Towards an event based model of combustion generated sound. This proposal will develop new tools for predicting combustion generated sound. Since combustion noise often limits system performance, these new tools could be used to significantly reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants from power generation and transportation.
Process scalability and performance prediction of Viscous Transfer Micro Turbines for use as miniaturised power supplies. This project aims to predict the performance and scalability of viscous transfer turbines. The work will be carried out with Micromachines Ltd., a firm developing working turbines with 50 mm rotors. The goal of the research is to gain an understanding of the scaling laws for these turbines, in order to predict their performance. Viscous transfer turbines have a very simple di ....Process scalability and performance prediction of Viscous Transfer Micro Turbines for use as miniaturised power supplies. This project aims to predict the performance and scalability of viscous transfer turbines. The work will be carried out with Micromachines Ltd., a firm developing working turbines with 50 mm rotors. The goal of the research is to gain an understanding of the scaling laws for these turbines, in order to predict their performance. Viscous transfer turbines have a very simple disc construction making them ideal for manufacturing as small-scale units (with a 5 mm rotor). Small enough to replace batteries, but with a higher power output, they would provide the need for higher power output devices to replace batteries.Read moreRead less
The colour of turbulence and the attached eddy hypothesis. This project aims to progress understanding of wall-bounded turbulence. These turbulent fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature and in engineering systems, directly affecting dispersion in the atmosphere and the energy consumption of land, sea and air vehicles. The understanding of these turbulent flows has been limited by a lack of verified theoretical models for the structure of wall turbulence. By combining unprecedented experiments with ....The colour of turbulence and the attached eddy hypothesis. This project aims to progress understanding of wall-bounded turbulence. These turbulent fluid flows are ubiquitous in nature and in engineering systems, directly affecting dispersion in the atmosphere and the energy consumption of land, sea and air vehicles. The understanding of these turbulent flows has been limited by a lack of verified theoretical models for the structure of wall turbulence. By combining unprecedented experiments with a novel dynamical systems approach, this project will enable development of effective turbulence control strategies, enhancing productivity in a wide range of applications. The findings of the research will enable models with predictive capability to design turbulence control schemes.Read moreRead less
Lower greenhouse at lower cost: maximising the potential of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) in passenger vehicles. This project will develop tools for designing internal combustion engines that simultaneously achieve low greenhouse emissions without added consumer cost. The project aim is to be achieved through the effective use of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), which is an affordable fuel that has potentially low emissions if used properly.
Analysis of two-phase effects in sloshing of liquids in marine tanks. One of the winners in the current greenhouse debate is natural gas, and the global market will see the need for transporting large volumes of LNG. Australia's North West Shelf is one of the largest offshore gas reserves in the world. The gas market is one of the biggest contributors for the country's economy. Australia leads the world in the use of tankers for transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). However, consistent re ....Analysis of two-phase effects in sloshing of liquids in marine tanks. One of the winners in the current greenhouse debate is natural gas, and the global market will see the need for transporting large volumes of LNG. Australia's North West Shelf is one of the largest offshore gas reserves in the world. The gas market is one of the biggest contributors for the country's economy. Australia leads the world in the use of tankers for transport of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). However, consistent research in LNG is lacking. This research is a fundamental inquiry into the physics of liquid sloshing and the importance of two-phase effects on sloshing. The research can provide answers that ensure safe operation and transport of LNG from Australia.Read moreRead less
Understanding rough-wall flows and turbulent mixing for improved models. In the absence of a reliable predictive capability for turbulent heat transfer, design engineers are currently forced to incorporate safety margins into their calculations to compensate for aero-thermal loading uncertainty, which ultimately limits the opportunities for high-efficiency designs. This project employs high-fidelity simulations and experiments of real-world heat transfer problems, as identified by our partner or ....Understanding rough-wall flows and turbulent mixing for improved models. In the absence of a reliable predictive capability for turbulent heat transfer, design engineers are currently forced to incorporate safety margins into their calculations to compensate for aero-thermal loading uncertainty, which ultimately limits the opportunities for high-efficiency designs. This project employs high-fidelity simulations and experiments of real-world heat transfer problems, as identified by our partner organisation, MHI, an industry leader, combined with a novel data-driven model development framework. Outcomes will be a fundamental advance in our predictive capability and understanding of turbulent heat transfer, which in turn will permit more reliable, efficient and durable designs for energy generation.Read moreRead less
New method of remote characterization of hydrocarbon films on the ocean surface through studies of wave turbulence. Development of a novel method of remote characterization of oil films on the sea surface will help early detection of oil spills in environmental monitoring. It will also be used for detection of naturally occurring oil seeps in the oil exploration on the sea shelf. The project addresses the national research priority of Environmentally Sustainable Australia and the priority goal o ....New method of remote characterization of hydrocarbon films on the ocean surface through studies of wave turbulence. Development of a novel method of remote characterization of oil films on the sea surface will help early detection of oil spills in environmental monitoring. It will also be used for detection of naturally occurring oil seeps in the oil exploration on the sea shelf. The project addresses the national research priority of Environmentally Sustainable Australia and the priority goal of developing deep earth resources. Australian industry will greatly benefit from the outcome of the project. These studies will also help advancing Australia's position at the forefront of remote sensing research. Australian undergraduate, postgraduate and research training is an integral part of the project.Read moreRead less
Enabling low greenhouse gas emissions from road vehicles through the proper use of alternative fuels. A major increase in alternative transport fuel use appears necessary in our response to the challenges of climate change and energy security. This proposal will advance our fundamental understanding of key aspects of the combustion of particular alternative fuels, thus enabling proper engine design and so maximising greenhouse and energy security benefits. Further, the Australian automotive indu ....Enabling low greenhouse gas emissions from road vehicles through the proper use of alternative fuels. A major increase in alternative transport fuel use appears necessary in our response to the challenges of climate change and energy security. This proposal will advance our fundamental understanding of key aspects of the combustion of particular alternative fuels, thus enabling proper engine design and so maximising greenhouse and energy security benefits. Further, the Australian automotive industry is a major employer and exporter, and needs to develop and/or maintain international leadership in low emission technologies to ensure its long term viability. This proposal builds a consortium of local organisations with common interests, thus helping local industry respond to several, significant challenges that they presently face.Read moreRead less
Turbulent flow over surfaces with spatially varying roughness. This project aims to improve understanding of the effect of spatial roughness transitions on turbulent flows. Fluids flowing over non-smooth surfaces influence our daily lives, such as water moving through a pipe, wind blowing over the Earth's surface or aircraft moving through air. The presence of surface roughness profoundly influences these flows. Though engineers have learnt to deal effectively with evenly distributed roughness, ....Turbulent flow over surfaces with spatially varying roughness. This project aims to improve understanding of the effect of spatial roughness transitions on turbulent flows. Fluids flowing over non-smooth surfaces influence our daily lives, such as water moving through a pipe, wind blowing over the Earth's surface or aircraft moving through air. The presence of surface roughness profoundly influences these flows. Though engineers have learnt to deal effectively with evenly distributed roughness, this is seldom encountered in reality. Rather, there are abrupt changes in roughness, for example at the edges of wind-farms or at rivets on aircraft. This project aims to investigate these important, but little understood, turbulent flows. Potential benefits include improved simulation, more efficient vehicle design and improved atmospheric and climate models.Read moreRead less
A novel surface preparation for manipulation of turbulent boundary layers. Australia's geographic isolation means that we are unusually dependent on long-haul transportation systems for sustaining our economy. This project seeks to examine novel surface coatings to reduce the drag of large transport systems. A successful outcome would ultimately reduce Australia's fuel costs and environmental footprint.