Fracture propagation through fragmented solids. This project investigates fracture propagation in heavily fractured (fragmented) solids such as rock masses, ice covers, fractured coatings, mortar-free structures. It introduces new ideas and methods and has potential to result in a breakthrough science to achieve better understanding of the fundamental processes of fracturing fragmented materials that will advance knowledge and develop technological innovations. A particular outcome of the projec ....Fracture propagation through fragmented solids. This project investigates fracture propagation in heavily fractured (fragmented) solids such as rock masses, ice covers, fractured coatings, mortar-free structures. It introduces new ideas and methods and has potential to result in a breakthrough science to achieve better understanding of the fundamental processes of fracturing fragmented materials that will advance knowledge and develop technological innovations. A particular outcome of the project will be in developing tools for designing new materials with enhanced failure resistance. Another application is in Resource Engineering and Earth and Planetary Science; the project will contribute to understanding of fracture propagation in the Earth's (and generally, planetary) crust.Read moreRead less
A Paradigm Shift in the Hydrodynamics of Ion Flotation. Ion flotation has delivered remarkable separations via high selectivity, recovery and concentration upgrade. Yet, the technology has not provided solutions that are economically viable. This new project, however, aims to deliver the paradigm shift required in the flotation hydrodynamics to finally permit ion flotation to be applied to a broad range of industrial problems. Specifically, the aim is to increase extraction rates by more than an ....A Paradigm Shift in the Hydrodynamics of Ion Flotation. Ion flotation has delivered remarkable separations via high selectivity, recovery and concentration upgrade. Yet, the technology has not provided solutions that are economically viable. This new project, however, aims to deliver the paradigm shift required in the flotation hydrodynamics to finally permit ion flotation to be applied to a broad range of industrial problems. Specifically, the aim is to increase extraction rates by more than an order of magnitude by dramatically increasing bubble-liquid segregation rates, and bubble-surface fluxes. In turn the project is expected to develop a new line of solutions to industrial problems in hydrometallurgy for recovering precious metals and for solving toxic environmental problems.Read moreRead less
Production of hydrogen from biomass by integrated catalytic aqueous hydrolysis and reforming in subcritical water. The outcomes of this project will lead to the development of a novel process for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from renewable biomass using integrated hydrolysis and catalytic aqueous reforming at low temperatures. Such technological innovation will provide significant benefits to Australia as a whole for transition to a truly sustainable hydrogen economy. The nov ....Production of hydrogen from biomass by integrated catalytic aqueous hydrolysis and reforming in subcritical water. The outcomes of this project will lead to the development of a novel process for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from renewable biomass using integrated hydrolysis and catalytic aqueous reforming at low temperatures. Such technological innovation will provide significant benefits to Australia as a whole for transition to a truly sustainable hydrogen economy. The novel reaction system and research methodologies proposed in this proposal will certainly enhance Australia's science and technology capability and international competitiveness, in the area of reaction engineering. Also of the national benefit is the successful training of a postgraduate at PhD level who will no doubt add to future scientific research workforce.Read moreRead less
Non-destructive process for treatment of fluorinated greenhouse gases. This research pursues the development of an energy-efficient, non-destructive process for transforming fluorine-containing greenhouse gases (GHGs) into valuable and environmentally benign products. The process will benefit Australia, by reducing emission of GHGs and offers a new technology for treatment of the growing stockpiles of synthetic GHGs.
A novel quantitative risk assessment framework for fractured rock slopes. Rock slope instabilities present grave risks to life and to the serviceability of major Australian infrastructure such as mines, roads and railways, and to coastal recreation areas. This project aims at developing tools for the quantitative risk assessment of fractured rock slopes based on rigorous rock mechanics, numerical methods and probabilistic methods.
The research outcomes will improve our understanding of natural ....A novel quantitative risk assessment framework for fractured rock slopes. Rock slope instabilities present grave risks to life and to the serviceability of major Australian infrastructure such as mines, roads and railways, and to coastal recreation areas. This project aims at developing tools for the quantitative risk assessment of fractured rock slopes based on rigorous rock mechanics, numerical methods and probabilistic methods.
The research outcomes will improve our understanding of natural and engineering rock slopes, reduce the uncertainties in the prediction of the safety of infrastructures, and thus minimize the loss and damage. The research outcomes can also be used to maintain workplace safety in mining environments and avoid disruptions to production.
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Multicomponent gas counter-diffusion in coal. Coalbed methane resources in Australia surpass $20billion at present gas prices. Using CO2 as an enhancement fluid, recovery of methane can potentially be improved by 50% adding a further $10b value, simultaneously permanently and safely sequestering the CO2, with possible carbon credits of up to $15b. The nature of the simultaneous exchange of CO2, methane and other gases within the coal dictates many of the engineering requirements for optimal exp ....Multicomponent gas counter-diffusion in coal. Coalbed methane resources in Australia surpass $20billion at present gas prices. Using CO2 as an enhancement fluid, recovery of methane can potentially be improved by 50% adding a further $10b value, simultaneously permanently and safely sequestering the CO2, with possible carbon credits of up to $15b. The nature of the simultaneous exchange of CO2, methane and other gases within the coal dictates many of the engineering requirements for optimal exploitation. It underlies the development of coal gas reservoir simulators, which currently do not incorporate this critical feature. This project is directed at understanding that counterflow and exchange.Read moreRead less
A multi-scale theory of unsaturated porous media under extreme loading. Extreme loading induced by impacts, explosives or earthquakes generates stress wave propagation through unsaturated media; this can lead to rock fracturing and soil liquefaction and severely damage civil, mining and military infrastructures and operations. The project aims to develop a novel experimentally-validated theory, with associated models, for describing dynamic responses of unsaturated porous media subject to extrem ....A multi-scale theory of unsaturated porous media under extreme loading. Extreme loading induced by impacts, explosives or earthquakes generates stress wave propagation through unsaturated media; this can lead to rock fracturing and soil liquefaction and severely damage civil, mining and military infrastructures and operations. The project aims to develop a novel experimentally-validated theory, with associated models, for describing dynamic responses of unsaturated porous media subject to extreme loading. Our continuum framework will allow building constitutive models directly from saturation-dependent contact laws at the micro-scale. This will remove the need to use the site-dependent empirical models and thus give the derived constitutive models truly predictive capabilities.Read moreRead less
Propagating fragmentation waves in granular materials. This project will conduct the first systematic study to understand and control fragmentation waves in granular systems subject to impact loading. The outcomes will be essential for geoscience including earthquakes and meteoritic impacts, and for many industries, including mining, mineral processes, petroleum production and pharmaceutics.
A Novel Hybrid Chemical Looping Process for Production of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile. This project determines the fundamental science underpinning the operation of a novel hybrid chemical looping carbon reforming (CLCR) process for production of alternative transportation fuels with a reduced greenhouse gas emissions profile. Compare with conventional processes, the CLCR process features a 50 per cent reduction in the energy and carbon dioxide footpr ....A Novel Hybrid Chemical Looping Process for Production of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile. This project determines the fundamental science underpinning the operation of a novel hybrid chemical looping carbon reforming (CLCR) process for production of alternative transportation fuels with a reduced greenhouse gas emissions profile. Compare with conventional processes, the CLCR process features a 50 per cent reduction in the energy and carbon dioxide footprints and represents a large sink for carbon dioxide sequestration if deployed widely. To achieve the broad objectives of the project comprehensive experimental and modelling studies will be carried out at macro, micro and molecular levels. Expected outcomes include fundamental knowledge essential to the development and commercial-scale deployment of the CLCR process.Read moreRead less
The Mineral factor: strategic minerals, imperial resources and global politics (1895-1995). With the emergence of Asia, the political control of 'rare earths' vital to high-tech industries has prompted international diplomatic and commercial concern. This project explores the history of 'strategic minerals' and assesses the role of minerals policy in achieving both 'mineral security' and environmental sustainability.