Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The researc ....Model studies of Australian lump ore applied to blast furnace ironmaking. Ore lump use in ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) requires no preprocessing and has a lower carbon footprint. However, it suffers various technical problems. This project aims to understand and optimize the conditions for such operations. This will be achieved by means of a combined theoretical and experimental program, involving the use of state-of-the-art multiscale computer modelling and simulation techniques. The research outcomes will be tested in the design and control of lump charging operations in practice through collaboration with the industrial partner. This will ultimately increase Australian ore lump usage in BFs, leading to significant financial and environmental benefits to Australia and the entire steel industry worldwide.Read moreRead less
Granular dynamics: characterization, modelling and application. Storage and transport of bulk solids are widely encountered in mineral, metallurgical and chemical industrials which are important to Australia. The design and control of bulk solids handling equipment must be optimised for the efficiency of processing. This project provides a systematic investigation of the techniques used to characterize bulk solids, and applies the new findings to hopper flow and pneumatic conveying. This, togeth ....Granular dynamics: characterization, modelling and application. Storage and transport of bulk solids are widely encountered in mineral, metallurgical and chemical industrials which are important to Australia. The design and control of bulk solids handling equipment must be optimised for the efficiency of processing. This project provides a systematic investigation of the techniques used to characterize bulk solids, and applies the new findings to hopper flow and pneumatic conveying. This, together with the research training offered through the conduct of the work, is very helpful to maintaining Australia’s leading position in bulk solids handling and application in resource, energy, process and allied industries.Read moreRead less
Improving iron ore agglomeration by studying underlying mechanisms using experimental studies and dimensional analysis. The revenue from Australia's iron ore exports is currently worth over $15 billion. Over 80% of the shipped ores are fines (ie material smaller than 9mm), which have to be sintered to produce a lumpy product prior to reduction and smelting in iron making blast furnaces. An understanding of this process at the fundamental level is essential for enhancement of the nation's technol ....Improving iron ore agglomeration by studying underlying mechanisms using experimental studies and dimensional analysis. The revenue from Australia's iron ore exports is currently worth over $15 billion. Over 80% of the shipped ores are fines (ie material smaller than 9mm), which have to be sintered to produce a lumpy product prior to reduction and smelting in iron making blast furnaces. An understanding of this process at the fundamental level is essential for enhancement of the nation's technological standing with our key trading partners - that is, to enable Australian iron-ore exporters to become 'knowledgable' suppliers. In addition, local iron-making industries will gain direct economic benefit from the improved sintering processes developed. Read moreRead less
Understanding the reactivity of pulverised coal at extreme conditions when injected into blast furnaces during PCI. This study aims to improve the understanding and develop a mathematical model of coal combustion during injection into blast furnaces as PCI (pulverised coal injection). The principle economic and social benefits of this project to the community are: (i) Increased efficiency of Blast Furnace operations, resulting in cheaper production of iron in an increasingly globally competitive ....Understanding the reactivity of pulverised coal at extreme conditions when injected into blast furnaces during PCI. This study aims to improve the understanding and develop a mathematical model of coal combustion during injection into blast furnaces as PCI (pulverised coal injection). The principle economic and social benefits of this project to the community are: (i) Increased efficiency of Blast Furnace operations, resulting in cheaper production of iron in an increasingly globally competitive industry, supporting the Australian steel industry and domestic market. And (ii) the potential to impact on process fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions from fossil fuel sources providing a cleaner source of iron for steel production.Read moreRead less
Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and s ....Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore. This project aims to develop and apply a new route of lump iron ore pre-reduction with hydrogen or H2-enriched gases for ironmaking to minimise CO2 emission from steel production. The route will be built up on the base of H2 reduction kinetics of iron ore and with novel technologies such as CO2 recycle and H2-heating using hot blast, underpinning the hydrogen economy by addressing the environmental concerns in mineral and steel industries. It is not only significant for low-carbon steel production, but also for better fundamental understanding to develop the future zero-emission iron and steelmaking with hydrogen. The project will be very beneficent because it increases the use of lump iron ore and expends Australian export of iron ores.Read moreRead less
A multiscale-multifunctional approach to advanced diagnosis and operator performance in complex process systems. Major process system failures and subsequent poor diagnosis continues to produce significant company disruption, environmental damage, injury and possible loss of life. The benefits of this work will be reduced impacts and risks. This work will provide a new integrated approach with structured tools and diagnostic designs for process industries. It should have direct impacts on compan ....A multiscale-multifunctional approach to advanced diagnosis and operator performance in complex process systems. Major process system failures and subsequent poor diagnosis continues to produce significant company disruption, environmental damage, injury and possible loss of life. The benefits of this work will be reduced impacts and risks. This work will provide a new integrated approach with structured tools and diagnostic designs for process industries. It should have direct impacts on company performance through improved diagnosis, more timely response and hence reduced likelihood of major accidents. It will help to improve overall risk management practice in the process industries with less impact on people, property and environment, thus improving operational performance. Local communities will be direct beneficiaries of these reduced risks.Read moreRead less