High quality and robust energy conversion systems for distribution networks. This project aims to protect distribution networks by reducing harmonics and electromagnetic Interference generated by modern power electronics equipment. Due to global demand for energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the utilisation of renewable energy sources and efficient loads using power electronics technology in distribution networks is increasing. Aspects of this technology are highly complex ....High quality and robust energy conversion systems for distribution networks. This project aims to protect distribution networks by reducing harmonics and electromagnetic Interference generated by modern power electronics equipment. Due to global demand for energy savings and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the utilisation of renewable energy sources and efficient loads using power electronics technology in distribution networks is increasing. Aspects of this technology are highly complex and not well understood and the robustness of existing and future power grids will be affected. The project will minimise risk factors associated with high frequency noise and resonances in low voltage grids both of which are very important for power electronics manufacturers and utility companies in Australia.Read moreRead less
Reactivity of Carbon-Carbon Composites. This project investigates the reactivity of pitch-coke carbon composites with the aim of minimising oxidative carbon loss from anodes during aluminium smelting. Such carbon loss accounts for about 15 percent of the total carbon consumption in smelting, and its reduction will provide considerable economic benefit besides contributing to mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. In the present project the effect of coke calcination and composite baking temper ....Reactivity of Carbon-Carbon Composites. This project investigates the reactivity of pitch-coke carbon composites with the aim of minimising oxidative carbon loss from anodes during aluminium smelting. Such carbon loss accounts for about 15 percent of the total carbon consumption in smelting, and its reduction will provide considerable economic benefit besides contributing to mitigation of greenhouse gas emission. In the present project the effect of coke calcination and composite baking temperatures on the relationship between anode microstructure and reactivity in oxygen as well as carbon dioxide will be investigated, and optimum process conditions determined for minimum reactive carbon loss during smelting.Read moreRead less
Design tools for optimising data centre layout to minimise energy usage. Data centres are major consumers of energy worldwide, mainly through the need to cool the equipment. It has become imperative to develop the science for reducing this consumption. Rising computing demand, increasing power density, and increasing infrastructure and energy costs are major issue for data centres around the world. Our research will provide a powerful alternative to conventional thermal management techniques for ....Design tools for optimising data centre layout to minimise energy usage. Data centres are major consumers of energy worldwide, mainly through the need to cool the equipment. It has become imperative to develop the science for reducing this consumption. Rising computing demand, increasing power density, and increasing infrastructure and energy costs are major issue for data centres around the world. Our research will provide a powerful alternative to conventional thermal management techniques for cooling high-density heat loads in mixed-density environments. We will address the key issue of energy minimisation through a detailed flow analyses by the use of numerical simulations and optimisation algorithms.Read moreRead less
Advanced all-Iron flow batteries for stationary energy storage. Iron flow batteries are one of the most promising choices for clean, reliable and cost effective long-duration energy storage. The main obstacle for large scale commercial deployment is the low round-trip energy efficiency caused by the competitive side reaction that occurs at the negative electrode during battery charging. The project aims to address this issue by engineering the negative electrode-electrolyte interface with functi ....Advanced all-Iron flow batteries for stationary energy storage. Iron flow batteries are one of the most promising choices for clean, reliable and cost effective long-duration energy storage. The main obstacle for large scale commercial deployment is the low round-trip energy efficiency caused by the competitive side reaction that occurs at the negative electrode during battery charging. The project aims to address this issue by engineering the negative electrode-electrolyte interface with functional materials to improve battery performance and thus further reduce the cost of energy storage. Expected outcomes include new materials and methods for advanced battery technology and manufacturing. The success of the project will significantly support the national priority of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.Read moreRead less
High Efficient and Reliable Power Converters with Low Electromagnetic Interference Based on an Intelligent Distributed Control System in Train Systems. A large percentage of the old train systems in Australia have old equipment which decreases the efficiency and reliability of the system and they can be replaced by high power smart converters with minimum losses and electromagnetic interference. This project aims to improve the efficiency of train systems by intelligent distributed control syste ....High Efficient and Reliable Power Converters with Low Electromagnetic Interference Based on an Intelligent Distributed Control System in Train Systems. A large percentage of the old train systems in Australia have old equipment which decreases the efficiency and reliability of the system and they can be replaced by high power smart converters with minimum losses and electromagnetic interference. This project aims to improve the efficiency of train systems by intelligent distributed control systems which reduces fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The outcomes can be applied to other transport systems in Australia. Another benefit is the production of a PhD graduand with significant experience in the use of smart power converters to improve efficiency of all types of transport systems. 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
Optimisation of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and energy usage within buildings located in busy transit oriented urban developments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project include (i) a novel holistic modelling tool to building design that maximises indoor comfort and provides acceptable air quality for the inhabitants whilst minimising energy usage in transit oriented urban developments; and (ii) estimation of energy consumption for different building designs and operat ....Optimisation of indoor air quality, thermal comfort and energy usage within buildings located in busy transit oriented urban developments. The socio-economic benefits to Australia from the project include (i) a novel holistic modelling tool to building design that maximises indoor comfort and provides acceptable air quality for the inhabitants whilst minimising energy usage in transit oriented urban developments; and (ii) estimation of energy consumption for different building designs and operation with respect to air quality and thermal comfort. The ultimate economic benefit of this research will be a reduction in health care costs and lost productivity as well as reduction of energy used and associated emissions. The research will also place Australia in the forefront of international progress and the race towards better methods for achieving environmental sustainability.Read moreRead less
Insulated sandwich panels in high temperature environments. A robust model comprising pyrolysis of polymeric material coupled with gas combustion will be developed to predict the burning behaviour of expanded polystyrene insulated sandwich panels. These models will provide an effective design tool for fire safety engineering design and the assessment of a wide range of polymeric materials in fire conditions.
Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions. A successful dual-fuel compression ignition (diesel) engine technology utilizing renewable alcohol fuels will provide a commercially attractive, immediate solution to the global fuel challenges of security and cost of oil supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality . This project provides both the rigorous laboratory and field testing required to develop, test, optim ....Optimisation of Dual Fuel Compression Ignition (Diesel) Engines With Respect to Engine Performance and Pollutant Emissions. A successful dual-fuel compression ignition (diesel) engine technology utilizing renewable alcohol fuels will provide a commercially attractive, immediate solution to the global fuel challenges of security and cost of oil supply, greenhouse gas emissions, and air quality . This project provides both the rigorous laboratory and field testing required to develop, test, optimize and validate both engine performance and pollution emissions. This ethanol dual fuel approach has the potential to reduce Australia's dependence on imported fuels, support the development of regional agriculture and employment through the expansion of the biofuels industry and enhance the environmental performance of transport and stationary engines.Read moreRead less
Low cost solution-processable 2D nanomaterials for smart windows. This project aims to develop low cost and scalable synthesis of the active functional nanomaterials in smart windows, their facile application techniques, and their integration into the glass manufacturing process. Smart windows, with thermochromic and electrochromic functionalities, will play important roles towards efficient energy usage and conservation (in terms of air-conditioning and lighting) in most buildings including off ....Low cost solution-processable 2D nanomaterials for smart windows. This project aims to develop low cost and scalable synthesis of the active functional nanomaterials in smart windows, their facile application techniques, and their integration into the glass manufacturing process. Smart windows, with thermochromic and electrochromic functionalities, will play important roles towards efficient energy usage and conservation (in terms of air-conditioning and lighting) in most buildings including offices, schools, and residential homes. . The intended outcome of this project is to facilitate the commercialisation of low-cost, energy-saving smart windows for efficient energy usage and conservation, which is an integral part of a sustainable environment.Read moreRead less