Investigation into flow over complex topography and escarpments for wind turbine siting using experimental and computational methods. This project will improve national capability to optimise power production from wind turbine farms in complex terrain by improving the understanding of the flow regime. By better understanding separated regions and the turbulent structures within these regions power production can be optimised and fatigue risks associated with turbine positioning in complex sites ....Investigation into flow over complex topography and escarpments for wind turbine siting using experimental and computational methods. This project will improve national capability to optimise power production from wind turbine farms in complex terrain by improving the understanding of the flow regime. By better understanding separated regions and the turbulent structures within these regions power production can be optimised and fatigue risks associated with turbine positioning in complex sites can be reduced. This will improve confidence in wind farm site assessment techniques and consequently reduce economic risks associated with current wind farm viability assessments. By increasing national capacity to generate clean energy stationary energy emissions can be reduced. This project will also deliver high calibre graduates that will be potential future industry leaders.Read moreRead less
Precipitation in wintertime storms across southeast Australia, Tasmania and the Southern Ocean. The pristine conditions and strong wind-shear over the Southern Ocean affect the formation of precipitation in clouds over the region, which is vital to the water supply of southeastern Australia and Tasmania. This project will evaluate and improve the ability to simulate this precipitation, which will lead to better water resource management.
The novel production and analysis of breaking waves utilising circular-track moving disturbances. Surfing is a major industry in Australia, contributing $11billion to the economy. It has high active participation levels; but locations with good surfing conditions are limited and becoming crowded. New technologies, such as the circular-track wave pool, are required to provide safe environments for surfing with controllable high quality waves. The research in this proposal will considerably advanc ....The novel production and analysis of breaking waves utilising circular-track moving disturbances. Surfing is a major industry in Australia, contributing $11billion to the economy. It has high active participation levels; but locations with good surfing conditions are limited and becoming crowded. New technologies, such as the circular-track wave pool, are required to provide safe environments for surfing with controllable high quality waves. The research in this proposal will considerably advance knowledge of wave mechanics; provide the ability to design a commercially-viable wave pool and ensure the Australian surfing industry and sport continue to expand. The project will thus result in major scientific, economic and social benefits for Australia.Read moreRead less
Study of molecular interactions between wood pitch fixatives and components of wood pitch. Wood resins, released in pulping, agglomerate in the papermaking process to cause pitch deposits. These deposits adversely affect paper machine efficiency and product quality and limit further recycling of process water. This project aims to investigate the interactions between the components of the wood resins and different fixatives using capillary electrophoresis and other techniques. This knowledge w ....Study of molecular interactions between wood pitch fixatives and components of wood pitch. Wood resins, released in pulping, agglomerate in the papermaking process to cause pitch deposits. These deposits adversely affect paper machine efficiency and product quality and limit further recycling of process water. This project aims to investigate the interactions between the components of the wood resins and different fixatives using capillary electrophoresis and other techniques. This knowledge will provide a better understanding of the role of the physical and chemical properties of the fixatives in fixing the different compounds in wood resins. Molecular modelling will be used to design new fixatives that will be selective to a mixture of wood resins.
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Reduced water usage in the Australian pulp and paper industry through novel process chemistry. Norske Skog Paper Mill operates two paper mills on major rivers in Australia. For these mills to reduce water consumption greater recycling of the process water is needed which results in a build-up of detrimental substances that will affect paper machine performance and efficiency. The knowledge gained from this project will help the paper mills to find strategies to control the build-up of the detr ....Reduced water usage in the Australian pulp and paper industry through novel process chemistry. Norske Skog Paper Mill operates two paper mills on major rivers in Australia. For these mills to reduce water consumption greater recycling of the process water is needed which results in a build-up of detrimental substances that will affect paper machine performance and efficiency. The knowledge gained from this project will help the paper mills to find strategies to control the build-up of the detrimental material and deal with it in such a way that the process water can be recycled and the paper mills can reduce water consumption.Read moreRead less
Rapid starting and unsteady operation of hydraulic turbines. The project will investigate the ability of hydraulic turbines to start rapidly with the turbine spinning in air which is more water efficient and has lower maintenance costs than other methods. The project will allow higher use of hydroelectricity and higher penetration of wind or other intermittent renewable energy generation into an electricity grid.
Colloid interactions and extraction in sustainable, water efficient paper manufacture. This project will investigate the causes of wood extractive deposits on modern high-speed printing surfaces. The project will also develop alternatives to prevent their deposition in an environmentally sustainable manner, and to remove them from the paper making process allowing their utilisation as valuable natural products.
No load diesel application in remote power systems. No load diesel application in remote power systems. This project aims to investigate and optimise no-load diesel application within remote area renewable hybrid power systems. While hundreds of remote Australian communities rely on expensive diesel for power generation, this project intends to increase penetration of alternative renewable sources into remote and isolated power systems. Using dual thermodynamic and electrical modelling, this pro ....No load diesel application in remote power systems. No load diesel application in remote power systems. This project aims to investigate and optimise no-load diesel application within remote area renewable hybrid power systems. While hundreds of remote Australian communities rely on expensive diesel for power generation, this project intends to increase penetration of alternative renewable sources into remote and isolated power systems. Using dual thermodynamic and electrical modelling, this project will investigate low to no-load diesel threshold capability, reducing diesel consumption at minimal costs. The project is expected to return immediate benefits to remote mining, defence and tourism based communities, providing a pathway to reduced diesel usage and increased renewable penetration.Read moreRead less