Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on ....Integrated processes for fine coal treatment. This project is concerned with new processes for the treatment of fine coal which forms an export market in excess of A$2 billion a year. The aim is to improve the separation of fine coal from silt and clay, and especially the recovery of larger particles in the flotation process. Further aims are to increase the ease of filtration and dewatering of fine coal, and to reduce the dust that is generated when fine coal is handled during transportation on land and sea. A laboratory-scale process will be developed and tested at a larger scale. The new knowledge that is gained will be essential for the successful introduction of the new technology into the Australian coal industry.Read moreRead less
An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon kn ....An investigation into the relationships between geology, geometry and wind blast magnitude & intensity in underground coal mining. In some underground coal mines where the roof comprises massive rock, the roof strata do not cave regularly as extraction progresses but hang up, leading to extensive areas of unsupported roof. These areas can suddenly collapse, compressing the air beneath and forcing it out of the void through surrounding openings giving rise to a potentially hazardous phenomenon known as wind blast. The aim is to develop a fundamental understanding of the phenomenon and thus provide a basis on which to develop strategies to mitigate the hazard. Outcomes are expected to be improved levels of mining safety, technical viability and economics.Read moreRead less
Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the ....Applicability of the Longwall Top Coal Caving in Australian Underground Coal Mines. The proposed project aims to develop an improved understanding of the geotechnical caving characteristics of the Longwall Top Coal Caving method and it's applicability in Australian underground coal mines. The practical outcomes include significant economical benefits associated with extracting thick seams, maximising production and recovery, while improving safety standards. The advantages and constraints of the mining method will be examined rigorously relative to the Australian geological and stress environment and safety requirement. The parameters influencing the applicability of the method as well as the support design criteria and performance will be researched using comparative, analytical and numerical modelling methods.Read moreRead less
Novel Cutting Picks for Mining Industry and an Australian Standard. This research will enable the development of highly efficient and robust mining picks and establish the methodology and techniques for setting up an Australian standard for mining picks which does not exist at present but is imperatively needed by the mining industry. The novel technology will provide effective solutions to improving mine environment and safety, and reducing nation's power consumption, green house gas emission, ....Novel Cutting Picks for Mining Industry and an Australian Standard. This research will enable the development of highly efficient and robust mining picks and establish the methodology and techniques for setting up an Australian standard for mining picks which does not exist at present but is imperatively needed by the mining industry. The novel technology will provide effective solutions to improving mine environment and safety, and reducing nation's power consumption, green house gas emission, and environmental pollution. These will in turn reduce the probability of black lung which has been the biggest killer of underground workers in mines.Read moreRead less
Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving produc ....Precision three-dimensional localization system for underground mining vehicles, offering improved productivity and personnel safety. The advanced machine guidance and monitoring technology developed by this project will significantly enhance the partner organisation's capacity as a leading supplier of mining machine control systems. The deployment of such enhanced machine control systems will offer an immediate national benefit to the Australian Mining Industry by dramatically improving productivity and occupational safety. The national interest will also be served by this project's significant contribution to Australia's leadership position as an innovator in frontier technologies for mining and robotics. Furthermore, the research outcomes will help to solve similar positioning problems in hazardous, GPS-denied environments such as urban search and rescue.Read moreRead less
Metallurgical Influences on Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) of Rock Bolts. This project seeks to understand the metallurgy of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of rock bolts. Rock bolts are the most effective means of roof support in underground mines and, as a consequence, rock bolts are widely used in the mining industry worldwide. Failure of rock bolts by SCC has significant safety and economic implications. The consequent rock falls have the potential to kill or main any person caught undernea ....Metallurgical Influences on Stress Corrosion Cracking (SCC) of Rock Bolts. This project seeks to understand the metallurgy of stress corrosion cracking (SCC) of rock bolts. Rock bolts are the most effective means of roof support in underground mines and, as a consequence, rock bolts are widely used in the mining industry worldwide. Failure of rock bolts by SCC has significant safety and economic implications. The consequent rock falls have the potential to kill or main any person caught underneath. If a stoppage is caused of the long wall operation in a typical Australian colliery, the typical value of the lost production is of the order of a million dollars a day.Read moreRead less
An Integrated Ground Deformation Monitoring System Based on the Integration of InSAR, GPS and GIS Technologies. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to monitor ground deformation at high spatial resolution. When integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so that atmospheric disturbance in InSAR result can be corrected, deformation can be resolved at sub-centimetre accuracy. The corrected InSAR result can be exported as a data layer into Geographic Information System ....An Integrated Ground Deformation Monitoring System Based on the Integration of InSAR, GPS and GIS Technologies. Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) can be used to monitor ground deformation at high spatial resolution. When integrated with Global Positioning Systems (GPS) so that atmospheric disturbance in InSAR result can be corrected, deformation can be resolved at sub-centimetre accuracy. The corrected InSAR result can be exported as a data layer into Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for further analysis. In collaboration with Hong Kong Polytechnic University researchers, the integrated InSAR-GPS-GIS system will be tested in both Hong Kong and Australia. The expected outcomes include a suite of algorithms and software tools capable of operational, cost-effective ground deformation monitoring.Read moreRead less
Model studies of multiphase flow in fluid bed reactors. Multiphase flow is widely encountered in mineral, metallurgical and chemical industries which are important components of Australia's economy. Understanding and modelling multiphase flow plays a significant role in the design, control and optimization of multiphase reactors in these industries. The success of this project will enhance computational multiphase flow capability and help build fluid bed reactors with high efficiency, low energy ....Model studies of multiphase flow in fluid bed reactors. Multiphase flow is widely encountered in mineral, metallurgical and chemical industries which are important components of Australia's economy. Understanding and modelling multiphase flow plays a significant role in the design, control and optimization of multiphase reactors in these industries. The success of this project will enhance computational multiphase flow capability and help build fluid bed reactors with high efficiency, low energy consumption and low emissions. The research outcomes will not only greatly benefit Australia's economy but also significantly help environmental protection beneficial to Australia's community.Read moreRead less
Particle scale modelling and analysis of the multiphase flows in coal preparation. Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter, and black coal is Australia's largest export, with an annual value >$20 billion. Optimum design and control of the processes in coal preparation play a critical economic role in coal production. This project aims at providing substantial improvements through the application of a novel combined continuum and discrete modelling method. Specifically, the improvements ta ....Particle scale modelling and analysis of the multiphase flows in coal preparation. Australia is the world's biggest coal exporter, and black coal is Australia's largest export, with an annual value >$20 billion. Optimum design and control of the processes in coal preparation play a critical economic role in coal production. This project aims at providing substantial improvements through the application of a novel combined continuum and discrete modelling method. Specifically, the improvements targeted relate to better process and product control, a decrease in unit energy consumption and improvements in productivity, which, together with the research training offered, will further enhance Australia's leading position in global coal industry.Read moreRead less
In situ microbial conversion of coal to methane: Biotechnology development for clean use of Australian coal. We will develop a biotechnology that uses native microorganisms to accelerate the underground conversion of coal to methane. Approximately 90% of Australia’s coal resources cannot be accessed economically using traditional mining technologies. A technology that converts coal to methane could generate an energy supply worth an estimated $60 billion, foster the development of an energy indu ....In situ microbial conversion of coal to methane: Biotechnology development for clean use of Australian coal. We will develop a biotechnology that uses native microorganisms to accelerate the underground conversion of coal to methane. Approximately 90% of Australia’s coal resources cannot be accessed economically using traditional mining technologies. A technology that converts coal to methane could generate an energy supply worth an estimated $60 billion, foster the development of an energy industry now in its infancy, and generate numerous new employment opportunities. Environmentally, methane is a cleaner burning fuel than coal, uses much less water for processing and generates the same quantity of electricity with lower CO2 emissions. This project highlights the fact that Australia’s microbial diversity is a resource we cannot afford to ignore.Read moreRead less