Managing acid mine drainage in northern Australia using microbial mats. One of the most difficult environmental issues for the mining industry is acid mine drainage (AMD) that can lead to significant environmental damage. This project aims to identify microbes and characterise their roles in AMD formation in north Australia. We will use our new knowledge to design and trial microbial mats for the treatment of AMD. A successful AMD microbial treatment technology will minimise the risk of acid run ....Managing acid mine drainage in northern Australia using microbial mats. One of the most difficult environmental issues for the mining industry is acid mine drainage (AMD) that can lead to significant environmental damage. This project aims to identify microbes and characterise their roles in AMD formation in north Australia. We will use our new knowledge to design and trial microbial mats for the treatment of AMD. A successful AMD microbial treatment technology will minimise the risk of acid runoff and metal seepage into rivers and through groundwater. AMD treatment technology we develop in the tropics where we experience the extremes of dry and wet seasons will require only minor modification to operate in temperate climates however the reverse is not true. Read moreRead less
BauxsolTM based grouts and shotcretes for the control of acid rock drainage. Acid rock drainage (ARD) occurs where sulphides (mostly pyrite, but also sulphides of other metals) are exposed to oxygen and water; the estimated global liability from ARD is over US$300 billion. There is currently no cost-effective way to prevent the release of acid and heavy metals from exposed sulphide minerals especially at abandoned mine sites. This study investigates the use of BASECONTM transformed bauxite refin ....BauxsolTM based grouts and shotcretes for the control of acid rock drainage. Acid rock drainage (ARD) occurs where sulphides (mostly pyrite, but also sulphides of other metals) are exposed to oxygen and water; the estimated global liability from ARD is over US$300 billion. There is currently no cost-effective way to prevent the release of acid and heavy metals from exposed sulphide minerals especially at abandoned mine sites. This study investigates the use of BASECONTM transformed bauxite refinery residues (BauxsolTM) to grout waste rock dumps and tailings dams and to develop concretes that can be sprayed on open cut walls and floor to prevent and treat the ARD as it is formed.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
Reactive flow through porous media by micro-imaging. Australia is embarking on the development of major gas fields offshore Western Australia. These developments are very costly and techniques to manage the risk in development are well sought after. This project assists in risk management of tertiary recovery methods and CO2 storage. Further, it can contribute significantly to the accurate forward modelling of storage of hazardous materials and pollution remediation strategies. The project could ....Reactive flow through porous media by micro-imaging. Australia is embarking on the development of major gas fields offshore Western Australia. These developments are very costly and techniques to manage the risk in development are well sought after. This project assists in risk management of tertiary recovery methods and CO2 storage. Further, it can contribute significantly to the accurate forward modelling of storage of hazardous materials and pollution remediation strategies. The project could shape important decisions in the future and impact on environmental risk assessment.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
Special Research Initiatives - Grant ID: SR0354656
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$20,000.00
Summary
Particulate Science and Technology Network. Particulate Science and Technology (PST) is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary research field concerned with particle-related phenomena at different time and length scales and represents a very significant research and development effort in Australia for many years. This network is formed by linking the world-recognized research centres/groups with different expertise. Its aim is to provide greater collaboration among the Australian and overseas re ....Particulate Science and Technology Network. Particulate Science and Technology (PST) is a rapidly developing interdisciplinary research field concerned with particle-related phenomena at different time and length scales and represents a very significant research and development effort in Australia for many years. This network is formed by linking the world-recognized research centres/groups with different expertise. Its aim is to provide greater collaboration among the Australian and overseas researchers and enhance the scale and focus of particulate research. It will help develop and maintain Australia's leading position in PST, generating massive research outcomes and training that can lead to improvement in resource, energy, process and allied industries.Read moreRead less
Managing Contaminant Metals in Complex Hydrometallurgical Processes; Meeting techno-economic, environmental and operability objectives. Sustainability of the minerals industry is predicated on being able to refine metals from increasingly lower-grade ores. This brings with it the critical problem of managing all contaminant elements present to ensure overall economic and environmental performance. Hydrometallurgical processes are favoured, though difficulties arise in controlling product charact ....Managing Contaminant Metals in Complex Hydrometallurgical Processes; Meeting techno-economic, environmental and operability objectives. Sustainability of the minerals industry is predicated on being able to refine metals from increasingly lower-grade ores. This brings with it the critical problem of managing all contaminant elements present to ensure overall economic and environmental performance. Hydrometallurgical processes are favoured, though difficulties arise in controlling product character to suit downstream processing. This project will develop a fundamental understanding of precipitation processes for optimal recovery of contaminant elements (for a novel zinc process case study), considering the quantitative relationship between all major physico-chemical and engineering features. This will lead to enhanced process designs to meet techno-economic, environmental and operability objectivesRead moreRead less
Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment And Facilities - Grant ID: LE100100098
Funder
Australian Research Council
Funding Amount
$600,000.00
Summary
Advanced facility for next generation sustainable energy, biomedical & nano-imaging optical fibre technologies. Remote optical fibre technologies are the way forward for effective and safe monitoring of many industries, and will play a big part in the sustainability of Australia's core oil, gas and alternative energy sectors. They are equally important to health industry applications, particularly in medical and imaging technologies. This facility brings together world-class Australian expertise ....Advanced facility for next generation sustainable energy, biomedical & nano-imaging optical fibre technologies. Remote optical fibre technologies are the way forward for effective and safe monitoring of many industries, and will play a big part in the sustainability of Australia's core oil, gas and alternative energy sectors. They are equally important to health industry applications, particularly in medical and imaging technologies. This facility brings together world-class Australian expertise—from across nine universities—in advanced structured optical fibres, complex fibre diagnostic systems, nanoscale imaging, and environment monitoring, to design and implement the next generation of technologies that will reduce the impact of climate change through reduced energy consumption and vastly improved health diagnostics.Read moreRead less