Ignition Mechanisms and Flame Evolution of Single Particles and Clouds of Pulverised Coal under Microgravity Condition. Gravity obscures some of the most subtle phenomena that are key to answering outstanding questions today, including combustion phenomena. The main scientific benefit from this fundamental research stems from the fact that it addresses far-reaching issues that transcend the boundaries of combustion science. It provides a rare opportunity to observe and understand the fundamental ....Ignition Mechanisms and Flame Evolution of Single Particles and Clouds of Pulverised Coal under Microgravity Condition. Gravity obscures some of the most subtle phenomena that are key to answering outstanding questions today, including combustion phenomena. The main scientific benefit from this fundamental research stems from the fact that it addresses far-reaching issues that transcend the boundaries of combustion science. It provides a rare opportunity to observe and understand the fundamental phenomena of combustion beyond the limitation of gravity on the earth surface, thus enriching our body of knowledge in this area. This new knowledge will provide a foundation for tomorrow's combustion science and technology.Read moreRead less
Monitoring and Modelling Hydrogeochemical Interactions with Groundwater : Implications for Mine Dewatering on Groundwater, River and Lake Chemistry. Alcoa operates a power station and brown coal mine at Anglesea in western Victoria. Following heavy rain in 2000 acidic water entered the Anglesea estuary causing precipitation of iron and aluminium flocs and fish kills. Estuary closure to tourism resulted. This project will identify the cause(s) of this phenomenon by modelling groundwater movement ....Monitoring and Modelling Hydrogeochemical Interactions with Groundwater : Implications for Mine Dewatering on Groundwater, River and Lake Chemistry. Alcoa operates a power station and brown coal mine at Anglesea in western Victoria. Following heavy rain in 2000 acidic water entered the Anglesea estuary causing precipitation of iron and aluminium flocs and fish kills. Estuary closure to tourism resulted. This project will identify the cause(s) of this phenomenon by modelling groundwater movement and studying geochemical processes. The resultant hydrogeochemical model will also be applied to simulating longer term water quality changes in the catchment arising from current mine dewatering operations and future rewatering following mine closure.
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Mapping Fluid Flow in the Earth's Crust: a Li and B micro-isotopic and thermodynamic study of serpentinisation. Interaction of fluids with magnesium-rich rocks creates new minerals and, on a global scale, affects the physical and chemical evolution of the Earth. On a more local scale, such fluid: rock interactions can lock up carbon dioxide via the formation of carbonate minerals. However, the extent to which such reactions may self-propagate is unclear. A primary benefit of this study will b ....Mapping Fluid Flow in the Earth's Crust: a Li and B micro-isotopic and thermodynamic study of serpentinisation. Interaction of fluids with magnesium-rich rocks creates new minerals and, on a global scale, affects the physical and chemical evolution of the Earth. On a more local scale, such fluid: rock interactions can lock up carbon dioxide via the formation of carbonate minerals. However, the extent to which such reactions may self-propagate is unclear. A primary benefit of this study will be new constraints on the viability of magnesium-rich rocks in geosequestration applications. Additional benefits will be provided by the development of advanced new analytical methodologies, and an increased level of understanding of the way that fluid flow can modify nickel sulphide ore bodies.Read moreRead less
Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid. Australia has a rich natural gas reserve, most of which is in remote locations. This project will lead to a new technology to use the remote gas that would be flared into the atmosphere, thus benefiting both Australian economy and green house gas reduction. It will also reduce the risk of relying on importing oil from Overseas thus contributing to Australia's energy security. In addition, while crude-based oil emits SOx, NOx a ....Development of a Novel One Step Process for Gas Conversion to Liquid. Australia has a rich natural gas reserve, most of which is in remote locations. This project will lead to a new technology to use the remote gas that would be flared into the atmosphere, thus benefiting both Australian economy and green house gas reduction. It will also reduce the risk of relying on importing oil from Overseas thus contributing to Australia's energy security. In addition, while crude-based oil emits SOx, NOx and particulates etc into air, the liquid fuels from gas are pure and burns cleanly thus also contributing to air pollution control. Read moreRead less
Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas. This project aims to develop a cost effective technology for hydrogen production using catalytic pyrolysis of natural gas assisted by non-thermal plasma. The mechanism and kinetics of catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition on carbons produced in situ will be systematically studied. Based on the fundamental understanding of carbon nanostructures and their catalytic activities and stabilities, the non-thermal plasm ....Hydrogen Production by Non-thermal Plasma Assisted Catalytic Pyrolysis of Natural Gas. This project aims to develop a cost effective technology for hydrogen production using catalytic pyrolysis of natural gas assisted by non-thermal plasma. The mechanism and kinetics of catalytic hydrocarbon decomposition on carbons produced in situ will be systematically studied. Based on the fundamental understanding of carbon nanostructures and their catalytic activities and stabilities, the non-thermal plasma and the catalytic reactions will be optimized to achieve high conversion and catalytic stability. The project will lead to a new process combining effective carbon catalyst and low temperature plasma to produce pure hydrogen with high energy efficiency and no CO2 emissions.Read moreRead less
Development of a Novel Flue Gas Desulphurization Technology for Alumina Refineries. This project aims to develop a novel technology of flue gas desulphurization for alumina industry. The successful completion of this project will provide a practical solution to the SOx emission problem in alumina refineries. Specifically, we aim to make use of the waste causticiser sludge discharged during the causticisation of the liquor streams and the used filter aid after the polishing filtration of the ref ....Development of a Novel Flue Gas Desulphurization Technology for Alumina Refineries. This project aims to develop a novel technology of flue gas desulphurization for alumina industry. The successful completion of this project will provide a practical solution to the SOx emission problem in alumina refineries. Specifically, we aim to make use of the waste causticiser sludge discharged during the causticisation of the liquor streams and the used filter aid after the polishing filtration of the refinery pregnant liquors as reagent to remove SOx emitted by the power house and the alumina calciners. We also aim to recover some alumina during the process of flue gas desulphurization thus further reducing the cost of air pollution control.Read moreRead less