The development of resin and polymer based technologies for the recovery of copper and cyanide from gold processing tailings streams. This is a fundamental study on the use of resin and polymer-based ligands to recover copper and cyanide from gold cyanidation tailings. This process is environmentally more acceptable than other recovery methods, as it does not involve the use or generation of harmful species, such as HCN. It also has the advantage that copper metal and cyanide are recovered as pr ....The development of resin and polymer based technologies for the recovery of copper and cyanide from gold processing tailings streams. This is a fundamental study on the use of resin and polymer-based ligands to recover copper and cyanide from gold cyanidation tailings. This process is environmentally more acceptable than other recovery methods, as it does not involve the use or generation of harmful species, such as HCN. It also has the advantage that copper metal and cyanide are recovered as products from the copper cyanide containing streams. Thus the proposed project has the potential to substantially alter the gold recovery process, particularly in an era where environmental and public concerns exist over the discharge of cyanide species into tailings dams.Read moreRead less
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
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE220100746
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$433,000.00
Summary
Engineering ion specificity for water electrolysis. This project aims to understand how foreign ions in water can be manipulated to selectively control the activity and selectivity of electrocatalytic water splitting and explore the potential if seawater or low-grade-water can be used as water feed to mitigate the economical barrier for large-scale hydrogen production through electrolysis. The new knowledge gained will be helpful for future design of more cost-effective electrolyser systems to u ....Engineering ion specificity for water electrolysis. This project aims to understand how foreign ions in water can be manipulated to selectively control the activity and selectivity of electrocatalytic water splitting and explore the potential if seawater or low-grade-water can be used as water feed to mitigate the economical barrier for large-scale hydrogen production through electrolysis. The new knowledge gained will be helpful for future design of more cost-effective electrolyser systems to underpin Australia’s emerging hydrogen economy.Read moreRead less
Early Career Industry Fellowships - Grant ID: IE230100468
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$450,000.00
Summary
Scalable high-performance electrolytic hydrogen generator. The project aims to demonstrate energy-efficient generation of compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis in a high pressure electrolyser test-rig produced by Melbourne company Energys Australia P/L, using high-performance membrane-electrode assemblies. Innovative electrode architectures, membranes, and method for their high through-put lamination will be developed. New knowledge in catalysis, device fabrication and materials science is e ....Scalable high-performance electrolytic hydrogen generator. The project aims to demonstrate energy-efficient generation of compressed hydrogen by water electrolysis in a high pressure electrolyser test-rig produced by Melbourne company Energys Australia P/L, using high-performance membrane-electrode assemblies. Innovative electrode architectures, membranes, and method for their high through-put lamination will be developed. New knowledge in catalysis, device fabrication and materials science is expected to be generated. The major project outcome is sustainable method for generation of compressed hydrogen at significantly reduced cost as compared to the existing technologies. Benefits include industry-ready processes for electrolyser and hydrogen production that support Australian energy industries.Read moreRead less
Tuning the electrolytes for high efficiency solar splitting of water. This project will develop a new technology that uses ionic liquids and sunlight to split water into hydrogen and oxygen to be used as a clean fuel. Australia has abundant sunlight, is very close to the growing energy markets of the Asia-Pacific region, and is ideally placed to benefit from this new technology.
A fundamental study of the simultaneous gold dissolution during the alkaline oxidation of sulfide containing refractory gold ores and concentrates. The gold industry is Australia's second largest export earner and therefore is immensely important to the Australian economy. The proposed project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable process for treating gold containing sulfidic ores and concentrates that are not amenable to conventional cyanidation. This would provide an enormous benefit t ....A fundamental study of the simultaneous gold dissolution during the alkaline oxidation of sulfide containing refractory gold ores and concentrates. The gold industry is Australia's second largest export earner and therefore is immensely important to the Australian economy. The proposed project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable process for treating gold containing sulfidic ores and concentrates that are not amenable to conventional cyanidation. This would provide an enormous benefit to both the Australian gold industry and the Australian environment. A successful outcome in the research project would also lead to export earnings emanating from technology transfer and enhance Australia's reputation for high quality research and academic endeavours.Read moreRead less
Optimising gold recovery whilst minimising cyanide and copper discharges during the processing of gold ores containing copper. The presence of copper is a major problem in Australia's gold industry. We have proposed an innovative method for treating copper containing ores which eliminates discharge of copper and cyanide to the tailings dam. The copper is recovered, and the cyanide is either recycled or destroyed within the plant. Another advantage of the process is a reduction in the cyanide req ....Optimising gold recovery whilst minimising cyanide and copper discharges during the processing of gold ores containing copper. The presence of copper is a major problem in Australia's gold industry. We have proposed an innovative method for treating copper containing ores which eliminates discharge of copper and cyanide to the tailings dam. The copper is recovered, and the cyanide is either recycled or destroyed within the plant. Another advantage of the process is a reduction in the cyanide requirement, hence reducing the risk associated with cyanide transport and storage. Thus the proposed project has the potential to substantially improve the gold recovery process, particularly in an era where environmental and public concerns exist over the use of cyanide.Read moreRead less
New dimensions of electrocatalyst design for sustainable energy future. This project aims to produce valuable chemicals from air, water and Australia’s abundant renewable energy, by developing efficient, robust catalysts for water oxidation, nitrogen reduction and ammonia oxidation — key processes for sustainable production of green fuels and fertilisers. The interdisciplinary project strategy will use a suite of advanced instrumental and theoretical tools to understand and control how catalysts ....New dimensions of electrocatalyst design for sustainable energy future. This project aims to produce valuable chemicals from air, water and Australia’s abundant renewable energy, by developing efficient, robust catalysts for water oxidation, nitrogen reduction and ammonia oxidation — key processes for sustainable production of green fuels and fertilisers. The interdisciplinary project strategy will use a suite of advanced instrumental and theoretical tools to understand and control how catalysts operate. Expected outcomes include new techniques to study catalysts, new catalyst design concepts, and novel high-performance catalytic materials and devices for sustainable electrosynthesis. These new technologies should reduce emissions and help Australia be a world leader in renewable-energy and fertiliser export.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE190100005
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$404,000.00
Summary
Perovskite-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This project aims to develop novel perovskite-based catalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability for the practical application of alkaline water splitting. A new family of overall water-splitting materials in alkaline media based on low-cost and earth-abundant perovskite oxides will be developed, which offer a viable alternative to the benchmark noble metal-based catalysts. Clean hydrogen energy generated by these effici ....Perovskite-based electrocatalysts for water electrolysis. This project aims to develop novel perovskite-based catalysts with high catalytic activity and long-term stability for the practical application of alkaline water splitting. A new family of overall water-splitting materials in alkaline media based on low-cost and earth-abundant perovskite oxides will be developed, which offer a viable alternative to the benchmark noble metal-based catalysts. Clean hydrogen energy generated by these efficient perovskite catalysts will not only reduce carbon dioxide emissions and alleviate air pollution, but also create opportunities for Australian industries, such as the widespread use of renewable solar and wind energy and fuel cell vehicles.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE210100084
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$269,020.00
Summary
Flexible Flame Aerosol Synthesis Technology. Funding is requested to establish a world-leading fabrication facility for nanostructured materials via flame synthesis. This is a scalable fabrication route used for industrial production of most nanoparticle commodities. The aim is to advance current capabilities by providing control over the reaction environment and flame reaction sources. This will extend the range of feasible materials from the current metal oxides to a broad family of nitrides, ....Flexible Flame Aerosol Synthesis Technology. Funding is requested to establish a world-leading fabrication facility for nanostructured materials via flame synthesis. This is a scalable fabrication route used for industrial production of most nanoparticle commodities. The aim is to advance current capabilities by providing control over the reaction environment and flame reaction sources. This will extend the range of feasible materials from the current metal oxides to a broad family of nitrides, sulphides, and metal-organic frameworks, enabling the engineering of electrocatalysts, optoelectronic- and bio-materials. Benefits are expected in terms of fundamental and applied knowledge generation, with impact to the Australian industry sectors of Advanced Manufacturing, Energy and Health.Read moreRead less