Particle transport in turbulent non-Newtonian suspensions in self formed open channels. An improved understanding of the fundamentals of channel formation and the ability of channels to transport solids in either a natural or created environment will be of benefit to industries employing open channels (or flumes) or stacked tailings as part of their processes. This will lead to better design and operation with reduced water use and reduced volume of waste disposal. This research will build the ....Particle transport in turbulent non-Newtonian suspensions in self formed open channels. An improved understanding of the fundamentals of channel formation and the ability of channels to transport solids in either a natural or created environment will be of benefit to industries employing open channels (or flumes) or stacked tailings as part of their processes. This will lead to better design and operation with reduced water use and reduced volume of waste disposal. This research will build the scientific foundation for the design tools to more accurately predict the behaviour of tailings stacks. The mining industry will benefit from the improved management of their tailings disposal regimes, reduced water usage, lowered cost of disposal and reduced impact on the environment.Read moreRead less
Discrete particle modelling and analysis of complex particle-fluid flows. Multiphase processes are widely used in both conventional and modern industries in Australia and worldwide, however rarely reach more than 60% of design capacity because of a poor understanding of their fundamental characteristics. This project aims to overcome this problem using an extensive combined fundamental and applied approach. The resulting theories, computer models and simulation techniques will be applied to imp ....Discrete particle modelling and analysis of complex particle-fluid flows. Multiphase processes are widely used in both conventional and modern industries in Australia and worldwide, however rarely reach more than 60% of design capacity because of a poor understanding of their fundamental characteristics. This project aims to overcome this problem using an extensive combined fundamental and applied approach. The resulting theories, computer models and simulation techniques will be applied to improve process design, control and optimisation. Consequentially, productivity and Australian competitiveness will be significantly enhanced in its most important industries such as minerals, metallurgical, chemical, energy, and materials.Read moreRead less
Separating gold from silica by tailored hydrometallurgical processes. Australia is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and the ability to more efficiently separate gold from its ores will benefit the Australian economy by maximising the value of every tonne of ore which is removed from the ground. Inefficiencies in processing technology can lead to the loss of gold from extraction processes, and the reasons for some of these losses are poorly understood but are believed to be related t ....Separating gold from silica by tailored hydrometallurgical processes. Australia is one of the world's largest producers of gold, and the ability to more efficiently separate gold from its ores will benefit the Australian economy by maximising the value of every tonne of ore which is removed from the ground. Inefficiencies in processing technology can lead to the loss of gold from extraction processes, and the reasons for some of these losses are poorly understood but are believed to be related to interactions between gold and silicate minerals. We will study these interactions with a view towards improving the percentage of gold present in the ores which is able to be extracted and used.Read moreRead less
A fundamental study of the simultaneous gold dissolution during the alkaline oxidation of sulfide containing refractory gold ores and concentrates. The gold industry is Australia's second largest export earner and therefore is immensely important to the Australian economy. The proposed project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable process for treating gold containing sulfidic ores and concentrates that are not amenable to conventional cyanidation. This would provide an enormous benefit t ....A fundamental study of the simultaneous gold dissolution during the alkaline oxidation of sulfide containing refractory gold ores and concentrates. The gold industry is Australia's second largest export earner and therefore is immensely important to the Australian economy. The proposed project aims to develop an environmentally acceptable process for treating gold containing sulfidic ores and concentrates that are not amenable to conventional cyanidation. This would provide an enormous benefit to both the Australian gold industry and the Australian environment. A successful outcome in the research project would also lead to export earnings emanating from technology transfer and enhance Australia's reputation for high quality research and academic endeavours.Read moreRead less
The development of novel geopolymers incorporating calcium and cellulosic material. Geopolymer technology transforms waste aluminosilicate materials into commercially viable products, which possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to ordinary concrete. These high-tech materials have novel acid and fire resistance applications, e.g. in construction and for the coating of optical fibres. Understanding the chemical relationship between geopolymers and other cementitious materials ....The development of novel geopolymers incorporating calcium and cellulosic material. Geopolymer technology transforms waste aluminosilicate materials into commercially viable products, which possess superior physical and chemical properties compared to ordinary concrete. These high-tech materials have novel acid and fire resistance applications, e.g. in construction and for the coating of optical fibres. Understanding the chemical relationship between geopolymers and other cementitious materials is pivotal to further advances in inorganic polymers. This project uses surface reactivity, spectroscopy, electronmicroscopy and electron diffraction to determine the role of calcium and cellulosic additives in the phase composition, microstructure and properties of geopolymers. Therefore, the factors distinguishing geopolymers from alkali-activated cement and ordinary concrete are identified.Read moreRead less
The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation an ....The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation and formation of OPC; (3) computer modelling of nano-scale assemblies of atoms and molecules that will give desirable properties and durability, and (4) a tailored synthesis of geopolymers with vastly improved mechanical performance and acid, fire and bacterial resistance. This scientific understanding of long term durability will greatly enhance commercial acceptance of geopolymers.Read moreRead less