Economic Operability Assessment of Leaching Process at Kwinana Nickel Refinery. Process operability is concerned with systematic analysis and improvement of process performance in the face of variable operating conditions. This project will develop a rigorous methodology for analysis of process operability with respect to short-term and transient disturbances. The proposed technique will be applied to the Kwinana Nickel Refinery Leach section, in order to reduce the plant variability and increas ....Economic Operability Assessment of Leaching Process at Kwinana Nickel Refinery. Process operability is concerned with systematic analysis and improvement of process performance in the face of variable operating conditions. This project will develop a rigorous methodology for analysis of process operability with respect to short-term and transient disturbances. The proposed technique will be applied to the Kwinana Nickel Refinery Leach section, in order to reduce the plant variability and increase nickel throughput and plant availability. This can be considered as significant move by a process industry to embrace advanced theoretical developments and will act as a benchmark to promote future links between Australian industry and academia.Read moreRead less
WAVELET-BASED MODELLING AND MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL OF COMPLEX MULTIDIMENSIONAL CRYSTALLISATION PROCESSES. The results of this project will directly contribute to a better understanding of crystallisation which is an important unit operation to achieve high purity separations. Many Australian industries for example, mineral processing, sugar processing, pharmaceuticals, etc will benefit from the results in order to enhance optimal operation and control to ensure globally competitive production ....WAVELET-BASED MODELLING AND MODEL PREDICTIVE CONTROL OF COMPLEX MULTIDIMENSIONAL CRYSTALLISATION PROCESSES. The results of this project will directly contribute to a better understanding of crystallisation which is an important unit operation to achieve high purity separations. Many Australian industries for example, mineral processing, sugar processing, pharmaceuticals, etc will benefit from the results in order to enhance optimal operation and control to ensure globally competitive production which is on time, minimize wastes and raw materials and inventories. The leading edge results will increase the contributions of these industries to the Australian economy and our global competitiveness necessary to maintain our culture and the beauty of our environment. Read moreRead less
The development of particle-depleted regions in dense suspensions of neutrally buoyant particles. We aim to measure the spatial variation of fluid speed and particle speed, and of particle concentration, across and along a pipe into which has been introduced a mixture of said particles and fluid. This problem has significance in mechanical and chemical engineering wherever particle/fluid mixtures are flowing. The expected outcomes are recognition of a major contribution to world research, as w ....The development of particle-depleted regions in dense suspensions of neutrally buoyant particles. We aim to measure the spatial variation of fluid speed and particle speed, and of particle concentration, across and along a pipe into which has been introduced a mixture of said particles and fluid. This problem has significance in mechanical and chemical engineering wherever particle/fluid mixtures are flowing. The expected outcomes are recognition of a major contribution to world research, as well as technological applications; one that motivates us is the blood shear in the bearings of a revolutionary Australian blood pump for cardiac assist that avoids both pivots and magnetic suspension for the single moving part.Read moreRead less
Particle Transport and Separation in High Aspect Ratio Inclined Channels. This project will be of benefit to the Australian coal and mineral processing industries, worth tens of billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year. The objective is to establish new options for the processing of particles as large as 50mm, and smaller than 50 microns in size, and hence significantly extend the operating size range of the Reflux Classifier. The development of new resources, especially those of ....Particle Transport and Separation in High Aspect Ratio Inclined Channels. This project will be of benefit to the Australian coal and mineral processing industries, worth tens of billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year. The objective is to establish new options for the processing of particles as large as 50mm, and smaller than 50 microns in size, and hence significantly extend the operating size range of the Reflux Classifier. The development of new resources, especially those of poorer grade, requires more effective separation technology. Success in this project will significantly benefit the end users of the technology and also contribute to Australia's Mining Services industry.Read moreRead less
The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation an ....The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation and formation of OPC; (3) computer modelling of nano-scale assemblies of atoms and molecules that will give desirable properties and durability, and (4) a tailored synthesis of geopolymers with vastly improved mechanical performance and acid, fire and bacterial resistance. This scientific understanding of long term durability will greatly enhance commercial acceptance of geopolymers.Read moreRead less
Biological Leaching of Low Grade Nickel Laterite Ores. Harnessing the capability of fungi to dissolve large quantities of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores will create a step change in the technology for processing nickel laterites and other oxide minerals. Using microorganisms and their metabolic products promises to be effective, energy saving, easily controlled and environmentally safe. The mechanistic investigation proposed in this study will generate fundamental innovations and technolo ....Biological Leaching of Low Grade Nickel Laterite Ores. Harnessing the capability of fungi to dissolve large quantities of nickel and cobalt from laterite ores will create a step change in the technology for processing nickel laterites and other oxide minerals. Using microorganisms and their metabolic products promises to be effective, energy saving, easily controlled and environmentally safe. The mechanistic investigation proposed in this study will generate fundamental innovations and technological advancement in bio-leaching of laterite ores. Such technologies can secure the sustainability of nickel production and provide unique ecological reform to the mineral extraction industry.Read moreRead less