Multifunctional trilayer separator for durable multivalent energy storage. This project aims to develop an important new family of economical, high energy, multivalent batteries based on an abundant element, sulphur. The project plans to design a new battery separator to enable long-term stability in sulphur-based rechargeable batteries. This type of separator is of critical importance in many membrane-involved energy storage technologies. The project plans to use leading-edge durable energy tec ....Multifunctional trilayer separator for durable multivalent energy storage. This project aims to develop an important new family of economical, high energy, multivalent batteries based on an abundant element, sulphur. The project plans to design a new battery separator to enable long-term stability in sulphur-based rechargeable batteries. This type of separator is of critical importance in many membrane-involved energy storage technologies. The project plans to use leading-edge durable energy technologies to strengthen the development of residential energy systems and the involvement of renewable energy sources in modern grid.Read moreRead less
Designing integrated photocatalytic systems for simultaneous clean energy generation and water remediation. The proposal addresses the core issues of energy and water, two highly critical resources in Australia as well as worldwide. Utilising our geographically-abundant solar energy and through designing novel photocatalytic systems, the proposed research provides an ultimately clean solution by efficiently harnessing and converting the solar energy to hydrogen while remediating wastewater. Give ....Designing integrated photocatalytic systems for simultaneous clean energy generation and water remediation. The proposal addresses the core issues of energy and water, two highly critical resources in Australia as well as worldwide. Utilising our geographically-abundant solar energy and through designing novel photocatalytic systems, the proposed research provides an ultimately clean solution by efficiently harnessing and converting the solar energy to hydrogen while remediating wastewater. Given the high intensity and consistent solar output in Australia, such technology provides an almost ideal and sustainable outcome in terms of clean energy and water supply. Success in this area will place Australian researchers at the forefront of practical and functional photocatalytic technologiesRead moreRead less
Multiscale Integrated Modelling and Control of an Ethanol-Fuelled Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The results from this project will allow use of alternative sources for energy through a better understanding of the functioning, design, operability and control of SOFCs. Fuel Cells (FCs) with biomass ethanol feed will not only act as reliable power source but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A successful R&D effort to develop FCs will improve the national energy security by reducing the growin ....Multiscale Integrated Modelling and Control of an Ethanol-Fuelled Tubular Solid Oxide Fuel Cell. The results from this project will allow use of alternative sources for energy through a better understanding of the functioning, design, operability and control of SOFCs. Fuel Cells (FCs) with biomass ethanol feed will not only act as reliable power source but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A successful R&D effort to develop FCs will improve the national energy security by reducing the growing dependency on foreign energy sources, improve the environment by reducing carbon and other harmful emissions, and improve the economic growth by expanding the portfolio of highly efficient energy and useful spill over technologies. Read moreRead less
Control of Distributed Energy Storage System using Vanadium Batteries. This project aims to develop a new control approach to distributed energy storage at stack, system and microgrid levels, utilising one of the most promising flow battery technologies - vanadium redox batteries. This is the first attempt of a storage centric approach that includes: an integrated approach to design and control of vanadium flow batteries with novel advanced power electronics technologies to achieve optimal charg ....Control of Distributed Energy Storage System using Vanadium Batteries. This project aims to develop a new control approach to distributed energy storage at stack, system and microgrid levels, utilising one of the most promising flow battery technologies - vanadium redox batteries. This is the first attempt of a storage centric approach that includes: an integrated approach to design and control of vanadium flow batteries with novel advanced power electronics technologies to achieve optimal charging/discharging conditions; and, a scalable distributed energy storage and power management approach incorporating energy pricing for storage dispatch that allows distributed autonomous controllers to achieve optimal local techno-economic performance and microgrid-wide efficiency and reliability.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
Enhanced mixing of turbulent jet flames via side lateral injection. This innovative project will contribute significantly to the reduction of pollutant emissions from combustion of fossil and bio-fuels through new and innovative mixing approach of fuel and oxidant. It will facilitate a range of new devices with broader application leading to export earnings, local employment and reduction of our carbon footprint.
Production of hydrogen from biomass by integrated catalytic aqueous hydrolysis and reforming in subcritical water. The outcomes of this project will lead to the development of a novel process for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from renewable biomass using integrated hydrolysis and catalytic aqueous reforming at low temperatures. Such technological innovation will provide significant benefits to Australia as a whole for transition to a truly sustainable hydrogen economy. The nov ....Production of hydrogen from biomass by integrated catalytic aqueous hydrolysis and reforming in subcritical water. The outcomes of this project will lead to the development of a novel process for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from renewable biomass using integrated hydrolysis and catalytic aqueous reforming at low temperatures. Such technological innovation will provide significant benefits to Australia as a whole for transition to a truly sustainable hydrogen economy. The novel reaction system and research methodologies proposed in this proposal will certainly enhance Australia's science and technology capability and international competitiveness, in the area of reaction engineering. Also of the national benefit is the successful training of a postgraduate at PhD level who will no doubt add to future scientific research workforce.Read moreRead less
The Effects of Pyrolysis Conditions on Combustion and Gasification Reactivities of Biomass Chars and the Quality of Their Ash. Considerable efforts are being made to minimise the environmental impacts of fossil fuels by utilising renewable energy sources like biomass. Many of the challenges associated with the thermal conversion of biomass relate to its char characteristics. The aim of this project is to gain a fundamental understanding about the impact of reaction conditions during the pyrolyti ....The Effects of Pyrolysis Conditions on Combustion and Gasification Reactivities of Biomass Chars and the Quality of Their Ash. Considerable efforts are being made to minimise the environmental impacts of fossil fuels by utilising renewable energy sources like biomass. Many of the challenges associated with the thermal conversion of biomass relate to its char characteristics. The aim of this project is to gain a fundamental understanding about the impact of reaction conditions during the pyrolytic stage on the structural and compositional transformations of the resultant char, its combustion and gasification reactivities, and the release of inorganic matter and ash formation. This holistic and integrated approach should reveal the underlying science necessary to support existing and future biomass use.Read moreRead less
Production, processing and combustion of an innovative slurry fuel for high efficiency distributed power generation. This project will advance the science underpinning the development of an innovative technology for energy production (with carbon capture) and use in remote regions. The outcomes of this research will help meet the great challenges of climate change and contribute to the development of an environmentally sustainable Australia.
New understanding of turbulent flames with soot and particulate fuels. This project will develop the new understanding and models required to optimise practical furnaces, boilers and combustion chambers, most of which involve soot and/or particulate fuels. This work will be performed with state-of-the-art measurement and modelling tools through a well-established partnership of international researchers.