Environmental Process Engineering

Group Leader: Greg Davis

The Group has scientists and Postdoctoral Fellows with disciplines of mathematics, physics, soil science, hydrology, engineering, analytical and environmental chemistry, geochemistry, biotechnology and microbiology.

We have strong capability in microbial, chemical and geochemical process research and multiphase fluid dynamics – for fundamental understanding of water quality changes in the environment and engineered systems, to devise treatment and management options for pollutants, and for the application of biotechnology, fluid processes and process chemistry in the resources and energy sector.

Our work focuses on the science to manage water quality in urban and industrial water environments to lessen the ecological footprint of urban industries and communities, to improve the health quality and aesthetics of drinking water and water environments, and to understand the role and risks of natural and anthropogenic organic carbon and nitrogen in urban water environments.

Our capabilities

Specific capabilities, IP and know-how related to:

• Microbial processes (e.g., biofilm microbiology, bioreactor processes and JP7 bioleaching patent),
• Geochemical processes (e.g., PhoslockTM and Virtual Curtain patent)
• Fluid flow linked to microbial and geochemical processes (e.g., permeable reactive barriers)
• Fluid flow and mass transport in heterogeneous media and interactions at surface water-groundwater interfaces (e.g., near-coastal groundwater discharge of nutrients and contaminants)
• Multiphase partitioning (e.g., non-aqueous phase mobility, fingerprinting, and vapour risks)
• Instrumentation development and characterisation techniques (e.g., patents for VOC and oxygen probes, and partitioning tracer technologies)
• Density coupled and reactive transport modelling (e.g., use of FEFLOW and development and application of PHT3D)
• Application of multi-component, multi-phase simulators (e.g., UTCHEM and Compflow).
• Advanced analytical methods for assessing risk profiles of partially degraded organic pollutants (PDOPs) and distinguishing them from natural organic carbon.

The Group runs advanced analytical organic chemistry, molecular biology and microbiology laboratories with AQIS Quarantine accreditation and with PC2 Certification, a soil physics laboratory, and a large soil column facility. The Group also has access to and deploys a range of field equipment (e.g., neutron soil moisture meter, water level probes, biofilm monitors and on-line probes) and has access to an auger drilling rig.

The Group has substantial experience and track record at developing management, treatment and remediation solutions for urban and industrial partners – through testing and evaluating these at laboratory and pilot scale.

Specific project information:

• Soil and Water Remediation Project information
• Biogeotechnology for Industry and Land Management project information

Relationships

Major relationships exist with industry (e.g., BP, Rio Tinto, Chevron, BHP Billiton, Alcoa, Iluka, AIP), the Water Corporation of Western Australia, a range of state regulatory agencies (e.g., the Western Australian Department of Environment and Conservation), the National Environmental Protection Council, Defence, CRC CARE, consultants (e.g., URS, RPS, GHD, Coffey Environmental, ERM), and others. We also have research partnerships with academic institutions extend across many countries.

Related Links

• Research Brochure: Assessment and Remediation of Contaminated Environments
• Water for a Healthy Country Flagship
• CRC Contamination Assessment and Remediation of the Environment (CARE)
• CRC Landscape Environments and Mineral Exploration (LEME)