Fibre-reinforced composites: Single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz. The project aims to develop the means of fabricating single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz that are suitable for reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites. Single-crystal mullite is the most sought after fibrous additive, but is not available commercially. It is expected to attract an immediate clientele in laboratories and companies servicing the aviation industry and the military. This will allow large depos ....Fibre-reinforced composites: Single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz. The project aims to develop the means of fabricating single-crystal mullite fibres from topaz that are suitable for reinforcement of metal and ceramic matrix composites. Single-crystal mullite is the most sought after fibrous additive, but is not available commercially. It is expected to attract an immediate clientele in laboratories and companies servicing the aviation industry and the military. This will allow large deposit of topaz in Torrington, NSW to be used to develop a high-value niche product (fibres) and a large-volume, low-value product (fluoride). This will provide significant economic and environmental benefits and it addresses the research priorities - Resources and Advanced Manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Modelling and Characterisation of Stringy/Compressible Bulk Materials. The development of new technologies in the treatment of waste products, recycling of green and paper waste and the use of biomass fuels has created the need for a new approach in the handling of non-conventional bulk solids. The Mohr-Coulomb models that are traditionally used to characterise granular materials do not adequately describe the nature of these stringy and compressible bulk solids. This project will address this ....Modelling and Characterisation of Stringy/Compressible Bulk Materials. The development of new technologies in the treatment of waste products, recycling of green and paper waste and the use of biomass fuels has created the need for a new approach in the handling of non-conventional bulk solids. The Mohr-Coulomb models that are traditionally used to characterise granular materials do not adequately describe the nature of these stringy and compressible bulk solids. This project will address this problem by developing new constitutive models and characterisation techniques for this class of materials. This work will provide the necessary tools to address a series of pressing problems in several emerging technologies.Read moreRead less
Optimum control of the in-use performance of talc-based compositions. It is important to improve the quality of their Talcom body powder, baby powder and other cosmetic products involving talc. The areas that can and need to be improved are shining characteristics, assessing the slip properties as well as developing the cosmetic chemistry of talc and other additives. The proposed project will generate: a) simple but reliable test methods for measuring slip and shine, b) methods for control of t ....Optimum control of the in-use performance of talc-based compositions. It is important to improve the quality of their Talcom body powder, baby powder and other cosmetic products involving talc. The areas that can and need to be improved are shining characteristics, assessing the slip properties as well as developing the cosmetic chemistry of talc and other additives. The proposed project will generate: a) simple but reliable test methods for measuring slip and shine, b) methods for control of the physical and chemical characteristics of talc blends, c) mathematical model(s) for property and process control, which is useful to improvement of the final talc properties and in-use service.Read moreRead less
Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH130200004
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$3,966,350.00
Summary
ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. This Research Hub aims to transform the mining value chain to make significant improvements to industry practices through enhancing ore deposit discovery, mineral processing, and environmental management of ores and waste materials. The Hub will bring together a team of world-class researchers, industry partners and research facilities to develop end-user driven solutions to improv ....ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. ARC Research Hub for transforming the mining value chain. This Research Hub aims to transform the mining value chain to make significant improvements to industry practices through enhancing ore deposit discovery, mineral processing, and environmental management of ores and waste materials. The Hub will bring together a team of world-class researchers, industry partners and research facilities to develop end-user driven solutions to improve profitability and productivity in Australia’s mining industry.Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical studies of the packing and piling of coal. This project is oriented to the coal and steel industries, which are important to Australia. In fact, the coal industry creates a significant employment and produces 80% of electricity in Australia. Australia is also the world's biggest coal exporter. This project will develop methods to control the packing and piling processes of coal, which are of fundamental importance to many granular processes. The benefits from the proje ....Experimental and numerical studies of the packing and piling of coal. This project is oriented to the coal and steel industries, which are important to Australia. In fact, the coal industry creates a significant employment and produces 80% of electricity in Australia. Australia is also the world's biggest coal exporter. This project will develop methods to control the packing and piling processes of coal, which are of fundamental importance to many granular processes. The benefits from the project include improvements in productivity, coke quality and fuel efficiency, which will lead reduced energy consumption and pollution emission and thereby improve the competitiveness of Australia's coal and steel industries. Read moreRead less
Quantification and Modelling of Particle Flow Mechanisms in Conveyor Transfers. A critical area of solids handling and processing is the transfer of bulk material between conveyor belts. Design of conveyor transfers rely heavily on trial and error and/or experience and cannot cope with the complexities of varying particle properties and process requirements. Poor transfer designs can result in reduced QC and service life, significant maintenance/environmental costs and safety concerns. The main ....Quantification and Modelling of Particle Flow Mechanisms in Conveyor Transfers. A critical area of solids handling and processing is the transfer of bulk material between conveyor belts. Design of conveyor transfers rely heavily on trial and error and/or experience and cannot cope with the complexities of varying particle properties and process requirements. Poor transfer designs can result in reduced QC and service life, significant maintenance/environmental costs and safety concerns. The main aims of this project are experimental and theoretical investigations into the flow of particulates through conveyor transfers. This will result in: development of a novel conveyor transfer facility; quantification of transfer parameters and data; development of models to simulate and assist in the design of complete transfers.Read moreRead less
Development of a High Capacity Steep Angle Belt Conveying System. Deep open-pit mining operations rely extensively on fleets of large haul trucks to convey both ore and waste rock. The aim of this project is to develop a high capacity conveying system with the ability to continuously convey ore and rock up steep inclines directly from the pit. The benefits of the research outcomes to the efficient handling of our most valuable export commodities are immense. This innovative new technology will s ....Development of a High Capacity Steep Angle Belt Conveying System. Deep open-pit mining operations rely extensively on fleets of large haul trucks to convey both ore and waste rock. The aim of this project is to develop a high capacity conveying system with the ability to continuously convey ore and rock up steep inclines directly from the pit. The benefits of the research outcomes to the efficient handling of our most valuable export commodities are immense. This innovative new technology will significantly reduce the dependency on haul trucks, reducing energy consumption, minimising environmental impact of the mining process, and improve the health and safety of personnel and the surrounding community.Read moreRead less
Characterisation and Mitigation of Caustic Cracking: A Safety and Maintenance Concern in Alumina and Pulp-and-Paper Processing. Extraction of alumina from mineral bauxite (Bayer process) and pulp-and-paper processing (Kraft process) are major industries in Australia. Cracking of reaction vessels, digesters, cleaning tanks and pipework are major concern for plant integrity, occupational health, safety and environment. Caustic cracking is often the first suspect when a failure occurs. The propose ....Characterisation and Mitigation of Caustic Cracking: A Safety and Maintenance Concern in Alumina and Pulp-and-Paper Processing. Extraction of alumina from mineral bauxite (Bayer process) and pulp-and-paper processing (Kraft process) are major industries in Australia. Cracking of reaction vessels, digesters, cleaning tanks and pipework are major concern for plant integrity, occupational health, safety and environment. Caustic cracking is often the first suspect when a failure occurs. The proposed program will investigate the role of critical impurities and additives, temperature and stress fluctuations in caustic cracking of mild steel and their weldments (known to be most susceptible). This project will also develop an intellectual and infrastructural base that will also be a vital resource for several Australian industries where such cracking is a major concern.Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical studies of the packing of alumina powders. This project is to investigate the packing of alumina powders at both microscopic and macroscopic levels by means of physical and numerical experiments, aiming to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physics and computer models for predicting the packing properties under conditions corresponding to different operations in alumina refining and smelting processes. It will generate an effective method to solve ....Experimental and numerical studies of the packing of alumina powders. This project is to investigate the packing of alumina powders at both microscopic and macroscopic levels by means of physical and numerical experiments, aiming to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physics and computer models for predicting the packing properties under conditions corresponding to different operations in alumina refining and smelting processes. It will generate an effective method to solve the complex packing problems for process and/or property control in alumina/aluminium industry.Read moreRead less
Enhanced recovery and concentration of cenospheres from fly ash. The purpose of this project is to investigate the recovery of valuable particles, referred to as cenospheres, from the fly ash waste of coal fired power stations. An understanding of the complex gravitational settling behaviour of fly ash suspensions in inclined channels will lead to a new technology for recovering and concentrating the particles.