Improving iron ore agglomeration by studying underlying mechanisms using experimental studies and dimensional analysis. The revenue from Australia's iron ore exports is currently worth over $15 billion. Over 80% of the shipped ores are fines (ie material smaller than 9mm), which have to be sintered to produce a lumpy product prior to reduction and smelting in iron making blast furnaces. An understanding of this process at the fundamental level is essential for enhancement of the nation's technol ....Improving iron ore agglomeration by studying underlying mechanisms using experimental studies and dimensional analysis. The revenue from Australia's iron ore exports is currently worth over $15 billion. Over 80% of the shipped ores are fines (ie material smaller than 9mm), which have to be sintered to produce a lumpy product prior to reduction and smelting in iron making blast furnaces. An understanding of this process at the fundamental level is essential for enhancement of the nation's technological standing with our key trading partners - that is, to enable Australian iron-ore exporters to become 'knowledgable' suppliers. In addition, local iron-making industries will gain direct economic benefit from the improved sintering processes developed. Read moreRead less
Influence of adsorbed surfactants on three phase contact line motion at high capillary number. The interaction between thin films and solid surfaces underpins the performance of a number of value-adding industrial processes, most notably metallurgical coating operations. Typically, these operations are performed at speeds well beyond the range of existing models, thereby limiting their value when changes in operation occur or when there are problems with product quality. Existing models are also ....Influence of adsorbed surfactants on three phase contact line motion at high capillary number. The interaction between thin films and solid surfaces underpins the performance of a number of value-adding industrial processes, most notably metallurgical coating operations. Typically, these operations are performed at speeds well beyond the range of existing models, thereby limiting their value when changes in operation occur or when there are problems with product quality. Existing models are also limited by their inability to account for the presence of surfactants commonly used throughout industry. This study will produce a capability for predicting how velocity and local changes in molecular composition affect the wetting/dewetting of coated surfaces.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0346870
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$290,000.00
Summary
High framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility. This proposal seeks to establish a specialised high framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility for the measurement of rapidly changing velocity fields in complex flows. The proposed facility is currently not available in Australia and is significant in that it provides a continuous time sequence of rapidly changing 3D velocity fields in a two-dimensional plane. The facility will provide e ....High framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility. This proposal seeks to establish a specialised high framing rate stereoscopic particle image velocimetry (HFR SPIV) facility for the measurement of rapidly changing velocity fields in complex flows. The proposed facility is currently not available in Australia and is significant in that it provides a continuous time sequence of rapidly changing 3D velocity fields in a two-dimensional plane. The facility will provide experimental validation for models and theories developed for fast transient flows in non-periodic time dependent flows, multi-phase flows, solid mechanics and natural convection.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0230569
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$175,000.00
Summary
INTEGRATED PARTICLE IMAGE THERMOMETRY / VELOCIMETRY FACILITY. This proposal seeks to establish a specialised Particle Image Thermometry / Velocimetry (PITV) facility for simultaneous three-dimensional measurements of global temperature and velocity fields in complex flows. The proposed facility is needed to obtain experimental validations for theories and models developed for complex reacting and non-reacting flows that are strongly influenced by transient behaviour. Applications of PITV include ....INTEGRATED PARTICLE IMAGE THERMOMETRY / VELOCIMETRY FACILITY. This proposal seeks to establish a specialised Particle Image Thermometry / Velocimetry (PITV) facility for simultaneous three-dimensional measurements of global temperature and velocity fields in complex flows. The proposed facility is needed to obtain experimental validations for theories and models developed for complex reacting and non-reacting flows that are strongly influenced by transient behaviour. Applications of PITV include, but are not limited to, low-temperature reacting flows, mixing, jets, wakes, shear layers, time-dependent multiphase flows, unsteady turbulent flows, complex rotating machinery and other periodic flows, as well as natural convection studies.Read moreRead less
Free Surface Instability and Gas Entrainment during Blast Furnace Drainage. Iron and Steelmaking operations have underpinned Australia's industry base for many years. To remain competitive in a global market BHP has undertaken considerable research and development to constantly improve process performance. An area of on-going concern is the unexpected release of gas during Blast Furnace drainage resulting in hazardous conditions for the operators and overall loss of production. This project aims ....Free Surface Instability and Gas Entrainment during Blast Furnace Drainage. Iron and Steelmaking operations have underpinned Australia's industry base for many years. To remain competitive in a global market BHP has undertaken considerable research and development to constantly improve process performance. An area of on-going concern is the unexpected release of gas during Blast Furnace drainage resulting in hazardous conditions for the operators and overall loss of production. This project aims to identify the causes of gas release and to devise operational strategies and design modifications to prevent this occurrence. Once implemented the outcomes of the research will be a more stable operation leading to increased production and less environmental emissions.Read moreRead less
Forces on Particles in Flows Traversing a Magnetic Field. The influence of magnetic fields on the motion of particles near surfaces will be examined using quiescent and shear flow fields at low Reynolds numbers. This theoretical and experimental study will produce a precise theoretical understanding of the motion, including the shear induced lift-force, and hence a basis for controlling the interaction of the particle with the adjacent surface. This fundamental study will provide the foundations ....Forces on Particles in Flows Traversing a Magnetic Field. The influence of magnetic fields on the motion of particles near surfaces will be examined using quiescent and shear flow fields at low Reynolds numbers. This theoretical and experimental study will produce a precise theoretical understanding of the motion, including the shear induced lift-force, and hence a basis for controlling the interaction of the particle with the adjacent surface. This fundamental study will provide the foundations needed to apply magnetic fields to a broad range of emerging problems in nano-technology and biotechnology, and help train and educate a student at the PhD level in the area.Read moreRead less
Slag Entrainment and Dispersion in Continuous Slab Casting. Australia's steel industry employs 75,000 people and has an annual turnover in excess of $21 billion. However, it produces less than 8 million tonnes of steel per annum which is approximately 7 percent of the world's production. Australia does not have the economies of scale and to be competitive, must invest heavily in new technology and have best workplace practices to generate products that are superior to low cost competitors. This ....Slag Entrainment and Dispersion in Continuous Slab Casting. Australia's steel industry employs 75,000 people and has an annual turnover in excess of $21 billion. However, it produces less than 8 million tonnes of steel per annum which is approximately 7 percent of the world's production. Australia does not have the economies of scale and to be competitive, must invest heavily in new technology and have best workplace practices to generate products that are superior to low cost competitors. This project is focussed on improving product quality through invention of new equipment which also overcomes current operational practices and creates a safer working environment. Read moreRead less
Inter-metallic Inclusion Reduction in Continuous Metallic Coating. The ZINCALUMER coating process is a core business of BlueScope Steel. Operational and quality issues are being experienced due to inter-metallic particles in the liquid metal bath. The particles cause defects in the metal coating and agglomerate, resulting in periodic shutdowns to remove the dross. Both of these factors impact significantly on the profitability of the operation. In this project a new strategy is being investigate ....Inter-metallic Inclusion Reduction in Continuous Metallic Coating. The ZINCALUMER coating process is a core business of BlueScope Steel. Operational and quality issues are being experienced due to inter-metallic particles in the liquid metal bath. The particles cause defects in the metal coating and agglomerate, resulting in periodic shutdowns to remove the dross. Both of these factors impact significantly on the profitability of the operation. In this project a new strategy is being investigated, whereby the fluid mechanics and heat transfer mechanisms within the bath will allow inter-metallic particles to be continuously removed in the metal coating before they reach the critical size that adversely affects product quality. This will also reduce dross accumulation, thereby reducing shutdown time.Read moreRead less
The elutriation of ultrafine particles according to their density. This study is concerned with exploiting a new and powerful mechanism for separating particles according to their density, with strong potential for recovering and concentrating tens of billions of dollars worth of valuable minerals annually. By coupling the new separation mechanism with a centrifugal force it should be possible to apply gravity separation technology, arguably for the first time, to the recovery of ultrafine parti ....The elutriation of ultrafine particles according to their density. This study is concerned with exploiting a new and powerful mechanism for separating particles according to their density, with strong potential for recovering and concentrating tens of billions of dollars worth of valuable minerals annually. By coupling the new separation mechanism with a centrifugal force it should be possible to apply gravity separation technology, arguably for the first time, to the recovery of ultrafine particles from 200 microns to well below 10 microns, at high separation efficiency, and high feed rates. This study is also ideal for training new researchers, especially at the PhD level, in an area of importance to Australia's economic future. Read moreRead less
A multiscale-multifunctional approach to advanced diagnosis and operator performance in complex process systems. Major process system failures and subsequent poor diagnosis continues to produce significant company disruption, environmental damage, injury and possible loss of life. The benefits of this work will be reduced impacts and risks. This work will provide a new integrated approach with structured tools and diagnostic designs for process industries. It should have direct impacts on compan ....A multiscale-multifunctional approach to advanced diagnosis and operator performance in complex process systems. Major process system failures and subsequent poor diagnosis continues to produce significant company disruption, environmental damage, injury and possible loss of life. The benefits of this work will be reduced impacts and risks. This work will provide a new integrated approach with structured tools and diagnostic designs for process industries. It should have direct impacts on company performance through improved diagnosis, more timely response and hence reduced likelihood of major accidents. It will help to improve overall risk management practice in the process industries with less impact on people, property and environment, thus improving operational performance. Local communities will be direct beneficiaries of these reduced risks.Read moreRead less