Hydrogen production from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste using a novel membrane. Solid organic waste is a potentially large, decentralized and sustainable source of hydrogen. The potential hydrogen yield from the anaerobic digestion of solid organic waste in Sydney alone could power over 750,000 passenger vehicles. Hydrogen is always generated in the digestion of organic material, but under natural conditions it is scavenged by methanogens. Recently developed silica membranes are sel ....Hydrogen production from the anaerobic digestion of organic waste using a novel membrane. Solid organic waste is a potentially large, decentralized and sustainable source of hydrogen. The potential hydrogen yield from the anaerobic digestion of solid organic waste in Sydney alone could power over 750,000 passenger vehicles. Hydrogen is always generated in the digestion of organic material, but under natural conditions it is scavenged by methanogens. Recently developed silica membranes are selectively and highly permeable to hydrogen, and these can be used to draw hydrogen from the digester. The digester will be run at high temperatures (>65oC) because this favours organisms that produce hydrogen over methanogens. Anaerobic digesters are well established in Europe and at least 3 municipal plants already exist in Australia.Read moreRead less
Defining Fundamental Principles for the Design and Operation of Membrane Systems from Time-Varying Performance Analysis. To date, much of the process improvement for industrial application of membrane technology has revolved around polymer science based development of membrane materials and process and module changes resulting from the application of basic (often simplistic) engineering principles. While some future improvements may still come from these areas, the most dramatic advances are li ....Defining Fundamental Principles for the Design and Operation of Membrane Systems from Time-Varying Performance Analysis. To date, much of the process improvement for industrial application of membrane technology has revolved around polymer science based development of membrane materials and process and module changes resulting from the application of basic (often simplistic) engineering principles. While some future improvements may still come from these areas, the most dramatic advances are likely to be derived from the application of advanced engineering principles to this complex system. This project will integrate advanced CFD modelling and control principles for the design and operation of membrane systems in order to develop fundamental understanding that should lead to significant process improvements.Read moreRead less
Electrocoagulation as a low-cost option for the continuous treatment of highly polluted wastewater. Water is a critically important 'raw material' with less than 0.01% of Earth's total supply being readily available. 'Once through' utilisation of this resource is no longer an acceptable industrial practise. Recycling/reuse of industrial wastewater must become the norm with economic pollutant recovery being seen as integral to the solution. The food/beverage industries are major water users. Deta ....Electrocoagulation as a low-cost option for the continuous treatment of highly polluted wastewater. Water is a critically important 'raw material' with less than 0.01% of Earth's total supply being readily available. 'Once through' utilisation of this resource is no longer an acceptable industrial practise. Recycling/reuse of industrial wastewater must become the norm with economic pollutant recovery being seen as integral to the solution. The food/beverage industries are major water users. Detailed scoping work in 2005 has identified electrocoagulation as a technically simple and economically viable option for this industry sector. Our industry partner is part of a global multi-national corporation within which successful wastewater treatment technology will be rapidly exploited and exported. Read moreRead less
Photoelectrochemical control transport across a photoactive inorganic membrane fabricated by an in situ vapour phase hydrothermal method. Serious global fresh water shortage problems force us to recycle/reuse water. In Australia, this is an urgent issue due to our limited fresh water resources. Complete removal of biohazards (e.g., waterborne pathogens) from treated water is one of the most important aspects of safeguarding water recycling and has been the biggest obstacle for public acceptance. ....Photoelectrochemical control transport across a photoactive inorganic membrane fabricated by an in situ vapour phase hydrothermal method. Serious global fresh water shortage problems force us to recycle/reuse water. In Australia, this is an urgent issue due to our limited fresh water resources. Complete removal of biohazards (e.g., waterborne pathogens) from treated water is one of the most important aspects of safeguarding water recycling and has been the biggest obstacle for public acceptance. This project aims to tackle the issue by developing a highly efficient and effective new membrane technology that is capable of not just separating the biohazards from the source water but also in situ destroying them at the same time with low energy consumption and self cleaning features.Read moreRead less
Membrane Fouling in Submerged Hollow Fibre Membrane Bioreactor Systems: Theory, Modelling and Fouling Control. The outcomes of this project will provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms of fouling in submerged hollow fibre membrane bioreactors (SHFMBR) and will provide a sound base for optimization of design and operation of SHFMBR systems. Given the crucial role of the SHFMBR in wastewater treatment and water reuse, this project will significantly contribute to the national priority are ....Membrane Fouling in Submerged Hollow Fibre Membrane Bioreactor Systems: Theory, Modelling and Fouling Control. The outcomes of this project will provide fundamental insights into the mechanisms of fouling in submerged hollow fibre membrane bioreactors (SHFMBR) and will provide a sound base for optimization of design and operation of SHFMBR systems. Given the crucial role of the SHFMBR in wastewater treatment and water reuse, this project will significantly contribute to the national priority area of 'an environmentally sustainable Australia (water-a critical resource)'. In addition, the outcomes of this project on quantitative simulation of the gel/cake structure and resulting transport phenomena will promote Australia's reputation for high quality fundamental and applied research in the area of membrane filtration. Read moreRead less
Development of Vibratory Submerged Membrane Systems for Water and Wastewater Treatment. While there has been a dramatic increase in the use of submerged membrane systems in recent years, fouling of these membranes remains a major limitation to their more widespread use with the commonly used antifouling approach of bubbling with air exhibiting serious limitations. Low frequency vibration of submerged membranes appears to offer substantial benefits with regard to increased flexibility of operatio ....Development of Vibratory Submerged Membrane Systems for Water and Wastewater Treatment. While there has been a dramatic increase in the use of submerged membrane systems in recent years, fouling of these membranes remains a major limitation to their more widespread use with the commonly used antifouling approach of bubbling with air exhibiting serious limitations. Low frequency vibration of submerged membranes appears to offer substantial benefits with regard to increased flexibility of operation (such as the ability for rapid turn up/turn down and the ability to minimise fouling in anaerobic systems)and is likely to further extend the use of membranes in water and wastewater treatment.Read moreRead less
Optimal design and operation of submerged hollow fibres for flocculated feeds. This project will provide fundamental understanding of the operation of submerged hollow fibre (SHF)membranes with flocculated feed and fouling control by bubbling. The SHF is the latest generation membrane system for water and wastewater treatment offering lower cost and reduced energy demand. The operation of the SHF with floc is radically different from conventional membrane technology and this project will provid ....Optimal design and operation of submerged hollow fibres for flocculated feeds. This project will provide fundamental understanding of the operation of submerged hollow fibre (SHF)membranes with flocculated feed and fouling control by bubbling. The SHF is the latest generation membrane system for water and wastewater treatment offering lower cost and reduced energy demand. The operation of the SHF with floc is radically different from conventional membrane technology and this project will provide the understanding necessary to optimise design and operation.Read moreRead less