INTRODUCTION
Research work in the Department of Chemical Engineering continued at a high level throughout 1980. Many of thc projects were concerned with aspects of energy research through ex- amination of alternative sources of fuels, particularly liquid fuels, or energy conservation. It is believed that these projects will have a significant impact on thc utilization of local resources lo satisfy Ihc energy requirements of the community in the most effective manner.
A number of the projects received financial support from outside agencies including Ihe National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Council, the Victorian Brown Coal Council and the Australian Research Grants Committee.
ll should bc noted thai the majority of the projects on which postgraduate students arc engaged arc approaching completion. The recruitment of new postgraduate students is proving to bc very diffiult part ly because of the poor financial support available for research scholars in com- parison to the salaries olfcrcd new graduates.
RESEARCH TOPICS IN PROGRESS A. FUEL ENGINEERING
1. Processes for dewatering brown coal —B. R. Stanmore, S. R. Siemon, D. G. Evans.
2. Structure of brown coal— S. R. Siemon.
3. Conversion of brown coal to liquid fuels —S. R. Siemon, R. S. Yost.
4. Handling of solid fuels— F. A. Bull.
5. Electrode grist and pitch from brown coal char and tar— F. A. Bull, M . A. Connor.
6. Identification of petroleum residues in arsons— I7. A. Bull.
7. Solvent extraction of brown coal —S. R. Siemon.
8. Brown coal slurries— S. R. Siemon.
9. Catalytic combustion for process heating and energy conservation —D. G. Wood.
10. Extrusion of brown coal-G. N. Kerkin.
11. Low temperature oxidation of brown coal—D. F. Radcliffc, I . J. Harris.
B. BIOCHEMICAL ENGINEERING
1. Influence of environmental parameters on yeast alcohol fermentations —N. B. Pamment.
2. Simultaneous saccharification and fermentation of cellulose to ethanol —P. Ghosh, N. B.
Pamment, W. R. B. Martin.
3. Sulphide toxicity in anaerobic digestion of piggery wastes —N. B. Pammenl.
4. Effect of salinity on activated sludge plant performance —M. A. Connor, N. B. Pamment, A. K. Turner.
5. Effect of air pollutants on Australian plants —G. N. Kerkin.
6. Continuous high tcmpcraturc/short lime sterilization of liquid foods using steam injec- tion— D. G. Wood.
7. Immobilized whole cell biorcaciors for ethanol production — N. B. Pamment.
8. Characterisation of livestock salcyard runoff—N. B. Pamment, A. K. Turner.
9. Modelling kinetics of microbiological systems — I . J. Harris.
C. TRANSPORT PHENOMENA
1. Droplet coalescence and breakage rales in a pulsed perforated plate liquid extraction col- umn— H. R. C. Pratt.
2. Elfect of column diameter on axial dispersion in a pulsed perforated plate liquid extraction c o l u m n - l l . R. C. Pratt, I . J. Harris.
3. Separation of wool grease components by multicomponent fractional extraction — I . J. Har- ris.
4. Mass transfer coefficients in multicomponent vapour-liquid systems—R. S. Yost.
5. Condensation inside horizontal and vertical lubes —D. G. Wood.
6. The structure of the interface during condensation two-phase flow —D. G. Wood.
7. Thc development of velocity and temperature profiles in mixed convection —M. A. Connor, D. G. Wood.
D. OTHER 1. Heal loss during anaesthesia — I . J. Harris.
2. Kineiics of oxidalion of organic components in aqueous solution —1. J. Harris.
3. Socio-economic factors in solid waste treatment and disposal — M. A. Connor.
4. Estimation of carbon dioxide content of exhaled gases — I . J. Harris.
5. Process for dewatering piggery waste —S. R. Siemon.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING 101 6. The ell'ects of incorporating organic wastes into clay for brick-making — M. A. Connor, D. S.
Mansell.
7. Thc use of lamella thickeners for settling sludges from biological wastewater treatment plants —M. A. Connor.
8. Enhancement of lead acid battery operation —G. N. Kerkin.
PUBLISHED WORK Articles
1. CAMIER, R. J., SIEMON, S. R. and STANMORE, B. R.-Colloidal Structure of Viclorian Brown Coals. Three examinations by Ullracenlrifugalion. Fuel. 59: 331-334 (1980).
2. CONNOR, M. A. — The Development of Recycling Practices under the Stimulus of Materials Shortages. Conservation and Recycling, 3 (3/4): 343-354 (1979).
3. HAMILTON, J. A., PRATT, H. R. C. - Measurement of Droplet Coalescence Rates in a Packed Extraction Column Usine a Novel Colorimetric Technique. Proc. Internal. Solvent Exln. Conf.. Liege (ISEC 80), Session 3, 'Dispersion': 80-91 (1980).
4. KERKIN, G. N. and MARTIN, VV. R. B . - H o w to Test a Traction Bailery Without Buying an Electric Vehicle, Simulation Society of Australia. Proc. of ihe lourth liienniul Con- ference. Brisbane. 27-29 August 1980: 31-35 (1980).
THESES PASSED FOR HIGHER DEGREES Doctor of Philosophy
1. CHIAM, H. ¥. —The dynamics of bacterial growth on phenol.
2. DAVEY, K. R. — Continuous sterilization of liquid.
3. 'TANG, T. O. — Thermal changes in man during surgery and general anaesthesia.
Master of Engineering Science
4. ABDUL-RAHMAN, R. — Removal of dye from coloured wastewaters by a trickling filler.
5. CARTER, G. — The incorporation of rice husks into kiln fired bricks.
6. DABBOUS, H. — Study of the operation of a biological waste treatment plant.
7. JUNG, V.. — The fluidized combustion of wet brown coal.
8. ROYLANCE, S. J.-/1 study of oxygen demand at South Eastern Purification Plant.
9. SEHIC, O. A. — The use of bioaclive fluidized sand for the rapid carbonaceous oxidation of domestic wastewater.
10. WOON, T. S. — Oil Slurry dewatering of brown coal litholypes.
Master of Applied Science
11. THIA BEE CHING — Effect of ferrous chloride on anaerobic digestion of piggery waste.
THESES IN PROGRESS PhD Theses in Progress 1. BARNARD, W. J. - Primary breakage of brittle panicles.
2. BIEN, C. N.— Attack of carbon monoxide on brown coal.
3. CANDELORO, V .—Structure of brown coal and its effect on the hydrogenation process.
4. DEVLIN, 11. R. — Kinetics of oxidation of aqueous wastes.
5. DOWNING, P. G.-Liquidfuelfrom_brown coal.
6. HAMILTON, J. A. — Coalescence andbreakdown rales of droplets in a liquid-liquid extrac- tion column.
1. KARIM, M. — Solvent attack on brown coal.
8. LILBURNE, G. M. — Condensation inside tubes.
9. RODRIGUEZ, A.-Effect of salinity on wastewater treatment plant performance.
10. STEVENS, G. W. — Geometry of the interface in horizontal annular adiabatic Iwo phase flo w.
11. STRACHAN, M. G. — Hydrogenation of Victorian brown coal.
12. THATCHER, P. J. — Identification of petroleum residues in arsons.
13. TUOHEY, P. G. — Mass transfer in multicomponent systems.
14. WARNER, J. —Fractionation of wool grease bv liquid-liquid extraction.
15. WOSKOBOENKO, I .-Brown coal slurries.
MEngSc Theses in Progress 16. ARMSTRONG, R. J.- Extrusion of brown coal.
17. CHEUNG, I. — Immobilised whole cell bioreaclors for alcohol production.
18. ELLIOTT, N. - 77ie use of lamella thickeners for settling sludges from biological wastewater treatment plants.
19. HUYNH, T. S. — Electrical resistivity of chlorinated char.
20. POLAT, S. — Auto ignition of dried brown coal.
21. RYAN, R. P. —Industrial alcohol at elevated temperatures.
22. STUC1.EY, C. — Intracellular ethanol concentrations in yeast fermentation.
MAppSc Theses in Progress 23. BAUMG ARTEL, K. II. - Binders from brown coal tar.
24. WALLIS, R.— Study of total dissolved solids in a wastewater treatment plant.
SUBSTANTIAL CRANTS RECEIVED Grants have heen received as follows:
ARGC: Thc development of processes for producing petroleum substitutes from brown coal.
ARGC: Axial dispersion and its cll'cci on thc performance of pulsed extraction columns.
ARGC: Thc role of oxygen containing functional groups in the hydrogenation of brown coal.
NERDDC: Structure of brown coal.
NERDDC: Brown coal slurries.
NERDDC: Catalytic combustion as a pollution free energy conserving source of thermal energy.
VBCC: Attack of carbon monoxide on brown coal.
VBCC: Solvent attack on brown coal.
Criminology Research Council: Thc identification of petroleum residues in arsons.