New partnership for research into clean coal technology

Friday, 1 December 2006

Newcastle Port Corporation is to sponsor a $200,000 research project into clean coal technology at the University of Newcastle.

CEO of Newcastle Port Corporation, Gary Webb, said the Corporation would provide $50,000 for each of the next four years for combustion technology research known as Chemical Looping Combustion.

"Coal plays a key role in our local and national economy. Our aim is to assist researchers through this partnership to find a cleaner way of burning coal," said Mr Webb.

"Newcastle Port Corporation is very pleased to be involved with the University of Newcastle in the research project which will be conducted at the University's recently announced Priority Research Centre for Energy."

University of Newcastle project leader, Associate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi, said the Chemical Looping Combustion research significantly advanced the current approaches to clean coal production.

"The carbon dioxide released during the production of coal is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions," Associate Professor Moghtaderi said.

"Chemical Looping Combustion aims to dramatically increase efficiency in the combustion of coal by capturing carbon dioxide produced during coal production. The process uses metal oxide oxygen carriers to supply necessary amounts of oxygen to complete the combustion of fuel.

"The process is currently suitable for gaseous fuels but this research project will focus on developing suitable oxygen carriers for solid fuels as part of clean coal technology."

Clean coal production is a key research area for the University's Priority Research Centre for Energy. Newcastle Port Corporation sponsorship will allow appointment of a Postdoctoral Research Fellow to work on the research. University of Newcastle Professor Terry Wall will work with Associate Professor Moghtaderi to lead the project.

Energy and Ports Minister Joe Tripodi said the four-year research program was a great collaborative effort between the NSW Government and the University of Newcastle.

"Clean coal research is one of five key actions announced this week as part of the NSW Government's new framework for innovation." he said.

"This is about doing things smarter - about taking the best of the old and improving it with the best of the new.

"The NSW Government is pursuing measures to ensure we retain the benefits of our successful coal industry while at the same time taking steps to reduce the greenhouse emissions associated with coal-fired electricity generation.

"I'd encourage qualified people who are interested in this research to seriously consider applying for the research program."

Photo opportunity:
Associate Professor Behdad Moghtaderi will be available at 2pm for photos and footage

Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD) Laboratory
Rm EBG19,
Engineering Building
University Drive
University of Newcastle

Media contact:
Katie Porritt, Media and Public Relations, University of Newcastle, 02 4921 5120 / 0418 445 888
Keith Powell, Public Affairs, Newcastle Port Corporation, 02 4985 8258 / 0409 304 573