Simultaneous dissolved methane and nitrogen removal. Direct anaerobic treatment of wastewater converts majority of organic matters in wastewater to methane, an energy source. However, up to 50% of the methane produced stays dissolved in wastewater. Its subsequent stripping to atmosphere in aerobic treatment not only causes significant loss of energy but also emission of a potent greenhouse gas. This project aims to develop a technology that not only avoids methane stripping but also enables its ....Simultaneous dissolved methane and nitrogen removal. Direct anaerobic treatment of wastewater converts majority of organic matters in wastewater to methane, an energy source. However, up to 50% of the methane produced stays dissolved in wastewater. Its subsequent stripping to atmosphere in aerobic treatment not only causes significant loss of energy but also emission of a potent greenhouse gas. This project aims to develop a technology that not only avoids methane stripping but also enables its beneficial use to enhance nitrogen removal, which is otherwise typically unsatisfactory due to the lack of organic carbon to support denitrification. The project will provide strong support to the Australian water industry in their endeavour to achieve energy- and carbon-neutral wastewater services.Read moreRead less
Novel CO2-stable oxygen transporting membranes for oxyfuel-based CO2 capture and utilization. Industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emission is considered the main contribution to global warming. This project aims to develop a new class of oxygen transporting membrane (OTM) for CO2 capture and utilisation. To achieve this objective, the formation process and the unique characteristic of the membrane, as well as the oxygen transportation mechanism through the membrane will be investigated, experimental ....Novel CO2-stable oxygen transporting membranes for oxyfuel-based CO2 capture and utilization. Industrial carbon dioxide (CO2) emission is considered the main contribution to global warming. This project aims to develop a new class of oxygen transporting membrane (OTM) for CO2 capture and utilisation. To achieve this objective, the formation process and the unique characteristic of the membrane, as well as the oxygen transportation mechanism through the membrane will be investigated, experimentally and theoretically. This will advance the membrane technology in economically viable and efficient, clean energy applications.Read moreRead less
Development and Modellling of Advanced Coagulation and Oxidation Processes. The success of this program will help place Australia at the forefront of water quality control and management research. It will address concerns with managing and treating waters of changing characteristics due to climate change. In addition to the socio benefits, project success will also impart economic benefits to the nation through (i) fabricating new hybrid coagulants, that are versatile with enhanced performance ....Development and Modellling of Advanced Coagulation and Oxidation Processes. The success of this program will help place Australia at the forefront of water quality control and management research. It will address concerns with managing and treating waters of changing characteristics due to climate change. In addition to the socio benefits, project success will also impart economic benefits to the nation through (i) fabricating new hybrid coagulants, that are versatile with enhanced performance for removing NOM, and possess antimicrobial properties (ii) developing a new energy efficient photocatalysis technology.The proposed research will expand the knowledge base in this area and increase Australia’s international profile as a global leader in developing cutting-edge cost effective water resource technologies.Read moreRead less
Enhanced mixing of turbulent jet flames via side lateral injection. This innovative project will contribute significantly to the reduction of pollutant emissions from combustion of fossil and bio-fuels through new and innovative mixing approach of fuel and oxidant. It will facilitate a range of new devices with broader application leading to export earnings, local employment and reduction of our carbon footprint.
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100155
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$495,000.00
Summary
High-Speed Particle Image Velocimetry and Laser-Induced Fluorescence Facility. This state-of-the-art laser facility will increase our scientific understanding of industrial processes by providing valuable information on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles for rapidly changing flow fields. Previously it was not possible to do this, and the knowledge gained will be applied to develop more efficient and environmentally sustainable operations. For example, many current processes have hi ....High-Speed Particle Image Velocimetry and Laser-Induced Fluorescence Facility. This state-of-the-art laser facility will increase our scientific understanding of industrial processes by providing valuable information on velocity, temperature and concentration profiles for rapidly changing flow fields. Previously it was not possible to do this, and the knowledge gained will be applied to develop more efficient and environmentally sustainable operations. For example, many current processes have high energy input but scientific evidence suggests that it can be reduced if the embodied energy of the flow is properly utilised. Importantly, this utilisation often leads to increased yields and product quality. The facility will greatly assist researchers and industry collaborators in developing processes for the 21st century.Read moreRead less
Commercial scale production of biocrude by hydrothermal liquefaction. The project aims to develop new understanding and tools to support commercial-scale production of biocrude from microalgae or biosolids and enable a breakthrough in cost-effective production of sustainable fuels. A novel hydrothermal liquefaction reactor has been developed that has strong potential to overcome the limitations of Muradel's existing demonstration reactor which, while world-leading, is uneconomical at commercial ....Commercial scale production of biocrude by hydrothermal liquefaction. The project aims to develop new understanding and tools to support commercial-scale production of biocrude from microalgae or biosolids and enable a breakthrough in cost-effective production of sustainable fuels. A novel hydrothermal liquefaction reactor has been developed that has strong potential to overcome the limitations of Muradel's existing demonstration reactor which, while world-leading, is uneconomical at commercial scale. The project aims to develop design tools to optimise the new reactor, comprising a chemical model of the complex, multi-component hydrothermal liquefaction reactions, a computational model of the mixing and heat transfer within it and a network model of the energy and exergy flows.Read moreRead less
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR180100036
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$650,054.00
Summary
Remediation of PFAS in current and legacy biosolids application sites. This project aims to develop novel immobilisation, adsorption and/or thermal destruction methods for biosolids, soil and groundwater in current and legacy per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) sites receiving biosolids. Biosolids generated during waste water treatment carry an unknown potential risk of soil and groundwater PFAS contamination, through their application in agriculture and rehabilitation sites. This project ....Remediation of PFAS in current and legacy biosolids application sites. This project aims to develop novel immobilisation, adsorption and/or thermal destruction methods for biosolids, soil and groundwater in current and legacy per- and poly-fluroalkyl substance (PFAS) sites receiving biosolids. Biosolids generated during waste water treatment carry an unknown potential risk of soil and groundwater PFAS contamination, through their application in agriculture and rehabilitation sites. This project will provide the first major investigation of the release, fate and remediation of perfluorinated compounds in relation to their environmental pathways through wastewater treatment plants in Australia. The data will be evaluated to determine if perfluorinated compounds should be further incorporated into Australian soil and water quality monitoring programs. The project will provide evidence of research advice and methodologies being successfully adopted by water industry end-users, government regulatory agencies and private remediation industries.Read moreRead less
Energy from microalgae: industrial scale development and downstream processing of co-products. In this project Australian researchers will develop processes to produce renewable energy and commodity chemicals from microalgae grown in open saline ponds, enabling sustainable production of commercial quantities of clean biofuels and commodity products for the future. Renewable energy is an essential part of Australia's low greenhouse gas emissions energy target and is central to energy security. Th ....Energy from microalgae: industrial scale development and downstream processing of co-products. In this project Australian researchers will develop processes to produce renewable energy and commodity chemicals from microalgae grown in open saline ponds, enabling sustainable production of commercial quantities of clean biofuels and commodity products for the future. Renewable energy is an essential part of Australia's low greenhouse gas emissions energy target and is central to energy security. The development of microalgal energy will help Australia's determination to meet its Kyoto target. Additional benefits will include the development of value-added co-products from microalgal biomass, which is one route to commercial success of the novel technology.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE120100208
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$350,000.00
Summary
An advanced computational facility based on a graphic processing unit for particulate research. The graphic processing unit (GPU) is becoming an engine for the next generation of supercomputers for scientific research. The technology at this new facility will be exploited to perform large-scale, real time simulations of complex particulate material processing which is critical to Australia’s mineral/metallurgical/material industries.