Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE130101183
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$361,880.00
Summary
Next-generation expanders for renewable power applications: dealing with variability and uncertainty. This project will develop new strategies to design optimum expanders capable of maintaining good performance under uncontrollable working conditions. If these innovative design methods can be applied to engineering applications they will assist Australia to meet the Renewable Energy Target and to become an international leader in the field.
Atomisation and Combustion Physics of Australian Bio-oils. Australia is highly dependent on fossil fuels for energy production and transport, and this dependence is growing. Wide spread substitution of liquid hydrocarbon fuels by indigenous renewable bio-oil has the potential to improve Australian's energy outlook and assist in reaching greenhouse gas targets. Understanding the interrelationships between the physical and chemical properties of bio-oil, its atomisation, droplet formation and com ....Atomisation and Combustion Physics of Australian Bio-oils. Australia is highly dependent on fossil fuels for energy production and transport, and this dependence is growing. Wide spread substitution of liquid hydrocarbon fuels by indigenous renewable bio-oil has the potential to improve Australian's energy outlook and assist in reaching greenhouse gas targets. Understanding the interrelationships between the physical and chemical properties of bio-oil, its atomisation, droplet formation and combustion physics is fundamental to the delivery of an efficient and reliable combustion process using this fuel. Measurements using laser based diagnostics of the atomisation flow, droplet formation and combustion process will provide the experimental data to understand this complex interrelationship.Read moreRead less
Bio-oil from woody biomass - a sustainable fuel for Australia. At present many alternative energy supply systems suffer from factors like high costs, inefficiency and in some cases inappropriate application of immature technology and so are unsustainable. To overcome these problems, this research proposes the development of an integrated biomass solution to energy supply as well as dry land salinity. By doing so a sustainable and cost effective industry can be developed. Furthermore, if such an ....Bio-oil from woody biomass - a sustainable fuel for Australia. At present many alternative energy supply systems suffer from factors like high costs, inefficiency and in some cases inappropriate application of immature technology and so are unsustainable. To overcome these problems, this research proposes the development of an integrated biomass solution to energy supply as well as dry land salinity. By doing so a sustainable and cost effective industry can be developed. Furthermore, if such an industry is based on advances in Australian research and development, exporting this to other countries with similar problems, will further enhance its economic and social benefit to Australia.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
Assessment and Optimisation of Mixing and Aerodynamic Characteristics of Multi-Fuel Burners for Rotary Kilns. Cement kilns are increasingly being used to dispose of waste and low-grade biomass fuels. Being nominally greenhouse neutral, these fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuels. However, their use also presents significant technical challenges, one of which will be addressed by the proposed program. In building capacity of local industry to utilise these fuels in ceme ....Assessment and Optimisation of Mixing and Aerodynamic Characteristics of Multi-Fuel Burners for Rotary Kilns. Cement kilns are increasingly being used to dispose of waste and low-grade biomass fuels. Being nominally greenhouse neutral, these fuels reduce greenhouse gas emissions by displacing fossil fuels. However, their use also presents significant technical challenges, one of which will be addressed by the proposed program. In building capacity of local industry to utilise these fuels in cement kilns, it will open the door to other opportunities in the future. It will also increase the export earnings of an Australian company who will commercialise these outcomes internationally.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100160
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$190,000.00
Summary
An advanced characterisation facility for opaque multiphase flows. This advanced multiphase flow characterisation facility will provide a greater understanding of opaque industrial multiphase flows. It will provide a platform for Australian researchers to conduct fundamental research on complex flows, particularly those encountered in our mineral processing industry.
Turbulent wall-bounded flow in adverse pressure gradient environments. This research will create additional research capacity in turbulence control and drag reduction. It will have direct benefits to the Australian economy via the transport industry by reducing the adverse impact of the carbon tax and rising fuel prices on long-haul air, water and road transport, on which Australia is disproportionately reliant.
Discovery Early Career Researcher Award - Grant ID: DE160100968
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$375,000.00
Summary
Lifting the Veil on Turbulent Convective Heat Transfer over Rough Surfaces. By understanding the influence of surface roughness on convective heat transfer, this project intends to reduce the unwanted heating and energy losses associated with surface roughness in gas and steam turbines used in power generation and transportation. The surface roughness that results from extended operation of gas and steam turbines can significantly increase the heating of their surfaces, increasing fuel consumpti ....Lifting the Veil on Turbulent Convective Heat Transfer over Rough Surfaces. By understanding the influence of surface roughness on convective heat transfer, this project intends to reduce the unwanted heating and energy losses associated with surface roughness in gas and steam turbines used in power generation and transportation. The surface roughness that results from extended operation of gas and steam turbines can significantly increase the heating of their surfaces, increasing fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions, and reducing operational life. Improvements would allow turbines to operate at higher inlet temperatures which will increase their efficiency and reduce fuel use, environmental emissions and maintenance costs.Read moreRead less
BEACH FORMATION OF NON-SEGREGATING TAILINGS. Thickened tailings from mining operations discharged onto flat ground build into a low conical hill, forming a straight beach slope. This method of stacked tailings disposal is currently employed at nine Australian mine-sites. It is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Discharged thickened pastes can develop steeper slopes, thus requiring less area for the tailings stack. However, a tailing discharge system design must be based on an accurate ....BEACH FORMATION OF NON-SEGREGATING TAILINGS. Thickened tailings from mining operations discharged onto flat ground build into a low conical hill, forming a straight beach slope. This method of stacked tailings disposal is currently employed at nine Australian mine-sites. It is cost effective and environmentally friendly. Discharged thickened pastes can develop steeper slopes, thus requiring less area for the tailings stack. However, a tailing discharge system design must be based on an accurate prediction of the beach slope. The aim is to produce a method of predicting the beach slope angle from laboratory experiments involving particle mechanics, rheology, and process parameters like flowrate and concentration.Read moreRead less