Coproduction of Bioslurry and Liquid Transport Fuels from Biomass Pyrolysis. This project aims to develop a novel technology from biomass pyrolysis for coproducing a diesel/biodiesel/bio-oil blend as a liquid transport fuel for local use and a high-quality bioslurry fuel suitable for transport to centralised stationary applications. The technology aims to address key issues associated with current biofuel production from biomass pyrolysis due to the undesired high acidity, poor stability and hig ....Coproduction of Bioslurry and Liquid Transport Fuels from Biomass Pyrolysis. This project aims to develop a novel technology from biomass pyrolysis for coproducing a diesel/biodiesel/bio-oil blend as a liquid transport fuel for local use and a high-quality bioslurry fuel suitable for transport to centralised stationary applications. The technology aims to address key issues associated with current biofuel production from biomass pyrolysis due to the undesired high acidity, poor stability and high oxygen content of bio-oil. The liquid transport fuel is expected to be produced without the expensive bio-oil hydrotreating for deep de-oxygenation, which is otherwise required for using bio-oil as feedstock in conventional petroleum refining process. Both biofuel products can be adoptable for wide applications in the existing vast infrastructure.Read moreRead less
The Permeation of Water through Industrial Membrane Systems. This project aims to understand the permeation of water through commercially relevant non-porous polymeric membranes. Permeation, solubility and diffusivity will be studied in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature to elucidate the changes in free volume that occur through this transition. Non-linear concentration gradients due to anisotropic swelling will be probed using novel laminated membrane systems. Water clustering wil ....The Permeation of Water through Industrial Membrane Systems. This project aims to understand the permeation of water through commercially relevant non-porous polymeric membranes. Permeation, solubility and diffusivity will be studied in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature to elucidate the changes in free volume that occur through this transition. Non-linear concentration gradients due to anisotropic swelling will be probed using novel laminated membrane systems. Water clustering will be evaluated by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance. Results are proposed to be used to build a new phenomenological model of water permeation that can be used directly by engineers in the design of industrial membrane systems.Read moreRead less
Biosolid flow, separation and activity in anaerobic lagoons. This project aims to develop a fundamental model of the complex, non-steady state flow behaviour in anaerobic lagoons. The project will develop new operating procedures and designs for large municipal, industrial and agricultural anaerobic lagoons. This will improve the efficiency of anaerobic digestion and reduce wastewater treatment costs, as well as increase renewable and sustainable biogas production. The intended outcome is a va ....Biosolid flow, separation and activity in anaerobic lagoons. This project aims to develop a fundamental model of the complex, non-steady state flow behaviour in anaerobic lagoons. The project will develop new operating procedures and designs for large municipal, industrial and agricultural anaerobic lagoons. This will improve the efficiency of anaerobic digestion and reduce wastewater treatment costs, as well as increase renewable and sustainable biogas production. The intended outcome is a validated 3D model that captures the physical and biological complexities of anaerobic lagoons. This will impact the design and operation of partner organisation lagoons, reducing capital and operating costs and improving biogas production.Read moreRead less
New understanding of turbulent flames with soot and particulate fuels. This project will develop the new understanding and models required to optimise practical furnaces, boilers and combustion chambers, most of which involve soot and/or particulate fuels. This work will be performed with state-of-the-art measurement and modelling tools through a well-established partnership of international researchers.
Novel concepts for bioelectrochemical generation of renewable fuels and chemicals from wastewater. Global warming and the diminishing fossil fuel resources are posing an ever increasing threat to our societies and economies. This project aims to develop novel and highly innovative bioelectrochemical processes for the production of valuable fuels and chemicals from wastewater, which is a largely untapped renewable resource.
Fundamental research for advanced gasification technologies for low-rank coal and biomass in the carbon-constrained world. This project aims to acquire fundamental knowledge in order to develop advanced gasification technologies with high efficiencies and the capability to couple with carbon storage facilities in the carbon-constrained future. These technologies will contribute to the reduction of Australia's CO2 emissions using its cheap low-rank coal and biomass.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101215
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
A novel pyrolysis process for high-quality bio-oil production from biomass. The project outcome will provide fundamental knowledge essential to the development of a novel pyrolysis process for high-quality bio-oil production with biochar, a value-added by-product. It will largely accelerate the commercialisation of the biomass pyrolysis process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel use in the energy sector.
Advanced biomass gasification process for distributed power generation with significant negative carbon emission in rural and regional Australia. The outcome of this project is fundamental knowledge essential to the development of advanced biomass gasification processes for distributed power generation with drastic reduction in carbon emissions and the recycling of inorganic nutrients to the land. It will contribute significantly to the future sustainability of rural and regional Australia.
Oxy-cofiring of bio-slurry and coal for carbon-negative power generation. This project aims to study co-firing characteristics of bio-slurry fuels and coal under oxy-pulverised-fuel (oxy-PF) conditions. Oxy-PF stationary systems can capture the renewable carbon embedded in bio-slurry fuel from biomass pyrolysis for sequestration, leading to carbon-negative power generation. The expected outcomes are critical knowledge and data regarding the underlying thermochemical reactions responsible for the ....Oxy-cofiring of bio-slurry and coal for carbon-negative power generation. This project aims to study co-firing characteristics of bio-slurry fuels and coal under oxy-pulverised-fuel (oxy-PF) conditions. Oxy-PF stationary systems can capture the renewable carbon embedded in bio-slurry fuel from biomass pyrolysis for sequestration, leading to carbon-negative power generation. The expected outcomes are critical knowledge and data regarding the underlying thermochemical reactions responsible for the co-pyrolysis, volatiles/char co-firing and ash formation from bio-slurry/coal co-firing under oxy-PF conditions. This is expected to enhance Australia's competitive advantage in clean power generation through high-impact scientific and technological innovations, and strengthen the related knowledge and skill base in the country.Read moreRead less
Experimental and modelling development of advanced symmetrical fuel cells. Fuel cells are advanced energy conversion devices with high efficiency and low emissions. The overall goal of this project is to increase the competitiveness of the fuel cell technology with currently matured power generation technologies based on fossil fuel combustion through innovations. Both experimental development and modelling studies will be performed. It is expected that: reduced materials, fabrication and mainte ....Experimental and modelling development of advanced symmetrical fuel cells. Fuel cells are advanced energy conversion devices with high efficiency and low emissions. The overall goal of this project is to increase the competitiveness of the fuel cell technology with currently matured power generation technologies based on fossil fuel combustion through innovations. Both experimental development and modelling studies will be performed. It is expected that: reduced materials, fabrication and maintenance costs; improved performance; increased coking resistance and sulfur tolerance; and prolonged lifetime of solid oxide fuel cells will be achieved. This project endeavours to advance the field of electrochemical energy conversion. It is also expected to expand the science and engineering knowledge base and pave the way to sustainable energy systems.Read moreRead less