Frictional and viscous effects during transport in nanopores. Gas mixtures exposed to materials containing molecular sized pores (nanopores) are adsorbed, forming states of matter not existing in the bulk. Differential forces acting on the components of mixtures promote industrially and environmentally important separations. However, transport of confined fluids has been poorly understood. Recently we have made progress using computer simulation, and have proposed a highly successful theory. ....Frictional and viscous effects during transport in nanopores. Gas mixtures exposed to materials containing molecular sized pores (nanopores) are adsorbed, forming states of matter not existing in the bulk. Differential forces acting on the components of mixtures promote industrially and environmentally important separations. However, transport of confined fluids has been poorly understood. Recently we have made progress using computer simulation, and have proposed a highly successful theory. These investigations have revealed the crucial role of scattering from the surface atoms of the confining solid. Theoretical investigation of single spherical species has been initiated, and extension to other species and to mixtures is now envisaged.Read moreRead less
Multicomponent Transport in Nanopores. Good understanding of transport mechanisms in nanopores is crucial to the successful application of numerous recently developed novel templated microporous and mesoporous materials. This project seeks to extend a new theory developed by the applicants for single component transport in cylindrical mesopores, to cylindrical micropores as well as to multicomponent adsorbates, in conjunction with experiments using microporous and mesoporous materials such as M ....Multicomponent Transport in Nanopores. Good understanding of transport mechanisms in nanopores is crucial to the successful application of numerous recently developed novel templated microporous and mesoporous materials. This project seeks to extend a new theory developed by the applicants for single component transport in cylindrical mesopores, to cylindrical micropores as well as to multicomponent adsorbates, in conjunction with experiments using microporous and mesoporous materials such as MCM-41, VPI-5 and AlPO4-5. The outcome will be a powerful new theory for a priori prediction of transport coefficients for multicomponent fluids in nanopores based on molecular level information alone, thereby overcoming the empiricism in existing models.Read moreRead less
Development of a Trickle Filter for Treating Sour Water from Oil Shale Processing Plants. Oil is extracted from oil shale by pyrolysing pre-dried crushed shale. Despite drying , the shale retains a residual moisture level of approximately 5% which ultimately ends up as an aqueous phase in the condensate stream from the pyrolysis process. This aqueous phase, know as sour water, contains a range of organic compounds, including carboxylic acids, nitorgen heterocyclics and ketones. This aim of thi ....Development of a Trickle Filter for Treating Sour Water from Oil Shale Processing Plants. Oil is extracted from oil shale by pyrolysing pre-dried crushed shale. Despite drying , the shale retains a residual moisture level of approximately 5% which ultimately ends up as an aqueous phase in the condensate stream from the pyrolysis process. This aqueous phase, know as sour water, contains a range of organic compounds, including carboxylic acids, nitorgen heterocyclics and ketones. This aim of this proposal is to develop trickle filters to treat the sour water. The biofilms that develop in trickle filters are ideal for supporting slow growing microbial species. Research is needed to transfer native microorganisms in the oil shale desposit to the durable gravels that will be used in the filter.Read moreRead less
High performance electrode materials for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells. This project aims to develop high-performance electrode materials used in reversible solid oxide cells (RSOC), which are a promising electrical energy storage technology. RSOC can work as solid oxide electrolysis cells for fuel production from electricity and as solid oxide fuel cells for electricity generation from fuel. The RSOC technology has the potential to provide a large-scale electrical energy storage solution for the ....High performance electrode materials for Reversible Solid Oxide Cells. This project aims to develop high-performance electrode materials used in reversible solid oxide cells (RSOC), which are a promising electrical energy storage technology. RSOC can work as solid oxide electrolysis cells for fuel production from electricity and as solid oxide fuel cells for electricity generation from fuel. The RSOC technology has the potential to provide a large-scale electrical energy storage solution for the widespread penetration of intermittent renewable energy resources into the electrical grid.Read moreRead less
Putting metal organic frameworks to work at interfaces. This project aims to develop new strategies to better synthesize ultrathin Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes by nanostructured and chemically functionalized substrates. MOF materials have enormous potential due to the extraordinary structural and chemical diversity of these crystalline microporous materials and their potential applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis and sensing. However, a major challenge is fabricating thi ....Putting metal organic frameworks to work at interfaces. This project aims to develop new strategies to better synthesize ultrathin Metal-organic framework (MOF) membranes by nanostructured and chemically functionalized substrates. MOF materials have enormous potential due to the extraordinary structural and chemical diversity of these crystalline microporous materials and their potential applications in gas storage, separation, catalysis and sensing. However, a major challenge is fabricating thin robust MOF films or patterns on porous, flexible, and nonporous substrates, quickly and easily in order to construct useful devices. The project will grow ultrathin layers of molecular sieving and electroactive MOFs to produce technology platforms for large scale device manufacturing.Read moreRead less
Nano-engineered catalysts for sustainable fuel production from waste . This project aims to address two major problems simultaneously-reducing the burden of non-recyclable waste currently going to landfill in Australia, and offsetting Australia’s reliance on imported diesel to support industry and transport needs. While approximately 95% of diesel consumed in Australia is imported, vast quantities of carbon-based waste ends up in landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a mixture of plant-based ....Nano-engineered catalysts for sustainable fuel production from waste . This project aims to address two major problems simultaneously-reducing the burden of non-recyclable waste currently going to landfill in Australia, and offsetting Australia’s reliance on imported diesel to support industry and transport needs. While approximately 95% of diesel consumed in Australia is imported, vast quantities of carbon-based waste ends up in landfill. Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is a mixture of plant-based waste (including food, garden, paper, and wood) and fossil-fuel derived materials (plastics). Using an innovative and environmentally-sustainable catalytic process, the outcomes of this project are aimed alleviating Australia’s dependence on diesel fuel imports and better waste management solutions in Australia.Read moreRead less
Engineered functional metal silica membranes for hydrogen processing. This project focuses on hydrogen processing technologies for the petrochemical, agricultural and coal/energy industries. These sectors employ 110,000 people with annual combined revenues of $80 billion. Advanced technologies are vital for the competitiveness of the Australian economy, and to sustain Australia's social stability and economic growth.
Particle Transport and Separation in High Aspect Ratio Inclined Channels. This project will be of benefit to the Australian coal and mineral processing industries, worth tens of billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year. The objective is to establish new options for the processing of particles as large as 50mm, and smaller than 50 microns in size, and hence significantly extend the operating size range of the Reflux Classifier. The development of new resources, especially those of ....Particle Transport and Separation in High Aspect Ratio Inclined Channels. This project will be of benefit to the Australian coal and mineral processing industries, worth tens of billions of dollars to the Australian economy each year. The objective is to establish new options for the processing of particles as large as 50mm, and smaller than 50 microns in size, and hence significantly extend the operating size range of the Reflux Classifier. The development of new resources, especially those of poorer grade, requires more effective separation technology. Success in this project will significantly benefit the end users of the technology and also contribute to Australia's Mining Services industry.Read moreRead less
Advanced chemical recycling of mixed plastics for monomer recovery. This project aims to develop innovative catalytic routes to the chemical recycling of mixed plastics for recovery of their molecular building blocks. Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the Australian ecosystem. Efficient recycling technologies are urgently needed as Australia only recycles ~4% of its 3.4 million tons of mixed waste plastics. This project expects to design highly efficient catalysts for the stepwise ....Advanced chemical recycling of mixed plastics for monomer recovery. This project aims to develop innovative catalytic routes to the chemical recycling of mixed plastics for recovery of their molecular building blocks. Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to the Australian ecosystem. Efficient recycling technologies are urgently needed as Australia only recycles ~4% of its 3.4 million tons of mixed waste plastics. This project expects to design highly efficient catalysts for the stepwise breakdown of mixed polyolefin plastics into monomers for the subsequent manufacturing of virgin plastics in a circular economy, and to elucidate fundamental underpinning reaction mechanisms. Outcomes will stimulate the Australian waste plastic recycling industry, and minimise plastic accumulation in the environment.Read moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE110100205
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$150,000.00
Summary
A novel high-pressure system for multiple gas adsorption. This facility will equip researchers with analytical capabilities for research in the field of multi-gas adsorption. The facility will be of great significance to clean energy research, such as greenhouse gas emission control and hydrogen production and storage.