Carbon reduction in manufacturing

Until recently, the disordered cousins of metal oxide phases were overlooked for industrial applications, as they were not thought to be distinct from the ordered metal oxide phases. Recently it’s been demonstrated that the thermodynamic properties of the disordered metal oxide phases are fundamentally different from their standard ordered cousins. Our research is focused on synthesising an array of disordered iron and cobalt oxides and evaluating their use in a range of industrial applications including coatings and metal refining.

In partnership with CSIRO Minerals, we’re investigating methods of processing iron ore using solar thermal power. Solar thermal processing has great potential for lowering the carbon footprint of the steel industry. By using this energy source close to Australian iron ore mines, the industry can produce an iron product that can be sold as a commodity. 

The basic chemistry of the process has been explored through experimental work in Swinburne’s 42 kW solar thermal simulator and a preliminary techno-economic study has been undertaken to evaluate the potential for further investment. Critical issues around capital cost of solar thermal systems will be addressed as the concept is developed with industry partners and upscaling is explored.

In partnership with Ristek Dikti and the University of Indonesia, we’re investigating the use of solar processing of laterite and ilmenite ores. With the decline of the ores’ quality around the world, more lower-grade and weathered ores are being processed to meet demand. In our project, low-grade laterite (nickel) and ilmenite (titanium) ores are processed through carbothermal reduction assisted by heating using concentrated solar energy. We’ll use our 42 kW solar thermal simulator in this study to investigate the detailed phase transformation and kinetics of the process and compare it to the regular process using a regular heat source.

In partnership with InfraBuild (Liberty GFG), we’re investigating the acoustic optimisation and control of gas injection in metallurgy. 

Gas injection is used to deliver oxygen and fuel to pyrometallurgical processes, forming bubbles in pyrometallurgical vessels. Control of existing carbon-based processes could deliver energy and hence emissions savings. Our research is focused on acoustic measurements that have the potential to provide valuable data on processes inside the vessel that are otherwise invisible, since the injected bubbles emit sounds that are easily measured.

In partnership with Infrabuild (Liberty GFG), we’re investigating the optimisation of reheat furnaces in steelmaking. 

Reheat furnaces play a final role in controlling the quality of steel product but also consume significant quantities of natural gas. A preliminary study of the Laverton re-heat furnace identified that significant savings could be made by optimising burners, refractories and control systems. Work is ongoing to evaluate and make improvements to the furnace, with computational fluid dynamics being used to study various options using virtual tools to evaluate key parameters.

In partnership with Umicore-Belgium, we’re developing new experimental techniques for studying the kinetics of the reduction reaction of slag by coke, as well as studying the reduction of lead blast furnace slag using alternative carbon sources. 

The lead blast furnace smelting process is used to produce lead and is also part of a process route for recycling electronic waste through integrated copper-lead smelting. In the lead blast furnace, slag is reduced using coke, but the detailed mechanism of the reduction reaction is not fully understood. Our research is tracking the phase formation at the interfaces and microstructure evolution during the reaction to provide a detailed reaction mechanism.

Our research is also analysing the reduction of lead blast furnace slag using alternative carbon sources such as those from urban ores (electronic waste or waste printed circuit boards. We will specifically examine the reduction reaction mechanism of lead slag by waste printed circuit boards and other alternative carbon sources and compare them with reduction with metallurgical coke. We’re also measuring the partitioning of the valuable metals between the lead, the slag and the gaseous phase at relevant conditions.

In partnership with Grimshaw Architecture, we’re developing piezoelectric-based energy harvesters that can potentially be incorporated into panelling and cladding and collect energy from wind and water currents. 

Carbon reduction of many processes will come from ‘optimised control’, which can only be implemented when processes can be measured via sensors, and the data from these measurements collected and assessed. Complex processes will need many inter-connected sensors — this is often referred to as the Industrial Internet of Things. Our research in this area is essential because the sensors and network that will need to be established to achieve this control also need to be powered and are often located where mains electricity is not available and access to replacement batteries is difficult.