Academic Staff

Research Expertise

Research on Low-rank coals for clean energy

The research group has studied the properties of low-rank coals (brown coal, lignite and subbituminous) and developed treatment methods to produce coals suitable for high efficiency power plant and for enhanced hydrogen production using catalytic steam gasification. The program consists of: (a) academic research, and (b) the design of plant for commercial application of clean coal technology.

Academic research is in the following areas:

• Molecular modelling of coal pyrolysis and catalytic steam gasification.
• Methods for removing inorganics from coal samples.
• Systematic studies for adding catalytic species to low-rank coals.
• Experimental studies of metal mediated coal pyrolysis.
• Experimental studies of catalytic steam gasification.
• Characterisation of treated coals and chars containing various metals.
• Separation of CO₂ from a H₂/CO₂ gas stream and synthesis of products using CO₂ as feedstock.

The commercial application is undertaken by Clean Coal Technology Pty. Ltd. The areas of interest are:

• Non-fouling coal for high efficiency power plant (e.g. super-critical boilers).
• Ultra low-ash fuel for direct coal fuelled turbine and diesel engines.
• Moisture reduction using low-grade heat.
• Catalytically loaded coal for enhanced hydrogen production with steam gasification.
• Separation of CO₂
• Modelling of power generation plant using treated coals.