Time dependent stratified flows in a differentially heated cavity under realistic conditions. Flows driven by the application of a horizontal temperature gradient has applications in nature and engineering. Although much progress has been made in the analysis of the case of a sudden application of temperature differences to the vertical walls of a container with insulating horizontal walls containing an isothermal fluid, the reality is that neither the insulated walls nor the initially isotherma ....Time dependent stratified flows in a differentially heated cavity under realistic conditions. Flows driven by the application of a horizontal temperature gradient has applications in nature and engineering. Although much progress has been made in the analysis of the case of a sudden application of temperature differences to the vertical walls of a container with insulating horizontal walls containing an isothermal fluid, the reality is that neither the insulated walls nor the initially isothermal fluid can be achieved. This project will, by analytical, numerical and experimental methods, make a preliminary investigation of the influence of conducting horizontal walls and an initially stratified fluid.Read moreRead less
Design and Optimisation of Novel Enthalpy Heat Exchangers. This project deals with the thermal design and optimisation of a novel type of latent energy heat exchanger. This new heat exchanger overcomes the practical implementation problems of previous latent energy heat exchangers such as heat-wheels. The main application of this innovative heat exchanger will be to improve the capacity and efficiency of air conditioning systems. As the new heat exchanger is very compact it will be ideally sui ....Design and Optimisation of Novel Enthalpy Heat Exchangers. This project deals with the thermal design and optimisation of a novel type of latent energy heat exchanger. This new heat exchanger overcomes the practical implementation problems of previous latent energy heat exchangers such as heat-wheels. The main application of this innovative heat exchanger will be to improve the capacity and efficiency of air conditioning systems. As the new heat exchanger is very compact it will be ideally suited for integration with air conditioning coils. Existing latent heat wheels are very bulky and are difficult to integrate into standard air conditioner installations.Read moreRead less
On the mechanism of boiling instability in microchannels. This project will enable designers to create highly efficient miniaturised devices based on the boiling of fluids such as water or organics. These devices include micro-power generation systems, coolers for computer chips and solar collectors, and micro-chemical process systems. Such devices provide environmental, safety and economic benefits.
Assessment of the new technologies to maximise the internal energy efficiency by modelling the energy flows in Victorian power stations. Increased internal energy efficiency will reduce the CO2 emissions and increase the profit margin for the power stations. The aim of the proposed research is to investigate the internal energy efficiency in the brown coal fired power stations by modelling the internal energy flows to reveal the potentials in the 'waste' heat streams in the power stations, and t ....Assessment of the new technologies to maximise the internal energy efficiency by modelling the energy flows in Victorian power stations. Increased internal energy efficiency will reduce the CO2 emissions and increase the profit margin for the power stations. The aim of the proposed research is to investigate the internal energy efficiency in the brown coal fired power stations by modelling the internal energy flows to reveal the potentials in the 'waste' heat streams in the power stations, and to assess new waste heat recovery measures for the power industry. The proposed research, supported by the entire Victorian power generation industry, will help the industry to achieve their green house gas emission reduction target set by the Federal Government.
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Heat Transfer Characteristics of Biological Tissues with Nanoparticles. Heat transfer of laser-irradiated nanoparticles in biological tissues requires a basic knowledge of the unique strong resonance absorption properties and a fundamental understanding of the thermal and chemical conversions as a consequence of these heated nanoparticles. This project aims to investigate the extent of the non-equilibrium heating effects of heated nanoparticles on the destruction of biological tissues. Comprehen ....Heat Transfer Characteristics of Biological Tissues with Nanoparticles. Heat transfer of laser-irradiated nanoparticles in biological tissues requires a basic knowledge of the unique strong resonance absorption properties and a fundamental understanding of the thermal and chemical conversions as a consequence of these heated nanoparticles. This project aims to investigate the extent of the non-equilibrium heating effects of heated nanoparticles on the destruction of biological tissues. Comprehensive experimental studies and computational modelling to be performed are expected to significantly enhance the understanding of laser-induced heating phenomena of embedded nanoparticles in biological tissues and the prediction of the level of destruction that can be experienced by these heated nanoparticles.Read moreRead less
Dehumidification and cooling driven by solar/waste heat using liquid desiccants. The provision of comfort cooling is responsible for a considerable and increasing portion of the world energy demand and electricity peak demand. To substitute electrically driven vapour compression machines with their high electrical energy consumption and especially high peak loads, the use of solar energy or waste heat for a cooling and dehumidification system driven by liquid desiccants is a promising opportunit ....Dehumidification and cooling driven by solar/waste heat using liquid desiccants. The provision of comfort cooling is responsible for a considerable and increasing portion of the world energy demand and electricity peak demand. To substitute electrically driven vapour compression machines with their high electrical energy consumption and especially high peak loads, the use of solar energy or waste heat for a cooling and dehumidification system driven by liquid desiccants is a promising opportunity. The project utilises the complementary strengths in the research groups to develop practical and economically feasible cooling/dehumidification systems for different types of buildings with different moisture removal and cooling requirements at different locations (Australia, Southern Europe).Read moreRead less
Design of high performance heat sink composites. Heat sink composites are advanced materials that have the very substantial but widely untapped potential to reduce Society's energy consumption by means of utilizing waste energy or through energy-efficient temperature control. This Project uses computational analysis and parallel experimentation to design optimum heat-sink composites for highly energy-efficient temperature control of chemical batteries or electronic components as well as the mean ....Design of high performance heat sink composites. Heat sink composites are advanced materials that have the very substantial but widely untapped potential to reduce Society's energy consumption by means of utilizing waste energy or through energy-efficient temperature control. This Project uses computational analysis and parallel experimentation to design optimum heat-sink composites for highly energy-efficient temperature control of chemical batteries or electronic components as well as the means for the efficient heating/cooling of buildings. The outcomes of the project will lay the scientific foundation for the industrial scale development of advanced heat sinks that will lower energy costs and decrease climate changing emissions. This represents a new market for Australian industry.Read moreRead less
The use of numerical and experimental techniques to develop energy efficient open refrigerated display cabinets. This project will provide knowledge for Australian industry to develop new energy efficient refrigerated display cabinets, putting Australia in the forefront of commercial refrigeration display cabinet technologies. This will have a significant impact on sustainability of our environment and will assist Australia to meet present and future international climate obligations by contrib ....The use of numerical and experimental techniques to develop energy efficient open refrigerated display cabinets. This project will provide knowledge for Australian industry to develop new energy efficient refrigerated display cabinets, putting Australia in the forefront of commercial refrigeration display cabinet technologies. This will have a significant impact on sustainability of our environment and will assist Australia to meet present and future international climate obligations by contributing to the reduction of greenhouse emissions. The Government has already introduced new MEPS levels, and are planning to increase these to more stringent levels in 2007. The development of the techniques proposed in this application will be essential for manufacturers if they are to economically meet these MEPS level requirements. Read moreRead less
Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment. The proposed Project will make significant contribution towards the both fundamental understanding of heat transfer enhancement using dimpled surfaces and the design of heat exchangers and, in particular to the application of dimpled surfaces in air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Unlike the previous CFD studies which have been made on the assumptions that the flow is steady and decoupled from the ....Heat Transfer Enhancement Techniques for Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment. The proposed Project will make significant contribution towards the both fundamental understanding of heat transfer enhancement using dimpled surfaces and the design of heat exchangers and, in particular to the application of dimpled surfaces in air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Unlike the previous CFD studies which have been made on the assumptions that the flow is steady and decoupled from the heat transfer calculations in this Project the fully coupled problem will be solved, in which unsteady flows are allowed to occur over a dimpled surfaces. As a result we will be able to more accurately determine the resultant effects on the pressure drop and heat transfer. Read moreRead less
Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is ....Analysis, simulation, fabrication and characterization of reliable, robust and scalable compact cooling elements based on semiconductor nanostructures. Modern electronic, microelectronic and optoelectronic devices generally work better when they are cooler. We aim to develop a semiconductor nanostructure cooling element which directly integrates into existing devices. The solid-state cooling element will be reliable, robust, scalable and operate in any orientation. The basis of operation is thermionic emission - electrons are the working fluid. Our project combines (1) analysis and simulation, (2) fabrication of nanostructures and (3) experimental test-benching using optical and electrical methods. The outcome of this research has the potential to revolutionize cooling of modern electronic and photonic systems, from computer motherboards to mobile phones.Read moreRead less