X-ray tomographic analysis and modelling of metallurgical coke. This project will apply 3D X-ray micro-tomography and model-based computational analysis to develop innovative approaches to the micro-structural characterisation of metallurgical coke. This has significant ramifications for the iron industry since coke characterisation is of primary importance to improved blast furnace productivity. The project will deliver new quantitative indices of coke microstructure, develop models for simulat ....X-ray tomographic analysis and modelling of metallurgical coke. This project will apply 3D X-ray micro-tomography and model-based computational analysis to develop innovative approaches to the micro-structural characterisation of metallurgical coke. This has significant ramifications for the iron industry since coke characterisation is of primary importance to improved blast furnace productivity. The project will deliver new quantitative indices of coke microstructure, develop models for simulation of micro-structural properties and coke transport properties, and examine coke reactivity in 3D contexts. This project will also be the first study to use multi-scale 3D X-ray tomographic analysis to examine the structural dynamics of coke during both its production and its use in the blast furnace.Read moreRead less
Model studies of the flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in fluid bed reactors. The Australian steel industry has a turnover of around $11 billion (5% of total manufacturing), being a largest manufacturing sector in Australia. Iron ore sintering and blast furnace ironmaking are two important processes in an integrated steel works. This project aims to understand and model the particle-fluid flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in the two processes, formulating ....Model studies of the flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in fluid bed reactors. The Australian steel industry has a turnover of around $11 billion (5% of total manufacturing), being a largest manufacturing sector in Australia. Iron ore sintering and blast furnace ironmaking are two important processes in an integrated steel works. This project aims to understand and model the particle-fluid flow and thermal behaviour of non-spherical particles in the two processes, formulating strategies for improving the process control and productivity and energy saving. The research outcomes (theory/model/understanding) are useful to fluid bed reactors which are widely used in mineral/metallurgical/chemical industries. Their application can improve the competitiveness of the steel and other industries in Australia.Read moreRead less
Fundamental Investigation of metal/refractory interactions in processing of non-ferrous metals: Wettability Phenomena. This project aims to develop new understanding of interfacial phenomenon during refractory/metal reactions including the influence of novel additives on wettability leading to optimisation of refractory composition during processing of non-ferrous metals. This project will allow development of advanced refractories that will enhance corrosion resistance thereby improving refract ....Fundamental Investigation of metal/refractory interactions in processing of non-ferrous metals: Wettability Phenomena. This project aims to develop new understanding of interfacial phenomenon during refractory/metal reactions including the influence of novel additives on wettability leading to optimisation of refractory composition during processing of non-ferrous metals. This project will allow development of advanced refractories that will enhance corrosion resistance thereby improving refractory life and efficiency of metal production. This can contribute in further enhancing Australia's position as a significant producer and exporter of aluminium and associated products. The project will generate scientific data on refractory/metal interactions and establish influence of non-wetting agents in improving refractory performance against metal attack. Read moreRead less
New Generation Pipeline and Q&T Plate Steels. If successful, the progressive reformulation of the alloy design of a new family of steels would enhance their properties, greatly reduce the complexity of manufacture, ensure more efficient steelmaking production practices and enable the full capacity of the domestic pipe mills and plate manufacturing facilities to be realised. This innovative and new approach opens up opportunities for market growth and export potential in areas of fundamental impo ....New Generation Pipeline and Q&T Plate Steels. If successful, the progressive reformulation of the alloy design of a new family of steels would enhance their properties, greatly reduce the complexity of manufacture, ensure more efficient steelmaking production practices and enable the full capacity of the domestic pipe mills and plate manufacturing facilities to be realised. This innovative and new approach opens up opportunities for market growth and export potential in areas of fundamental importance to Australia's infrastructure and mining industries and defence capability. Implementation of this newly developed technology would, for the first time, create export market opportunities for Australian pipe manufacturers.
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Understanding and minimising oxidation during hot rolling and metal coating of steel strip. Steel production is one of the few manufacturing industries in which Australia is internationally competitive. Annual steel exports generate about two billion dollars in national income. Substantial value is added to raw steel by hot rolling it into sheet and coating with zincalume and paint. The market for these products is intensely competitive, and continued success is critically dependent on produc ....Understanding and minimising oxidation during hot rolling and metal coating of steel strip. Steel production is one of the few manufacturing industries in which Australia is internationally competitive. Annual steel exports generate about two billion dollars in national income. Substantial value is added to raw steel by hot rolling it into sheet and coating with zincalume and paint. The market for these products is intensely competitive, and continued success is critically dependent on productivity and quality. This project will assist BlueScope Steel in understanding and controlling millscale development on hot rolled products, and avoiding scale defects in zincalume coating.Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical studies of the packing and piling of coal. This project is oriented to the coal and steel industries, which are important to Australia. In fact, the coal industry creates a significant employment and produces 80% of electricity in Australia. Australia is also the world's biggest coal exporter. This project will develop methods to control the packing and piling processes of coal, which are of fundamental importance to many granular processes. The benefits from the proje ....Experimental and numerical studies of the packing and piling of coal. This project is oriented to the coal and steel industries, which are important to Australia. In fact, the coal industry creates a significant employment and produces 80% of electricity in Australia. Australia is also the world's biggest coal exporter. This project will develop methods to control the packing and piling processes of coal, which are of fundamental importance to many granular processes. The benefits from the project include improvements in productivity, coke quality and fuel efficiency, which will lead reduced energy consumption and pollution emission and thereby improve the competitiveness of Australia's coal and steel industries. Read moreRead less
Experimental and numerical studies of the packing of alumina powders. This project is to investigate the packing of alumina powders at both microscopic and macroscopic levels by means of physical and numerical experiments, aiming to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physics and computer models for predicting the packing properties under conditions corresponding to different operations in alumina refining and smelting processes. It will generate an effective method to solve ....Experimental and numerical studies of the packing of alumina powders. This project is to investigate the packing of alumina powders at both microscopic and macroscopic levels by means of physical and numerical experiments, aiming to develop a comprehensive understanding of the underlying physics and computer models for predicting the packing properties under conditions corresponding to different operations in alumina refining and smelting processes. It will generate an effective method to solve the complex packing problems for process and/or property control in alumina/aluminium industry.Read moreRead less
Surface reaction kinetics of zinc gas relevant to the ZINCALUME coating process. The proposed project aims to develop a sound understanding of the mechanism and rate of condensation of zinc vapour on clean and partially oxidised steel strip surfaces. This Fundamental scientific knowledge is the key to furthering our understanding of the effect of process variables on the occurrence of pinholes and bare patches on ZINCALUME coated steel strip. Should the fundamental causes of defect formation be ....Surface reaction kinetics of zinc gas relevant to the ZINCALUME coating process. The proposed project aims to develop a sound understanding of the mechanism and rate of condensation of zinc vapour on clean and partially oxidised steel strip surfaces. This Fundamental scientific knowledge is the key to furthering our understanding of the effect of process variables on the occurrence of pinholes and bare patches on ZINCALUME coated steel strip. Should the fundamental causes of defect formation be established, product quality can be improved, process costs reduced and the Australian industry's competitive position in the market place retained. A new experimental approach will be taken; conductive to the training of the researchers involved in advanced research techniques.Read moreRead less
Carbothermal synthesis of titanium carbide. The project's ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive understanding of carbothermal reduction of titania and ilmenite for titanium carbide production. The projects findings will be of importance to improving the efficiency of carbothermal reduction processes, which are major technologies in ferrous metallurgy, and to the development of titanium industry in Australia.
Australia is the world largest producer of rutile and ilmenite, which are mainly s ....Carbothermal synthesis of titanium carbide. The project's ultimate aim is to develop a comprehensive understanding of carbothermal reduction of titania and ilmenite for titanium carbide production. The projects findings will be of importance to improving the efficiency of carbothermal reduction processes, which are major technologies in ferrous metallurgy, and to the development of titanium industry in Australia.
Australia is the world largest producer of rutile and ilmenite, which are mainly sold overseas and partly processed to titania pigment. Development of the cost-efficient technology for titanium carbide will stimulate a domestic production of this advanced material, what will add enormously to the value of titanium minerals.Read moreRead less
Utilisation of manganese sludge in production of manganese alloys. Australia possesses one of the world's best deposits of manganese ore, and has the potential to increase production of manganese alloys. This depends strongly on the competitiveness of Australian manganese industry. Deposition of manganese sludge, which is formed in ferroalloy furnaces, in fume dams in Bell Bay is costly, occupies valuable land, and causes an environmental concern. Utilisation of manganese sludge back into ferroa ....Utilisation of manganese sludge in production of manganese alloys. Australia possesses one of the world's best deposits of manganese ore, and has the potential to increase production of manganese alloys. This depends strongly on the competitiveness of Australian manganese industry. Deposition of manganese sludge, which is formed in ferroalloy furnaces, in fume dams in Bell Bay is costly, occupies valuable land, and causes an environmental concern. Utilisation of manganese sludge back into ferroalloy furnace will make operation of Tasmanian Electro Metallurgical Company more efficient, sustainable and will stimulate further development of manganese industry in Australia. Read moreRead less