned fractures. The aim of the project is to develop a theoretical model for the elastic properties of fractured porous reservoir rocks, taking into account the wave-induced fluid flow between pores and fractures. This will be done by theoretical analysis based on the model of fractures as planes of discontinuity in porous rock, and on the theory of wave propagation in anisotropic porous media. The theoretical model will be verified using numerical simulations and ultrasonic measurements made on synthetic porous and fractured samples. The results are expected to benefit seismic exploration and the production of oil and gas in fractured reservoirs.Read moreRead less
Fundamental research for advanced gasification technologies for low-rank coal and biomass in the carbon-constrained world. This project aims to acquire fundamental knowledge in order to develop advanced gasification technologies with high efficiencies and the capability to couple with carbon storage facilities in the carbon-constrained future. These technologies will contribute to the reduction of Australia's CO2 emissions using its cheap low-rank coal and biomass.
Oxy-cofiring of bio-slurry and coal for carbon-negative power generation. This project aims to study co-firing characteristics of bio-slurry fuels and coal under oxy-pulverised-fuel (oxy-PF) conditions. Oxy-PF stationary systems can capture the renewable carbon embedded in bio-slurry fuel from biomass pyrolysis for sequestration, leading to carbon-negative power generation. The expected outcomes are critical knowledge and data regarding the underlying thermochemical reactions responsible for the ....Oxy-cofiring of bio-slurry and coal for carbon-negative power generation. This project aims to study co-firing characteristics of bio-slurry fuels and coal under oxy-pulverised-fuel (oxy-PF) conditions. Oxy-PF stationary systems can capture the renewable carbon embedded in bio-slurry fuel from biomass pyrolysis for sequestration, leading to carbon-negative power generation. The expected outcomes are critical knowledge and data regarding the underlying thermochemical reactions responsible for the co-pyrolysis, volatiles/char co-firing and ash formation from bio-slurry/coal co-firing under oxy-PF conditions. This is expected to enhance Australia's competitive advantage in clean power generation through high-impact scientific and technological innovations, and strengthen the related knowledge and skill base in the country.Read moreRead less
Bio-oil/char slurry from biomass for co-combustion in coal power plants: achieving power generation with a significant reduction of CO2 emission. This project will develop an advanced co-combustion technology of bio-oil/char slurry (i.e. bioslurry), prepared from biomass pyrolysis products, and coal in the existing coal-fired power plants for achieving significant CO2 reduction. It will enhance Australia's competitive advantage through high impact scientific and technological innovations.
Initiation of spontaneous fires. This project aims to determine the origin of the initiation reactions that set off the self-heating of wood chips, coal, milk powder and other economically-important materials, leading to spontaneous fires. This project will provide fundamental understanding of the reactions between electronically excited species of oxygen and carbonaceous fuels, with applications to improved safety in wood, mineral and food industries. The outcomes include identification of the ....Initiation of spontaneous fires. This project aims to determine the origin of the initiation reactions that set off the self-heating of wood chips, coal, milk powder and other economically-important materials, leading to spontaneous fires. This project will provide fundamental understanding of the reactions between electronically excited species of oxygen and carbonaceous fuels, with applications to improved safety in wood, mineral and food industries. The outcomes include identification of the initiation mechanisms and development of mechanistic models that include the initiation step of the self-heating process, and development of new technologies for mitigation of spontaneous fires, based on quenching of the initiation reactions.Read moreRead less