Environment

Climate change drives new focus on tank top protection

As Australia’s drought deepens and the UN warns of the worsening effects of climate change, local industries are moving to protect their water and process fluid tanks from heat stresses, high winds, evaporation, airborne pollution and wastage. “Tanks now are being built to hold their contents more safely and securely than ever before, and protect it for longer and in more challenging operating environments,” says tank bearing engineer and manufacturer Mr David Booty, Manager, Hercules Engineering (a division of Cut To Size Plastics). Steel, concrete and fibreglass water and industrial fluid tanks need secure roofs that can withstand expansion and contraction caused by factors such as increasing climatic and load variations, says Mr Booty, whose company is currently supplying bearings for roofs to protect tanks with surface areas as large as 10,000 sq m (100m x 100m, holding 90ML of water, the equivalent of dozens of Olympic pools). He says such protection is needed for even larger tanks used by industry for applications as diverse as potable, process and firefighting water. “They can hold upwards of 10, 20 or even 30,000 tons of liquid that must be protected from the elements and from pollution to safeguard it for use in water, wastewater, emergency fire protection and high purity industrial processing applications.” A challenge facing developers and operators of buildings and processing plants for industrial and municipal uses is ensuring their top structures can flexibly cope with internal movement from climatically induced expansion, contraction and wind and rain forces. They also must cope with production stresses caused by heavy and changing loads, vibration and other factors encountered within diverse industries – as well as dust, bird droppings, rain-borne impurities and other airborne pollutants that can affect tanks used by industries in remote, rural and grimy urban settings, including industries such […]

Battery technology could slash cost of electric vehicles

A new battery technology that could significantly reduce the price of electric cars and home battery systems has taken a major step towards commercialisation. South Australian researchers from the University of Adelaide have secured an A$1 million research contract with a Chinese battery manufacturer to develop the new technology and bring it to market within 12 months. The patented design uses non-toxic zinc and manganese, two metals that are abundant in Australia, and incombustible aqueous electrolyte to produce a battery with a high-energy density. The researchers estimate the cost of this new electrolytic Zn–Mn battery to be less than US$ 10 per kWh compared with US$ 300 per kWh for current Li-ion batteries, US$ 72 per kWh for Ni–Fe batteries and US$ 48 per kWh for Lead–acid batteries. The battery is designed by Dr Dongliang Chao and Professor Shi-Zhang Qiao from the University of Adelaide’s School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials. The high-energy, safe battery opens up markets where the battery weight, size and safety are essential factors, including automotive and aerospace, and domestic and commercial buildings, and grid-scale energy storage. Dr Chao said although there were other Zn-Mn batteries on the market such as the dry cell, they were not rechargeable or recyclable and did not present high-energy density due to a different chemical reaction mechanism. “I can imagine this battery being used on all vehicle types from small scooters to even diesel electric trains. Also in homes that need batteries to store solar power, or even large solar/wind farms,” he said. “With more sustainable energy being produced – such as through wind and solar farms – storing this energy in batteries in a safe, non-expensive and environmentally sound way is becoming more urgent but current battery materials – including lithium, lead and cadmium – are expensive, hazardous and toxic. “Our new electrolytic battery […]

Activated carbon startup eyes commercial plant

A South Australian startup that has developed a low-cost technique for making activated carbon from agricultural waste will soon begin a capital raising round to fund commercial production. Adelaide-based company ByGen is looking for investment of A$1.5 million to build a full-scale plant capable of producing commercial quantities of activated carbon. Founders Lewis Dunnigan (CEO) and Ben Morton (CTO) established a pilot plant at the University of Adelaide last year, and have experimented with a variety of widely available agricultural wastes including almond shell, sawdust, grape marc and rice husks to produce high quality activated carbon. Activated carbon has a variety of uses including purifying liquids such as drinking water, food and beverage processing, odour removal, remediating contaminated soils and in the precious metals industry. It is traditionally made from coal, wood, or coconut shells, but Dr Dunnigan said he believed ByGen’s product was the first made sustainably from wastes. “We came up with a really low cost, low energy way of making activated carbon and then we realised there was a lot of demand for it, so we’ve commercialised the technology we developed,” he said. Activated carbon has many uses from water purification to soil improvement and mineral processing. “Traditionally you have to make it at about 1000 degrees, using steam or harsh chemicals. We felt like the energy intensive processes in developing countries with non-renewable feedstocks weren’t sustainable, so we tried lots of different Australian agricultural wastes and came up with the ByGen process.” The ByGen process is significantly less energy intensive with quality and yields in-line with existing technologies; four tonnes of agricultural waste produces approximately one tonne of activated carbon, with a value of up to A$2500 a tonne. The process can be done at the source of the waste production to reduce transportation costs and produces activated carbon at […]

Piotrek and CSIRO to make lithium ion batteries for global market

A new partnership between Australia’s national science agency, CSIRO, and Japanese specialist chemical manufacturer, Piotrek, will see Australian-developed battery technologies commercialised globally within the next five years. The collaboration will enable the next generation of lithium battery technologies for portable electronic devices, drones and automotive vehicles, as well as address a critical safety need with lithium batteries by helping prevent battery fires. The two organisations have partnered to develop the next generation of Solid Polymer Electrolytes (SPEs) for lithium batteries using CSIRO’s proprietary RAFT (Reversible Addition-Fragmentation chain Transfer) polymer technology and Piotrek’s Ion Conducting Polymers (ICP). General Manager at Piotrek, Mr Ihei Sada, said combining the CSIRO SPE with Piotrek ICP will give his company a big market advantage. “This partnership will help Piotrek make our batteries safer and more efficient, and with our industry reach, we will get our advanced batteries to the market faster,” Mr Sada said. “Together we will develop the world’s safest, longer life solid state high energy battery.” Solid state batteries are a class of lithium batteries that typically use a lithium metal anode, the highest specific energy of all battery anodes, enabling next generation batteries with twice as much energy than today’s lithium battery technologies. Additionally, there is no volatile or flammable liquids inside a solid state battery that can catch fire at low temperatures if the cell is damaged. CSIRO Battery Research Leader, Dr Adam Best, said that with several companies already active in this field, there are proposals to have solidstate battery enabled devices in the market by 2025, if not sooner. “Our RAFT technology allows us to tune our SPEs’ properties to expandtheir versatility for different types of batteries and fuel cells, and will also significantly reduce the cost of device assembly and manufacture” Dr Best said. CSIRO’s Dr John Chiefari […]

Integrated tech company opens global headquarters in Adelaide

TT Fuel, a technology company manufacturing fuel supply systems, has consolidated its operations in Adelaide while launching a new fuel terminal. Opened by the Premier of South Australia, Steven Marshall, the new headquarters brings together the entire team of TT Fuel into a space that includes engineering, manufacturing, software development and a 24-hour global support desk. The Australian-owned company designs and manufactures fuel storage and handling systems for both industrial and retail customers. The company has grown into a global technology company since being bought by venture entrepreneurs in 1989 from a South Australian university spinoff. TT Fuel Group Director John Casey said they had contemplated moving the company out of South Australia but decided to stay because the state offered an excellent workforce and enviable lifestyle. “The exceptional lifestyle and ease of getting around Adelaide is conducive to creating a congenial workplace that makes it easier to keep the best people,” Casey said. He said that consolidating the company’s workforce at the new HQ in Torrensville, an inner suburb of Adelaide, would help the company fulfil its ambition to expand with new products and software such as its TT8800 Outdoor Payment Terminal, right, and T-POS retail point of sale terminal. Both products were officially launched at the new headquarters. The TT8800 is built to allow for secure automated management of unattended retail refuelling sites, especially in remote locations. It is connected to the 24-hour monitoring system at the new headquarters and is able to handle all types of payment cards so anyone can buy fuel at any time. The T-POS system allows fuel retailers to manage all sales on one screen while monitoring wet and dry stock levels in real time and control the operation of forecourt equipment. TT Fuel systems operate in some of the harshest environments in the world, […]

Manufacturing finalists announced in Victorian Premier’s sustainability awards

A world’s first emissions report for the manufacturing sector and two very diverse manufacturers and have been announced as finalists in this year’s Victorian Premier’s Sustainability Awards. Beyond Zero Emissions’ Electrifying Industry, finalist in the new Environmental Volunteering category, is a report by expert volunteers that shows how to eliminate greenhouse gas emissions from manufacturing. Downer is a finalist in the Large Business category. In partnership with Close the Loop and RED Group, they have created an asphalt pavement material, known as Reconophalt, that incorporates non-traditional repurposed materials to reduce environmental impact without compromising product performance. The asphalt mix also remains perpetually recyclable. (See picture below.) Retub has been announced as a finalist in the Small and Medium Enterprises category for their program Premium Reusable Takeaway Containers. Retub™ is a modern reusable take-away food container that reduces waste in up to three different ways and uses a unique, built-in container exchange program, Reswap. The Premier’s Sustainability Awards is one of Victoria’s major sustainability programs, celebrating people working to reduce the impact of climate change and to create a better future for us all. The interim CEO of Sustainability Victoria, Carl Muller, congratulated finalists for their innovative work, building a more sustainable environment for current and future generations. “Delivering these Awards means we continue to discover and celebrate the talent and enthusiasm Victorians have for thinking creatively about new models of sustainability,” he said. “The Awards, now in their 17th year, acknowledge leadership, innovation and achievement. Each finalist is commended for improving sustainable outcomes across business, government, education, health and within the community.” Winners will be announced at the Awards ceremony on Thursday 10 October at Forum Melbourne. The Premier of Victoria, Daniel Andrews, will personally select the winners of the Premier’s Regional Recognition Award and the Premier’s Recognition Award, which […]

Environment takes action on synthetic greenhouse gas offenders

The Department of the Environment and Energy has recently fined two companies and an individual for offences under the Ozone Protection and Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Management Act 1989. A New South Wales-based company has been fined $12,600 for importing a bus with an air conditioning system containing HFC-134a, a synthetic greenhouse gas, without an appropriate licence. HFC-134a is a hydrofluorocarbon – a type of synthetic greenhouse gas commonly used as a refrigerant in refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment, including in vehicles. Synthetic greenhouse gases trap heat in the atmosphere, and HFC-134a has a global warming potential of 1,430, meaning it traps 1,430 times more heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. The import into Australia of equipment containing these substances is prohibited unless the correct licence or exemption is held. The company involved is a major automotive retailer and was aware of its obligations under the Act at the time it imported the bus. A Victorian-based company has been fined $12,600 for importing a pool heat pump containing HFC-410A without an appropriate licence. The company was unaware of its obligations under the Act. Head of the Department’s Office of Compliance, Monica Collins, said: “Reducing emissions of synthetic greenhouse gases and ozone depleting substances is a priority area for the Department. “We work with the Australian Border Force to monitor and inspect imported and exported goods to ensure compliance with the Act and where appropriate undertake enforcement activities. “Importers and customs brokers should check import requirements for synthetic greenhouse gases or ozone depleting substances, including when they are contained in equipment, before importing or exporting goods. “It is advisable to allow adequate time to apply for a licence or exemption as this may take up to 60 days”. A New South Wales-based refrigeration mechanic has been fined $2,520 for discharging a scheduled […]

Schaeffler-supported UNSW Hyperloop engineers excel in SpaceX high-speed pod competition

A competition highlight: UNSW undergraduate engineers – who recently competed in the SpaceX Hyperloop pod competition – got to meet technology entrepreneur, Elon Musk Schaeffler Australia – part of the global digitalisation and Industry 4.0 leading Schaeffler Group – is taking a further step to enhance ‘mobility for tomorrow’ through its support of the UNSW Hyperloop engineering team. UNSW Hyperloop – which comprises a team of undergraduate engineering students aspiring to innovate the future of high speed travel – recently competed in the SpaceX Hyperloop pod competition, where they placed 7th overall – the best result for a newcomer to the competition. “As a company at the forefront of Industry 4.0 technologies, we are proud to partner with these bright young engineers, who have excelled in their first official Hyperloop pod competition,” said Mr Andre Kluge, Managing Director, Schaeffler Australia. The SpaceX Hyperloop pod competition’s goal is “to support the development of functional prototypes and encourage innovation by challenging student teams to design and build the best high-speed pod.” “In addition to placing 7th out of 21 teams, the UNSW Hyperloop team were the first ever team to successfully complete a self-propelled test run at a first appearance at competition level. However, I think the highlight for many students was getting to meet Elon Musk in person!” said Mr Kluge. SpaceX Hyperloop 2019 The SpaceX Hyperloop 2019 competition was judged on the entrant’s pod’s maximum speed reached, with successful deceleration (i.e. without crashing). All pods were self-propelled and had to use their own communication system. Previous winners of the competition have reached speeds of 284 mph (approx. 457 km/h) in SpaceX’s specially designed tunnel. 2019’s winner – Technical University of Munich – was also supported by Schaeffler, and managed to break that record and achieved 288 mph (463 km/h). UNSW […]

Specialised service for safe noise output from large machinery

Manufacturer and engineered solutions provider for industry, Minetek, now has a ‘Sound’ division to ensures large mobile machinery used in the resources sector meets all relevant compliance laws and is expected to save operators considerable money in the process. Specialising in equipment such as trucks, diggers, excavators, drills, loaders, dozers and the like, Minetek Sound’s expertly engineered sound attenuation reduces noise by intelligently treating the noise sources in the most effective way. According to Minetek’s Mr Richard McAlpin, by solving problems at the source and through correct engineered designs, there are several clear benefits beyond just sound attenuation. These include: Prevention of overheating through engineered designs. Ease of maintenance Less downtime Compliance with strict government regulators Reduction of fines Improved community relations “Mines are 24/7 operations, and anyone working or living near a 24/7 source of mining noise can, without realising it, suffer hearing and physiological damage,” said Mr McAlpin. “WorkCover statistics show up to 3,000 workers’ compensation payouts each year for deafness attributed to large mining machinery, so the threat to hearing is very real and in need of attention. “More often than not, in the course of treating the cause of sound pollution on vehicles, we also lower the risk of the vehicle over-heating. “And because we keep the machines maintained according to maintenance guidelines proved by Minetek, we find that maintenance and downtime is heavily reduced which is positive for the operator. “Ultimately though, the fact that fines become far less frequent and the local community benefits are the real clinchers.” These are complete turnkey solutions to noise problems generated by just about any large diesel machinery. Intense and detailed noise studies and testing is performed in all areas. Minetek looks at a number of scenarios to provide an overall increase in airflow and improved performance. Minetek […]

Renewables still setting strong pace in South Australia

The April shelving of a major solar thermal plant has done little to slow the pace of renewable energy projects being proposed in South Australia. Andrew Spence In the past three months, applications for almost 1.7 gigawatts of renewable energy generation across six projects have been assessed by the South Australian Government’s State Planning Commission. Of these, the 280MW Cultana Solar Farm – the first large scale project in billionaire industrialist Sanjeev Gupta’s plan to generate one gigawatt of dispatchable renewable energy in South Australia – was approved by State Planning Minister Stephan Knoll last month. The other five projects still awaiting ministerial consent include: RES Australia 176MW solar farm and 66MW battery storage facility near Murray Bridge; Neoen Australia(Crystal Brook Energy Park) 125MW windfarm, 150MW Solar Farm and 130MW lithium-ion battery near Crystal Brook; Energy Projects Solar (Bungama Solar) 280 MW solar PV and 140MW battery storage plant to integrate into the National Electricity Market through a 275 kV connection to ElectraNet’s Bungama Substation near Port Pirie; Energy Projects Solar staged development of a 500MW solar farm with 250MW storage near Robertstown, and; RES Australia (Twin Creek Wind Farm Project) 183MW wind and 50MW battery storage near Kapunda. Two other South Australian projects – the 95MW Tailem Bend Solar Project and stage one of the 220MW Bungala Solar Farm near Port Augusta started exporting power to the national grid earlier this year. There are also dozens of micro solar farms up to 5MW being constructed across the state. South Australia is home to Tesla’s 100MW/129MWh battery, which became the “world’s largest lithium-ion battery” when it was installed at Neoen’s Hornsdale Wind Farm in December 2017. South Australia already leads the nation in the uptake of wind energy and roof-top solar with renewable sources accounting for more than 50 per cent of the electricity generated in the state. However, […]

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