Royal Australian Chemical Institute

This thesis focuses on the development and implementation of an advanced numerical model to investigate complex fluid flow behaviour through novel metal foam heat exchangers used in various industrial applications such as computer heat sinks and air-conditioners. The developed numerical model permits engineers to better optimize heat exchanger designs. Moreover, the project delves into heat exchanger fouling which is a multifaceted issue in the industry. In this regard, a non-toxic and cost-effective anti-fouling heat exchanger fouling is proposed.

Environmental context. The release of chemical substances to the environment was long seen simply as a way to get rid of them from the immediate vicinity of their generation. Until recently there was little consideration that regional or global problems might result. Further, the various releases were studied by specialists who lacked the breadth of knowledge to understand that many of their specialties were linked and that chemical identity, toxicity, bio-accumulation, regional and global weather patterns and some arcane physical chemistry would need to be involved in a comprehensive analysis of the impact of chemicals on the environment.