New approaches to the treatment of potable water in the presence of algal blooms. The processing of blue green algae rich waters and subsequent release of algal metabolites causes taste and odour problems and toxins that affect potable water safety. This project will define a preferred approach to the processing of these waters and provide quantitative analysis tools to help water authorities guarantee water quality and safety. The defined process routes and analysis procedures will also resul ....New approaches to the treatment of potable water in the presence of algal blooms. The processing of blue green algae rich waters and subsequent release of algal metabolites causes taste and odour problems and toxins that affect potable water safety. This project will define a preferred approach to the processing of these waters and provide quantitative analysis tools to help water authorities guarantee water quality and safety. The defined process routes and analysis procedures will also result in better water conservation (lower net water losses in processing). This will allow better regulation of water quality, safety and management by water authorities and improve consumer confidence in the potable water supply.Read moreRead less
The molecular biology and biochemistry of bacterial manganese oxidation. This project will further the understanding of bacterial manganese (Mn2+) oxidation. A multi-disciplinary approach will be used to further investigate the genetics and biochemistry of the Mn2+-oxidising systems of Pseudomonas putida, Leptothrix sp. and Pedomicrobium sp. This work will focus in particular on comparing the Mn2+-oxidising systems from unrelated bacteria. A combination of molecular biology, protein biochemis ....The molecular biology and biochemistry of bacterial manganese oxidation. This project will further the understanding of bacterial manganese (Mn2+) oxidation. A multi-disciplinary approach will be used to further investigate the genetics and biochemistry of the Mn2+-oxidising systems of Pseudomonas putida, Leptothrix sp. and Pedomicrobium sp. This work will focus in particular on comparing the Mn2+-oxidising systems from unrelated bacteria. A combination of molecular biology, protein biochemistry and spectroscopy will be used. This will be the first time that the enzymes of bacterial Mn2+-oxidation will have been characterised in such detail and will lead to a greater understanding of the process of bacterial manganese oxidation.Read moreRead less
The flotation of oxide minerals using hydroxamate collectors. Australian and world mineral resources are declining in quality as we exploit the richest sulfidic ore deposits. This is increasing our reliance on concentration and beneficiation processes to improve the economics of the selective recovery of minerals from lower grade and, increasingly, oxide or lateritic ore bodies. In addition, greater emphasis is being placed on our environmental stewardship and the need to remove hazardous mater ....The flotation of oxide minerals using hydroxamate collectors. Australian and world mineral resources are declining in quality as we exploit the richest sulfidic ore deposits. This is increasing our reliance on concentration and beneficiation processes to improve the economics of the selective recovery of minerals from lower grade and, increasingly, oxide or lateritic ore bodies. In addition, greater emphasis is being placed on our environmental stewardship and the need to remove hazardous material from the concentrate streams. This proposal will develop improved methods and techniques that will facilitate better, cleaner separations and recovery of the valuable oxide mineral components using Australian-developed flotation reagents.Read moreRead less
Template-free Control of Titania Precipitation from Homogeneous Aqueous Solution. Used in the paint, plastic, ceramic, paper and synthetic fibre industries and having strategic nano-technological applications, titania is an important commodity for Australia, earning about $1.3 billion p.a. in exports. Better production methods through improved understanding of titania precipitation chemistry will help to increase our industrial productivity and minimise energy consumption. It may also lead to us ....Template-free Control of Titania Precipitation from Homogeneous Aqueous Solution. Used in the paint, plastic, ceramic, paper and synthetic fibre industries and having strategic nano-technological applications, titania is an important commodity for Australia, earning about $1.3 billion p.a. in exports. Better production methods through improved understanding of titania precipitation chemistry will help to increase our industrial productivity and minimise energy consumption. It may also lead to useful new processes and/or materials with catalytic properties. In an increasingly competitive global market, this is most relevant to Australian titania exporters and to Australian renewable energy programs (particularly for generating photovoltaic power). Read moreRead less
Development and structural characterisation of carbide-derived carbon membranes and their application in separation. This research addresses a key challenge in gas separation crucial to our energy future and environmental sustainability, while harnessing the potential of carbide derived carbons. The project has a multitude of benefits for Australia, not only because it contributes to on-going research on carbon dioxide sequestration and utilization of alternate fuels, but because it will see a n ....Development and structural characterisation of carbide-derived carbon membranes and their application in separation. This research addresses a key challenge in gas separation crucial to our energy future and environmental sustainability, while harnessing the potential of carbide derived carbons. The project has a multitude of benefits for Australia, not only because it contributes to on-going research on carbon dioxide sequestration and utilization of alternate fuels, but because it will see a new generation of Australian researchers trained in multidisciplinary cutting-edge research while addressing several areas of national priority, including reducing emissions, breakthrough sciences, development of frontier technologies and advanced materials, and thereby creating new opportunities for industry.Read moreRead less
Structural and Biological Chemistry of Marine Natural Products. Australia's unique marine biodiversity provides a source of novel biologically active compounds with potential for development as pharmaceuticals. This program seeks to explore the structural and biological chemistry of novel marine compounds from marine invertebrates and to evaluate their potential benefit is training of scientists in organic and biological chemistry and advancement of drug-discovery from Australian biodiversity.
NOVEL Fe-Cr OXIDE AND SKELETAL (RANEY) CATALYSTS FOR WATER GAS SHIFT REACTION. The water gas shift reaction has an importance implication in the control of carbon monoxide/hydrogen ratios of gas mixtures used during the synthesis of methanol, diesel and hydrogen. The research study aims to develop and characterise Fe-Cr oxide and chromia-promoted Raney Cu catalysts for water gas shift reaction using a tube wall reactor. The catalyst fabrication is based on leaching and electrochemical deposition ....NOVEL Fe-Cr OXIDE AND SKELETAL (RANEY) CATALYSTS FOR WATER GAS SHIFT REACTION. The water gas shift reaction has an importance implication in the control of carbon monoxide/hydrogen ratios of gas mixtures used during the synthesis of methanol, diesel and hydrogen. The research study aims to develop and characterise Fe-Cr oxide and chromia-promoted Raney Cu catalysts for water gas shift reaction using a tube wall reactor. The catalyst fabrication is based on leaching and electrochemical deposition to promote the catalytic activity. The produced catalysts will be characterised and tested for catalytic activity, temperature stability and other physical properties to determine fundamental understanding for future commercial applications.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0561233
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$434,000.00
Summary
State-of-the-Art Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility. This proposal seeks funds for the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art 400 MHz Wide-Bore Solid-State NMR spectrometer. Research projects utilising this euipment will benefit from the ability to probe the structure of solid samples that are difficult to characterise in any other way. These materials represent advances in nanotechnology, new materials and will impact on the analysis of environmental contaminants in pota ....State-of-the-Art Solid State Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Facility. This proposal seeks funds for the purchase and installation of a state-of-the-art 400 MHz Wide-Bore Solid-State NMR spectrometer. Research projects utilising this euipment will benefit from the ability to probe the structure of solid samples that are difficult to characterise in any other way. These materials represent advances in nanotechnology, new materials and will impact on the analysis of environmental contaminants in potable water supplies, with a particular Australian focus on the identification of compounds formed as by-products during disinfection processes.
The upgraded facility will be the only one of its kind in Western Australia.
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Investigation of Strategies to Improve the Efficiency of Industrial Radiators and Cooling Coils. Innovative strategies for improving in-service effectiveness of tube & plate-fin heat exchange 'coils' will be explored. Such coils are used throughout chemical process industries, diesel powered plant, vehicles and air-conditioning systems. Coil manufacture is a 'mature' industry, but design concepts have changed little since 1950. Fouling of diesel engine 'radiators' in dusty conditions and in mari ....Investigation of Strategies to Improve the Efficiency of Industrial Radiators and Cooling Coils. Innovative strategies for improving in-service effectiveness of tube & plate-fin heat exchange 'coils' will be explored. Such coils are used throughout chemical process industries, diesel powered plant, vehicles and air-conditioning systems. Coil manufacture is a 'mature' industry, but design concepts have changed little since 1950. Fouling of diesel engine 'radiators' in dusty conditions and in marine environments is endemic. New design concepts evolved via Computational Fluid Dynamic analysis will be manufactured and tested in the unique heat and mass transfer wind tunnel on the University's Industry Liaison Campus. The major outcome will be a rugged design methodology with broad applicability.Read moreRead less
Study of hydrocarbon flames under heat and gas recirculation conditions. This project aims to study gaseous flames under heat and gas recirculation conditions. This technology has been proven to reduce fuel consumption, improve thermal efficiency and substantially reduce nitric oxides emission. The effect of mixing, turbulence and temperature on the structure and stability of these flames will be investigated. The project combines experimental and computational research applied to a laboratory s ....Study of hydrocarbon flames under heat and gas recirculation conditions. This project aims to study gaseous flames under heat and gas recirculation conditions. This technology has been proven to reduce fuel consumption, improve thermal efficiency and substantially reduce nitric oxides emission. The effect of mixing, turbulence and temperature on the structure and stability of these flames will be investigated. The project combines experimental and computational research applied to a laboratory scale burner and a small scale furnace. The main objectives are to better understand the chemical pathways in low temperature hydrocarbon flames under heat and gas recirculation conditions and to understand the effect of mixing and turbulence on the flame structure and pollutants emission.Read moreRead less