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.
Fundamental investigation of the briquetting behaviour of iron ore fines. Handling, including transport and processing, may account for up to 60 per cent of the total delivered price of iron ore. This project will develop an integrated computer model for an improved briquetting process of ore fines with reduced operation cost and less environmental impact, leading to a more competitive and sustainable mineral industry in Australia.
Micromechanic modelling and analysis of the dynamics of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This project aims to develop advanced theories and mathematical models to describe the packing and flow of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This will be achieved through a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of advanced discrete particle simulation and detailed analysis of packing/flow structures, particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions a ....Micromechanic modelling and analysis of the dynamics of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This project aims to develop advanced theories and mathematical models to describe the packing and flow of non-spherical particles coupled with fluid flow. This will be achieved through a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of advanced discrete particle simulation and detailed analysis of packing/flow structures, particle-particle and particle-fluid interactions at a particle scale. Research outcomes including theories, computer models and simulation techniques will be applied to representative industrial operations of importance to Australia's economic and technological future.Read moreRead less
Multiscale study of raceway operations for low-cost and stable ironmaking. This project aims to optimise blast furnace operations and to assess the performance of Australian brown coals in ironmaking. Pulverised coal injection is a cost-effective technology in blast furnace ironmaking, particularly if low-grade coal is used. This project aims to develop control strategies for stable and low-cost operation and to assess and optimise the combustion of brown coal and its blends in this process. The ....Multiscale study of raceway operations for low-cost and stable ironmaking. This project aims to optimise blast furnace operations and to assess the performance of Australian brown coals in ironmaking. Pulverised coal injection is a cost-effective technology in blast furnace ironmaking, particularly if low-grade coal is used. This project aims to develop control strategies for stable and low-cost operation and to assess and optimise the combustion of brown coal and its blends in this process. The project aims will be achieved via multiscale modelling and simulation, supported by laboratory and plant experiments. The outcomes of the project are intended to open a new market for brown coal.Read moreRead less
Development and application of a virtue experimental blast furnace. This project aims to develop a virtual experimental blast furnace based on advanced discrete particle simulation technique. It is intended that the model furnace will be used to study the flow and thermochemical behaviour in iron making, quantify the effects of key variables related to raw material and operational conditions, and formulate strategies for optimum process design and control under different conditions. The findings ....Development and application of a virtue experimental blast furnace. This project aims to develop a virtual experimental blast furnace based on advanced discrete particle simulation technique. It is intended that the model furnace will be used to study the flow and thermochemical behaviour in iron making, quantify the effects of key variables related to raw material and operational conditions, and formulate strategies for optimum process design and control under different conditions. The findings aim to be very useful to comprehensively assess the performance of Australian minerals in iron making, improve the energy efficiency and reduce carbon dioxide emission in the steel industry, and enhance the competitiveness of the Australian economy.Read moreRead less
Synergetic combination of localised internal magnesium diffusion process with cold compaction technique for fabrication of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor wires. This project seeks major advancements in magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor performance through the development of novel techniques for the fabrication of MgB2 wire. Further improvement in MgB2 wire performance holds the key to a number of significant commercial applications, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, fault cu ....Synergetic combination of localised internal magnesium diffusion process with cold compaction technique for fabrication of magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor wires. This project seeks major advancements in magnesium diboride (MgB2) superconductor performance through the development of novel techniques for the fabrication of MgB2 wire. Further improvement in MgB2 wire performance holds the key to a number of significant commercial applications, including Magnetic Resonance Imaging, fault current limiters and wind turbines.Read moreRead less
Model studies of new ironmaking processes. This project aims to study the fundamentals governing the multiphase flow and thermochemical performance in representative new ironmaking processes, and formulate some useful strategies for the design, control and optimisation of next generation of ironmaking technology which is useful to Australia's future mineral and steel industries.
Triboelectric separation - fundamentals and practice. Triboelectric separation is a novel way to refine mineral ores without using scarce water resources, based on the familiar generation of electrostatic charge by friction. This project will provide a practical dry particle separation process, and a better understanding of a common and important problem in electrostatics.
Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores . This project aims to understand the reactions taking place on the major gangue (waste) mineral during the recovery of base-metal and precious minerals. The mining industry is processing low grade complex ores and experiencing difficulties in rejecting gangue minerals in mineral separation and metal extraction plants. The project will develop new technologies that manipulate these reactions to achieve mineral separation and ....Depressing pyrite in selective flotation of complex polymetallic ores . This project aims to understand the reactions taking place on the major gangue (waste) mineral during the recovery of base-metal and precious minerals. The mining industry is processing low grade complex ores and experiencing difficulties in rejecting gangue minerals in mineral separation and metal extraction plants. The project will develop new technologies that manipulate these reactions to achieve mineral separation and metal extraction efficiently and economically. These technologies may provide value in processing low quality complex polymetallic resources using low quality water, whilst halving the operating costs of mineral concentrators and providing corresponding reductions in harmful emissions.Read moreRead less
Depressing pyrrhotite in copper and gold flotation. The mining industry is processing low-grade ores associated with high amounts of waste minerals. Extracting metals from low-grade ores is very difficult with technical challenges in rejecting waste minerals. This project aims to understand the surface properties and the behaviour of a major waste mineral which is becoming increasingly problematic during the processing of copper and gold ores. New chemistry and chemical reagents will be develope ....Depressing pyrrhotite in copper and gold flotation. The mining industry is processing low-grade ores associated with high amounts of waste minerals. Extracting metals from low-grade ores is very difficult with technical challenges in rejecting waste minerals. This project aims to understand the surface properties and the behaviour of a major waste mineral which is becoming increasingly problematic during the processing of copper and gold ores. New chemistry and chemical reagents will be developed to efficiently and economically reject the waste mineral by manipulating the reactions that take place on its surface. This project expects to have immediate economic and environmental impacts through increasing metal production, cutting greenhouse gas emissions and applying new green reagents.Read moreRead less