Understanding the molecular structure and chemical behaviour of asphaltenes. This project will advance the science underpinning technologies for cost-effective use of heavy oil resources. Asphaltene aggregation and precipitation pose enormous challenges for extraction, transport, storage and refining of heavy oils. Understanding the physicochemical properties of asphaltenes is crucial to the future oil industry as light crudes become scarce. This project plans to develop and deploy an innovative ....Understanding the molecular structure and chemical behaviour of asphaltenes. This project will advance the science underpinning technologies for cost-effective use of heavy oil resources. Asphaltene aggregation and precipitation pose enormous challenges for extraction, transport, storage and refining of heavy oils. Understanding the physicochemical properties of asphaltenes is crucial to the future oil industry as light crudes become scarce. This project plans to develop and deploy an innovative molecular probe technique, combined with sequential thermal and solvent extraction and advanced tools for nanoscale characterisation, to reveal the molecular structure and chemical behaviour of asphaltenes. The resulting understanding of the mechanisms of asphaltene aggregation and dissociation may provide a scientific basis for controlling asphaltene precipitation to improve the stability and thus improve the use of heavy oils.Read moreRead less
Improving performance of solvent extraction equipment for the minerals processing industry. This project will develop a fundamental understanding of how a new type of solvent extraction column, which was recently introduced to the mining industry, responds to changes in process conditions and operating parameters. This will enable the potential for optimal and efficient use of these assets and ensure a competitive advantage for Australia's biggest export earner.
Frictional and viscous effects during transport in nanopores. Gas mixtures exposed to materials containing molecular sized pores (nanopores) are adsorbed, forming states of matter not existing in the bulk. Differential forces acting on the components of mixtures promote industrially and environmentally important separations. However, transport of confined fluids has been poorly understood. Recently we have made progress using computer simulation, and have proposed a highly successful theory. ....Frictional and viscous effects during transport in nanopores. Gas mixtures exposed to materials containing molecular sized pores (nanopores) are adsorbed, forming states of matter not existing in the bulk. Differential forces acting on the components of mixtures promote industrially and environmentally important separations. However, transport of confined fluids has been poorly understood. Recently we have made progress using computer simulation, and have proposed a highly successful theory. These investigations have revealed the crucial role of scattering from the surface atoms of the confining solid. Theoretical investigation of single spherical species has been initiated, and extension to other species and to mixtures is now envisaged.Read moreRead less
Multicomponent Transport in Nanopores. Good understanding of transport mechanisms in nanopores is crucial to the successful application of numerous recently developed novel templated microporous and mesoporous materials. This project seeks to extend a new theory developed by the applicants for single component transport in cylindrical mesopores, to cylindrical micropores as well as to multicomponent adsorbates, in conjunction with experiments using microporous and mesoporous materials such as M ....Multicomponent Transport in Nanopores. Good understanding of transport mechanisms in nanopores is crucial to the successful application of numerous recently developed novel templated microporous and mesoporous materials. This project seeks to extend a new theory developed by the applicants for single component transport in cylindrical mesopores, to cylindrical micropores as well as to multicomponent adsorbates, in conjunction with experiments using microporous and mesoporous materials such as MCM-41, VPI-5 and AlPO4-5. The outcome will be a powerful new theory for a priori prediction of transport coefficients for multicomponent fluids in nanopores based on molecular level information alone, thereby overcoming the empiricism in existing models.Read moreRead less
Development of a Trickle Filter for Treating Sour Water from Oil Shale Processing Plants. Oil is extracted from oil shale by pyrolysing pre-dried crushed shale. Despite drying , the shale retains a residual moisture level of approximately 5% which ultimately ends up as an aqueous phase in the condensate stream from the pyrolysis process. This aqueous phase, know as sour water, contains a range of organic compounds, including carboxylic acids, nitorgen heterocyclics and ketones. This aim of thi ....Development of a Trickle Filter for Treating Sour Water from Oil Shale Processing Plants. Oil is extracted from oil shale by pyrolysing pre-dried crushed shale. Despite drying , the shale retains a residual moisture level of approximately 5% which ultimately ends up as an aqueous phase in the condensate stream from the pyrolysis process. This aqueous phase, know as sour water, contains a range of organic compounds, including carboxylic acids, nitorgen heterocyclics and ketones. This aim of this proposal is to develop trickle filters to treat the sour water. The biofilms that develop in trickle filters are ideal for supporting slow growing microbial species. Research is needed to transfer native microorganisms in the oil shale desposit to the durable gravels that will be used in the filter.Read moreRead less
High performance electrode materials for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells. This project aims to develop high-performance electrode materials used in reversible solid oxide cells (RSOC), which are a promising electrical energy storage technology. RSOC can work as solid oxide electrolysis cells for fuel production from electricity and as solid oxide fuel cells for electricity generation from fuel. The RSOC technology has the potential to provide a large-scale electrical energy storage solution for the ....High performance electrode materials for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells. This project aims to develop high-performance electrode materials used in reversible solid oxide cells (RSOC), which are a promising electrical energy storage technology. RSOC can work as solid oxide electrolysis cells for fuel production from electricity and as solid oxide fuel cells for electricity generation from fuel. The RSOC technology has the potential to provide a large-scale electrical energy storage solution for the widespread penetration of intermittent renewable energy resources into the electrical grid.Read moreRead less
Putting metal organic frameworks to work at interfaces. This project aims to develop new strategies to better synthesize ultrathin Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes by nanostructured and chemically functionalized substrates. MOF materials have enormous potential due to the extraordinary structural and chemical diversity of these crystalline microporous materials and their potential applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis and sensing. However, a major challenge is fabricating thi ....Putting metal organic frameworks to work at interfaces. This project aims to develop new strategies to better synthesize ultrathin Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes by nanostructured and chemically functionalized substrates. MOF materials have enormous potential due to the extraordinary structural and chemical diversity of these crystalline microporous materials and their potential applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis and sensing. However, a major challenge is fabricating thin robust MOF films or patterns on porous, flexible, and nonporous substrates, quickly and easily in order to construct useful devices. The project will grow ultrathin layers of molecular sieving and electroactive MOFs to produce technology platforms for large scale device manufacturing.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.
Low-temperature plasma-catalytic conversion of CH4 and CO2 to alcohols. This project aims to investigate a novel concept of integrated low-temperature plasma and catalytic membrane hybrid reactor system for alcohols production from methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour. This research will combine plasma physics and reaction engineering techniques to develop an innovative gas to liquid technology. The outcomes have the potential to transform the nation's natural gas industry, impro ....Low-temperature plasma-catalytic conversion of CH4 and CO2 to alcohols. This project aims to investigate a novel concept of integrated low-temperature plasma and catalytic membrane hybrid reactor system for alcohols production from methane (CH4), carbon dioxide (CO2) and water vapour. This research will combine plasma physics and reaction engineering techniques to develop an innovative gas to liquid technology. The outcomes have the potential to transform the nation's natural gas industry, improve energy efficiency, and utilise CO2 rich gas resources.Read moreRead less
Mechanisms of Ammonia (NH3) Combustion and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Formation. A mature commodity that can be readily made from renewable resources, ammonia (NH3) offers an environmentally sustainable and low-cost means of transition from fossil fuels to a clean, low-carbon and renewable energy future. The technical challenge is to combust NH3 efficiently with low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This project will advance the science of NH3 combustion and NOx formation. By applying innovative fixed ....Mechanisms of Ammonia (NH3) Combustion and Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Formation. A mature commodity that can be readily made from renewable resources, ammonia (NH3) offers an environmentally sustainable and low-cost means of transition from fossil fuels to a clean, low-carbon and renewable energy future. The technical challenge is to combust NH3 efficiently with low nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions. This project will advance the science of NH3 combustion and NOx formation. By applying innovative fixed-bed and fluidised-bed reactor techniques and kinetic modelling, the research will unravel fundamental characteristics and mechanisms of NH3 combustion, NOx formation and in-situ destruction that underpin the development and deployment of practical combustion systems for power generation using NH3 as a carbon-free fuel.Read moreRead less