Kathryn Mumford

Implementation of Biodegradable Liquid Marbles as a Novel Controlled Release Fertilizer

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 16-12-2023

DOI: 10.1021/ACSSUSCHEMENG.2C04605

Kinetics of CO₂ Absorption in an Ethylethanolamine Based Solution

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 18-10-2017

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.IECR.7B02932

Precipitating Characteristics of Potassium Bicarbonate Using Concentrated Potassium Carbonate Solvent for Carbon Dioxide Capture. Part 1. Nucleation

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 02-06-2017

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.IECR.7B00699

Permeable bio-reactive barriers to address petroleum hydrocarbon contamination at subantarctic Macquarie Island

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 05-2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.CHEMOSPHERE.2017.01.127

Abstract: A reliance on diesel generated power and a history of imperfect fuel management have created a legacy of petroleum hydrocarbon contamination at subantarctic Macquarie Island. Increasing environmental awareness and advances in contaminant characterisation and remediation technology have fostered an impetus to reduce the environmental risk associated with legacy sites. A funnel and gate permeable bio-reactive barrier (PRB) was installed in 2014 to address the migration of Special Antarctic Blend diesel from a spill that occurred in 2002, as well as older spills and residual contaminants in the soil at the Main Power House. The PRB gate comprised of granular activated carbon and natural clinoptilolite zeolite. Petroleum hydrocarbons migrating in the soil water were successfully captured on the reactive materials, with concentrations at the outflow of the barrier recorded as being below reporting limits. The nutrient and iron concentrations delivered to the barrier demonstrated high temporal variability with significant iron precipitation observed across the bed. The surface of the granular activated carbon was largely free from cell attachment while natural zeolite demonstrated patchy biofilm formation after 15 months following PRB installation. This study illustrates the importance of informed material selection at field scale to ensure that adsorption and biodegradation processes are utilised to manage the environmental risk associated with petroleum hydrocarbon spills. This study reports the first installation of a permeable bio-reactive barrier in the subantarctic.

Assembly of Metal–Phenolic Networks on Water‐Soluble Substrates in Nonaqueous Media

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 10-03-2022

DOI: 10.1002/ADFM.202111942

Abstract: Interfacial modular assemblies of eco‐friendly metal–phenolic networks (MPNs) are of interest for surface and materials engineering. To date, most MPNs are assembled on water‐stable substrates however, the self‐assembly of MPNs on highly water‐soluble substrates remains unexplored. Herein, a versatile approach is reported to engineer thickness‐tunable coatings (2–25 µm) on a water‐soluble substrate (i.e., urea) via the self‐assembly of MPNs in a nonaqueous solvent (i.e., acetonitrile). The coordination‐driven assembly of the MPN coatings in the nonaqueous solvent is distinct from that in aqueous systems, as the assembly is only achieved following the addition of urea granules into the iron–tannin solution. The coating occurs relatively rapidly (5–60 min), generating micrometer‐thick coatings from the adsorption of Fe III –TA complexes and micrometer‐sized Fe III –TA particles formed in solution. The straightforward nature of the present fabrication method in generating thick and robust coatings with high stability in nonaqueous environments (including at 60 °C) coupled with the broad range of available naturally abundant polyphenol–metal ion combinations expand the applicability of MPNs as coatings for water‐soluble materials, thus providing new opportunities for their broader application in a range of industrial processes and applications.

Engineered assembly of water-dispersible nanocatalysts enables low-cost and green CO2 capture

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 10-03-2022

DOI: 10.1038/S41467-022-28869-6

Abstract: Catalytic solvent regeneration has attracted broad interest owing to its potential to reduce energy consumption in CO 2 separation, enabling industry to achieve emission reduction targets of the Paris Climate Accord. Despite recent advances, the development of engineered acidic nanocatalysts with unique characteristics remains a challenge. Herein, we establish a strategy to tailor the physicochemical properties of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) for the synthesis of water-dispersible core-shell nanocatalysts with ease of use. We demonstrate that functionalized nanoclusters (Fe 3 O 4 -COOH) effectively induce missing-linker deficiencies and fabricate mesoporosity during the self-assembly of MOFs. Superacid sites are created by introducing chelating sulfates on the uncoordinated metal clusters, providing high proton donation capability. The obtained nanomaterials drastically reduce the energy consumption of CO 2 capture by 44.7% using only 0.1 wt.% nanocatalyst, which is a ∽10-fold improvement in efficiency compared to heterogeneous catalysts. This research represents a new avenue for the next generation of advanced nanomaterials in catalytic solvent regeneration.

Data in brief on CO2 absorption-desorption of aqueous-based amino acid solvents with phase change behaviour

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2019

DOI: 10.1016/J.DIB.2019.104741

CO₂ reduction on the Li–Ga liquid metal surface

Publisher: Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)

Date: 2023

DOI: 10.1039/D3TA00408B

Abstract: Gallium as a solvent liquid metal catalyst is used in an energy efficient, high yield and controlled reaction between lithium and CO 2 . A liquid metal electrode and the naturally formed surface products are used as a supercapacitor.

Investigation of green solvents for the extraction of phenol and natural alkaloids: Solvent and extractant selection

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 08-2022

DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2022.136054

A bio-reactive barrier sequence for petroleum hydrocarbon capture and degradation in low nutrient environments

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.IBIOD.2016.09.025

Facile Fabrication of Monodispersed Carbon Sphere: A Pathway Toward Energy‐Efficient Direct Air Capture (DAC) Using Amino Acids

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 14-04-2023

DOI: 10.1002/SMLL.202300150

Abstract: Direct removal of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) from the atmosphere, known as direct air capture (DAC) is attracting worldwide attention as a negative emission technology to control atmospheric CO 2 concentrations. However, the energy‐intensive nature of CO 2 absorption‐desorption processes has restricted deployment of DAC operations. Catalytic solvent regeneration is an effective solution to tackle this issue by accelerating CO 2 desorption at lower regeneration temperatures. This work reports a one‐step synthesis methodology to prepare monodispersed carbon nanospheres (MCSs) using trisodium citrate as a structure‐directing agent with acidic sites. The assembly of citrate groups on the surface of MCSs enables consistent spherical growth morphology, reduces agglomeration and enhances water dispersibility. The functionalization‐assisted synthesis produces uniform, hydrophilic nanospheres of 100–600 nm range. This work also demonstrates that the prepared MCSs can be further functionalized with strong Brønsted acid sites, providing high proton donation ability. Furthermore, the materials can be effectively used in a wide range of amino acid solutions to substantially accelerate CO 2 desorption (25.6% for potassium glycinate and 41.1% for potassium lysinate) in the DAC process. Considering the facile synthesis of acidic MCSs and their superior catalytic efficiency, these findings are expected to pave a new path for energy‐efficient DAC.

Water-Dispersible Nanocatalysts with Engineered Structures: The New Generation of Nanomaterials for Energy-Efficient CO2 Capture

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 23-11-2021

DOI: 10.1021/ACSAMI.1C17678

Removal of copper and zinc from ground water by granular zero-valent iron: A dynamic freeze–thaw permeable reactive barrier laboratory experiment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.COLDREGIONS.2014.12.001

Membrane-based carbon capture from flue gas: a review

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 09-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.JCLEPRO.2014.10.050

Solid-State Encapsulation of Urea via Mechanochemistry-Driven Engineering of Metal–Phenolic Networks

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 07-09-2023

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.CHEMMATER.3C01696

Solvent Impregnated Polymers for Carbon Capture

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 20-03-2019

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.IECR.8B05603

Catalytic Solvent Regeneration for Energy-Efficient CO₂ Capture

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 17-12-2020

DOI: 10.1021/ACSSUSCHEMENG.0C07066

Hydrocarbon adsorption performance and regeneration stability of diphenyldichlorosilane coated zeolite and its application in permeable reactive barriers: Column studies

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 03-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.MICROMESO.2019.109843

Evaluation of the protic ionic liquid, N,N-dimethyl-aminoethylammonium formate for CO 2 capture

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.IJGGC.2014.11.011

Precipitating Characteristics of Potassium Bicarbonate Using Concentrated Potassium Carbonate Solvent for Carbon Dioxide Capture. Part 2: Crystal Growth

Publisher: American Chemical Society (ACS)

Date: 15-12-2017

DOI: 10.1021/ACS.IECR.7B03637

Next-generation enhanced-efficiency fertilizers for sustained food security

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 21-07-2022

DOI: 10.1038/S43016-022-00542-7

Green method for recovery of cannabinoids from Cannabis sativa flowers: pH-controlled aqueous leaching

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 12-2023

DOI: 10.1016/J.SEPPUR.2023.124754

Outcomes from pilot plant trials of precipitating potassium carbonate solvent absorption for CO 2 capture from a brown coal fired power station in Australia

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 2017

DOI: 10.1016/J.FUPROC.2016.08.008

Reply to: The impact of thermodynamics when using a catalyst for conventional carbon capture solvent regeneration

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Date: 13-07-2023

DOI: 10.1038/S41467-023-39695-9

Nucleation kinetics of glycine promoted concentrated potassium carbonate solvents for carbon dioxide absorption

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.CEJ.2019.122712

The specific reactive surface area of granular zero-valent iron in metal contaminant removal: Column experiments and modelling

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 06-2015

DOI: 10.1016/J.WATRES.2015.03.007

Abstract: A series of dynamic-flow kinetic experiments were conducted to assess the removal rates of aqueous Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) ions by zero-valent iron (ZVI), a promising material for inclusion in cold-climate remediation applications. The influence of experimental parameters on contaminant removal rates, including aqueous flow rate, operating temperature, and the concentrations of ZVI, salt and dissolved oxygen, was investigated. A mass transport model has been developed that accounts (i) aqueous-phase dispersion processes, (ii) film diffusion of contaminant ions to the reactive ZVI surface and (iii) the reactive removal mechanism itself. Regression to the experimental data indicated that when oxygen is present in the solution feed Cu(2+) and Zn(2+) removal processes were limited by film diffusion. In de-aerated solutions film diffusion still controls Cu(2+) removal but a first-order surface reaction provides a better model for Zn(2+) kinetics. Using air as the equilibrium feed gas, the reactive proportion of the total surface area for contaminant removal was calculated to be 97% and 64% of the active spherically-assumed geometric area associated with ZVI media for Cu(2+) and Zn(2+), respectively. Relative to a gas absorption area, determined in previous studies, the reactive proportion is less than 0.41% of the unreacted ZVI total surface area. These findings suggest that only part of the iron oxyhydroxide surface is reacting during ZVI based metal contaminant removal.

Investigation of the Extraction of Natural Alkaloids in Karr Reciprocating Plate Columns: Mass Transfer Study

Publisher: Informa UK Limited

Date: 19-09-2023

DOI: 10.1080/07366299.2022.2120770

Drop sizes and population balance model for a Karr column

Publisher: Wiley

Date: 04-09-2022

DOI: 10.1002/AIC.17413

Abstract: Drop sizes were investigated and measured in a Karr column. A stagewise population balance model was presented considering drop breakage and coalescence. The same breakage mechanisms observed in the single drop study were also found in column. The breakage probability model was selected by comparing the model from single drop study and the widely used models. Model parameters were calculated based on a two‐step optimization method. The results showed that the drop sizes decreased with an increase in reciprocating intensity, but changed slightly with phase velocities. The predicted drop sizes were compared to the experimental data in previous studies and good agreement was achieved. Finally, the population balance model along with some existing correlations were compared with the experimental data. It was found that the population balance model and correlations with the low agitation term provided better predictions of drop sizes in the Karr column. Transport Phenomena and Fluid Mechanics: Karr column, drop size distribution, population balance model, parameter optimization.

Electrochemical removal of naphthalene from contaminated waters using carbon electrodes, and viability for environmental deployment

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Date: 02-2020

DOI: 10.1016/J.JHAZMAT.2019.121244

Abstract: This work assesses the potential of electrochemical technologies for the treatment of groundwaters contaminated with petroleum hydrocarbons. Specific consideration was given to deployment in Antarctic regions where numerous fuel spills have occurred over the last two centuries, and resources and manual labour for remediation efforts are limited. The polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, naphthalene, was a used as a model contaminant and was treated with low-cost, active carbon electrodes to promote the active chlorine degradation pathway. Results showed that 20 mg/L naphthalene solutions could be treated to sufficient standards in less than 3 h of treatment, and that the formation of toxic and chlorinated by-products is not an issue of concern if the appropriate timeframes are used (4 h of treatment). The effects of the applied current (0-160 mA) and electrolyte concentration (0.01-0.1 M NaCl) were evaluated and a dynamic kinetic model proposed and found to be in good agreement with the experimental results. The energy consumption is an important limitation in remote environmental regions where resources are scarce. It was found that an energy usage of 104 kW h/kg of naphthalene removed could be achieved.

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP160101417

Start Date: 09-2017

End Date: 03-2021

Amount: $420,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH200100023

Start Date: 08-2021

End Date: 08-2026

Amount: $4,950,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Linkage Projects - Grant ID: LP130100305

Start Date: 12-2013

End Date: 12-2016

Amount: $300,000.00

Funder: Australian Research Council

Industrial Transformation Research Hubs - Grant ID: IH180100006

Start Date: 07-2019

End Date: 07-2024

Amount: $4,995,391.00

Funder: Australian Research Council