Advanced modelling and optimisation of Underground Coal Gasification. The last decade is characterised by increasing interest of many countries in obtaining and developing Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) technologies. Recent long-term successful trial in Chinchilla has proven that the technology is ready for commercial use but the fundamental research into UCG is needed for further improvement of the technology performance in commercial applications. The major goal of this project is in comb ....Advanced modelling and optimisation of Underground Coal Gasification. The last decade is characterised by increasing interest of many countries in obtaining and developing Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) technologies. Recent long-term successful trial in Chinchilla has proven that the technology is ready for commercial use but the fundamental research into UCG is needed for further improvement of the technology performance in commercial applications. The major goal of this project is in combining most recent advances in combustion modelling with practical UCG operations and developing new advanced models specifically for UCG diagnostics and optimisation. The project outcomes involve: better understanding and optimisation of UCG processes and further development of advanced modelling techniques.
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Response of residential structures to blast vibration. This proposed project combines the expertise and disciplines of residential construction, structural dynamics and blasting technology. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a rational methodology for assessing the damage potential of ground vibration resulting from blasting on typical Australian residential structures. The project involves field blast vibration measurements, static and dynamic laboratory tests on structural sub-assem ....Response of residential structures to blast vibration. This proposed project combines the expertise and disciplines of residential construction, structural dynamics and blasting technology. The ultimate aim of the project is to develop a rational methodology for assessing the damage potential of ground vibration resulting from blasting on typical Australian residential structures. The project involves field blast vibration measurements, static and dynamic laboratory tests on structural sub-assemblages in a controlled environment, and comprehensive analytical modelling of both loading and response. The outcomes from this research will have direct application to the mining, insurance, construction and defence industries.Read moreRead less
Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on ....Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on land and sea. A laboratory-scale process will be developed and tested at a larger scale. The new knowledge that is gained will be essential for the successful introduction of the new technology into the Australian coal industry.Read moreRead less
An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon kn ....An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon known as wind blast. The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon and thus provide a basis on which to develop strategies to mitigate the hazard. Outcomes are expected to be improved levels of mining safety, technical viability and economics.Read moreRead less
Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the ....Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the mining method will be examined rigorously relative to the Australian geological and stress environment and safety requirement. The parameters influencing the applicability of the method as well as the support design criteria and performance will be researched using comparative, analytical and numerical modelling methods.Read moreRead less
Novel Cutting Picks for Mining Industry and an Australian Standard. This research will enable the development of highly efficient and robust mining picks and establish the methodology and techniques for setting up an Australian standard for mining picks which does not exist at present but is imperatively needed by the mining industry. The novel technology will provide effective solutions to improving mine environment and safety, and reducing nation's power consumption, green house gas emission, ....Novel Cutting Picks for Mining Industry and an Australian Standard. This research will enable the development of highly efficient and robust mining picks and establish the methodology and techniques for setting up an Australian standard for mining picks which does not exist at present but is imperatively needed by the mining industry. The novel technology will provide effective solutions to improving mine environment and safety, and reducing nation's power consumption, green house gas emission, and environmental pollution. These will in turn reduce the probability of black lung which has been the biggest killer of underground workers in mines.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130100457
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$360,945.00
Summary
Dynamic fracturing in shale rock through coupled continuum-discontinuum modelling. The research includes modelling the grain level fracturing of shale rock under dynamic loads. The outputs will have a direct impact on the development and optimisation of rock drilling and rock cutting technologies and will improve the operational efficiencies in which rock excavations are conducted.
Using Mathematics to Maximize the Value of Open-Pit Mines. Mineral resources are one of Australia's greatest assets. Their effective management will bring substantial long-term benefits to the Australian economy. Planning the exploitation of a mineral resource is a highly complex task. Current methods are approximate, and do not fully consider two critical issues: (1) ore mined at different times must be blended to achieve saleable product and (2) resource markets may not evolve as predicted ....Using Mathematics to Maximize the Value of Open-Pit Mines. Mineral resources are one of Australia's greatest assets. Their effective management will bring substantial long-term benefits to the Australian economy. Planning the exploitation of a mineral resource is a highly complex task. Current methods are approximate, and do not fully consider two critical issues: (1) ore mined at different times must be blended to achieve saleable product and (2) resource markets may not evolve as predicted. In this project we shall develop creative mathematical solutions to maximise the expected net present value of mines with far greater accuracy, taking into account blending and the uncertain nature of future demand.Read moreRead less
Microbiologically Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking in Underground Mines. Premature brittle failure of rock & cable bolts due to stress corrosion cracking can cause fatalities and serious damage, and has been reported in several mining operations across Australia and world-wide. The evidence suggests that microbial activity is a contributing factor. The project aims to implement experimental methodologies to determine the specific conditions responsible for bolt failure and develop novel prevent ....Microbiologically Induced Stress Corrosion Cracking in Underground Mines. Premature brittle failure of rock & cable bolts due to stress corrosion cracking can cause fatalities and serious damage, and has been reported in several mining operations across Australia and world-wide. The evidence suggests that microbial activity is a contributing factor. The project aims to implement experimental methodologies to determine the specific conditions responsible for bolt failure and develop novel prevention techniques applicable in underground mines. The benefits of this research will be improved understanding of the environment causing catastrophic failure of bolts and avoidance of potential hazards & economic loss in mining projects. This will lead to improved safety & increased productivity in mining operations.Read moreRead less
Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving produc ....Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving productivity and occupational safety. The national interest will also be served by this project's significant contribution to Australia's leadership position as an innovator in frontier technologies for mining and robotics. Furthermore, the research outcomes will help to solve similar positioning problems in hazardous, GPS-denied environments such as urban search and rescue.Read moreRead less