Gule Li

Gule Li

School of Chemical Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD (as Co-Supervisor) - email supervisor to discuss availability.

Dr. Gule Li is an early career researcher at the University of Adelaide with demonstrated expertise and hands on experiences in designing and operating gasification and combustion systems, together with in-depth experiences in process modelling of and hydrogen retrofits in high temperature reactors. Currently, she is a chief researcher responsible for project management, and technical delivery of the techno-economic assessment of the potential to utilise refuse-derived fuel (RDF) in industrial processes. This project, funded by HILT CRC, assesses the value proposition of entire supply chain of producing hydrogen rich syngas from RDF for its application in cement, alumina and iron production processes. Furthermore, she also involves a HILT CRC funded project conducting preliminary assessment of technical and economic feasibility of key options for low carbon alumina calcination, where she undertakes desktop study of conventional and advanced particulate control devices for alumina refining in transition to H2 and/or electrification operations. Prior to this role, Li completed a project management of a contract research project evaluating potential to use H2 as a substitute for coke and natural gas in integrated multi-metals recovery plant, covering process modelling of current operations of lead blast furnace, top submerged lance furnace, and slag fume furnace, a preliminary assessment of the opportunities and barriers to use of H2 in those furnaces, together with a development roadmap for which substantial further work would be required before risks become acceptable. These projects contribute to the development of innovative clean energy technology with strong potential for decarbonisation of cement, iron ore and alumina sectors.

  • Fluidized bed gasification and combustion
  • Ash chemistry
  • Conversion of waste (MSW, RDF and PEF) to synthetic gas (H2,CO) for liquid fuels or H2
  • Waste to value
  • Net-zero alumina production
  • Net-zero iron and steel production

  • Journals
    Year Citation
    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
    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
    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
    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 WoS5

 

  • Utilisation of RDF in industrial processes: understanding the value proposition, risks and supply chains 
 $155,000

Courses Tutored in Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Chemical)

Level 3 - Unit Operations

Level 3 - Separation Processes 

Level 4 - Research Practice

Level 4 - Biofuels, Biomass & Wastes

  • Committee Memberships
    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2023 - ongoing Member Centre for Energy Technology The University of Adelaide Australia
    2022 - ongoing Member HiTeMP Forums The University of Adelaide Australia
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