Application of tuneable nanofluids in regenerative supercritical power generation. The proposed project combines the simplicity, flexibility, robustness and thermodynamic effectiveness of GRANEXTM cycle with the advances recently made in nanotechnology. If deployed across Australia to recover even 50 per cent of the 11,000 Gigawatt hour annual bioenergy potential, it will generate a revenue stream of approximately $550 million per annum while reducing greenhouse emissions by 14 mega tonne, which ....Application of tuneable nanofluids in regenerative supercritical power generation. The proposed project combines the simplicity, flexibility, robustness and thermodynamic effectiveness of GRANEXTM cycle with the advances recently made in nanotechnology. If deployed across Australia to recover even 50 per cent of the 11,000 Gigawatt hour annual bioenergy potential, it will generate a revenue stream of approximately $550 million per annum while reducing greenhouse emissions by 14 mega tonne, which is about 2.5 per cent of the annual national emissions. The proposed research will place Australia within the forefront of the research and development activities in the field of low grade heat recovery and will clearly contribute the Australian Government's National Research Priority an environmentally sustainable Australia.Read moreRead less
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100131
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$300,000.00
Summary
Multifunctional micro/nano-engineered solar thermal receivers. This project is designed to develop a new class of thermal receivers that overcome key challenges in today's concentrating solar thermal systems. The development of accurate micro/nanofabrication and characterisation techniques in recent years has made it possible to achieve thermofluid devices that are engineered from the bottom up to achieve high performance at relatively low cost. This project aims to develop a new class of solar ....Multifunctional micro/nano-engineered solar thermal receivers. This project is designed to develop a new class of thermal receivers that overcome key challenges in today's concentrating solar thermal systems. The development of accurate micro/nanofabrication and characterisation techniques in recent years has made it possible to achieve thermofluid devices that are engineered from the bottom up to achieve high performance at relatively low cost. This project aims to develop a new class of solar thermal receivers which use micro/nanotechnology to directly absorb concentrated solar energy with very little pumping power and minimal radiative heat loss. By tailoring the geometry and materials inside the receiver, the project expects to achieve a unique level of integrated optical, heat transfer and fluid flow control.Read moreRead less
Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. This project aims to develop a microwave-generated plasma combustion system for the in-cylinder formation of hydroxyl radicals, achieving cost-effective reduction of engine-out emissions in diesel engines. This new system should overcome high-load particulate emissions and high-cost fuel injection systems, which limit further improvement of diesel engines. T ....Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. Microwave-generated plasma combustion for in-cylinder soot reduction. This project aims to develop a microwave-generated plasma combustion system for the in-cylinder formation of hydroxyl radicals, achieving cost-effective reduction of engine-out emissions in diesel engines. This new system should overcome high-load particulate emissions and high-cost fuel injection systems, which limit further improvement of diesel engines. This project expects to accomplish this by combining laser diagnostics in optical combustion facilities and computational modelling, which should lead to the scientific knowledge accelerating the development cycle of the new system.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE200100220
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$760,000.00
Summary
Adaptive Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography for Multiphase Flows. This project aims to establish a cutting edge adaptive electrical capacitance volume tomography facility for real-time metering / imaging of multi-phase flows. Optimisation of these flows which are encountered in many industries, is paramount in today's carbon-constrained global economy. This project expects to generate the new knowledge necessary for such optimisations. Expected outcomes include enhanced national capability ....Adaptive Electrical Capacitance Volume Tomography for Multiphase Flows. This project aims to establish a cutting edge adaptive electrical capacitance volume tomography facility for real-time metering / imaging of multi-phase flows. Optimisation of these flows which are encountered in many industries, is paramount in today's carbon-constrained global economy. This project expects to generate the new knowledge necessary for such optimisations. Expected outcomes include enhanced national capability for characterisation of multi-phase flows in real-time under both ambient and high temperatures. This should benefit and greatly facilitate the commercial rollout of novel technologies in industrial sectors as diverse as mineral processing, clean energy, fuels/chemicals, oil/gas, food and environmental remediation. Read moreRead less
Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements ....Understanding combustion in gasoline compression ignition conditions. This project aims to provide the first fundamental-level understanding of the processes of ignition, combustion, and pollutant formation relevant to a new, highly efficient combustion mode known as gasoline compression ignition (GCI). This project aims to provide information using a unique combination of direct numerical simulations, advanced transported probability density function modelling and a suite of laser measurements in a high-pressure combustion chamber. GCI engines have significant potential to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions harmful to health and the environment. The outcomes from this project will lead to accelerated development of the GCI engine, and more optimal GCI solutions to be found.Read moreRead less
Flame-wall interactions in diesel engine environments. This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of flame-wall interactions in diesel engines, which is currently very limited despite the wall's significant impact on combustion and pollutants. The aim is to perform the most comprehensive set of measurements to date in a high-pressure chamber and optically accessible engine, including planar imaging of key species and soot, and space-/time-resolved measurements of wall temperature ....Flame-wall interactions in diesel engine environments. This project aims to advance the fundamental understanding of flame-wall interactions in diesel engines, which is currently very limited despite the wall's significant impact on combustion and pollutants. The aim is to perform the most comprehensive set of measurements to date in a high-pressure chamber and optically accessible engine, including planar imaging of key species and soot, and space-/time-resolved measurements of wall temperature. These are intended to be complemented by the first transported probability density function modelling of a diesel spray flame that includes soot, radiation and wall heat transfer. The expected outcomes will greatly advance understanding of flame-wall interactions, thus contributing to the development of cleaner and more efficient engines.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100225
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Multi-dimensional, high speed laser imaging facility for fluids and combustion. New high-speed laser diagnostics facilities will be established to enable Australian researchers to perform unique, real time measurements in combustion systems. Such novel capabilities will advance the science of combustion and facilitate the development of design tools for the optimisation of clean and efficient energy conversion devices.
Fuel stratification to enable higher load operation of homogeneous charge compression ignition engines. The project aims to provide knowledge needed to solve a problem impeding the development of an efficient and clean engine concept known as homogeneous charge compression ignition. Fuel stratification using alternative fuels will be studied fundamentally and used to reduce the problematic rapid pressure changes that occur in these engines.
The stabilisation of lifted jet flames in hot oxidiser. The project will contribute fundamental insights on a crucial phenomenon in diesel engines: the detachment of the flame from the fuel nozzle, which strongly affects harmful emissions of nitrogen oxides (NOx) and particulates. Detailed numerical simulations will be used to reveal the mechanism of flame stabilisation, knowledge that will aid the development of cleaner engines.
Predictive models for the combustion of multi-component bio-fuels. This project will develop advanced, computationally efficient models for predicting pollutant emissions from the combustion of bio-fuels. The models will target practical engineering-scale applications with the aim of achieving improved energy conversion and improved urban air quality.