Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The researc ....Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The research outcomes will be tested in the design and control of lump charging operations in practice through collaboration with the industrial partner. This will ultimately increase Australian ore lump usage in BFs, leading to significant financial and environmental benefits to Australia and the entire steel industry worldwide.Read moreRead less
Inorganic membrane percrystallisation in hydrometallurgy. This project aims is to develop the scientific and engineering basis for a new Australian inorganic membrane technology for the crystallisation of metal compounds. Inorganic membrane percrystallisation is a recent breakthrough promising improved productivity, energy savings and the ability to tailor particle properties. This project will develop a mechanistic model encompassing solution transport phenomena, crystal nucleation-growth-agglo ....Inorganic membrane percrystallisation in hydrometallurgy. This project aims is to develop the scientific and engineering basis for a new Australian inorganic membrane technology for the crystallisation of metal compounds. Inorganic membrane percrystallisation is a recent breakthrough promising improved productivity, energy savings and the ability to tailor particle properties. This project will develop a mechanistic model encompassing solution transport phenomena, crystal nucleation-growth-agglomeration and engineering process parameters affecting single and binary salt systems. This model will provide a basis for technology development benefiting Australia, such as the improvement of the production of nickel sulphate for the growing battery materials market.Read moreRead less
Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and s ....Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and steel industries. It is not only significant for low-carbon steel production, but also for better fundamental understanding to develop the future zero-emission iron and steelmaking with hydrogen. The project will be very beneficent because it increases the use of lump iron ore and expends Australian export of iron ores.Read moreRead less
Data-driven modelling of complex reactive flows. Complex reactive flow is dominant in many chemicals, physical and biological processes and should be optimised online for operational efficiency and stability, yet it is hindered by the lack of reliable model techniques. The project tackles this challenge by developing a next-generation data-driven modelling approach via integrating continuum/discrete-scale fluid-particle dynamics with system/control theories, supported by lab/plant experiments. D ....Data-driven modelling of complex reactive flows. Complex reactive flow is dominant in many chemicals, physical and biological processes and should be optimised online for operational efficiency and stability, yet it is hindered by the lack of reliable model techniques. The project tackles this challenge by developing a next-generation data-driven modelling approach via integrating continuum/discrete-scale fluid-particle dynamics with system/control theories, supported by lab/plant experiments. Driven by online data, the generic approach can open up a powerful way to reliably describe the inner state of reactors and online predict operation anomalies. The outcomes can help transform a range of industries to smart manufacturing and design, which is vital to Australia's technological future.Read moreRead less