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Shipu Han

Particle velocity measurement within a free-falling particle curtain using microscopic shadow velocimetry

This project presents the development of the microscopic shadow velocimetry (μ-PSV) technique to measure the particle velocities within free-falling particle curtain, particularly focusing on the development of an image process method to achieve spatial resolution along the curtain thickness.

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Huanyu Jin

Single-crystal nitrogen-rich 2D Mo5N6 nanosheets for efficient and stable seawater splitting

Electrochemical seawater splitting provides a new avenue to low–cost and large–scale hydrogen production. However, commercial noble-metal based electrocatalysts exhibit poor performance under seawater conditions due to the poisoning effects from a range of undesirable anions. In this work, we synthesized two-dimensional (2D) nitrogen-rich Mo5N6 nanosheets with outstanding catalytic performance in natural seawater with a highly stable catalytic current over 100 h. This work demonstrated the possibility of cost-effective hydrogen production from seawater using 2D Mo5N6 nanosheets as the electrocatalyst.

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Passcode: 312392

Kae Ken Foo

Two-line atomic fluorescence of Ga

Previous studies have demonstrated that two-line atomic fluorescence (TLAF) of indium is capable of providing high accuracy and precision planar temperature measurements in sooting flames. However, one of the drawbacks of using indium is its lower temperature threshold (800 K). Using gallium as the thermometric species, instead of indium, can extend the temperature measurements to a lower limit. This study will be the first-time gallium is seeded using laser ablation for TLAF measurements.

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Passcode: 123456

Ling Chen

Copper nanopyramids promote C-C coupling and enable electroreduction CO₂ to valuable C₂₊ chemicals

Converting CO₂ to high value-added C₂₊ hydrocarbons by CO₂ Reduction Reaction (CO₂RR) attracted attention due to higher energy density, readiness for transportation and established utilization infrastructure. Modelled by Density Functional Theory (DFT) calculation, Cu nanopyramids with various orientations and shapes exhibit extraordinarily high C₂ selectivity as a result of anomalous C-C coupling behavior on new type of C₂ active sites, which can be predicted by our developed active site screening method-the extended ‘square’ principle. We also found that densely arrayed Cu nanopyramids can introduce confined space which serves as the avenue for the selective hydrogenation of intermediates, and consequently enables the direct electroreduction of CO₂ to ethylene glycol. Our findings suggest a simple and effective approach for selective CO₂ electroreduction to desirable C₂₊ products.

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Sijia Fu

CO₂ reduction by single copper atom supported on g-C₃N₄ with asymmetrical active sites

Electrochemical reduction of CO₂ requires catalysts beyond Cu with high activity and selectivity to produce C₂ products.

Our study provides reaction mechanism insights for C₂ production on Cu-C₃N₄ and sheds light on designing electrocatalysts with dual active sites.

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Xing Zhi

Selectivity roadmap for electrochemical CO₂ reduction on copper based alloy catalysts

Due to the complex reaction network of the electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (CRR), developing highly selective electrocatalysts for desired products remains a major challenge. In this work, a novel descriptor-based approach to predict CRR selectivity of catalysts is developed. The selectivity based on intrinsic properties offers a rational design strategy for highly selective CRR electrocatalysts.

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Passcode: 256658

Yining Tang

Particle egress through an open vortex-based solar particle receiver

We develop an open-to-atmosphere vortex-based solar particle receiver and identify some controlling parameters that have effect on particle egress through the aperture.

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Passcode: 405420

Samira Pourhedayat

Air pre-cooling technologies in industrial application

As the intake air temperature is a key factor on the performance and power output of gas turbine, the researchers enthusiastically work on different pre-cooling technologies for the intake air to enhance the performance of the gas turbine without the negative side effects (such as erosion and corrosion). This research aims to develop and assess an innovative intake air precooling technology for gas turbine-based power plants based on hybrid systems using analytical-theoretical approaches.

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Nazgol Mehrabian

Solar pyrolysis of methane

Currently, 50% of H₂Ìýis produced via steam methane reforming process (SMR), which is not environmentally-friendly. Methane pyrolysis can compete favourably with SMR. Methane pyrolysis in a liquid bubble column offers potential to mitigate the challenges of using solid catalyst such as cocking. It also offers method for in-situ separation of product carbon. Methane pyrolysis in a molten catalyst is a new technology. There is a need to develop a fundamental understanding on the mechanism of methane pyrolysis within a bubble. The overall objective of this project is to meet this need.

Zoom link:Ìý |ÌýMeeting ID: 841 3689 6328 |Ìýdial-in Passcode: 162454

Matthew Xinchen Zhang

A numerical study of the effects of gravity on horizontal particle-laden pipe flows

This study presents numerical simulations of particle-laden flows in horizontal circular pipes to identify the key flow regimes as a function of key dimensionless parameters. A Euler-Lagrangian approach was employed, using direct numerical simulations (DNS) coupled with a Lagrangian particle tracking (LPT) method, to consider the drag, gravitational and lift forces on particles, as well as the effect of inter-particle collisions. The influence of the Stokes number, mass loading ratio and Froude number on critical flow regimes was assessed to identify conditions under which gravity bias becomes either negligible or dominant with regard to fluid characteristics and particle statistics. Three different patterns of the flow behaviour were identified, depending on various regimes of these dimensionless parameters. Also, three-dimensional regime maps of these regimes are reported, showing the influence of these three parameters on the degree of asymmetry of the flow behaviour, to advance understanding of horizontal particle-laden pipe flows.

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Passcode: 998956

Bo Yang

Electrolysers for hydrogen production - effect of flow behaviour on performance

Gas bubble contributes to about 1/3 of total energy loss in the industrial water electrolysis cell. This project aims to develop an understanding of bubble behaviour and ionic mass transport in water electrolysis process, and to identify potential solutions to accelerate bubble departure and enhance ionic mass transport to improve the electrolyser cell performance.

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Yilong Yin

Adaptation of renewable fuel to high temperature industrial processes

This project aims to investigate the feasibility of using carbon-free fuel in the high-temperature industrial processes in order to achieve aÌýsignificant reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and meet the COP 21 commitment. BlendingÌýhydrogen with a small amount of highly sooting hydrocarbon dopants to enhance the radiant intensity of theÌýhydrogen flames is one of the approaches focused in this project.

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Password: 524097

Elham Alipour

Design and development of a fluidic barrier for solar cavity receivers

The investigation of aerodynamic approaches to mitigate the convective heat transfer from tower mounted solar cavity receivers and provision of detailed insights into the mechanism that underpins each of these approaches is the aim of this project.

This aim was achieved by systematic combined experimental and numerical studies over a wide range of operating conditions relevant to actual application of solar cavity receivers. An electrically-heated scaled down model of solar cavity equipped with variation of air curtain configurations was used in a large wind tunnel with a verity of wind speeds.Ìý

The results provided useful insights into the effect of air curtain design and operating condition on the convective heat loss mitigation. This work provided the foundation for utilisation of aerodynamic active flow for real world application of solar cavity receivers to improve the thermal efficiency of solar tower plants.

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Passcode: 764186

Gavin Xiaopeng Bi

Simultaneous planar measurements of fluid and particle velocities in particle-laden flows: proof-of-concept

A promising optical method for separation of signals to allow their simultaneous PIV measurement of both fluid- and particle- phase velocities has been demonstrated with only using luminescent signals.

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Matthew Emes

Heliostat field design for atmospheric boundary layer turbulence

Maximum wind loads and structural cost become increasinglyÌýsensitive to terrain roughness with increasing heliostat size.ÌýUnsteady wind loads are larger for high-density field spacing dueÌýto the increased intensity of wake-generated turbulence.ÌýWind load predictions on full-scale heliostats due to surface layerÌýturbulence and atmospheric stability require field measurementsÌýwith increased precision and frequency of horizontal and verticalÌýdistributions of gust wind speed and turbulence characteristics.

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Daniel Ang

Global performance within a directly irradiated windowless vortex-based solar receiver

A novel windowless configuration of the Solar Expanding Vortex Receiver (SEVR) is proposed in heating particles for potential thermal applications such as particle heater, mineral-processing and steam-gasification. This systematic study aims to assess the influence of particle size, volumetric flow-rate and particle volumetric loading on the global performance in a windowless two-phase vortex based solar receiver. The experiment was conducted on a cavity receiver by injecting a steady vortex flow laden with particles within a cavity receiver which is exposed to concentrated solar radiation from the UA 18kW three-lamp solar simulator. The experimental parameters include the variation of flux input, particle size, mass loading and inlet flow speeds, which will be used to determine the first order controlling parameters on the thermal performance in the particle receiver. A numerical was also conducted using commercial CFD package, ANSYS CFX R1. The study also provides information through comparison of different inlet flow rates under different particle size to verify concepts of particle residence time conducted in previous studies of the receiver.

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Muhammad Mujahid Rafique

Mathematical modelling to assess the influence of transients on refractory-lined solar receivers

The aim of this project is to analyse and optimize the thermal performance of a refractory-lined particle receiver in response to solar resource variability. A transient heat transfer model for a particle-based solar receiver was developed. This model was employed to assess the time-dependent temperature fields of the receiver cavity walls, the particles, and gas from the initial state to another equilibrium based on the actual direct normal irradiance (DNI). The present research will help to investigate the start-up behaviour and overall thermal performance of the refractory-lined particle receivers for different processes based on available solar energy and load requirements.

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Eyad Smadi

Innovative Sustainable Approach to Calcination Process

This project aims to help transform the energy-intensive mineral industry to a low carbon future using sustainable fuel. While calcination process playing major role in mineral industry, the current research seeks to investigate the advantages of using steam as a heat carrier in the flash calcining process under practical industry-relevant conditions. In particular, the current research seeks to investigate the key parameters affecting the calcination process (particle size, turbulence, calcination temperature, residence time and diluent gases to steam ratio) when using steam as a product of hydrogen combustion.

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