Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE240100987
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$402,287.00
Summary
Multifunctional polymers for combined algal inactivation and flocculation. Algal cells are harmful because they produce toxins and other undesirable metabolites. So, they are killed, aggregated, and separated from the water in distinct steps. Cell killing and aggregation are achieved via chemical dosing, which damages the cells and releases undesirable compounds. The aim is to develop multifunctional polymers that can simultaneously kill and aggregate the cells without causing cell damage. Addit ....Multifunctional polymers for combined algal inactivation and flocculation. Algal cells are harmful because they produce toxins and other undesirable metabolites. So, they are killed, aggregated, and separated from the water in distinct steps. Cell killing and aggregation are achieved via chemical dosing, which damages the cells and releases undesirable compounds. The aim is to develop multifunctional polymers that can simultaneously kill and aggregate the cells without causing cell damage. Additionally, this project provides insight into the mechanisms of polymer-induced cell damage and death that will be used to improve existing treatment methods. By combining treatment steps, chemical demand and costs will decrease, while there will be an increase in sustainability and benefits to the Australian water industry.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100027
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$1,086,676.00
Summary
Integrated, scalable technology solutions for PFAS removal and destruction. This project aims to deliver a ready-to-deploy and scalable modular technology that is capable of removing poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a variety of water sources, including groundwater and surface waters, to make them virtually PFAS-free and therefore safe for human consumption. The concept draws on recent advances in water treatment and electrochemistry that is based on ion exchange, nanofiltration ....Integrated, scalable technology solutions for PFAS removal and destruction. This project aims to deliver a ready-to-deploy and scalable modular technology that is capable of removing poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from a variety of water sources, including groundwater and surface waters, to make them virtually PFAS-free and therefore safe for human consumption. The concept draws on recent advances in water treatment and electrochemistry that is based on ion exchange, nanofiltration and advanced oxidation. A risk-based framework will be developed to deliver fit-for-purpose solutions at minimal cost for stakeholders and taxpayers. This project is expected to benefit the residents who live in the vicinity of contaminated waterways or consume water from polluted sources.Read moreRead less
Degradation of Oestrogenic and Carcinogenic Substances in Water using alternative water treatment technologies- Membrane Technology and Photocatalysis. There is currently much concern about the release into the aquatic environment of oestrogenic and carcinogenic pollutants. Current conventional water treatment technologies are ineffective in removing them from our water supplies. This research proposes to investigate alternative water treatment technologies for the removal of these compounds of ....Degradation of Oestrogenic and Carcinogenic Substances in Water using alternative water treatment technologies- Membrane Technology and Photocatalysis. There is currently much concern about the release into the aquatic environment of oestrogenic and carcinogenic pollutants. Current conventional water treatment technologies are ineffective in removing them from our water supplies. This research proposes to investigate alternative water treatment technologies for the removal of these compounds of concern. The technologies to be investigated involve integrating membrane technology and titanium dioxide photocatalysis to produce a highly effective and efficient water treatment process. The effects of various parameters on degradation of the pollutants will be investigated and monitored using different analytical techniques.Read moreRead less
Degradation of Trace Contaminants Using Sonochemistry and Peroxide Scavenging Advanced Oxidation Processes. Sonochemical degradation of hazardous organic compounds in aqueous solution has been examined extensively in recent years and found to be an effective means of waste treatment however the scavenging of hydroxyl radicals by the relatively high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide produced limits the amount of reactive radicals accessible to target molecules. In this project we will investiga ....Degradation of Trace Contaminants Using Sonochemistry and Peroxide Scavenging Advanced Oxidation Processes. Sonochemical degradation of hazardous organic compounds in aqueous solution has been examined extensively in recent years and found to be an effective means of waste treatment however the scavenging of hydroxyl radicals by the relatively high concentrations of hydrogen peroxide produced limits the amount of reactive radicals accessible to target molecules. In this project we will investigate, by both experimental and computational means, options for the regeneration of hydroxyl radicals through use of hydrogen peroxide. Methods of particular interest include use of Fenton's reagent and ozone.Read moreRead less
Novel water treatment processes. The objective of this project is the discovery of novel methods for the treatment and reuse of water for both industrial and household applications. Improved treatment systems with the potential for water reuse offer significant improvements to our overall water management potential. The first part of the project is designed to focus on the study of hot bubble column evaporators for solute decomposition, sterilisation and the de-watering of heavily contaminated i ....Novel water treatment processes. The objective of this project is the discovery of novel methods for the treatment and reuse of water for both industrial and household applications. Improved treatment systems with the potential for water reuse offer significant improvements to our overall water management potential. The first part of the project is designed to focus on the study of hot bubble column evaporators for solute decomposition, sterilisation and the de-watering of heavily contaminated industrial wastewater. The second part would be based on the study of a suitable depth filter medium for the treatment of partially treated household sewage water. This is designed to form part of an on-site household sewage water treatment and reuse system which is currently being developed.Read moreRead less
Ehanced Hydrodynamic Fractionation of Particles. The coal industry, which is a major contributor to the Australian economy, urgently needs a new washability method following its decision to abandon the existing laboratory standard. The existing method relies on the use of heavy organic liquids which are known to be toxic to human health. The 'water-based' approach proposed in this study overcomes the problem of risk to human health, thus benefiting Australian workers, the immediate industry, and ....Ehanced Hydrodynamic Fractionation of Particles. The coal industry, which is a major contributor to the Australian economy, urgently needs a new washability method following its decision to abandon the existing laboratory standard. The existing method relies on the use of heavy organic liquids which are known to be toxic to human health. The 'water-based' approach proposed in this study overcomes the problem of risk to human health, thus benefiting Australian workers, the immediate industry, and wider community. New separation technologies that could benefit the minerals industries and other key industries should follow. The project will also result in the education and training of two postgraduate students, and the advancement of two postdoctoral researchers in this area of industry. Read moreRead less
Photodegradation of Oestrogenic Pollutants in the aquatic environment. Recent media attention has highlighted the problem of oestrogenic pollutants in the aquatic environment. This research proposes to investigate Photocatalysis of oestrogens in water using the magnetic titanium dioxide particles developed at the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The natural oestrogens 17b-oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol and the synthetic oestrogen 17a- ....Photodegradation of Oestrogenic Pollutants in the aquatic environment. Recent media attention has highlighted the problem of oestrogenic pollutants in the aquatic environment. This research proposes to investigate Photocatalysis of oestrogens in water using the magnetic titanium dioxide particles developed at the Centre for Particle and Catalyst Technologies in the University of New South Wales, Sydney. The natural oestrogens 17b-oestradiol, oestrone and oestriol and the synthetic oestrogen 17a-ethynyl oestradiol (the main constituent of the contraceptive pill) will be investigated in the photocatalytic system. Degradation will be monitored using various analytical techniques. Other commercial catalysts will also be investigated and compared with the magnetic catalyst and previous catalysts tested.Read moreRead less
Biological phosphorous removal for wastewater treatment. The aim is to provide a scientific basis for understanding how phosphorous can be removed in wastewater treatment plants, using environmentally safe biological methods rather than by using chemicals. This is expected to lead to improved performance in wastewater treatment plants, which will be of economic and environmental benefit, particularly to regional communities in inland Australia.
Hydrodynamic enhancement and transformation of flotation. The purpose of this project is to address emerging challenges in coal and mineral processing associated with the steep decline in the quality of mining assets and the long term resource demands of China and India. A major advance in flotation technology is expected, leading to the highest possible product grade at a given recovery.
Use of Parallel Inclined Channels to Enhance Foam Drainage in Ion Flotation. This study is concerned with increasing the rates of foam drainage in flotation processes. The findings will have direct benefit in the field of ion flotation, and will be highly relevant to the flotation of high value minerals worth tens of billions of dollars annually. The Reflux Classifier, a device that employs the Boycott Effect to achieve a significant increase in the effective area of the vessel, will be used. Th ....Use of Parallel Inclined Channels to Enhance Foam Drainage in Ion Flotation. This study is concerned with increasing the rates of foam drainage in flotation processes. The findings will have direct benefit in the field of ion flotation, and will be highly relevant to the flotation of high value minerals worth tens of billions of dollars annually. The Reflux Classifier, a device that employs the Boycott Effect to achieve a significant increase in the effective area of the vessel, will be used. This device has already attracted three national awards in the area of gravity concentration in mineral processing. The study is ideal for training new researchers, especially at the PhD level, given the importance of the field to Australia. Read moreRead less