Thermal enhancement strategies and development of a high-performance micro-scale heat exchanger for thermoelectric refrigeration with large cooling loads. Traditional refrigeration essentially utilises CFC-refrigerants which are potent atmospheric pollutants causing widespread ecological damage. Devoid of such adversities, electronic heat pumping mechanism of thermoelectric principle offers a practical ?CFC-free? alternative for conventional cooling methods. While the current thermoelectric te ....Thermal enhancement strategies and development of a high-performance micro-scale heat exchanger for thermoelectric refrigeration with large cooling loads. Traditional refrigeration essentially utilises CFC-refrigerants which are potent atmospheric pollutants causing widespread ecological damage. Devoid of such adversities, electronic heat pumping mechanism of thermoelectric principle offers a practical ?CFC-free? alternative for conventional cooling methods. While the current thermoelectric technology adequately meets light cooling demand, its potential for heavy-duty refrigeration is critically undermined by ill-developed methods for dissipating heat from thermoelectric modules to coolants, and remains grossly under-utilised. The proposed work will devise novel heat transfer techniques for raising thermoelectric cooling thresholds to suit large heat loads and develop a thermally enhanced micro-scale heat exchanger for application in commercial thermoelectric refrigeration.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100174
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$193,000.00
Summary
Acoustic levitation facility for high pressure multiphase systems research. This project aims to create a specialised acoustic levitation facility that delivers precise control of a suspended particle/droplet/bubble within a high pressure continuous phase, and simultaneous measurement of multiple bulk and interfacial properties. Acoustic levitation enables container-less experiments, offering opportunities for applied engineering and fundamental science. This acoustic levitation system will be i ....Acoustic levitation facility for high pressure multiphase systems research. This project aims to create a specialised acoustic levitation facility that delivers precise control of a suspended particle/droplet/bubble within a high pressure continuous phase, and simultaneous measurement of multiple bulk and interfacial properties. Acoustic levitation enables container-less experiments, offering opportunities for applied engineering and fundamental science. This acoustic levitation system will be integrated with a specialised Raman imaging microscope to study crystallisation, mass transfer and molecular exchange, in application areas including energy transport, carbon capture and storage, and protein nucleation. This project is expected to open new avenues in engineering, chemistry and physics.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101533
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A risk-based approach to natural gas hydrates in oil and gas production. Like a cholesterol for oil and gas pipelines, gas hydrates are ice-like deposits that completely block the flow during production and are expensive to prevent as well as dangerous to remove. This proposal provides a risk-based approach to hydrate management that will increase the viability of natural gas production from fields in deep water.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE140101094
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$395,220.00
Summary
Precision Spectroscopy of CO2 Exchange in Hydrates for Clean Energy Production. Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration is a widely considered climate change mitigation strategy. Clathrate hydrates of natural gas, found in deep-water ocean sediments, represent a tremendous opportunity for simultaneous carbon dioxide sequestration and clean energy production. By injecting carbon dioxide into the hydrate reservoir, methane can be displaced and replaced by carbon dioxide. This project will use Ram ....Precision Spectroscopy of CO2 Exchange in Hydrates for Clean Energy Production. Carbon dioxide capture and sequestration is a widely considered climate change mitigation strategy. Clathrate hydrates of natural gas, found in deep-water ocean sediments, represent a tremendous opportunity for simultaneous carbon dioxide sequestration and clean energy production. By injecting carbon dioxide into the hydrate reservoir, methane can be displaced and replaced by carbon dioxide. This project will use Raman spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance imaged core-flood experiments to develop a fundamental understanding of the exchange mechanisms governing the replacement of the methane molecule in the hydrate cage with carbon dioxide. This knowledge will be critical for future development of these resources to safely extract methane from sub-sea hydrates.Read moreRead less
Heat Transfer Mechanisms in an Indirectly Fired Rotary Kiln with Lifters and Its Role in Scaling. This project will apply heat transfer principles to improve and optimise the design and performance of ANSAC's innovative kiln technology for a wide range of process applications. By understanding the mechanisms of heat transfer involved in the working of the proprietary technology, major factors limiting the performance of the kiln can be identified, resulting in design criteria that link key opera ....Heat Transfer Mechanisms in an Indirectly Fired Rotary Kiln with Lifters and Its Role in Scaling. This project will apply heat transfer principles to improve and optimise the design and performance of ANSAC's innovative kiln technology for a wide range of process applications. By understanding the mechanisms of heat transfer involved in the working of the proprietary technology, major factors limiting the performance of the kiln can be identified, resulting in design criteria that link key operating parameters for the kiln scaling and performance forecast. The research outcomes will provide a scientific basis that underpins the development of an Australian technology and supports the growth of a new Australian small business, creating employment opportunities within Australia.Read moreRead less
Near zero-emission hydrogen and carbon production from natural gas and bio-methane. Hydrogen is envisaged as a clean fuel for power generation particularly for the transportation sector. In the short- and mid-term future, hydrogen will be derived from fossil fuels. Based on the conventional processes, the route from fossil fuels to hydrogen invariably produces greenhouse gases. Geosequestration is a viable technique of storing carbon dioxide but has an uncertain long-term environmental ramifi ....Near zero-emission hydrogen and carbon production from natural gas and bio-methane. Hydrogen is envisaged as a clean fuel for power generation particularly for the transportation sector. In the short- and mid-term future, hydrogen will be derived from fossil fuels. Based on the conventional processes, the route from fossil fuels to hydrogen invariably produces greenhouse gases. Geosequestration is a viable technique of storing carbon dioxide but has an uncertain long-term environmental ramification. In contrast, our proposed technique avoids the production of greenhouse gases and, instead, engenders high value added graphitized carbon as a by-product. Given the relative stability and value of graphitized carbon, our catalytic cracking process provides another option to geosequestration.Read moreRead less
Elastic and biodegradable sponges/aerogels from exfoliated silk nanofibres . The aim of this project is to investigate methods to produce highly porous elastic sponges from silk protein nanofibres. These sponges will have optimal mechanical, insulation and degradation properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications including the biomedical and personal care sectors, where current products have significant drawbacks due to the use of non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Outco ....Elastic and biodegradable sponges/aerogels from exfoliated silk nanofibres . The aim of this project is to investigate methods to produce highly porous elastic sponges from silk protein nanofibres. These sponges will have optimal mechanical, insulation and degradation properties making them suitable for a wide range of applications including the biomedical and personal care sectors, where current products have significant drawbacks due to the use of non-biodegradable synthetic materials. Outcomes include new knowledge on controlling porous structures and tailoring properties to targeted applications. This project, by laying the groundwork for a new generation of bio-based materials, will benefit the Australian advanced manufacturing sector, and enhance Australia's standing in materials science and engineering.Read moreRead less
Carbon dioxide-methane exchange in porous media for carbon-neutral energy production. This project aims to incorporate carbon capture and storage into natural gas production from energy reserves. Carbon sequestration could assist in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Injecting carbon dioxide into natural gas reservoirs or methane hydrate sands would be a nearly carbon-neutral means of energy production. However, this exchange of carbon dioxide for methane is poorly understood in ....Carbon dioxide-methane exchange in porous media for carbon-neutral energy production. This project aims to incorporate carbon capture and storage into natural gas production from energy reserves. Carbon sequestration could assist in achieving the goals of the Paris Climate Agreement. Injecting carbon dioxide into natural gas reservoirs or methane hydrate sands would be a nearly carbon-neutral means of energy production. However, this exchange of carbon dioxide for methane is poorly understood in both reservoirs and sands because multiple phases like water and sand affect mixing and recovery. This project will combine spatially-resolved Magnetic Resonance Imaging of high-pressure flooding and exchange experiments with multi-scale modelling. The expected outcome is simultaneous carbon dioxide sequestration with enhanced energy production.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE130100089
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$500,000.00
Summary
Performance level structural testing facility. A structural testing facility is proposed for the new Advanced Engineering Building at The University of Queensland. The focus of the research supported by this facility will ensure the functionality of Australia’s infrastructure resources and the development of new engineering solutions that will enhance the country’s long-term economic growth.
The phenomenology of unsteady impinging jets: fluid dynamics and heat transfer. This project comprises a definitive study of a fluid jet impacting a target surface and the effect of added fluctuations on its momentum and heat-transfer characteristics. This will deliver new scientific knowledge and underpin the development of an energy-efficient thermal-control technology for widespread use in many areas of engineering.