Stochastic modelling of fractures in crystalline rock masses for hot dry rock enhanced geothermal systems. Hot dry rock geothermal energy will contribute significant base-load power to the nation without producing greenhouse gas emissions. This research will contribute to the optimal design of fracture generation programmes to create effective artificial reservoirs in geothermal systems, which is crucial to successful geothermal energy production.
Present-Day Crustal Stress Field of North-Eastern Australia. The key project benefit is to advance fundamental understanding of crustal dynamics in NE Australia and thus Australia as a whole. The project will improve our knowledge of both the nature and sources of the present-day crustal stresses in NE Australia. The project has implications for seismicity and neotectonics in NE Australia. Furthermore, the project has significant implications for both hydrocarbon and hot dry rock geothermal ener ....Present-Day Crustal Stress Field of North-Eastern Australia. The key project benefit is to advance fundamental understanding of crustal dynamics in NE Australia and thus Australia as a whole. The project will improve our knowledge of both the nature and sources of the present-day crustal stresses in NE Australia. The project has implications for seismicity and neotectonics in NE Australia. Furthermore, the project has significant implications for both hydrocarbon and hot dry rock geothermal energy exploration and development.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354787
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$10,000.00
Summary
Research Network for Biotechnological and Environmental Applications of Microalgae (BEAM). The network will facilitate inderdisciplinary and collaborative research into the limitations on microalgal growth leading to the development of new, commercial-scale microalgae culture systems, the production of fine chemicals, bioactive compounds and renewable fuels (hydrogen), as well as environmental applications such as monitoring the physiological state of phytoplankton in the environment, CO2 biorem ....Research Network for Biotechnological and Environmental Applications of Microalgae (BEAM). The network will facilitate inderdisciplinary and collaborative research into the limitations on microalgal growth leading to the development of new, commercial-scale microalgae culture systems, the production of fine chemicals, bioactive compounds and renewable fuels (hydrogen), as well as environmental applications such as monitoring the physiological state of phytoplankton in the environment, CO2 bioremediation and algal/bacterial systems for the bioremediation of contaminated soils. This will be achieved by applying research on photosynthetic light utilisation efficiency and carbon fixation, chlorophyll fluorescence, biochemistry of secondary metabolites, molecular biology and photobioreactor design and engineering, informed by an understanding of the ecology of these algae.Read moreRead less
Assessment of the aerodynamic behaviour of fibrous particles under well-defined conditions of relevance to bio-fuel combustion. Biomass is plant-derived fuel, which has the advantage of being greenhouse neutral. Biomass can potentially be utilised both in existing combustion technologies, after minor modifications, and in purpose-designed combustors. It is typically fed into a furnace or boiler as shredded particles, (e.g. of wood, straw or bagasse), with jet(s) of air, either alone or as part ....Assessment of the aerodynamic behaviour of fibrous particles under well-defined conditions of relevance to bio-fuel combustion. Biomass is plant-derived fuel, which has the advantage of being greenhouse neutral. Biomass can potentially be utilised both in existing combustion technologies, after minor modifications, and in purpose-designed combustors. It is typically fed into a furnace or boiler as shredded particles, (e.g. of wood, straw or bagasse), with jet(s) of air, either alone or as partial replacement of pulverised coal. However these particles are fibrous and, unlike round particles, their aerodynamic behaviour in such systems is poorly understood. The project will provide new understanding, data and models necessary to maximise efficiency and minimise emissions from the utilisation of these fuels.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0453629
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$322,077.00
Summary
Integrated Combustion Research Facility for Biomass Derived Fuels. Bio-mass derived fuels are gaining in importance because they can contribute to solving the problems arising from the world wide decline in the reserve to production ratio of crude oil, the emission of greenhouse gases and energy security. In Australia they can also assist in mitigating dry-land salinity by increasing the viability of large-scale plantation of locally indigenous trees. However significant technical and political ....Integrated Combustion Research Facility for Biomass Derived Fuels. Bio-mass derived fuels are gaining in importance because they can contribute to solving the problems arising from the world wide decline in the reserve to production ratio of crude oil, the emission of greenhouse gases and energy security. In Australia they can also assist in mitigating dry-land salinity by increasing the viability of large-scale plantation of locally indigenous trees. However significant technical and political issues remain to be addressed before this potential can be realised. The Integrated Combustion Research Facility for Biomass Derived Fuels to be established by this grant will provide the necessary infrastructure to address these issues.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100213
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$180,000.00
Summary
x-ray transparent core flood apparatus . X-ray transparent core flood apparatus: This facility is a novel X-ray transparent flow vessel and ancillaries for achieving direct, near-real-time, 3D measurement and visualisation of material flow inside rock samples. It will enable direct evaluation of how liquid, liquid-solid, gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid flows behave in cores replicating conditions in underground reservoirs. The coal seam gas, shale gas and oil, and geothermal energy recovery rely ....x-ray transparent core flood apparatus . X-ray transparent core flood apparatus: This facility is a novel X-ray transparent flow vessel and ancillaries for achieving direct, near-real-time, 3D measurement and visualisation of material flow inside rock samples. It will enable direct evaluation of how liquid, liquid-solid, gas-liquid and gas-liquid-solid flows behave in cores replicating conditions in underground reservoirs. The coal seam gas, shale gas and oil, and geothermal energy recovery rely on precise understanding and simulation of subsurface flow. This apparatus will provide a new method to measure and visualise otherwise inaccessible flow behaviour, at a high level of detail, providing characterisation and model validation data underpinning reservoir simulations.Read moreRead less
Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would ....Shape Controlled Nanostructured Electrocatalyst for Clean Energy Generation. The development of alternative clean energy technology is critical to reduce carbon emissions and global warming. This project will bring significant benefits to the Australian community and economy by addressing these needs by developing highly efficient supported-catalyst, the core issue related to the cost and efficiency of clean electrochemical energy conversion devices. An increase in the catalyst efficiency would translate to significant cost saving and will deliver the nation with a strong intellectual property (IP) position in this frontier area of technology. The fundamental understanding will also underpin the growth in other catalysis areas including sensors, environment pollution and efficient chemical production. Read moreRead less
Subsurface fluid flow through fractures in sedimentary basins. This project aims to improve understanding of subsurface fluid transport through fractures. Fractures in rock provide interconnected, hydraulically conductive networks enabling large-volume fluid transport through sedimentary basins. The ability of a fracture to transmit fluid is primarily controlled by the in situ stress field, but also by rock strength, fracture plane orientation and roughness and pore-fluid pressure. We have a goo ....Subsurface fluid flow through fractures in sedimentary basins. This project aims to improve understanding of subsurface fluid transport through fractures. Fractures in rock provide interconnected, hydraulically conductive networks enabling large-volume fluid transport through sedimentary basins. The ability of a fracture to transmit fluid is primarily controlled by the in situ stress field, but also by rock strength, fracture plane orientation and roughness and pore-fluid pressure. We have a good understanding of in situ stress within many sedimentary basins, but know very little about the nature and origin of natural fractures. This project aims to provide a detailed, quantitative understanding of the nature and origin of natural fractures in the subsurface, which is critical for predicting fluid migration within aquifers, carbon dioxide storage sites, and geothermal and hydrocarbon reservoirs.Read moreRead less
Resistivity of typical rocks at crustal pressure and temperature conditions from combined laboratory and magnetotelluric measurements. Magnetotelluric surveys are playing an increasing role in Australian geoscience, including academic research, data collected by geological surveys (including a role in Geoscience Australia's $58.9 million Onshore Energy and Security Program), mineral exploration and geothermal exploration. This project will enable the results of these surveys to be interpreted mo ....Resistivity of typical rocks at crustal pressure and temperature conditions from combined laboratory and magnetotelluric measurements. Magnetotelluric surveys are playing an increasing role in Australian geoscience, including academic research, data collected by geological surveys (including a role in Geoscience Australia's $58.9 million Onshore Energy and Security Program), mineral exploration and geothermal exploration. This project will enable the results of these surveys to be interpreted more accurately and meaningfully by constraining the expected resistivities of crustal rocks at various pressures and temperatures. This research is vital if the investment currently being put into MT surveys is to be capitalized upon. Read moreRead less
Measuring the triple bottom line: an investigation of social, environmental and economic outcomes in the South Australian electricity market. The project will investigate the social, economic and environmental performance of the South Australian electricity market. It will track the impact of the implementation of full retail contestability in the SA electricity market. It will provide a suite of measurement tools for consumer groups to analyse market outcomes.