Reducing wear on rotary coal pulverisers. The aim of this project is to develop an understanding of the small-scale flows and particle breakage required to permit optimised redesign of the attrition stage of the 36 coal pulverisers at Gladstone Power Station, which, because of erosive wear, currently have a maintenance budget of $4M per year. CFD-DEM simulation of the air and particle flows will be used to determine particle flow patterns, particle-particle and particle-wall impact energies. Thi ....Reducing wear on rotary coal pulverisers. The aim of this project is to develop an understanding of the small-scale flows and particle breakage required to permit optimised redesign of the attrition stage of the 36 coal pulverisers at Gladstone Power Station, which, because of erosive wear, currently have a maintenance budget of $4M per year. CFD-DEM simulation of the air and particle flows will be used to determine particle flow patterns, particle-particle and particle-wall impact energies. This information will be input to comminution and wear models to predict pulveriser performance and wear patterns. Simulation results will be validated using measurements from scale visualisation and working models.Read moreRead less
Variational multiscale modelling of granular materials. Granular materials play an important role in a wide-range of problems related to physical infrastructure. These include landslides and similar catastrophic events often leading to loss of life and property. This project will aim to develop new methods for adequate simulation of granular flows to allow formulation of efficient risk mitigation strategies.
Phosphorous and iron recovery from steelmaking slag for effective recycling. This project aims to understand the principles that control phosphorus (P) partitioning in steel plant slags and to optimise the treatment process to produce P- and Fe-rich streams for recycling. Changing ore grades in Australia, especially increasing P content, are placing a substantial proportion of these ore products at a competitive disadvantage. The project will use an integrated approach to demonstrate, experiment ....Phosphorous and iron recovery from steelmaking slag for effective recycling. This project aims to understand the principles that control phosphorus (P) partitioning in steel plant slags and to optimise the treatment process to produce P- and Fe-rich streams for recycling. Changing ore grades in Australia, especially increasing P content, are placing a substantial proportion of these ore products at a competitive disadvantage. The project will use an integrated approach to demonstrate, experimentally and theoretically, how key properties of slags can be manipulated to enhance partitioning and couple this analysis with fluid dynamics to model the kinetics of the separation process. The expected outcomes of this research are to: first, provide possible solutions to address the increasing P content in Australian iron ores, which could place future ore products at a competitive disadvantage within the global iron ore market; and second, to identify treatment methods and practices which would promote higher recycling rates of steelmaking slag, significantly reducing the volume of material stockpiled or sent to landfill.Read moreRead less
Fume resistant explosives for critical areas. Fume resistant explosives for critical areas. This project aims to understand how a new explosive works and how it can be used in critical areas. This ammonium nitrate (AN) emulsion explosive provides excellent resistance against emissions of mono-nitrogen oxide (NOx) fumes. This project will investigate physical and chemical parameters of the key emulsion components and formulate new blends for higher-strength applications. This project will researc ....Fume resistant explosives for critical areas. Fume resistant explosives for critical areas. This project aims to understand how a new explosive works and how it can be used in critical areas. This ammonium nitrate (AN) emulsion explosive provides excellent resistance against emissions of mono-nitrogen oxide (NOx) fumes. This project will investigate physical and chemical parameters of the key emulsion components and formulate new blends for higher-strength applications. This project will research the surface burning process of AN prills and other materials to understand possible NOx production and mitigation pathways. The results from the project are expected to overcome the limitations of the new technology, and make Australian industries more competitive.Read moreRead less
A Novel Hybrid Chemical Looping Process for Production of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile. This project determines the fundamental science underpinning the operation of a novel hybrid chemical looping carbon reforming (CLCR) process for production of alternative transportation fuels with a reduced greenhouse gas emissions profile. Compare with conventional processes, the CLCR process features a 50 per cent reduction in the energy and carbon dioxide footpr ....A Novel Hybrid Chemical Looping Process for Production of Liquid Hydrocarbon Fuels with a Reduced Greenhouse Gas Emissions Profile. This project determines the fundamental science underpinning the operation of a novel hybrid chemical looping carbon reforming (CLCR) process for production of alternative transportation fuels with a reduced greenhouse gas emissions profile. Compare with conventional processes, the CLCR process features a 50 per cent reduction in the energy and carbon dioxide footprints and represents a large sink for carbon dioxide sequestration if deployed widely. To achieve the broad objectives of the project comprehensive experimental and modelling studies will be carried out at macro, micro and molecular levels. Expected outcomes include fundamental knowledge essential to the development and commercial-scale deployment of the CLCR process.Read moreRead less
The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation an ....The durability of geopolymeric products as a function of the nanostructured gel phase. A comprehensive physical, chemical and microscopic analysis will be conducted on a series of geopolymers and Ordinary Portland Cement samples manufactured from 1964 to 2001, with a focus on the characterisation of the nanostructured gel phase. The outcomes include (1) revealing the relationship between the nanostructured gel phase and durability; (2) the discovery of reaction mechanisms in geopolymerisation and formation of OPC; (3) computer modelling of nano-scale assemblies of atoms and molecules that will give desirable properties and durability, and (4) a tailored synthesis of geopolymers with vastly improved mechanical performance and acid, fire and bacterial resistance. This scientific understanding of long term durability will greatly enhance commercial acceptance of geopolymers.Read moreRead less
ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functi ....ARC Research Network for Advanced Materials. Materials science/engineering is decidedly interdisciplinary, covering all science and impacting on all manufacturing industry. This network will promote interactions that do not usually occur between materials researchers and students across Australia and internationally from diverse disciplines. The scope is broadly based on advanced materials production, processing and properties but focused in four areas, involving: i) innovative structural/functional materials, ii) high-tech IT/communications/sensing materials, iii) materials solutions for manufacturing, iv) materials for a sustainable Australia, and v) emerging materials technologies. Key programs will promote interdisciplinary workshops and early career researcher interactions.Read moreRead less
Microstructural Analysis and Modelling of Copper Ore Agglomerates for Heap Leaching. The efficient extraction of valuable metals from mined ore can be considered as a problem of global concern as the world's reserves of such metals quickly diminish. For low grade copper ore, heap leaching has long been recognized as the most efficient mineral recovery procedure. This project aims to apply X-ray microtomography and micromechanical modelling to quantify the critical leaching properties of ore aggl ....Microstructural Analysis and Modelling of Copper Ore Agglomerates for Heap Leaching. The efficient extraction of valuable metals from mined ore can be considered as a problem of global concern as the world's reserves of such metals quickly diminish. For low grade copper ore, heap leaching has long been recognized as the most efficient mineral recovery procedure. This project aims to apply X-ray microtomography and micromechanical modelling to quantify the critical leaching properties of ore agglomerates and to formulate optimal heap leaching strategies. This will allow for better utilization of the Australia's low grade ore reserves. The procedures and methodologies to be developed will be applicable to other types of ore including gold, uranium and nickel.Read moreRead less
Dynamic Crushing of Cellular Solids: Deformation Modes and Energy Absorption. Energy absorption behaviour of structures and materials is essential in minimising damage and fatalities caused by accidental collisions. Cellular solids are excellent in this respect. This project aims to systematically investigate the dynamic crushing of two such materials: honeycombs and metal foams. Experimental techniques applicable to these materials will be developed and comprehensive tests will be conducted. St ....Dynamic Crushing of Cellular Solids: Deformation Modes and Energy Absorption. Energy absorption behaviour of structures and materials is essential in minimising damage and fatalities caused by accidental collisions. Cellular solids are excellent in this respect. This project aims to systematically investigate the dynamic crushing of two such materials: honeycombs and metal foams. Experimental techniques applicable to these materials will be developed and comprehensive tests will be conducted. Studies will be made into their dynamic deformation modes and the associated energy absorption behaviour. The findings will extend our conceptual understanding of a class of similar problems and will help to design structures with cellular solids for much improved crashworthiness performance.Read moreRead less
Role of Reactive Particles in Explosive Emulsions. Concentrated water-in oil explosive emulsions are widely used in the minerals industry because they are cheap, easily detonated and relatively safe to handle. Their explosive energy can be significantly increased when reactive particles are introduced into the emulsion matrix. To do this, the interaction between the solid, oil, and water phases needs to be optimised. This investigation will increase our basic understanding of the physical and ch ....Role of Reactive Particles in Explosive Emulsions. Concentrated water-in oil explosive emulsions are widely used in the minerals industry because they are cheap, easily detonated and relatively safe to handle. Their explosive energy can be significantly increased when reactive particles are introduced into the emulsion matrix. To do this, the interaction between the solid, oil, and water phases needs to be optimised. This investigation will increase our basic understanding of the physical and chemical interactions that occur between the particle and the oil-water interface, and develop a more efficient explosive that can be produced continuously on a commercial scale.Read moreRead less