The University of Melbourne
The CO2CRC carbon capture laboratories at the University of Melbourne are the focus of some of Australia’s leading research into carbon dioxide (CO2) technologies.
Staff in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering are predominantly involved in capture technology. Their work is determining the viability of the capture and long-term storage of CO2 and innovative uses for CO2.
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Key research projects
The CO2CRC is undertaking research into existing and new capture technologies including solvent based, innovative membrane, pressure swing adsorption, hydrate and distillation capture systems. University of Melbourne researchers are focussing their work in two programs:
Enhanced Solvent-Based Systems
This project is evaluating solvent and solvent-hybrid systems to examine their cost effectiveness in the removal of CO2 from a range of applications.
Researchers are testing and evaluating solvent absorption systems for CO2 removal, equipment comparisons, impurity tolerance and heat-integration studies of CO2 recovery systems. They are also developing new cost-effective membrane materials that are more resistant to solvent degradation.
Project Leader: Professor Geoff Stevens
Key researchers: Dr Kathryn Smith, Dr Ujjal Ghosh, Dr Ash Khan
Innovative Membrane Systems
This project is evaluating gas separation systems to examine their cost-effectiveness in the removal of CO2 from a range of applications.
It is looking at the design and performance testing of a range of membranes to cover a range of physical and chemical conditions such as elevated temperatures, gas separation, gas-liquid separation and separation in hot, moist gas streams. Research exchanges are also taking place with Japan and the United States.
Project Leader: Associate Professor Sandra Kentish
Key researchers: Associate Professor Greg Qiao, Dr Clem Powell, Dr Colin Scholes
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Energy Technology Innovation Strategy Brown Coal Research & Development Scheme (ETIS)
The University of Melbourne team is also heavily involved in work sponsored by the Victorian Government Energy Technology Innovation Strategy Brown Coal Research & Development Scheme (ETIS). This work involves trialling a range of technologies including solvents and membranes on real flue gas streams. Separate projects are focussed on pre-combustion capture in collaboration with HRL Technology and on post-combustion capture in collaboration with International Power.
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Collaborative initiatives
The University of Melbourne is also involved in a number of initiatives across faculties and schools that are related to science and policy for climate adaptation.
Particulate Fluids Processing Centre
The Particulate Fluids Processing Centre (PFPC) – a Special Research Centre of the Australian Research Council – provides the underlying science for carbon capture technology.
The PFPC brings together staff and students in the School of Chemistry, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and the Department of Mathematics and Statistics. It explores interfacial science and engineering for the processing of particulate fluids and advanced materials.
Researchers are focusing on the interfacial behaviour of particulate fluids and advanced materials with research programs in areas such as separation science. They are currently working to provide innovative solutions to interfacial science and engineering problems faced by industries.
Climate Adaptation Science and Policy Initiative
The Climate Adaptation Science and Policy Initiative (CASPI) connects science and public policy to meet the local and global challenges of climate change.
University of Melbourne researchers are working on appropriate projects in science, engineering, architecture and medicine to develop public policy responses to climate change. In addition to research projects and consultancy reports, CASPI conducts workshops and have an ongoing scholarly publications and seminar program.
CASPI provides an important interface between the expertise and research capacity of the University and other organisations, institutions and the community in order to address critical issues relating to climate change and climate adaptation.
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About the University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is one of the world’s most outstanding research-led universities. The University’s impact on Australia’s research activity is enhanced by its location on the edge of Melbourne’s CBD in Parkville, where many of the nation’s leading independent biomedical research institutes are located. The University has extensive links with industry through collaborative projects and the commercialisation of its innovative research.
About the Melbourne School of Engineering
The Melbourne School of Engineering is a premier engineering school with more than 50 teaching and research laboratories. Research and teaching in the 6 academic departments are augmented by 13 major research centres of international standing, including 3 Australian Research Council (ARC) Special Research Centres and 8 Co-operative Research Centres.
The Melbourne Engineering Research Institute (MERIT) was launched in 2007. MERIT brings together world leading research in the Melbourne School of Engineering to address four critical areas – bioengineering, information and communications, materials and sustainability – unified by the common goal of ‘engineering research for the benefit of society’.
About the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
The Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering has one of the largest chemical engineering programs in Australia. More than 60 higher degree research students are currently undertaking research with the Department’s world-leading research groups. Staff have won many international awards recognising excellence and innovation in research and education including the Prime Minister’s Award for Science, the Victoria Prize and the Frank Morton Medal for innovation and excellence in chemical engineering education. The major research activities in the Department are in the fields of non-Newtonian fluid mechanics and associated rheology application, extractive metallurgy, mineral processing, separation processes, biochemical engineering, polymer science and environmental engineering.
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