Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this ....Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this research will also minimize the environmental and occupational health impacts of various process emissions, making the industry more sustainable.Read moreRead less
Heat capacities of Bayer liquors to 300C. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries, earning ~$6 billion per year export income. However, major productivity gains are required for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. More accurate thermodynamic calculations, covering the full plant operating range, are seen by the industry as an important way to increase productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must e ....Heat capacities of Bayer liquors to 300C. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries, earning ~$6 billion per year export income. However, major productivity gains are required for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. More accurate thermodynamic calculations, covering the full plant operating range, are seen by the industry as an important way to increase productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must extend current theoretical understanding and establish an experimental capability, hitherto unavailable in Australia, for measuring heat capacities and densities of solutions to temperatures as high as 300 C.Read moreRead less
Modelling Bayer Plant Liquors for Industrial Process Simulations. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries but it exists within an increasingly competitive global market. More meaningful computer simulations of the Bayer process, covering conditions far beyond current plant operating ranges, are seen by Australian producers as an important way to increase future productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must develop ....Modelling Bayer Plant Liquors for Industrial Process Simulations. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries but it exists within an increasingly competitive global market. More meaningful computer simulations of the Bayer process, covering conditions far beyond current plant operating ranges, are seen by Australian producers as an important way to increase future productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must develop hitherto unavailable modelling capabilities for predicting the behaviour of Bayer plant liquors. The more robust thermodynamic models developed in this project will enable more realistic simulations, which are a prerequisite for innovative process design and optimisation.Read moreRead less
Template-free Control of Titania Precipitation from Homogeneous Aqueous Solution. Used in the paint, plastic, ceramic, paper and synthetic fibre industries and having strategic nano-technological applications, titania is an important commodity for Australia, earning about $1.3 billion p.a. in exports. Better production methods through improved understanding of titania precipitation chemistry will help to increase our industrial productivity and minimise energy consumption. It may also lead to us ....Template-free Control of Titania Precipitation from Homogeneous Aqueous Solution. Used in the paint, plastic, ceramic, paper and synthetic fibre industries and having strategic nano-technological applications, titania is an important commodity for Australia, earning about $1.3 billion p.a. in exports. Better production methods through improved understanding of titania precipitation chemistry will help to increase our industrial productivity and minimise energy consumption. It may also lead to useful new processes and/or materials with catalytic properties. In an increasingly competitive global market, this is most relevant to Australian titania exporters and to Australian renewable energy programs (particularly for generating photovoltaic power). Read moreRead less