Reduced fuel consumption through aerodynamic optimisation and the development of a new fuel consumption model for inter-modal trains in Australia. This project aims to improve intermodal freight train efficiency by developing new experimental and computational analytical techniques leading to aerodynamic optimisation and improved fuel consumption models. The aerodynamics solutions will be widely applicable to other rail and ground transportation modes.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0882471
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$430,000.00
Summary
Three-Dimensional Optical Laser Velocimetry for the HRNBLWT (High Reynolds Number Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel). The experimental information that can be gained from this infrastructure would lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows, which would impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting ....Three-Dimensional Optical Laser Velocimetry for the HRNBLWT (High Reynolds Number Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel). The experimental information that can be gained from this infrastructure would lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows, which would impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting in not only better fuel efficiency for vehicles but also reduced CO2 and pollutant emissions. Significant advances could also be made in the area of understanding the dispersion of particles, including pollutants, in the atmosphere; wind turbine design and implementation strategies, and climate change modelling.Read moreRead less
Elliptical nozzles: the shape of silence? This project aims to leverage the aeroacoustic properties of elliptical nozzle geometries to significantly reduce installed jet noise. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding methods to reduce installed jet noise, a serious problem for the aerospace industry. Regulatory constraints inhibit the implementation of efficiency-increasing configurations but still fail to eliminate public health impacts. Expected outcomes include a set of tools ....Elliptical nozzles: the shape of silence? This project aims to leverage the aeroacoustic properties of elliptical nozzle geometries to significantly reduce installed jet noise. This project expects to generate new knowledge regarding methods to reduce installed jet noise, a serious problem for the aerospace industry. Regulatory constraints inhibit the implementation of efficiency-increasing configurations but still fail to eliminate public health impacts. Expected outcomes include a set of tools for optimizing nozzle designs capable of significantly reducing installed jet noise. This will provide significant benefits, as jet noise is a serious health issue for the Australian public. This project represents an opportunity to reduce its impact while improving fuel efficiency.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100222
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$440,000.00
Summary
Time-resolved tomographic particle image velocimetry facility. The experimental information gained from measurements provided by this infrastructure will lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows and the dynamics of solid structures, which will impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting ....Time-resolved tomographic particle image velocimetry facility. The experimental information gained from measurements provided by this infrastructure will lead to significant advances in understanding turbulent flows and the dynamics of solid structures, which will impact a broad range of engineering and geophysical fields. Some specific examples include the development of efficient turbulence control strategies for the reduction of skin-friction drag and improved combustion processes, resulting in not only better fuel efficiency for vehicles but also reduced CO2 and pollutant emissions. Significant advances can also be made in understanding the dispersion of pollutants in the atmosphere, wind turbine design and the development of lighter and stronger intelligent materials with improved fatigue life.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE170100203
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$326,000.00
Summary
Flow measurement for large-scale industrial aerodynamics. This project aims to research the unsteady aerodynamic wakes of cars, trucks, athletes, turbines and micro-air vehicles. Researchers will use the flow measurement system for large-scale industrial aerodynamics to resolve high speed and large scale industrial flows. The system’s primary objective will be the characterisation of complex, three-dimensional turbulent flows. It is anticipated that the research will lead to reduced aerodynamic ....Flow measurement for large-scale industrial aerodynamics. This project aims to research the unsteady aerodynamic wakes of cars, trucks, athletes, turbines and micro-air vehicles. Researchers will use the flow measurement system for large-scale industrial aerodynamics to resolve high speed and large scale industrial flows. The system’s primary objective will be the characterisation of complex, three-dimensional turbulent flows. It is anticipated that the research will lead to reduced aerodynamic drag in transport and improve wind power generation, ultimately reducing emissions and improving efficiency and national competitiveness in sport. The advanced system will strengthen Australia’s position as an advanced engineering design hub.Read moreRead less
Wall Turbulence Drag: Physical Mechanisms and Practicable Control Strategies. The proposed research will build on Australia's well-established strengths in Fluid Mechanics, and aim to establish within Australia world-leading expertise in turbulence control and drag reduction technology. This will have direct benefits to the Australian economy through Tourism (among other industries) by reducing the adverse impact of rising fuel prices on long-distance air travel, on which Australia is disproport ....Wall Turbulence Drag: Physical Mechanisms and Practicable Control Strategies. The proposed research will build on Australia's well-established strengths in Fluid Mechanics, and aim to establish within Australia world-leading expertise in turbulence control and drag reduction technology. This will have direct benefits to the Australian economy through Tourism (among other industries) by reducing the adverse impact of rising fuel prices on long-distance air travel, on which Australia is disproportionately reliant due to its geographic isolation. Efficient turbulence control strategies will also lead to improved combustion processes, resulting in not only better fuel efficiency but also reduced CO2 and pollutant emissions.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354467
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
New Frontiers in Structural Health Monitoring. In-situ Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is part of a current revolution in smart-structures technologies promising quantum gains in performance, endurance and cost-efficient maintenance for high-value assets. The aim of the proposed network is to provide a platform for collaborative, multidisciplinary research, research training and innovation by integrating currently disparate programs in SHM, since the high investment costs for the development ....New Frontiers in Structural Health Monitoring. In-situ Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) is part of a current revolution in smart-structures technologies promising quantum gains in performance, endurance and cost-efficient maintenance for high-value assets. The aim of the proposed network is to provide a platform for collaborative, multidisciplinary research, research training and innovation by integrating currently disparate programs in SHM, since the high investment costs for the development of next generation smart technologies make a collaborative approach an absolute necessity. Its significance includes the efficient generation of world-class research outcomes in the key technologies enabling this revolution, viz. (i) sensor technologies; (ii) multifunctional materials; and (iii) intelligent systems, and the timely dissemination of these outcomes to Australian industry.Read moreRead less
Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements ....Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements in a high-pressure combustion chamber. GCI engines have significant potential to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions harmful to health and the environment. The outcomes from this project will lead to accelerated development of the GCI engine, and more optimal GCI solutions to be found.Read moreRead less
Flame-wall interactions in diesel engine environments. This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of flame-wall interactions in diesel engines, which is currently very limited despite the wall's significant impact on combustion and pollutants. The aim is to perform the most comprehensive set of measurements to date in a high-pressure chamber and optically accessible engine, including planar imaging of key species and soot, and space-/time-resolved measurements of wall temperature ....Flame-wall interactions in diesel engine environments. This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of flame-wall interactions in diesel engines, which is currently very limited despite the wall's significant impact on combustion and pollutants. The aim is to perform the most comprehensive set of measurements to date in a high-pressure chamber and optically accessible engine, including planar imaging of key species and soot, and space-/time-resolved measurements of wall temperature. These are intended to be complemented by the first transported probability density function modelling of a diesel spray flame that includes soot, radiation and wall heat transfer. The expected outcomes will greatly advance understanding of flame-wall interactions, thus contributing to the development of cleaner and more efficient engines.Read moreRead less
Development of low emissions compression-ignition engines via ethanol port-injection dual-fuelling. The project aims to develop a more efficient and more cost-effective way of utilising clean-burning ethanol fuel. Port-injection fuelling of ethanol as a separate fuel stream in compression-ignition engines will be studied fundamentally and combined with novel combustion strategies to overcome problems that occur at high ethanol substitution.