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Project summary?

This research program focuses on the development and application of continuum-based numerical techniques to simulate and optimise large-scale reacting flow systems commonly found in energy, chemical, and metallurgical industries. Using advanced CFD models, the program addresses the complex multiphase flow, heat and mass transfer, and chemical reaction phenomena that govern the performance of industrial reactors and energy systems. Key areas of investigation include:?

• Chemical looping combustion and conversion, with full-loop CFD models capturing gas¨Csolid¨Cpowder interactions and enabling process control integration.

• Hydrogen production and storage, including detailed modelling of electrochemical behaviour in electrolysers and heat/mass transfer in metal hydride tanks.

• Blast furnace raceway dynamics, simulating transient co-combustion of coke and pulverised coal under varying blast conditions.?

• Fluidised bed systems, with emphasis on drag model selection, solid distribution, and the development of EMMS-based two-fluid models grounded in statistical mechanics.?

These models provide cost-effective tools for system design, optimisation, and digital twin development. The program welcomes students with interests in multiphase flow, numerical modelling, and process engineering. Scholarships are available for both domestic and international candidates.?

Project summary

This research program develops advanced numerical methods, particularly the Discrete Element Method (DEM), to simulate particle-scale reacting flows in complex multiphase systems. These techniques support improved understanding and optimisation of industrial processes involving granular materials and fluid-particle interactions.?

Our DEM studies cover, but are not limited to, gas-solid dynamics in fluidised beds, particle mixing in industrial mixers, and fine particle migration in porous media. By integrating DEM with computational fluid dynamics (CFD), we capture detailed flow behaviour and transport phenomena critical to process performance.?

We welcome students with interests in computational modelling and numerical algorithms. Scholarships are available for both domestic and international candidates, with opportunities to publish in leading journals and present at major conferences.?

Project summary?

The solid-liquid phase change in multiphase reactive flows is commonly encountered across various engineering applications, such as blast furnaces (BFs) and selective laser melting (SLM) process. Therefore, achieving a deeper understanding of phase change dynamics is critical for optimising process performance and improving energy utilisation, particularly in energy-intensive industries. This project aims to develop a fully coupled CFD-DEM-VOF-phase diagram, to investigate phase change process under carburisation effect in multiphase reactive flows.?

Project summary

Computational Fluid Dynamics coupled with Discrete Element Method (CFD-DEM) is widely used to simulate gas¨Csolid flows in industrial processes, such as fluidized beds, blast furnaces, and chemical looping reactors. However, traditional CPU-based simulations are computationally expensive and time-consuming, especially for large-scale systems involving millions of particles. This project develops a high-performance CFD-DEM framework using GPU acceleration, achieving significant speed-up while maintaining accuracy. It enables the simulation of industrial-scale systems with enhanced efficiency and provides insights into flow dynamics, particle mixing, and reactor design.?

Research environment: PhD students will work with the SCoPE group and access world-class GPU clusters and modelling expertise. Support will be provided for both international and domestic candidates with a strong interest in high-performance computing and multiphase flow simulation.?

Expected outcome: The successful candidate will develop and validate advanced GPU-based CFD-DEM solvers, and publish results in top-tier journals and conferences in computational modelling and process engineering.?

Project summary

Artificial intelligence is now a new, efficient paradigm for both mechanical simulation and industrial applications. Our research group is dedicated to realising AI-powered computational speed-ups and multiple applications. Apart from merely recognising patterns, our works dedicated to serving as scientific co-processors that learns, respects physical laws for decision making and accelerators for mechanical simulations. Two complementary directions could be landed on:?

Fast spatio-temporal predictions and reduced-order digital twins:?

• CNN-LSTM models for simulation speed-ups and real-time analysis. ?

• Physically constrained simulation frameworks?

• CNN-DEM for accelerated DEM simulators.?

• Machine Learning embedded DEM (MLE-DEM) for resolution efficiency balance.?

• Physics informed neural networks for physics guided efficient CFD-DEM simulation.?

Project summary

One important topic in Industry 4.0 trend is smart manufacturing in conventional and emerging industries.This project aims to develop an innovative data-driven modelling approach for online describing complex multiphase flow and real time prediction of operational anomalies. At this point, SCoPE group handles complex nonlinear problems using state-of-the-art numerical methods including artificial neural networks (ANN), support vector machine (SVM), and the random forest (RF).?

Novelty and contribution:?This is a promising new research area at the frontier of applying novel data-driven method in chemical engineering fields. It is part of the alternative research to traditional computational fluid dynamics (CFD) processing technologies to achieve high-efficiency prediction of chemical reactors, therefore, enhancing reactions performances.?

Expected outcome:?It's expected that the successful candidate will participate in international conferences and will publish his/her work in high impact factor journals. This work will expand the capabilities of the student in both industrial and academic career.?

Project summary?

Ironmaking blast furnaces (BFs) is the dominant reactor to convert iron ore to iron products. The design and control of ironmaking BFs must be optimised to become more competitive and sustainable, particularly under economic and environmental demanding conditions.?

This project aims to study in-furnace multiphase flow, heat and mass transfers, and performance of ironmaking BFs, towards achieving reliable, cost- and energy-effective, and low-emission production. The discrete-based modelling methods with particle-scale information captured and the continuum-based modelling methods with macro-scale information obtained are developed in our SCoPE Lab to efficiently unveil the features of local and global multiphase flow and thermochemical behaviours inside BFs.??

Project summary?

The gas-based direct reduction (DR) ironmaking process is increasingly recognized as a promising step-by-step alternative to traditional blast furnace (BF) ironmaking, primarily due to its inherently lower carbon emissions. Among DR technologies, the direct reduction shaft furnace (DR-SF) has become the most widely adopted. In this process, natural gas serves as the source of reducing gas, which is reformed or preheated before being injected into the furnace. Through the counter-current moving bed operation, iron ore pellets are progressively reduced to metallic iron.?

This project aims to provide new insights into the multiphase reacting flow, as well as the complex heat and mass transfer mechanisms occurring within the SF. To achieve this, both a steady-state shaft furnace (SSF) model and a transient-state shaft furnace (TSF) model based on the CFD approach have been developed within our SCoPE group. These models serve as cost-effective tools for investigating in-furnace behaviors and supporting the development of optimized operational strategies, including effective responses to unexpected process disruptions.?

Project summary?

The BF-BOF process dominates global steel production but generates high CO? emissions. Although the hydrogen-based DR-EAF route offers lower emissions, it demands high-grade iron ore. As a result, the DR¨CESF¨CBOF route has emerged as a promising alternative, allowing the use of broader ore grades. In this process, direct reduced iron (DRI) is melted and reduced by coke in an electric smelting furnace (ESF), where Joule heating¡ªgenerated by electrical currents¡ªis the main heat source. The molten slag plays a critical role, not only as the medium for Joule heating but also as the site of key chemical reactions. These reactions are governed by complex couplings between thermal, electromagnetic, and chemical fields. This project develops a 3D numerical model to simulate these coupled phenomena in ESF and optimise furnace performance under realistic operational conditions.?

Project summary

Basic oxygen furnace (BOF) is a key steelmaking process for yielding qualified liquid metal by removing the harmful elements sourced from the iron ore, and it features complex multiphase flow, especially the cavity, the key region strongly governing the smelting and refining. However, the understanding of the dynamic cavity characteristics, thermal conditions and chemical reactions within an industrial-scale BOF, remains limited.?

An industrial-scale BOF model is developed considering the three-phase nature and the respective phase interactions, heat transfer and chemical reactions inside the system. The model is validated by systematically comparing the simulation results with the water model experiment and the theoretical formula. For example, cavity dynamic behaviours and periodic features of a large timescale are quantified to provide insights into the BOF smelting system and optimisation.?

This study may provide valuable insights into the further understanding and optimisation of multiphase flow behaviours within an industrial-scale BOF. The model provides a cost-effective tool to quantify the multiphase flow features within an industrial-scale BOF, especially when the removal of impurities like phosphorus (from the low-grade iron ore in ironmaking) is becoming necessary.?

Project summary

Hydrogen-based fluidised bed direct reduction of iron-ore (FB-DRI) is a promising alternative to traditional carbon-intensive ironmaking routes, enabling near-zero CO2 emissions by replacing carbon reductants with green hydrogen. This emerging technology is especially relevant under increasingly stringent environmental regulations and decarbonisation targets for the steel industry.?

This project aims to investigate the complex gas-solid flow, heat and mass transfer, and reaction characteristics within fluidised bed reactors used for iron ore reduction with hydrogen. The study focuses on understanding and optimising the reactor performance to achieve stable fluidization, high reduction efficiency, and energy-effective operation. A GPU accelerated CFD-DEM modelling approach is developed in this work, which allows simultaneous analysis of gas flow and individual particle dynamics, providing deep insight into the multiphase transport and thermochemical behaviours inside the FB-DRI reactor.?

Project summary

Photovoltaic (PV) is one of the renewable technologies and the amount of waste PV panel is estimated to reach 9.57 million tonnes in 2050. The recycling of waste PV panels remains as a challenge and also represents a business opportunity. This project aims to develop and design an innovative process of recycling end-of-life solar cell panels by means of numerical simulations for process design and lab experiments for process demonstration.?

The recycling sub processes will be designed and optimised in terms of EVA separation, hydrometallurgy, waste gas and water treatment, etc. From the engineering point of view, each process requires deep understanding so that the process optimisation can be achieved. Based on the proposed recycling technical scenario, the respective numerical model of each process will be developed to illustrate the physics and thermochemical phenomena behind it. A number of scientific articles and conference presentations will also be produced within the duration of the project. (figure below from Shin et al. 2017) We welcome students who are interested in PV and numerical modelling technology to join us. We can provide various scholarships for international and domestic students, providing opportunities to collaborate with the University and industry partners.?

Project summary?

Plastic recycling is an important issue with the shortage of the landfill and environmental pollution as well as its economic impact. Residual adhesives should be removed for 100% HDPE recycling in massive plastic bottles recycling. It is necessary to design a process at laboratory and upscale the process from laboratory scale to industrial scale. To achieve this goal, an advanced mathematical model will be developed for describing the complex multiphase flow during the removal process and understanding the details of internal phenomena inside the reactor. A laboratory test rig will be set up for concept proof and model validation. Then, the mathematical model will be used to evaluate and test new designs and different operational scenarios extensively. Eventually, the optimal design and process parameters combination can be obtained. Mathematical modelling, supported by laboratory-scale experiments, offers a powerful and cost-effective tool for process design and optimisation, and more importantly for industrial upscaling, from laboratory-scale concept proof to industry-scale technology demonstration and implementation.?

We welcome students to join us, using the advanced numerical modelling technology to protect the environment and make contributions to society.?We can provide various scholarships for international and domestic students, providing opportunities to collaborate with the University and industry partners.? ?

Project summary

Australia is projected to generate 1.8 million tonnes of spent lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) by 2036, largely driven by electric vehicle uptake. Current waste management practices¡ª landfilling and off-shore recycling¡ªpose environmental risks and economic losses, with an estimated $9.3 billion in battery metals potentially lost overseas.?

Hydrometallurgy, particularly using deep eutectic solvents (DES), offers a promising, energy-efficient alternative for metal recovery. However, its commercialisation in Australia remains in its infancy and requires innovative, interdisciplinary R&D.?

This project aims to develop scalable, high-efficiency DES leaching processes through:?

• Mathematical modelling of multiphase flow and thermochemical behaviour.

• Closed-loop process design, including reactor and catalyst optimisation and wastewater treatment.?

• Prototype development for industrial demonstration.

• Technology assessment via life cycle, economic, and policy analysis.?

We welcome students interested in batteries, numerical modelling, AI, and commercialisation. Scholarships are available, with strong industry collaboration offering real-world impact and career pathways.?

Project summary

Hydrogen is a vital component of Australia¡¯s clean energy future, offering a sustainable and high-energy alternative to fossil fuels. This research program focuses on advancing hydrogen technologies through integrated numerical modelling, experimental validation, and prototype development, with emphasis on both?hydrogen production via water electrolysis?and?efficient storage solutions.?

Our work includes the design and optimisation of water electrolysers, using CFD and lab-scale experiments to improve flow channel geometries, membrane materials, and electrochemical performance. We also investigate microscale particle transport in porous electrode layers to address challenges in saline water electrolysis, aiming to enhance system stability and scalability.?

On the storage side, we explore innovative hydrogen tank designs, evaluating internal configurations, materials, and operating conditions through numerical simulations to improve safety and efficiency. The program also extends to emerging areas such as catalyst development, AI-assisted optimisation, and integration with renewable energy systems.?

Supported by national initiatives and industry collaboration, this program welcomes students interested in electrochemistry, fluid dynamics, renewable energy, and technology commercialisation. Scholarships are available for both domestic and international candidates, with opportunities to contribute to high-impact research and real-world energy solutions.?

Project summary?

Coal remains as the most widely used energy resource in the foreseeable future. Chemical looping combustion (CLC), which has intrinsic merit of separating CO2 during the combustion process, has been regarded as one of the most promising clean coal combustion technologies with near-zero emission of pollutants. However, the multi-scale structures and multi-physics processes of multi-phase flow in the fuel reactor (FR) and air reactor (AR) of the CLC require in-depth understandings for further design and optimisation of industrial-scales apparatus. This project aims to design next generation CLC system via a series of numerical studies of CLC systems using advanced numerical modelling approaches. Previously, two-fluid model combined with thermochemical sub-models was developed to study the physical-thermal-chemical characteristics of dense gas-solid reaction flows in a CLC system. This project will continue to explore the application and optimisation of the CLC process in aspects of reactor design, oxygen carrier selection, and reaction kinetics simplification. We welcome talented students who are interested in this work to join our group. We have a variety of scholarships for both domestic and international students. The research experience and skills acquired during PhD study will increase job opportunities in this promising area.?

Project summary

Coal represents one of the most important resources in Australian economy. Coal research represents promising career opportunities in Australia. However, coal should be a more thermal-efficient and environmentally friendly fuel, i.e. clean oil and gas, for wider and cleaner applications. However, these processes are very complicating and challenging in design. In collaboration with coal industry, this project will study next generation coal upgrading technologies by combining both numerical simulations and experiments.?

Novelty and contribution: Using the advanced numerical modelling approaches, the innovative process can be designed, illustrated and scaled-up in a cost-effective manner. For example, in our previous studies, a set of CFD models were developed to describe the Victoria brown coal pyrolysis from lab-scale to industrial-scale (bottom right figure).?

Expected outcome: This project will continue the effort in the model development for coal upgrading technologies as well as the understanding of the mechanism behind the complex thermochemical phenomena. A number of scientific articles and conference presentations will also be produced within the duration of the project. We welcome talented students who are interested in this work to join our group. We have a variety of scholarships for both domestic and international students.?

Project summary?

The current renewable devices fail to achieve satisfactory efficiency, due to a lack of in-depth understanding of the materials processing and materials properties. Phase diagrams are powerful tools to characterise and select potential materials. This project will develop phase diagrams for renewable energy-focused materials by combing the experimental methods and thermodynamic optimisation methods using XRD, SEM-EDS, DTA, and CALPHAD techniques. This project will contribute a set of reliable thermodynamic database of the related renewable energy materials and also work as a cost-effective tool to design scientific experiments and manufacture of alloy.?

We earnestly welcome students who are interested in this project to join our group. Various scholarships could be applied for both domestic and international students. Moreover, the research experience and skills acquired during PhD study will secure job opportunities in the future.?

Project summary?

Water electrolysis typically requires ultra-purified water directly in membrane electrolysers (proton exchange membrane water electrolysers, PEMWE; anion exchange membrane water electrolysers, AEMWE). The key challenges in the direct electrolysis of saline water have long been identified and discussed, and remain major issues today. The main one is the small particulates in the saline water, which may poison electrodes/catalysts and limit their long-term stability. This project is aiming at a microscale study of the particle transport in the porous transport layer of membrane electrodes, finding the underline mechanism of the particle blockage, which could provide guidance on membrane electrolyser design and scale-up for hydrogen generation.?

A method for making a carbon-neutral steel in a is disclosed. Said method comprises: injecting non-carbon or carbon-neutral fuels comprising at least one combustible gas and a solid carbonaceous material to a tuyere; combusting at least a part of said at least one combustible gas; blowing said fuels, gases and combustion products into a furnace; and reducing blast furnace charge material to produce slag and molten steel, wherein said at least one combustible gas and solid carbonaceous material are co-injected to said tuyere through a lance in fluid communication thereto. ?

The invention also relates to a system for co-injecting said non-carbon or carbon-neutral fuels to a steel-making furnace, a lance for co-injecting said fuels and a method of using said system.?

With millions of tonnes of solar waste expected by 2050, efficient recycling is crucial. Traditional methods made separating components like glass, silicon, and metals challenging. Our process, however, ensures 99% effective separation, offering a solution to the pressing issue of solar panels reaching their end-of-life. ?

The new patented recycling process uses sieving aids to more effectively separate the material that makes up a solar panel, allowing valuable elements such as silver to be recovered and reused. Beyond this, we're exploring more avenues for efficient solar panel recycling and seeking industry collaborations to scale our process. ?