Woei Saw

Research Interests

Energy Generation, Conversion and Storage Engineering Renewable Power Renewable energy Mineral Processing/Beneficiation Industrial engineering Solar-thermal energy

APrf Woei Saw

Associate Professor

School of Chemical Engineering

College of Engineering and Information Technology

Woei Saw is an Associate Professor in the School of Chemical Engineering at the University of Adelaide (UA). He has demonstrated a good track record in the development and demonstration of novel technology in the decarbonisation of high-temperature industrial processes. For example, he has developed a patent on net-zero steam alumina calcination, which allows steam generated from the alumina calcination process to be recovered and utilised in the bauxite digestion within the Bayer process. Currently, he is leading a HILT-CRC project to perform a preliminary assessment of technical and economic feasibility of low carbon alumina calcination via electrification or hydrogen pathway.He has research and hands on experience in designing and operating pilot scale systems, and expertise relevant to thermal conversion technologies. He has been heavily involved in concentrated solar thermal (CST) research projects funded by ARENA. For example, he co-led the development of process integration (including techno-economic assessment) of CST plant and high-temperature storage into alumina calcination process and contributed to scaling up of and lab-scale demonstration of the UA solar expanding vortex receiver (SEVR).Furthermore, he is working towards on a transformation of agricultural waste through the development of technologies to produce value-adding energy co-products. The work targets on converting organic matter to both ‘liquid smoke’ and much more energy dense and stable ‘bio-coal’. He is also target on the development of solar gasification technologies that convert agricultural products to solar syngas or solar fuels that can be transported as liquids (green biodiesel). These technologies are delivering a low-cost route to a sustainable and carbon neutral fuel to replace both conventional diesel and kerosene.

Research Interests 

  • Net-zero Alumina Production
  • Net-zero Cement Production
  • Process modelling, Process Integration and Techno-economic assessment 
  • Ash chemistry
  • Concentrated solar thermal for power generation, liquid fuel production and mineral processing 
  • Gasification of biomass/refuse-derived fuel (DRF) for production of synthetic gas (H2,CO) for liquid fuels or H2
  • Waste (including Food waste) to value
  • Torrefaction and pyrolysis of biomass for high value products
  • High temperature thermal energy storage

Date Position Institution name
2025 - ongoing Associate Professor University of Adelaide
2022 - 2024 Senior Lecturer University of Adelaide
2020 - ongoing Deputy Director of Internationalisation University of Adelaide
2020 - 2022 Lecturer University of Adelaide
2017 - 2022 Senior Research Fellow University of Adelaide, Adelaide
2013 - 2017 Research Fellow University of Adelaide
2009 - 2013 Research Fellow University of Canterbury, Christchurch

Language Competency
Chinese (Mandarin) Can read, write and speak
English Can read, write, speak, understand spoken and peer review
Malay Can read, write and speak

Date Institution name Country Title
2009 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia PhD
2004 University of Adelaide, Adelaide Australia BE Mechatronics

Year Citation
2026 Jiang, C., Li, Q., Saldivia, D., Liu, X., Saw, W., Eissa, A. O., & Taylor, R. A. (2026). The effect of optical properties and heating rates on the solar-driven Bayer process: An experimental and numerical analysis. RENEWABLE ENERGY, 259, 13 pages.
DOI
2026 Ning, S., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., & Saw, W. L. (2026). Techno-economic assessment of integrated steam cleaning and recovery from alumina calcination. Chemical Engineering Journal, 529, 15 pages.
DOI
2026 Lin, Y., Lee, L., Leow, C. Y., Cook, N. J., Saw, W., Nathan, G. J., & Chinnici, A. (2026). Influence of Ore Mineralogy on the Performance of High-Flux Radiation-Assisted Beneficiation of Low-Grade Iron Ores: A Comparative Experimental Study. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B Process Metallurgy and Materials Processing Science, 17 pages.
DOI
2026 O’Hara, R. L., Lewis, E. W., Cook, N. J., Li, G., Saw, W., Arjomandi, M., . . . Chinnici, A. (2026). High-Flux Radiation-Driven Beneficiation of Low-Grade Iron Ore: Impact on Separation Performance and Grinding Energy Requirements. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B Process Metallurgy and Materials Processing Science, 17 pages.
DOI
2026 Chishty, M. A., Katoch, A., Saw, W., Evans, M. J., Medwell, P. R., Nathan, G. J., & Chinnici, A. (2026). Combustion performance, flame structure and EINO scaling of an industrial burner with high excess air fired with natural gas, hydrogen and blends: a numerical study. Applications in Energy and Combustion Science, 26, 100475-1-100475-13.
DOI
2026 Metha, G. F., Holford, S. P., Shearer, C., Saw, W., Sun, Z., & Nathan, G. J. (2026). A comparison of current and emerging net-zero hydrogen production technologies: a perspective drawn from the international HyPT forum. Frontiers in Energy Research, 14.
DOI
2025 Lewis, E., Wetzler, Z., Li, G., Saw, W., Nathan, G., Kennedy, E., . . . Chinnici, A. (2025). Thermal treatment of lizardite for mineral carbonation using high flux radiation. Fuel, 386, 10 pages.
DOI Scopus3 WoS4
2025 Mokhtarani, B., Jafarian, M., Sabah, S., Dufty, T., Brooks, G., Saw, W., . . . Nathan, G. J. (2025). New Insights Into Hydrogen Reduction of Hematite in an Indirectly Heated Flash Reactor from Measurements and First-Order Modeling. METALLURGICAL AND MATERIALS TRANSACTIONS B-PROCESS METALLURGY AND MATERIALS PROCESSING SCIENCE, 56(2), 14 pages.
DOI Scopus6 WoS4
2025 Ngo, N. K., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., Hosseini, T., & Saw, W. (2025). Techno-Economic Assessment of Char Separation in a Solar-Driven Gasifier for Hydrogen Production. Energy and Fuels, 39(9), 4331-4349.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2025 Lin, Y., Lee, L., Lewis, E., Cook, N., Saw, W., Nathan, G. J., & Chinnici, A. (2025). Thermally Assisted Beneficiation of Low-Grade Iron Ore Powder: Influence of Heating Rate on Upgrade, Microstructure, and Mineralogy. Metallurgical and Materials Transactions B: Process Metallurgy and Materials Processing Science, 56(5), 5045-5059.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2025 Lee, L., Ingenhoven, P., Saw, W., & Nathan, G. J. (2025). The effect of scale, storage capacity and thermal transmission losses on the techno-economics of supplying high-temperature industrial process heat with concentrated solar thermal energy. Solar Energy, 299, 11 pages.
DOI
2024 Rafique, M. M., Saw, W., Lee, L., Ingenhoven, P., & Nathan, G. (2024). Performance assessment of a system to provide steady high temperature air via solar thermal suspension flow technology with storage and combustion back-up. Solar Energy, 268, 112270.
DOI Scopus2 WoS1
2024 Lee, L., Ingenhoven, P., Saw, W. L., & Nathan, G. J. (2024). The techno-economics of transmitting heat at high temperatures in insulated pipes over large distances. Applied Energy, 358, 122634-1-122634-12.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7
2024 Ngo, N. K., Smith, T., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., Hosseini, T., Beath, A., . . . Saw, W. L. (2024). Techno-Economic Evaluation of Solar Hybridized Biomass Gasification Polygeneration Plants. Energy & Fuels, 38(3), 2058-2073.
DOI Scopus6 WoS6
2024 Ngo, N. K., Nathan, G. J., Ashman, P. J., Hosseini, T., Beath, A., & Saw, W. L. (2024). Techno-Economic Potential of a Polygeneration System Integrated with Conventional or Hybrid Solar Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification Technology in an Australian Sugar Mill. Energy and Fuels, 38(12), 10972-10992.
DOI Scopus5 WoS5
2023 Lee, L., Saw, W., Lewis, E., Nathan, G. J., & Chinnici, A. (2023). Novel Use of Concentrated Solar Thermal Energy for Producing Highly Thermal Activated Materials for CCUS via Mineral Carbonation of Mine Waste. SOLARPACES 2023, 29TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER, THERMAL, AND CHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS, 2, 7 pages.
DOI
2023 Ngo, N. K., Hosseini, T., Ashman, P. J., Nathan, G. J., & Saw, W. L. (2023). A Technical-Economic Assessment of Producing Hydrogen and Biofuels via Gasification of Biomass in Solar Hybridised Dual Fluidised Bed. SOLARPACES 2023, 29TH INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON CONCENTRATING SOLAR POWER, THERMAL, AND CHEMICAL ENERGY SYSTEMS, 2, 9 pages.
DOI
2023 Al Smadi, E., Saw, W., Chinnici, A., Dally, B., & Nathan, G. J. (2023). Effect of heating rate on the kinetics of gibbsite calcination. Chemical Engineering Science, 268, 118444-1-118444-11.
DOI Scopus10 WoS10
2023 ‘Gus’ Nathan, G. J., Lee, L., Ingenhoven, P., Tian, Z., Sun, Z., Chinnici, A., . . . Saw, W. (2023). Pathways to the use of concentrated solar heat to drive high temperature industrial processes. Solar Compass, 5, 100036-1-100036-16.
DOI Scopus28
2023 Ingenhoven, P., Lee, L., Saw, W., Rafique, M. M., Potter, D., & Nathan, G. J. (2023). Techno-economic assessment from a transient simulation of a concentrated solar thermal plant to deliver high-temperature industrial process heat. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 185, 1-17.
DOI Scopus26 WoS22
2022 Li, G., Nathan, G. J., Kuba, M., Skoglund, N., Ashman, P. J., & Saw, W. L. (2022). Agglomeration of Olivine with Potassium- or Silicon-Rich Agricultural Residues under Conditions Relevant to Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification. Energy and Fuels, 36(23), 14253-14266.
DOI Scopus4 WoS1
2022 Li, G., Nathan, G. J., Kuba, M., Ashman, P. J., & Saw, W. L. (2022). Calcite or Kaolinite Addition for Mitigating Bed Agglomeration during Combustion and Steam Gasification of Potassium-Rich Agricultural Residues with Olivine as the Bed Material. Energy and Fuels, 36(23), 14267-14280.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2022 Tang, Y., Sun, Z., Tian, Z., Lau, T., Chinnici, A., Saw, W., & Nathan, G. J. (2022). Experimental and numerical investigation on the geometric parameters of an open-to-atmosphere vortex-based solar particle receiver. Solar Energy, 243, 315-326.
DOI Scopus1 WoS1
2022 Rafique, M. M., Nathan, G., & Saw, W. (2022). Thermal response of multilayered refractory-lined solar receivers to transient operation. Solar Energy, 243, 70-80.
DOI Scopus7 WoS4
2022 Rafique, M. M., Nathan, G., & Saw, W. (2022). Annual thermal performance of a high temperature refractory-lined particle-laden solar receiver operating above 1000 °C. Renewable Energy, 197, 1081-1093.
DOI Scopus10 WoS7
2022 Chinnici, A., Davis, D., Lau, T. C. W., Ang, D., Troiano, M., Saw, W. L., . . . Nathan, G. J. (2022). Measured global thermal performance of a directly irradiated suspension-flow solar particle receiver with an open aperture. Solar Energy, 231, 185-193.
DOI Scopus3 WoS3
2022 Ang, D., Chinnici, A., Tian, Z. F., Saw, W. L., & Nathan, G. J. (2022). Influence of particle loading, Froude and Stokes number on the global thermal performance of a vortex-based solar particle receiver. Renewable Energy, 184, 201-214.
DOI Scopus8 WoS5
2022 Tang, Y., Sun, Z., Tian, Z., Chinnici, A., Lau, T., Saw, W., & Nathan, G. J. (2022). Direct measurements and prediction of the particle egress from a vortex-based solar cavity receiver with an open aperture. Solar Energy, 235, 105-117.
DOI Scopus4 WoS3
2022 Profaiser, A., Saw, W., Nathan, G. J., & Ingenhoven, P. (2022). Bottom-Up Estimates of the Cost of Supplying High-Temperature Industrial Process Heat from Intermittent Renewable Electricity and Thermal Energy Storage in Australia. Processes, 10(6), 1-16.
DOI Scopus10 WoS7
2021 Silakhori, M., Jafarian, M., Chinnici, A., Saw, W., Venkataraman, M., Lipiński, W., & Nathan, G. J. (2021). Effects of steam on the kinetics of calcium carbonate calcination. Chemical Engineering Science, 246, 1-7.
DOI Scopus42 WoS38
2021 Xu, C., Liu, Y., Zhang, Q., Xin, T., Zhao, R., Wang, M., . . . Lu, S. (2021). Thermodynamic analysis of a novel biomass polygeneration system for ammonia synthesis and power generation using Allam power cycle. Energy Conversion and Management, 247, 114746.
DOI Scopus66 WoS62
2021 Li, G., Nathan, G. J., Kuba, M., Ashman, P. J., & Saw, W. L. (2021). Interactions of Olivine and Silica Sand with Potassium- or Silicon-Rich Agricultural Residues under Combustion, Steam Gasification, and CO₂ Gasification. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 60(39), 14354-14369.
DOI Scopus6 WoS7
2021 Rafique, M. M., Nathan, G., & Saw, W. (2021). A mathematical model to assess the influence of transients on a refractory-lined solar receiver. Renewable Energy, 167, 217-235.
DOI Scopus15 WoS9
2020 Davis, D., Troiano, M., Chinnici, A., Saw, W. L., Lau, T., Solimene, R., . . . Nathan, G. J. (2020). Particle residence time distributions in a vortex-based solar particle receiver-reactor: An experimental, numerical and theoretical study. Chemical Engineering Science, 214(article no. 115421), 1-14.
DOI Scopus19 WoS17
2020 He, Z., Saw, W. L., Van Eyk, P. J., Nathan, G. J., & Ashman, P. J. (2020). Interactions between Quartz Sand and Wood Doped with either K or Na Salts under Steam Gasification and Combustion Atmospheres. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 59(4), 1712-1722.
DOI Scopus13 WoS13
2020 He, Z., Saw, W. L., Van Eyk, P. J., Nathan, G. J., & Ashman, P. J. (2020). Effect of Calcium and Phosphorus on Interactions between Quartz Sand and K-Salt-Doped Wood under Both Steam Gasification and Combustion Atmospheres. Energy and Fuels, 34(3), 3210-3222.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12
2019 Davis, D., Jafarian, M., Chinnici, A., Saw, W., & Nathan, G. (2019). Thermal performance of vortex-based solar particle receivers for sensible heating. Solar Energy, 177, 163-177.
DOI Scopus30 WoS24
2019 Davis, D., Troiano, M., Chinnici, A., Saw, W., Lau, T. C., Solimene, R., . . . Nathan, G. (2019). Particle residence time distributions in a vortex-based solar particle receiver-reactor: the influence of receiver tilt angle. Solar Energy, 190, 126-138.
DOI Scopus12 WoS12
2019 He, Z., Saw, W. L., Lane, D. J., van Eyk, P. J., de Nys, R., Nathan, G. J., & Ashman, P. J. (2019). The ash-quartz sand interaction behaviours during steam gasification or combustion of a freshwater and a marine species of macroalgae. Fuel, 263, 12 pages.
DOI Scopus15 WoS14
2018 Nathan, G., Jafarian, M., Dally, B., Saw, W., Ashman, P., Hu, E., & Steinfeld, A. (2018). Solar thermal hybrids for combustion power plant: A growing opportunity. Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 64, 4-28.
DOI Scopus130 WoS110
2018 He, Z., Lane, D., Saw, W., van Eyk, P., Nathan, G., & Ashman, P. (2018). Ash-bed material interaction during combustion and steam gasification of Australian agricultural residues. Energy and Fuels, 32(4), 4278-4290.
DOI Scopus24 WoS22
2017 Guo, P., Saw, W., Van Eyk, P., Stechel, E., Ashman, P., & Nathan, G. (2017). System optimization for Fischer-Tropsch liquid fuels production via solar hybridized dual fluidized bed gasification of solid fuels. Energy and Fuels, 31(2), 2033-2043.
DOI Scopus22 WoS22
2017 Guo, P., Saw, W., Van Eyk, P., Stechel, E., De Nys, R., Ashman, P., & Nathan, G. (2017). Gasification reactivity and physicochemical properties of the chars from raw and torrefied wood, grape marc, and macroalgae. Energy and Fuels, 31(3), 2246-2259.
DOI Scopus26 WoS26
2017 Davis, D., Müller, F., Saw, W., Steinfeld, A., & Nathan, G. (2017). Solar-driven alumina calcination for CO₂ mitigation and improved product quality. Green Chemistry, 19(13), 2992-3005.
DOI Scopus47 WoS43
2017 Saw, W. L., Guo, P., van Eyk, P. J., Nathan, G. J., & van Eyk, P. J. (2017). Approaches to accommodate resource variability in the modelling of solar driven gasification processes for liquid fuels synthesis. Solar Energy, 156, 101-112.
DOI Scopus21 WoS22
2016 Hongrapipat, J., Pang, S., & Saw, W. (2016). Removal of NH₃ and H₂S from producer gas in a dual fluidised bed steam gasifier by optimisation of operation conditions and application of bed materials. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 6(1), 105-113.
DOI Scopus14 WoS10
2015 Hongrapipat, J., Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2015). Co-gasification of blended lignite and wood pellets in a dual fluidized bed steam gasifier: the influence of lignite to fuel ratio on NH₃ and H₂S concentrations in the producer gas. Fuel, 139, 494-501.
DOI Scopus26 WoS24
2015 Lim, M., Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2015). Estimation of Solids Circulation Rate from Risers at High Solids-to-Gas Density Ratios. Chemical Engineering Communications, 202(3), 356-360.
DOI Scopus3 WoS1
2015 Lim, M., Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2015). Effect of fluidizing velocity on gas bypass and solid fraction in a dual fluidized bed gasifier and a cold model. Particuology, 18, 58-65.
DOI Scopus15 WoS14
2015 Guo, P., Van Eyk, P., Saw, W., Ashman, P., Nathan, G., & Stechel, E. (2015). Performance assessment of Fischer-Tropsch liquid fuels production by solar hybridized dual fluidized bed gasification of lignite. Energy & Fuels, 29(4), 2738-2751.
DOI Scopus38 WoS39
2015 Kueh, K., Nathan, G., & Saw, W. (2015). Storage capacities required for a solar thermal plant to avoid unscheduled reductions in output. Solar Energy, 118, 209-221.
DOI Scopus43 WoS26
2014 Hongrapipat, J., Yip, A., Marshall, A., Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2014). Investigation of simultaneous removal of ammonia and hydrogen sulphide from producer gas in biomass gasification by titanomagnetite. Fuel, 135, 235-242.
DOI Scopus23 WoS19
2014 Mwandila, G., Pang, S., & Saw, W. (2014). Semiempirical determination of overall volumetric molar transfer coefficient for the scrubbing of gaseous tars in biodiesel. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 53(11), 4424-4428.
DOI Scopus5
2013 Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2013). Co-gasification of blended lignite and wood pellets in a 100 kW dual fluidised bed steam gasifier: the influence of lignite ratio on producer gas composition and tar content. Fuel, 112, 117-124.
DOI Scopus83 WoS79
2012 Hongrapipat, J., Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2012). Removal of ammonia from producer gas in biomass gasification: integration of gasification optimisation and hot catalytic gas cleaning. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2(4), 327-348.
DOI Scopus30 WoS30
2012 Saw, W., McKinnon, H., Gilmour, I., & Pang, S. (2012). Production of hydrogen-rich syngas from steam gasification of blend of biosolids and wood using a dual fluidised bed gasifier. Fuel, 93(1), 473-478.
DOI Scopus50 WoS48
2012 Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2012). Influence of mean gas residence time in the bubbling fluidised bed on the performance of a 100-kW dual fluidised bed steam gasifier. Biomass Conversion and Biorefinery, 2(3), 197-205.
DOI Scopus15 WoS12
2012 Saw, W., & Pang, S. (2012). The influence of calcite loading on producer gas composition and tar concentration of radiata pine pellets in a dual fluidised bed steam gasifier. Fuel, 102, 445-452.
DOI Scopus22 WoS18
2010 Saw, W., Hupa, M., Nathan, G., & Ashman, P. (2010). Influence of stoichiometry on the release of atomic sodium from a burning black liquor droplet in a flat flame with and without boron. Fuel, 89(9), 2608-2616.
DOI Scopus2 WoS2
2010 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., & Hupa, M. (2010). Influence of droplet size on the release of atomic sodium from a burning black liquor droplet in a flat flame. Fuel, 89(8), 1840-1848.
DOI Scopus8 WoS7
2010 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., Alwahabi, Z., & Hupa, M. (2010). Simultaneous measurement of the surface temperature and the release of atomic sodium from a burning black liquor droplet. Combustion and Flame, 157(4), 769-777.
DOI Scopus12 WoS10
2009 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., & Alwahabi, Z. (2009). Assessment of the release of atomic Na from a burning black liquor droplet using quantitative PLIF. Combustion and Flame, 156(7), 1471-1479.
DOI Scopus13 WoS11
2009 Saw, W., Forssen, M., Hupa, M., Nathan, G., & Ashman, P. (2009). The influence of boron on the emission of sodium during black liquor combustion under oxidative conditions. Appita Journal, 62(3), 219-225.
Scopus2 WoS2

Year Citation
2023 Ang, D., Tang, Y., Chinnici, A., Tian, Z. F., Saw, W. L., Lau, T., . . . Nathan, G. J. (2023). Thermal performance analysis of a scaled-up suspension flow receiver for generation of industrial process heat: A computational study. In THE INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON BATTERY FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY AND ELECTRIC VEHICLES (ICB-REV) 2022 Vol. 2815 (pp. 1-7). Online: AIP Publishing.
DOI Scopus1
2023 Nathan, G. J., Saw, W., Ingenhoven, P., Lee, L., Tian, Z., Sun, Z., . . . Ashman, P. (2023). The Role of Hydrogen in Net-Zero, High Temperature Industrial Processes. In Australian Hydrogen Research Conference, AHRC2023.
2023 Saldivia, D., Saw, W., Chinnici, A., Ingenhoven, P., & Taylor, R. A. (2023). Optical Optimization of Beam Down Receiver Geometry for High Temperature Heat Processes Using the MCRT Method. In AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 2815 (pp. 100010). Online: AIP Publishing.
DOI
2023 Rafique, M. M., Saw, W., & Nathan, G. (2023). Impacts of Covering the Aperture of Refractory-Lined Solar Receiver During Shutdown. In AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 2815 (pp. 100008). Online: AIP Publishing.
DOI
2021 Ingenhoven, P., Saw, W., Chinnici, A., Potter, D., Nathan, G., Rafique, M. M., . . . Jafarian, M. (2021). Energetic Assessment of a High Temperature Packed Bed Storage System in Combination with a Solar Expanding-Vortex Particle Receiver. In Proceedings of the ISES Solar World Congress 2021 (pp. 858-867). Virtual conference: International Solar Energy Society.
DOI Scopus2
2020 Rafique, M. M., Nathan, G., & Saw, W. (2020). Uncertainty in predicting the start-up time and losses for a high temperature particle receiver due to solar resource variability. In ASME 2020 14th International Conference on Energy Sustainability, ES 2020 (pp. 1-8). online: ASME.
DOI Scopus5 WoS2
2020 Chinnici, A., Davis, D., Lau, T. C. W., Tian, Z. F., Saw, W., & Nathan, G. J. (2020). First-of-a-kind investigation on performance of a directly-irradiated windowless vortex-based particle receiver. In AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 2303 (pp. 1-7). online: AIP Publishing.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2020 Saw, W. L., Naufal, A., Sandoval, A. B., Beath, A., Lovegrove, K., van Eyk, P., . . . Nathan, G. (2020). Technical feasibility of integrating concentrating solar thermal energy in the Bayer alumina process. In AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 2303 (pp. 1-8). online: AIP.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2019 Saw, W. L., Guo, P., Ashman, P. J., Nathan, G. J., & Lim, S. (2019). Performance Assessment of a Vertical Pneumatic Conveying System for High Temperature Solar Particle Receivers Using a New Correlation for Minimum Transport Boundary. In Fluidization XVI (pp. 391-393).
2019 Guo, P., Ly, Q. H., Saw, W. L., Lim, K. S., Ashman, P. J., & Nathan, G. J. (2019). A technical assessment of pneumatic conveying of solids for a high temperature particle receiver. In AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 2126 (pp. 1-8). online: AIP.
DOI Scopus6 WoS3
2018 Davis, D., Chinnici, A., Saw, W., Lau, T., & Nathan, G. (2018). Particle residence time distributions in a solar vortex receiver. In Proceedings of the 2017 Asia Pacific Solar Research Conference (APSRC) (pp. 1-13). Melbourne, Australia: Australian PV Institute.
2017 Coventry, J., Arjomandi, M., Asselineau, C., Chinnici, A., Corsi, C., Davis, D., . . . Saw, W. (2017). Development of ASTRI high-temperature solar receivers. In AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 1850 (pp. 030011-1-030011-9). Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates: AMER INST PHYSICS.
DOI Scopus7 WoS7
2016 Hinkley, J., McNaughton, R., Pye, J., Saw, W., & Stechel, E. (2016). The challenges and opportunities for integration of solar syngas production with liquid fuel synthesis. In V. Rajpaul, & C. Richter (Eds.), AIP Conference Proceedings Vol. 1734 (pp. 8 pages). Cape Town, SOUTH AFRICA: AIP.
DOI Scopus6 WoS5
2015 Saw, W., Kaniyal, A., Van Eyk, P., Nathan, G., & Ashman, P. (2015). Solar Hybridized Coal-to-liquids via Gasification in Australia: Techno-economic Assessment. In Z. Wang (Ed.), Energy Procedia Vol. 69 (pp. 1819-1827). Beijing, PEOPLES R CHINA: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.
DOI Scopus14 WoS13
2015 Guo, P., Saw, W., Van Eyk, P., Ashman, P., Nathan, G., & Stechel, E. (2015). Fischer-tropsch liquid Fuel Production by Co-gasification of Coal and Biomass in a Solar Hybrid Dual Fluidized Bed Gasifier. In Z. Wang (Ed.), Energy Procedia Vol. 69 (pp. 1770-1779). Beijing, PEOPLES R CHINA: ELSEVIER SCIENCE BV.
DOI Scopus13 WoS12
2012 Saw, W., Hongrapipat, J., & Pang, S. (2012). Effect of steam to biomass ratio and calcite bed material on the performance of a 100kwth dual fluidised bed gasifier. In Chemeca 2012: Quality of life through chemical engineering: 23-26 September 2012, Wellington, New Zealand (pp. 308-318). Barton, A.C.T., Australia: Engineers Australia.
2009 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., & Hupa, M. (2009). Influence of droplet size on the release of atomic sodium during the combustion of black liquor. In Proceedings of the Australian Combustion Symposium 2009 (pp. 163-166). CD: University of Queensland.
2009 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., Alwahabi, Z., & Hupa, M. (2009). Surface temperature measurement of a burning black liquor droplet using two-colour optical pyrometry. In Proceedings of the Australian Combustion Symposium 2009 (pp. 167-170). CD: University of Queensland.
2008 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., & Alwahabi, Z. (2008). Assessment of the release of high concentration Na using quantitative PLIF. In P. O'Neill (Ed.), Proceeding of the Fifth Australian conference on laser diagnostics in fluid mechanics and combustion (pp. 67-70). Australia: UWA.
2007 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Ashman, P., Alwahabi, Z., Forssen, M., & Hupa, M. (2007). Assessment of the release of sodium from a burning liquor droplet using planar laser-induced fluorescence (PLIF) and smelt analysis. In Andrew Jones (Ed.), Proceedings of the 2007 International Chemical Recovery Conference (pp. 97-100). Canada: PAPTAC.
2007 Saw, W., Hupa, M., Ashman, P., Nathan, G., Forssen, M., & Alwahabi, Z. (2007). Insight into the fate of atomic sodium from black liquor combustion in a flat flame using equilibrium calculations. In A. Masri, K. Sendt, P. Nelson, & P. Yaroshchyk (Eds.), Proceedings of the Australian Combustion Symposium 2007 (pp. 118-121). Australia: The Combustion Institute.
2006 Saw, W., Nathan, G., Alwahabi, Z., Ashman, P., Forssen, M., & Hupa, M. (2006). Preliminary investigation on the release rate of atomic sodium from combustion of black liquor. In Caroline Lemerle (Ed.), Proceedings of Bioenergy Australia 2006 (pp. 1-8). Australia: Bioenergy Australia.
    • 2023-2024, Utilisation of RDF in industrial processes: understanding the value proposition, risks and supply chains, (CIs, Saw, Nathan, Ashman, Chinnici, Li), HILT-CRC

    $155,000

    		  
    • 2023, New Colombo Plan Mobility Gran, (CI, Saw), Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

    $66,000

     
    • 2022-2023, Preliminary assessment of technical and economic feasibility of key options for low carbon alumina calcination, (CIs, Saw, Ingenhoven, Chinnici, Ashman, van Eyk, Jafarian, Nathan), HILT-CRC

    $155,682

     
    • 2022, Technical assessment of using hydrogen as a substitute (CIs, Saw, Bezuidenhout, Nathan, Smith)

    $200,000

     
    • 2022-2023, Green heat for industries, (CIs, Chinnici, Saw, Ashman, Nathan), HILT-CRC

    $201,528

     
    • 2022-2023, Scoping study of the viability of high flux thermal pre-treatment of low-grade iron ores for improved liberation, beneficiation, and quality; (CIs, Chinnici, Saw, Jafarian, Nathan, Cook), HILT-CRC

    $193,808

     
    • 2022-2023, Scoping study assessing potential of clay, bauxite residue and iron making by-products for producing alternative construction materials for HILT partners, (CIs, Jafarian, Saw, Chinnici, Nathan, Ashman, Will, Guiraud), HILT-CRC

    $183,380

     
    • 2022, STEM, (CIs, Chinnici, Saw, Nathan), Australian Solar Thermal Institute (ASTRI)

    $80,000

     
    • 2022, Potential opportunity for South Australia in additional processing of South Australian minerals deposits (CIs, Wagner, Abdul Halim, Chinnici, Hancock, Nathan, Saw), Department of the Premier & Cabinet

    $56,850

     
    • 2022, Potential opportunity for South Australia in additional processing of South Australian minerals deposits (CIs, Wagner, Chinnici, Cook, Goodsite, Nathan, Saw, Spandler), Department of the Premier & Cabinet

    $47,500

     
    • 2021, Co-production of renewable energy and value-added products using radiata pine residues, (CIs, Kwong, Saw)

    $21,500

     
    • 2020 – 2021, System modelling, (CIs, Saw, Ingenhoven, Nathan), Australian Solar Thermal Institute (ASTRI)

    $26,525

     
    • 2020 – 2021, Feasibility study of Co-gasification of bagasse and process engineered fuel, (CIs: Saw, He, Kwong, Nathan), Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Innovation Connections

    $50,000
    • 2020, Gen 3 Particle Pilot Plant (G3P3): Integrated High-Temperature Particle Receiver System for CSP; (CIs, Ho, Nathan, Lau, Alwahabi Saw), USDoE - Generation Concentrating Solar Power Systems

    $220,074
    • 2019 – 2021, Solar hybridised dual fluidised bed gasification, (CIs, Saw, Nathan), Australian Solar Thermal Institute (ASTRI)

    $150,000
    • 2019 – 2020, Identifying Pathways to Commercial Application of STEM Technology in Mining and Off-Grid Applications in Australia, (CIs, Chinnici, Nathan, Dally, Saw), Australian Solar Thermal Institute (ASTRI)

    $200,000
    • 2019 – 2020, HyS Cycle, (CIs, Jafarian, Seyfaee, Saw, Nathan, Dally, Arjomandi, Ashman), Australian Solar Thermal Institute (ASTRI)

    $420,620

     
    • 2019 – 2021, Particle Technologies, (CIs, Nathan, Arjomandi, Saw, Sun, Sedaghatizadeh, Manickam), Australian Solar Thermal Institute (ASTRI)

    $363,000

     
    • 2019, Development of biochar briquette and low-cost kindling for energy, (CIs: Saw, Kwong), Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Innovation Connections

    $61,765

     
    • 2018 – 2021, Converting Sunlight Innovation Challenge, Building Australia’s international partnerships in solar fuels research and innovation; (CIs, Nathan, Stein, Dally, Stechel, Steinfeld, Kodama, Rainey, McDaniel, Saw, Chinnici), ARENA-International Engagement Program

    $574,050

     
    • 2017-2018, Potential for reduction in cost and carbon emissions for energy, (CIs: Jafarian, Saw, Nathan), Department of Industry, Innovation and Science, Innovation Connections

    $110,215

     
    • 2016 – 2022, Integrating concentrated solar thermal energy into the Bayer alumina process, (CIs: Nathan, Saw, Alwahabi, Arjomandi, Ashman, Dally, Hawkes, Hinkley, Taylor, Tian, van Eyk, Yeoh, Chatfield, Abraham, Harrison, Haywood, Lovegrove, Stein, Stephenson), ARENA-Emerging Renewable Program

    $4,490,752;

     
    • 2016 – 2017, Design tools for complex solar hybrid thermo-chemical processes, (CIs: Nathan, Dally, Pitsch, Medwell, Jafarian, Saw, Chinnici), DAAD-Australia Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme

    $50,000

     

 

CHEM ENG 1007              Introduction to Process Engineering

ENG 1001/1011                Introduction to Engineering

CHEM ENG 4058/7058    Metallurgical Processes

CHEM ENG 4014             Plant Design Project

CHEM ENG 4054             Research Project

 

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2026 Principal Supervisor Reduction and fluidization during Hydrogen-Based Fluidized Bed Direct Reduction of Australian Iron Ore Fines Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Fredrick Oluwatobi Omoarukhe
2026 Principal Supervisor Advancing Alumina Refineries toward net zero CO2 emissions through Next-Generation Calcination Technology Development Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ms Karisma Kaur
2025 Principal Supervisor Assessment of Net-zero Steam Generation for the Bayer Process Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Viveon Sze Yew Tan
2025 Co-Supervisor Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) Modelling of the Segregated Fluidised Beds (SFB) for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Making Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Qingwen Dai
2025 Co-Supervisor Hydrogen combustion for net-zero heavy industries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Samuel Luke Harris
2025 Principal Supervisor Steam recovery in Bayer alumina refinery for low-cost green alumina production Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Huei Yeong Lim
2025 Co-Supervisor Experimental and Computational Study of Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer in a Novel Alumina Calciner Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Naufal Baihaqi Al Afkar
2025 Principal Supervisor Decarbonisation of the bayer process in alumina refineries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Trung Hieu Nguyen
2025 Principal Supervisor Alumina Refineries’ Next Generation Transition (AlumiNEXT) Project – Alumina Calcination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Van Le Hoang
2025 Principal Supervisor Steam recovery in Bayer alumina refinery for low-cost green alumina production Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Huei Yeong Lim
2025 Co-Supervisor Experimental and Computational Study of Fluid Dynamics and Heat Transfer in a Novel Alumina Calciner Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Naufal Baihaqi Al Afkar
2025 Co-Supervisor Computational Particle Fluid Dynamics (CPFD) Modelling of the Segregated Fluidised Beds (SFB) for Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) Making Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Qingwen Dai
2025 Principal Supervisor Decarbonisation of the bayer process in alumina refineries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Trung Hieu Nguyen
2025 Principal Supervisor Alumina Refineries Next Generation Transition (AlumiNEXT) Project Alumina Calcination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Van Le Hoang
2025 Principal Supervisor Assessment of Net-zero Steam Generation for the Bayer Process Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Viveon Sze Yew Tan
2025 Co-Supervisor Hydrogen combustion for net-zero heavy industries Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Samuel Luke Harris
2024 Co-Supervisor Novel methods utilising heavy industry waste for carbon sequestration, metal recovery and value-added products Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Oliver James Beecroft
2024 Co-Supervisor Packed Beds for Thermal Energy Storage Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Obed Nenyi Otoo
2024 Co-Supervisor Novel methods utilising heavy industry waste for carbon sequestration, metal recovery and value-added products Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Oliver James Beecroft
2023 Co-Supervisor Techno-Economic Assessment on photocatalytic hydrogen production and the design and development of Photo-Thermal Receivers. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Anthony Ernest Pellicone
2023 Principal Supervisor Calcination of clay as a supplementary cementitious material Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Nikhil Kirti
2023 Principal Supervisor Calcination of clay as a supplementary cementitious material Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Nikhil Kirti
2023 Co-Supervisor Techno-Economic Assessment on photocatalytic hydrogen production and the design and development of Photo-Thermal Receivers. Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Anthony Ernest Pellicone
2022 Principal Supervisor Assessment of Hydrogen Driven Alumina Calcination Process Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Daniel Jin Tung Ang
2022 Principal Supervisor Assessment of Hydrogen Driven Alumina Calcination Process Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Daniel Jin Tung Ang
2021 Principal Supervisor Assessment of the effect of steam on alumina calcination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Siyun Ning
2021 Principal Supervisor Assessment of the effect of steam on alumina calcination Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Siyun Ning

Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
2021 - 2025 Co-Supervisor Pyroligneous Acid – An Innovative Green Lixiviant for Metal Extraction from Diverse Resources Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Cherry Nguyen
2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Techno-Economic Assessment of Solar-Hybridized Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification of Biomass for Poly-generation of Heat, Power, Biochar, and Chemicals or Liquid Fuels Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Nguyet Ky Ngo
2019 - 2021 Co-Supervisor Assessment of Hydrogen Driven Alumina Calcination Process Doctor of Philosophy Master Full Time Mr Daniel Jin Tung Ang
2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Assessment of a High Temperature Refractory-lined Suspension Flow Solar Particle Receiver Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Muhammad Mujahid Rafique
2017 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Agglomeration characteristics of olivine sand during combustion and gasification of potassium-or silicon-rich agricultural residues Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Gule Li
2015 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Characterising the Performance of Vortex-Based Solar Thermal Particle Receiver-Reactors Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dominic Davis
2015 - 2020 Co-Supervisor Influence of Potassium and Sodium Salts, Calcium and Phosphorus on Agglomeration Behaviour of Biomass and Quartz Sand Under Combustion and Gasification Atmospheres Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Zimeng He
2014 - 2017 Co-Supervisor Assessment of Fischer-Tropsch Liquid Fuels Production via Solar Hybridized Dual Fluidized Bed Gasification of Solid Fuels Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Peijun Guo

Date Title Engagement Type Institution Country
2022 - ongoing Operating Agent for SolarPACES Task II- Solar Chemistry Research Scientific Community Engagement SolarPACES -
2022 - ongoing National Coordinator of Australia for SolarPACES TASK II: Solar Chemistry Research Scientific Community Engagement SolarPACES -

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