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
Nano-engineered catalysts for sustainable fuel production from waste . This project aims to address two major problems simultaneously-reducing the burden of non-recyclable waste currently going to landfill in Australia, and offsetting Australia’s reliance on imported diesel to support industry and transport needs. While approximately 95% of diesel consumed in Australia is imported, vast quantities of carbon-based waste ends up in landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a mixture of plant-based ....Nano-engineered catalysts for sustainable fuel production from waste . This project aims to address two major problems simultaneously-reducing the burden of non-recyclable waste currently going to landfill in Australia, and offsetting Australia’s reliance on imported diesel to support industry and transport needs. While approximately 95% of diesel consumed in Australia is imported, vast quantities of carbon-based waste ends up in landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a mixture of plant-based waste (including food, garden, paper, and wood) and fossil-fuel derived materials (plastics). Using an innovative and environmentally-sustainable catalytic process, the outcomes of this project are aimed alleviating Australia’s dependence on diesel fuel imports and better waste management solutions in Australia.Read moreRead less
Particle classification using a ferrofluid in a non uniform magnetic field. The separation of micron size components of suspensions according to the size and density of the particles is presently an intractable problem. However, by using a magnetized ferrofluid it should be possible to generate unique particle trajectories for each combination of particle size and density. This study investigates the potential of this strategy for separating such particles, laying the foundation for new small-sc ....Particle classification using a ferrofluid in a non uniform magnetic field. The separation of micron size components of suspensions according to the size and density of the particles is presently an intractable problem. However, by using a magnetized ferrofluid it should be possible to generate unique particle trajectories for each combination of particle size and density. This study investigates the potential of this strategy for separating such particles, laying the foundation for new small-scale diagnostic "lab-on a chip" technology that could be used in biotechnology to study whole blood, or in mineral processing to control energy intensive ball mills for mineral particle liberation.Read moreRead less
Use of Parallel Inclined Channels to Enhance Foam Drainage in Ion Flotation. This study is concerned with increasing the rates of foam drainage in flotation processes. The findings will have direct benefit in the field of ion flotation, and will be highly relevant to the flotation of high value minerals worth tens of billions of dollars annually. The Reflux Classifier, a device that employs the Boycott Effect to achieve a significant increase in the effective area of the vessel, will be used. Th ....Use of Parallel Inclined Channels to Enhance Foam Drainage in Ion Flotation. This study is concerned with increasing the rates of foam drainage in flotation processes. The findings will have direct benefit in the field of ion flotation, and will be highly relevant to the flotation of high value minerals worth tens of billions of dollars annually. The Reflux Classifier, a device that employs the Boycott Effect to achieve a significant increase in the effective area of the vessel, will be used. This device has already attracted three national awards in the area of gravity concentration in mineral processing. The study is ideal for training new researchers, especially at the PhD level, given the importance of the field to Australia. Read moreRead less
Unlocking the catalytic activity of metal oxides through hybrid catalysis. This project aims to understand the interaction of light responsive nano-metals and metal oxide supports in photo-thermal catalysis, and channel light and heat to efficiently drive catalytic reactions. From this understanding, it will develop principles to activate the active site of metal oxides and control catalytic activity with high selectivity and stability. It will use this knowledge to selectively oxidate methane a ....Unlocking the catalytic activity of metal oxides through hybrid catalysis. This project aims to understand the interaction of light responsive nano-metals and metal oxide supports in photo-thermal catalysis, and channel light and heat to efficiently drive catalytic reactions. From this understanding, it will develop principles to activate the active site of metal oxides and control catalytic activity with high selectivity and stability. It will use this knowledge to selectively oxidate methane and oxidative coupling of methane reactions. The expected outcome is an inexpensive green catalysis method for chemical manufacture. This should lower the amount of waste, decrease energy consumption and improve human health, finite global resources and quality of life.Read moreRead less
Influence of Parallel Inclined Plates within Liquid Fluidized Beds. The aim of this study is to develop a fundamental understanding of the influence of a set of parallel inclined plates within a liquid fluidized bed. A broad range of systems that process particulate suspensions are very likely to benefit from this innovative arrangement. Considerably higher throughputs and improved separation performance are expected. A theoretical model will be developed and validated experimentally. The study ....Influence of Parallel Inclined Plates within Liquid Fluidized Beds. The aim of this study is to develop a fundamental understanding of the influence of a set of parallel inclined plates within a liquid fluidized bed. A broad range of systems that process particulate suspensions are very likely to benefit from this innovative arrangement. Considerably higher throughputs and improved separation performance are expected. A theoretical model will be developed and validated experimentally. The study will also examine whether a critical shear rate can be used to selectively separate particles on the basis of differences in density. This work will strengthen the potential exploitation of this new technology, and help train and educate a student at the PhD level in the area.Read moreRead less
Particle Transport and Separation in High Aspect Ratio Inclined Channels. This project will be of benefit to the Australian coal and mineral processing industries, worth tens of billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year. The objective is to establish new options for the processing of particles as large as 50mm, and smaller than 50 microns in size, and hence significantly extend the operating size range of the Reflux Classifier. The development of new resources, especially those of ....Particle Transport and Separation in High Aspect Ratio Inclined Channels. This project will be of benefit to the Australian coal and mineral processing industries, worth tens of billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year. The objective is to establish new options for the processing of particles as large as 50mm, and smaller than 50 microns in size, and hence significantly extend the operating size range of the Reflux Classifier. The development of new resources, especially those of poorer grade, requires more effective separation technology. Success in this project will significantly benefit the end users of the technology and also contribute to Australia's Mining Services industry.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,054.00
Summary
Remediation of PFAS in current and legacy biosolids application sites. This project aims to develop novel immobilisation, adsorption and/or thermal destruction methods for biosolids, soil and groundwater in current and legacy per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) sites receiving biosolids. Biosolids generated during waste water treatment carry an unknown potential risk of soil and groundwater PFAS contamination, through their application in agriculture and rehabilitation sites. This project ....Remediation of PFAS in current and legacy biosolids application sites. This project aims to develop novel immobilisation, adsorption and/or thermal destruction methods for biosolids, soil and groundwater in current and legacy per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) sites receiving biosolids. Biosolids generated during waste water treatment carry an unknown potential risk of soil and groundwater PFAS contamination, through their application in agriculture and rehabilitation sites. This project will provide the first major investigation of the release, fate and remediation of perfluorinated compounds in relation to their environmental pathways through wastewater treatment plants in Australia. The data will be evaluated to determine if perfluorinated compounds should be further incorporated into Australian soil and water quality monitoring programs. The project will provide evidence of research advice and methodologies being successfully adopted by water industry end-users, government regulatory agencies and private remediation industries.Read moreRead less
Characterising nanostructure functionality of conventional and advanced polymeric membranes using electrical impedance spectroscopy. Thin film membranes are an important separation process for industrial and municipal water treatment. This project will benefit Australian cities and industries by creating the tools to help reduce energy consumption associated with fouling of thin film membranes and indentify the next generation of efficient low fouling membranes.
Data-driven modelling of complex reactive flows. Complex reactive flow is dominant in many chemicals, physical and biological processes and should be optimised online for operational efficiency and stability, yet it is hindered by the lack of reliable model techniques. The project tackles this challenge by developing a next-generation data-driven modelling approach via integrating continuum/discrete-scale fluid-particle dynamics with system/control theories, supported by lab/plant experiments. D ....Data-driven modelling of complex reactive flows. Complex reactive flow is dominant in many chemicals, physical and biological processes and should be optimised online for operational efficiency and stability, yet it is hindered by the lack of reliable model techniques. The project tackles this challenge by developing a next-generation data-driven modelling approach via integrating continuum/discrete-scale fluid-particle dynamics with system/control theories, supported by lab/plant experiments. Driven by online data, the generic approach can open up a powerful way to reliably describe the inner state of reactors and online predict operation anomalies. The outcomes can help transform a range of industries to smart manufacturing and design, which is vital to Australia's technological future.Read moreRead less