Chemical optimisation of geothermal heat extraction. Geothermal energy can contribute to our energy needs, but we must understand chemical interactions between geothermal fluids, the host aquifers and the engineered environment to use the energy safely and efficiently. This project will assess those interactions, provide guidelines for geothermal energy use and train future geothermal scientists.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE120103067
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
How does the continental crust get so hot? This project is aimed at constraining the tectonic drivers of high geothermal gradient crustal regimes. The key outcomes of this project are better constraints on the tectonic drivers of high geothermal gradient metamorphism and the development of quantitative tools to assess the evolution of heat within areas of mountain building.
A HYBRID INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT AND POWER GENERATION. The management of solid wastes is a major global environmental issue and the current practice of landfilling is not a sustainable solution. Biogasification of the organic fraction provides not only a means of waste treatment but also generates a source of energy in the form methane but current technologies are expensive due to the long degradation times. In this project we investigate an innovative waste tr ....A HYBRID INTEGRATED SYSTEM FOR MUNICIPAL SOLID WASTE TREATMENT AND POWER GENERATION. The management of solid wastes is a major global environmental issue and the current practice of landfilling is not a sustainable solution. Biogasification of the organic fraction provides not only a means of waste treatment but also generates a source of energy in the form methane but current technologies are expensive due to the long degradation times. In this project we investigate an innovative waste treatment system that will cut down the time required for processing wastes by a factor of 10 with considerable economic benefit. We will optimise the integration of this treatment system with a hybrid power generation system that utilises other renewable energy sources like solar and wind energy to deliver quality power at minimal cost.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
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE0989487
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility. Hydrogen energy technology is a vital element in the global response to climate change owing to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a universal energy carrier that facilitates the transformation of energy from renewable and other sources for applications in industry, transport and homes. The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility is a multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art experimental facili ....The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility. Hydrogen energy technology is a vital element in the global response to climate change owing to increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels from burning fossil fuels. Hydrogen is a universal energy carrier that facilitates the transformation of energy from renewable and other sources for applications in industry, transport and homes. The National Hydrogen Materials Reference Facility is a multidisciplinary, state-of-the-art experimental facility for materials science supporting excellent research into advanced materials for hydrogen generation from fossil fuels and by solar means, hydrogen storage for automotive and stationary applications, hydrogen distribution and hydrogen end use, particularly in fuel cells that generate electricity.Read moreRead less
Production of hydrogen from biomass by integrated catalytic aqueous hydrolysis and reforming in subcritical water. The outcomes of this project will lead to the development of a novel process for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from renewable biomass using integrated hydrolysis and catalytic aqueous reforming at low temperatures. Such technological innovation will provide significant benefits to Australia as a whole for transition to a truly sustainable hydrogen economy. The nov ....Production of hydrogen from biomass by integrated catalytic aqueous hydrolysis and reforming in subcritical water. The outcomes of this project will lead to the development of a novel process for efficient and cost-effective hydrogen production from renewable biomass using integrated hydrolysis and catalytic aqueous reforming at low temperatures. Such technological innovation will provide significant benefits to Australia as a whole for transition to a truly sustainable hydrogen economy. The novel reaction system and research methodologies proposed in this proposal will certainly enhance Australia's science and technology capability and international competitiveness, in the area of reaction engineering. Also of the national benefit is the successful training of a postgraduate at PhD level who will no doubt add to future scientific research workforce.Read moreRead less
Near zero-emission hydrogen and carbon production from natural gas and bio-methane. Hydrogen is envisaged as a clean fuel for power generation particularly for the transportation sector. In the short- and mid-term future, hydrogen will be derived from fossil fuels. Based on the conventional processes, the route from fossil fuels to hydrogen invariably produces greenhouse gases. Geosequestration is a viable technique of storing carbon dioxide but has an uncertain long-term environmental ramifi ....Near zero-emission hydrogen and carbon production from natural gas and bio-methane. Hydrogen is envisaged as a clean fuel for power generation particularly for the transportation sector. In the short- and mid-term future, hydrogen will be derived from fossil fuels. Based on the conventional processes, the route from fossil fuels to hydrogen invariably produces greenhouse gases. Geosequestration is a viable technique of storing carbon dioxide but has an uncertain long-term environmental ramification. In contrast, our proposed technique avoids the production of greenhouse gases and, instead, engenders high value added graphitized carbon as a by-product. Given the relative stability and value of graphitized carbon, our catalytic cracking process provides another option to geosequestration.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354778
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$30,000.00
Summary
Deep Earth Resource Characterisation and Extraction - An Integrated Geoscience Approach. Sustainability, economy and safety in resource recovery require a high level of understanding of the mechanics of geomaterials in their natural conditions and a multidisciplinary approach to the geotechnical issues involved. This initiative aims to bridge gaps between geotechnical disciplines, to combine the testing, analytical skills and experience of the research groups and to incorporate expertise and ide ....Deep Earth Resource Characterisation and Extraction - An Integrated Geoscience Approach. Sustainability, economy and safety in resource recovery require a high level of understanding of the mechanics of geomaterials in their natural conditions and a multidisciplinary approach to the geotechnical issues involved. This initiative aims to bridge gaps between geotechnical disciplines, to combine the testing, analytical skills and experience of the research groups and to incorporate expertise and ideas from the cognate disciplines of geology and geophysics so that innovative engineering practice will develop. This approach should achieve breakthroughs in understanding the behaviour of, and the safe economic extraction from deep resources including minerals, coal, gas drainage, petroleum and geothermal energy.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE150100058
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$560,000.00
Summary
Three dimensionally compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar . 3D compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar: The 3D compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar allows determination of the dynamic mechanical properties and fracturing behaviour of materials under such confinement. Understanding material behaviour under dynamic loading is essential in dealing with many engineering problems as excavation, fragmentation, earthquake, blasting, and structure design. In geotechnical and structure projects, materi ....Three dimensionally compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar . 3D compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar: The 3D compressed and monitored Hopkinson bar allows determination of the dynamic mechanical properties and fracturing behaviour of materials under such confinement. Understanding material behaviour under dynamic loading is essential in dealing with many engineering problems as excavation, fragmentation, earthquake, blasting, and structure design. In geotechnical and structure projects, materials are often subjected to existing confining stresses. The full-field optical techniques, with an ultra-high speed and resolution camera in the system, aims to assist the quantitative measurement of deformation fields including small strain induced in brittle material's failure and identification of constitutive parameters.Read moreRead less
Constricted hydraulic fracture opening. This project aims to develop experimentally verified models for designing and monitoring of hydraulic fractures with constricted openings, to ensure adequate and robust hydraulic fracture control for example in petroleum production. Hydraulic fractures are often constricted by bridges that hold two sides of the fracture together. Failure to account for bridges and constriction of fractures can lead to premature screen-out (exceeding available pump pressure ....Constricted hydraulic fracture opening. This project aims to develop experimentally verified models for designing and monitoring of hydraulic fractures with constricted openings, to ensure adequate and robust hydraulic fracture control for example in petroleum production. Hydraulic fractures are often constricted by bridges that hold two sides of the fracture together. Failure to account for bridges and constriction of fractures can lead to premature screen-out (exceeding available pump pressure) of proppant and inadequate fracking control. The project results are expected to substantially increase the accuracy of design and monitoring of fracture opening, geometry and fluid flow to improve efficiency, safety and environmental security of the resource and energy extraction.Read moreRead less