University of Adelaide will tackle decarbonization challenges

The University of Adelaide is hosting experts from around the world to discuss strategies for tackling current challenges to decarbonise energy-intensive industries such as iron, steel, cement and aluminium.

The annual High Temperature Mineral Processing Forum, to be held from 21 to 23 October 2024, will be chaired by University of Adelaide Professor Gus Nathan, who specializes in thermal power engineering in solar, geothermal and fossil fuel systems. and biofuels.

Nathan says the forum is a popular forum for industry, researchers and government agencies at the forefront of realizing the transition to net zero CO emissions.₂ emissions from high temperature industrial processes.

“We will discuss the latest developments in technology, policy and finance to remove barriers and identify means to further decarbonize energy-intensive, high-temperature process industries that are difficult to reduce emissions from heavy industry,” he says.

“The challenge is complex as there is no one-size-fits-all solution that can be applied to different energy-intensive industries – each with their own requirements that need to be considered if they are to successfully transition away from fossil fuels.”

The forum marks the fourth time that experts from around the world have gathered to discuss how energy-intensive industries can contribute to achieving the 2050 emissions reduction target.

It will showcase the latest research aimed at identifying technology solutions that will help industry make the transition to a zero-emission future, while minimizing the costs and risks associated with new technologies and allowing companies to remain competitive.

Nathan says the goal is for Australian companies to be at the forefront of emerging opportunities.

“Australia has the potential to have cheaper sources of clean zero energy than many other countries,” he says.

“Hydrogen, sourced from either renewables or natural gas, is expected to be in the mix, but carbon capture and reuse, storage and net-zero electrification are also important.

“In the world of the future, neither renewable energy nor hydrogen are cheap to transport, so it is easier to use them to decarbonize the ore where they are located and then ship that product, which is a higher value product than what is currently exported. “

Nathan adds that Australia has the potential to shift from ore exports to value-added green materials that other countries can turn into environmentally friendly products.

Other speakers at the forum include Professor Greg Mehta, who is also conducting research to create a more sustainable future with Professor Alfonso Chinnici and Dr Voya So.

Meta is focused on improving hydrogen production technology, which is key to achieving net-zero emissions targets, while Chinnici’s expertise lies in sustainable heat and mass transfer, as well as jet engineering, combustion science and solar thermal energy.

The University of Adelaide says that by integrating renewable energy into existing industrial processes, Co’s work will enable more sustainable operations and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Nathan says the transition to a low-carbon economy will impact global supply chains and create new opportunities for Australia and other countries with net zero energy and mineral resources.

“Australia currently exports its ore to be processed overseas into raw materials, but we are ideally poised to become a major player in the next 20 to 30 years as a producer of environmentally friendly raw materials such as crude iron and alumina, processing ore using our abundant local renewable energy sources”, he says.

Write to Aaliyah Rogan in Mining.com.au

Images: The University of Adelaide