Value Recovery from Agricultural Residues

Project Overview

Large quantities of crop residues are generated annually in grain production systems, yet much of this biomass remains underutilised. This PhD project will investigate innovative approaches to converting maize residues into valuable products through advanced thermochemical processing. The research will focus on a novel two-stage sorption-enhanced gasification system capable of producing hydrogen- and carbon monoxide-rich syngas streams suitable for future fuel and chemical production.

The student will undertake biomass characterisation, reactor-based gasification experiments, gas analysis, and process performance evaluation. Opportunities will also exist to explore co-processing of agricultural plastic residues and assess the environmental and economic feasibility of integrated residue management systems.

This interdisciplinary project offers training in renewable energy technologies, biomass conversion, analytical techniques, and sustainable resource recovery, contributing to the development of circular economy solutions for Australian grain production systems.

Candidate Requirements

We welcome motivated applicants with backgrounds in chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science, or related fields.

• To be competitive in the scholarship ranking process, a GPA above 3.9/4.0 is essential.
• Experience in chemistry or chemical engineering.
• Applicants should demonstrate strong problem-solving ability and a clear interest in interdisciplinary research.

Please email your CV and academic transcripts from both your Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees to Dr Soo-Jean Park at soojean.park@mq.edu.au.

Inquiries submitted without academic transcripts will not be answered.