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Harnessing microbial respiration for pollutant degradation and natural gas production. This project seeks to exploit compounds produced naturally by microorganisms to develop a marketable green technology for environmental restoration and clean energy generation in Australia and abroad. Metropolitan and regional communities will benefit from improved environmental and human health and the economy will benefit from global application.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100112
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$275,000.00
Summary
A Raman facility for advanced research supporting Australia’s natural gas, oil, coal and minerals industries. This modern Raman Spectroscopy facility will support the science and engineering that underpins the production and processing of Australia’s natural resources. Using high-pressure fibre optics, novel lasers and advanced imaging, the facility will enable the monitoring and improvement of processes and materials under extreme conditions.
Numerical and experimental studies of the gas-particle flow and dust collection in electrostatic precipitation systems. This project will generate an integrated computer model to describe the gas-solid flow and dust collection in an ElectroStatic Precipitator (ESP). The model can be used to aid the design and control of ESP systems which are widely used for dust collection, leading to more competitive energy and related industries.
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
Novel H2 production technology using brown coal for clean power generation. This project aims to develop a novel technology of poly-generation for the large-scale production of hydrogen and activated carbon materials using Australian brown coal through a high-pressure entrained-flow pyrolysis process, which is combined with a flameless catalytic H2 combustion process. The scientific goal of the project is to gain a detailed scientific understanding of the mechanisms of radical reaction pathways ....Novel H2 production technology using brown coal for clean power generation. This project aims to develop a novel technology of poly-generation for the large-scale production of hydrogen and activated carbon materials using Australian brown coal through a high-pressure entrained-flow pyrolysis process, which is combined with a flameless catalytic H2 combustion process. The scientific goal of the project is to gain a detailed scientific understanding of the mechanisms of radical reaction pathways for the high-pressure pyrolysis of brown coal, and the mechanism and kinetics of the catalytic flameless combustion of H2. The project outcomes will meet the needs of Australia's recent national hydrogen initiatives and lead to an industry demonstration to convert Victorian brown coal to NO-free and carbon-free clean power.Read moreRead less
Synthetic phenazines for enhanced biogas production from renewable and non-renewable resources. Methane (biogas) has a large role to play in meeting the energy needs of the human race globally whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Microbial communities are responsible for biogas production from non-renewable (coal) and renewable (food waste) resources. This project seeks to: increase biogas yields by redirecting electron flow towards biogas producing microbes using electrochemically active p ....Synthetic phenazines for enhanced biogas production from renewable and non-renewable resources. Methane (biogas) has a large role to play in meeting the energy needs of the human race globally whilst reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Microbial communities are responsible for biogas production from non-renewable (coal) and renewable (food waste) resources. This project seeks to: increase biogas yields by redirecting electron flow towards biogas producing microbes using electrochemically active phenazines; understand the molecular mechanism by which phenazines increase biogas yields; and, assess the environmental consequence of phenazine application to coal seam gas production and anaerobic digestion of food waste. Phenazines are likely to emerge as a safe and cost-effective technology for improved biogas generation.Read moreRead less
Non-polyamide-based polymer membranes for efficient water processing. This project aims to develop an innovative, two-dimensional nanosheet scaffold polymerisation technique for the fabrication of advanced membranes. Membrane technology plays a key role in wastewater treatment and water desalination and purification. However, current membranes are not stable in an oxidation environment such as chlorine, which leads to significant membrane replacement costs. Through the development of new membran ....Non-polyamide-based polymer membranes for efficient water processing. This project aims to develop an innovative, two-dimensional nanosheet scaffold polymerisation technique for the fabrication of advanced membranes. Membrane technology plays a key role in wastewater treatment and water desalination and purification. However, current membranes are not stable in an oxidation environment such as chlorine, which leads to significant membrane replacement costs. Through the development of new membrane fabrication technology the project aims to produce non-polyamide-based polymer membranes with outstanding oxidation tolerance and separation properties. This will potentially simplify membrane processes, and improve water processing efficiency in wastewater treatment for power generation, and clean drinking water production.
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In situ microbial conversion of coal to methane: Biotechnology development for clean use of Australian coal. We will develop a biotechnology that uses native microorganisms to accelerate the underground conversion of coal to methane. Approximately 90% of Australia’s coal resources cannot be accessed economically using traditional mining technologies. A technology that converts coal to methane could generate an energy supply worth an estimated $60 billion, foster the development of an energy indu ....In situ microbial conversion of coal to methane: Biotechnology development for clean use of Australian coal. We will develop a biotechnology that uses native microorganisms to accelerate the underground conversion of coal to methane. Approximately 90% of Australia’s coal resources cannot be accessed economically using traditional mining technologies. A technology that converts coal to methane could generate an energy supply worth an estimated $60 billion, foster the development of an energy industry now in its infancy, and generate numerous new employment opportunities. Environmentally, methane is a cleaner burning fuel than coal, uses much less water for processing and generates the same quantity of electricity with lower CO2 emissions. This project highlights the fact that Australia’s microbial diversity is a resource we cannot afford to ignore.Read moreRead less
Two-dimensional plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructures for photocatalysis. This project aims to design and explore two-dimensional heterogeneous photocatalysts that can convert solar energy into usable chemical energy. This project will investigate the correlation between surface plasmonic resonance and photocatalytic activities on the atomic level. Heterogeneous engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics is expected to yield several new full-solar-spectrum pho ....Two-dimensional plasmonic heterogeneous nanostructures for photocatalysis. This project aims to design and explore two-dimensional heterogeneous photocatalysts that can convert solar energy into usable chemical energy. This project will investigate the correlation between surface plasmonic resonance and photocatalytic activities on the atomic level. Heterogeneous engineering and in-situ investigation of atomic-level photocatalytic dynamics is expected to yield several new full-solar-spectrum photocatalysts. The project is expected to contribute to the understanding of the processes and mechanisms underlying photocatalysis, and lead to useable, stable and durable photocatalytics. The outcomes will enable efficient, cost-effective and reliable production of clean energy in a low-emission way.Read moreRead less
Fundamental mechanisms of metaplast formation during coal and biomass pyrolysis. This project investigates the reasons behind why some coals become fluid at high temperatures and apply these findings to biomass. This fluid phase (metaplast) represents the main area of uncertainty in pyolysis. This project builds on current research into coal macerals (the constituents of coal) using specifically developed novel thermal techniques to capture the dynamic behaviour of the fluid phase during its tra ....Fundamental mechanisms of metaplast formation during coal and biomass pyrolysis. This project investigates the reasons behind why some coals become fluid at high temperatures and apply these findings to biomass. This fluid phase (metaplast) represents the main area of uncertainty in pyolysis. This project builds on current research into coal macerals (the constituents of coal) using specifically developed novel thermal techniques to capture the dynamic behaviour of the fluid phase during its transformation. Critically, these techniques offer a new method of characterising tar compounds and in particular the extracted components of the metaplast. It will provide fundamental insight into an area governed by "black art" and empiricism, guide renewable fuel substitution and optimise Australia's coal and biomass reserves.Read moreRead less