Invited Speakers

Bilger Lecturer

Professor José L. Torero, University College London, UK

Smouldering Revisited

Abstract Smouldering combustion is a unique process by which characteristic transport and chemical time scales converge to deliver robust low temperature combustion. Classic studies on smouldering have focused on its negative impact, i.e. fires, cigarettes, pollution, etc. Nevertheless, studies focused on preventing and suppressing smouldering combustion have led the way to a deeper understanding of combustion within porous media and the realization that smouldering could be used in unique and positive ways. Experimentation and modelling of the complex thermal exchanges that deliver a robust smouldering reaction have allowed to establish the conditions that lead to its steady propagation and the unique bifurcations leading to extinction and transition to flaming. Unique applications such as contaminated soil remediation, waste management, PFAS destruction will be discussed alongside new issues such as the impact of smouldering on the fire performance of novel timber structures and the control of underground coal fires by means of systematic energy extraction.

Biography Professor José L. Torero is Professor of Civil Engineering and Head of the Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering at University College London. He works in the field of non-premixed flames as applied to problems such as fire safety, environmental remediation and sanitation. He is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Edinburgh, the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering and the Combustion Institute among others. He has developed and commercialized several smouldering based technologies as well as being involved in many landmark designs and fire investigations.

Keynote Lecturer

Professor Zhuyin Ren, Tsinghua University, China

Implications of transport properties for flame dynamics and NOx formation in hydrogen-fueled gas turbines

Abstract Hydrogen as an alternative fuel in gas turbines holds a great potential for carbon-neutral power generation. The unique transport properties of hydrogen with low Lewis number lead to fuel re-stratification in turbulent lean premixed flames—generally not observed in fossil fuels—which exacerbates NOx emissions and flashback. In both laminar and turbulent hydrogen flames, differential diffusion and thermal diffusion generate super-adiabatic hot spots and markedly increases thermal NOx formation. In turbulent hydrogen premixed flames, an exponential temporal decay of the hot spots toward the nominal adiabatic flame is observed. Moreover, differential and thermal diffusion have pronounced impact on boundary-layer flashback dynamics and non-monotonical dependence of flashback limit on swirl level is observed for premixed hydrogen flames. To counter fuel-stratification driven by differential diffusion, a fuel stratification strategy at inlets is introduced and analysed, which mitigates super-adiabatic flame temperature and offer promising pathways to low-NOx, flashback-resisting hydrogen combustion in gas turbines.

Biography Dr. Zhuyin Ren received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from Cornell University and has been a Professor at Tsinghua University since 2013. His research interests include turbulent combustion modeling, uncertainty quantification, and carbon-neutral energy and propulsion systems. Dr. Ren has published over 120 SCI papers, and is the recipient of Bernard Lewis Fellowship (2008), a Fellow of the Combustion Institute, Associate Fellow of AIAA. Currently he serves as an associate editor of Journal of Propulsion and Power and an editorial member of Combustion Theory and Modelling.

Plenary Reviews

Associate Professor Agi Kourmatzis, The University of Sydney

Diagnostics in particle and droplet-laden flows

Abstract Laser and Optical Diagnostic techniques have advanced considerably over the last half a century. There are now established methods that can provide highly detailed measurements of quantities ranging from droplet/particle size to dynamic behaviour of aerosol clouds (whether reacting or non-reacting). In this talk I will focus on three key challenges that persist: a) dealing with multiphase flows involving closely packed particles or droplet/particle mixtures b) providing three-dimensional measurements of aerosol or spray clouds, cheaply and easily and c) how to deliver more scalable diagnostic technology that is likely to be more widely adopted by industry. In the context of the above three issues, after a brief overview of the current methods available for particle and droplet diagnostics, the talk will focus on recent work in developing multi-phase optical coherence tomography, LED based extinction tomography, and finish with a few insights from the commercialization of a very simple optical diagnostic instrument for dynamic aerosol monitoring.

Biography Dr. Kourmatzis is an Associate Professor at the University of Sydney. His research is in reacting and non-reacting two-phase flows and laser diagnostics, and has been supported by a range of organizations including the ARC, NHMRC, US-FDA/NIH, Great Barrier Reef Foundation, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and Proveris Scientific, amongst others. In 2024 he spun out ASK Scientia Pty Ltd, a university spin out commercializing optical diagnostic technology for the aerosol sector. He has published over 80 peer reviewed journal articles, has 4 patents pending, and has attracted over $5m of external funding in the last 5 years.

Dr Gule Li, The University of Adelaide

Alternative fuels for decarbonising Australian heavy industries – iron and steel, cement and alumina

Abstract The global push towards decarbonisation and ultimately net-zero emissions is reshaping industries, particularly heavy industrial sectors of iron and steel, aluminium and cement. The three sectors combined account for 9% of total domestic emissions within Australia; while emissions released during downstream processing of these resources in other counties (corresponding to Australia’s indirect scope 3 emissions) are three times larger than Australia’s total (direct) emissions. Therefore, decarbonising these hard-to-abate sectors is critical. While there are potentials with hydrogen and green electricity to achieve net-zero emissions for heavy industries, low-cost and low-carbon waste derived fuels are needed to accelerate progresses, and is a critical solution for scenarios where electrification or hydrogen use is more difficult and more expensive. This review explores the role of waste-derived fuel as a useful pathway to unlock partial of the decarbonisation opportunities with a specific focus on the Australian context. It firstly analyses resource availability of waste material in Australia, drawing potential energy that can be supplied for its use in cement, alumina and iron/steel sectors. This review considers cross-cutting enablers, such as policy frameworks, technology development and readiness. Furthermore, the effects of policy settings were discussed at a jurisdictional level, including New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia and Queensland. Sector-specific challenges, such as high-temperature process requirements, regional resource availability and economic feasibility, are analysed to assess the practical integration of waste-derived synthetic gaseous fuels as compared to its solid forms. By synthesizing current research and industrial developments, the findings from this review aim to inform policy makers, industrial stakeholders and researchers on strategic priorities to accelerate transition into low-carbon production – the ‘low-hanging fruit’. This review identifies the complexities of policy settings on the role of waste derived fuels in heavy industries and waste sector. While it is recognised as innovative pathway to manage residual waste aligning well with waste hierarchy, Australia’s commitments to waste reduction and circular economy, both on national and jurisdictional level, can pose feedstock uncertainties for heavy industries. Clear differences in policy environment were identified between the five states, with NSW found to be the most stringent and therefore relatively low viability. Nevertheless, policy tool through landfill levies, is a strong economic instrument, to enhance competitiveness of waste derived fuels with natural gas, green electricity and hydrogen. Technology innovations and development in refuse-derived fuel production with MSW, tyre waste, ash recovery and syngas cleaning and upgrading are found to be the critical areas to enhance opportunities in cement, alumina and iron/steel sectors beyond its current use.

Biography Dr. Gule Li is an early career researcher at the University of Adelaide with demonstrated expertise and hands on experiences in gasification and combustion systems, together with process modelling of hydrogen and syngas retrofits in high temperature reactors. Currently, she is the project lead for an AEA funded project ‘Catalytic Hydrogen Production via Pyrolysis (CHyPP)’. Prior to this role, she was the chief researcher responsible for technical delivery of the techno-economic assessment of the potential to utilise refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in industrial processes. This project, funded by HILT CRC, assesses the value proposition of entire supply chain of producing hydrogen rich syngas from RDF for its application in cement, alumina and iron production processes. Li also led an industrial collaborated research project evaluating potential to use H2¬ in integrated multi-metals recovery plant, covering process modelling and a preliminary assessment of the technical feasibility, together with a development roadmap for which substantial further work would be required before risks become acceptable. These projects contribute to the development of innovative clean energy technology with strong potential for decarbonisation of cement, iron ore and alumina sectors.