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Chemistry of uranium extraction - studies on the dissolution of uranium ores in a complex solution matrix. Olympic Dam is the world's largest uranium deposit. With a planned massive expansion of the mine's operations, it could generate more than $10b per year. The mineral ores found there, however, are highly complex and poorly understood. This project will investigate and determine the detailed characteristics and chemistry of the mineral ore and offer process improvements that will increase th ....Chemistry of uranium extraction - studies on the dissolution of uranium ores in a complex solution matrix. Olympic Dam is the world's largest uranium deposit. With a planned massive expansion of the mine's operations, it could generate more than $10b per year. The mineral ores found there, however, are highly complex and poorly understood. This project will investigate and determine the detailed characteristics and chemistry of the mineral ore and offer process improvements that will increase the productivity and improve the economics of extraction of the ore. This project will also address the serious deficiency of researchers in this field by creating a sustainable skills development program in mineral extraction and separation technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0345760
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$210,000.00
Summary
Nanoscale Interaction Forces in Particulate and Molecular Systems. We seek to establish a world-class facility for the measurement of nanoscale interaction forces. The ability to measure forces between particles, polymers, emulsion droplets, bubbles, proteins and powders will augment our research capabilities in minerals and material processing, thin film technology, structured surfaces, and in molecular and bio-technology (eg. proteins, DNA, cells, bone, bio-implants). A Molecular Force Probe ....Nanoscale Interaction Forces in Particulate and Molecular Systems. We seek to establish a world-class facility for the measurement of nanoscale interaction forces. The ability to measure forces between particles, polymers, emulsion droplets, bubbles, proteins and powders will augment our research capabilities in minerals and material processing, thin film technology, structured surfaces, and in molecular and bio-technology (eg. proteins, DNA, cells, bone, bio-implants). A Molecular Force Probe (Asylum Research) instrument will allow precise and flexible force measurements on the nano-metre scale. The proposed multi-disciplinary facility will advance research in the areas of engineering, chemistry, pharmacology and biotechnology.
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Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this ....Redox processes in Bayer liquors. Alumina, and the aluminium produced from it, are amongst Australia's most important mineral commodities, earning about $8 billion p.a. in exports. However, ongoing technological improvements are needed for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. This project addresses a key problem in alumina production - the behaviour of organic impurities - which will help to increase industrial productivity and reduce energy consumption. Insights gained from this research will also minimize the environmental and occupational health impacts of various process emissions, making the industry more sustainable.Read moreRead less
New Look N-Heterocyclic Metallocenes of the Lanthanides Based on 4-Azapentalenyl Anions. Since there are abundant, but under utilised, reserves of lanthanide minerals in Australia, it is in Australia's best interest that their chemistry is developed into commercial applications in industrial catalysis. This project addresses this situation through the detailed study of carefully chosen organolanthanide compounds (specifically, comprising hetero-substituted metallocenes). The research strategy ....New Look N-Heterocyclic Metallocenes of the Lanthanides Based on 4-Azapentalenyl Anions. Since there are abundant, but under utilised, reserves of lanthanide minerals in Australia, it is in Australia's best interest that their chemistry is developed into commercial applications in industrial catalysis. This project addresses this situation through the detailed study of carefully chosen organolanthanide compounds (specifically, comprising hetero-substituted metallocenes). The research strategy will be directed towards advancing our knowledge in relation to fundamental chemical processes that are directly relevant to the industrial production of important commodity chemicals and polymers from often under utilised petroleum industry waste stocks.Read moreRead less
The effects of local strain on the crystal chemistry of solid solutions. The concept of the solid solution, the substitution of one kind of atom for another in a crystal structure, is a central idea in both mineral sciences and solid state chemistry. Such atomic substitutions alter local crystal chemistry and hence always introduce strain into crystal lattices. In this project we aim to characterize this substitutional strain. Ultimately this should lead to a better understanding of the geologic ....The effects of local strain on the crystal chemistry of solid solutions. The concept of the solid solution, the substitution of one kind of atom for another in a crystal structure, is a central idea in both mineral sciences and solid state chemistry. Such atomic substitutions alter local crystal chemistry and hence always introduce strain into crystal lattices. In this project we aim to characterize this substitutional strain. Ultimately this should lead to a better understanding of the geological history of rocks, improvements in metal recovery from ores and to the design and synthesis of new materials.Read moreRead less
Heat capacities of Bayer liquors to 300C. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries, earning ~$6 billion per year export income. However, major productivity gains are required for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. More accurate thermodynamic calculations, covering the full plant operating range, are seen by the industry as an important way to increase productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must e ....Heat capacities of Bayer liquors to 300C. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries, earning ~$6 billion per year export income. However, major productivity gains are required for Australian producers to remain globally competitive. More accurate thermodynamic calculations, covering the full plant operating range, are seen by the industry as an important way to increase productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must extend current theoretical understanding and establish an experimental capability, hitherto unavailable in Australia, for measuring heat capacities and densities of solutions to temperatures as high as 300 C.Read moreRead less
Modelling Bayer Plant Liquors for Industrial Process Simulations. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries but it exists within an increasingly competitive global market. More meaningful computer simulations of the Bayer process, covering conditions far beyond current plant operating ranges, are seen by Australian producers as an important way to increase future productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must develop ....Modelling Bayer Plant Liquors for Industrial Process Simulations. Alumina refining is one of Australia's most important industries but it exists within an increasingly competitive global market. More meaningful computer simulations of the Bayer process, covering conditions far beyond current plant operating ranges, are seen by Australian producers as an important way to increase future productivity, minimise energy consumption and cut greenhouse emissions. To achieve these aims, we must develop hitherto unavailable modelling capabilities for predicting the behaviour of Bayer plant liquors. The more robust thermodynamic models developed in this project will enable more realistic simulations, which are a prerequisite for innovative process design and optimisation.Read moreRead less
Molecular forces: in colloid science, complex fluids and living matter. The physical chemists; and the biologists, soil scientists and engineers who need them, have lived in parallel universes. Despite claims for relevance, the standard text book chemistry is unsatisfactory in a myriad industrial and basic applications. Identification of where theories went wrong has been made. The repair of current theories will provide better predictive experimental design principles that get to real world sol ....Molecular forces: in colloid science, complex fluids and living matter. The physical chemists; and the biologists, soil scientists and engineers who need them, have lived in parallel universes. Despite claims for relevance, the standard text book chemistry is unsatisfactory in a myriad industrial and basic applications. Identification of where theories went wrong has been made. The repair of current theories will provide better predictive experimental design principles that get to real world solutions faster. There is a genuine paradigm shift in progress. Redressing deficiencies of present theories will provide a better intuition for scientists who need a predictive intuition from physical chemistry for optimal experimental design.
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Template-free Control of Titania Precipitation from Homogeneous Aqueous Solution. Used in the paint, plastic, ceramic, paper and synthetic fibre industries and having strategic nano-technological applications, titania is an important commodity for Australia, earning about $1.3 billion p.a. in exports. Better production methods through improved understanding of titania precipitation chemistry will help to increase our industrial productivity and minimise energy consumption. It may also lead to us ....Template-free Control of Titania Precipitation from Homogeneous Aqueous Solution. Used in the paint, plastic, ceramic, paper and synthetic fibre industries and having strategic nano-technological applications, titania is an important commodity for Australia, earning about $1.3 billion p.a. in exports. Better production methods through improved understanding of titania precipitation chemistry will help to increase our industrial productivity and minimise energy consumption. It may also lead to useful new processes and/or materials with catalytic properties. In an increasingly competitive global market, this is most relevant to Australian titania exporters and to Australian renewable energy programs (particularly for generating photovoltaic power). Read moreRead less
The recovery of Cu from chalcopyrite-pyrite containing concentrates, ores and tailings. Chalcopyrite, a major source of Cu, is often associated in ores with the valueless mineral pyrite. The development of more efficient methods for the retrieval of the Cu is of considerable economic importance to Australian minerals processing companies. We aim to develop methodologies allowing the more efficient :
- separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite;
- leaching of Cu from ores and tailing in a heap leach ....The recovery of Cu from chalcopyrite-pyrite containing concentrates, ores and tailings. Chalcopyrite, a major source of Cu, is often associated in ores with the valueless mineral pyrite. The development of more efficient methods for the retrieval of the Cu is of considerable economic importance to Australian minerals processing companies. We aim to develop methodologies allowing the more efficient :
- separation of chalcopyrite and pyrite;
- leaching of Cu from ores and tailing in a heap leach environment and
- leaching of Cu in a concentrated chalcopyrite-pyrite reactor environment.
These aims will be achieved via an integrated surface-solution speciation approach allowing the manipulation of surface properties.
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