Paul Medwell

Professor Paul Medwell

Professor

School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering

Faculty of Sciences, Engineering and Technology

Eligible to supervise Masters and PhD - email supervisor to discuss availability.


Dr Paul Medwell is a Professor in the School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering at The University of Adelaide. He has over twenty years of experience in a broad range of activities related to energy systems. His technical research is particularly focussed on advancing fundamental understanding of combustion systems, especially through the development and application of optical diagnostic measurement techniques. His combustion activities have been diverse, including turbulent flames, sooting flames, high-pressure combustion, domestic/industrial appliances, and the so-called MILD (moderate or intense low oxygen dilution) combustion regime for lowering NOx emissions, increasing efficiency, and improving fuel flexibility.

Beyond combustion and laser diagnostics, Dr Medwell's research interests include fluid mechanics and energy utilisation more broadly, as well as biomass and biodigesters in the context of humanitarian engineering. He has published over 200 scientific articles, and regularly presents his findings to international audiences. In addition to his research work, Dr Medwell serves as an engineering consultant to industry and is an active contributor to the development of standards at national and international level.

Dr Medwell is an Australian Research Council Future Fellow and was a Discovery Early Career Researcher Award recipient. He is the University's Primary Contact to Standards Australia.

  • Combustion
    • MILD combustion
    • Nonpremixed flames
    • Spray combustion
    • High-pressure combustion
    • Smouldering combustion
  • Hydrogen Technologies
  • Humanitarian Technology
  • Cookstoves
  • Laser Diagnostics
$375,000 Resolving flame stabilisation mechanisms in the transition to MILD combustion

P.R. Medwell

Australian Research Council: Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (2012)
$320,000 Resolving the mechanics of turbulent noise production

C.J. Doolan; L.A. Brooks; P.R. Medwell

Australian Research Council: Discovery Project (2012)
$30,000 Reuse Residual Heat & Energy Harvesting

P.R. Medwell; C.H. Birzer

Electrolux Australia (2012)
$200,000 Supercontinuum fibre laser consortium for the chemical and materials sciences

T.W. Kee; E.J. Bieske; G.F. Metha; T.A. Smith; P.R. Medwell; K.P. Ghiggino

Australian Research Council: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (2013)
$400,000 Controlled radiation facility to investigate turbulence-radiation-chemistry interactions in highflux solar reactors

G.J. Nathan; A.R. Masri; E.R. Hawkes; Z.T. Alwahabi; B.B. Dally; P.J. Ashman; P.R. Medwell; M.J. Dunn; R. Taylor

Australian Research Council: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (2013)
$5,500 Windows on Science

P.R. Medwell

United States Air Force, Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (2013)
$11,000 Design and Build a Model Gas Turbine Combustor

P.R. Medwell; D. Bey; J. Dean; J. Francis; A. Trainor

Santos (2013)
$30,000 Development of Optical Methods to Measure Volatilised Metals in Hot Gases

P.R. Medwell, G. Metha, T. Kee, D. Lancaster, H. Ebendorff-Heidepriem, P. Ashman, Z. Alwahabi, S. Grano

University of Adelaide, Interdisciplinary Fund (2013)
$1,083,000 Tools for design and scale-up of solar thermochemical reactors

E.R. Hawkes, G.J. Nathan, R.W. Grout, B.B. Dally, P.R. Medwell, Z.T. Alwahabi, R.A. Taylor, G.H. Yeoh

Australian Renewable Energy Agency: Solar Energy Collaboration (2013)
$40,000 Tools for combustion research

P.R. Medwell, Z.F. Tian

University of Adelaide, Strategic Research Initiative (2014)
$20,000 Towards the application of MILD combustion to gas turbines

P.R. Medwell

United States Air Force, Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (2014)
$2,480 Next Step Initiative - Young Scientists Exchange Program

P.R. Medwell

Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (2015)
$90,000 Towards the application of MILD combustion to gas turbines

P.R. Medwell

United States Air Force, Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (2015)
$30,000 Establishment of a Humanitarian Technology Research Group Research Facility

C.H. Birzer, P.R. Medwell, P.J. Ashman, K. Davey, C. Thomas

University of Adelaide, Research Support Scheme (2015)
$158,100 Gas Pipeline blowdown: Characteristics of natural gas pipeline blowdown in remote areas

N.L. Smith, A. Mimani, A.C. Zander, P.J. Ashman, C.H. Birzer, P.R. Medwell, T. Lau, B.S. Cazzolato

Energy Pipelines Cooperative Research Centre (2015)
$25,000 Australia-Germany Joint Research Cooperation Scheme

G.J. Nathan, P.R. Medwell, M. Jafarian, W. Saw, A. Chinnici

Universities Australia and Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst (2016)
$20,000 New Solutions for Air Quality and Old Development Challenges: Biochar Technology

C.H. Birzer, T. Cavagnaro, S. Kidd, P. Kwong, P.R. Medwell, P.J. van Eyk, W. Umberger

University of Adelaide, Interdisciplinary Research Fund (2016)
$90,000 Towards the application of MILD combustion to gas turbines

P.R. Medwell

United States Air Force, Asian Office of Aerospace Research and Development (2016)
$60,000 Biodigesters: converting waste products from industry and rural communities, into byproducts for profit and quality of life

C.H. Birzer, M. Hutchinson, P.J. van Eyk, V. Moore, W. Umberger, G. Drew, T. Cavagnaro, P.R. Medwell, S. Kidd

University of Adelaide, Interdisciplinary Research Fund (2017)
$367,000 Advanced Experimental and Modelling Study to Better Predict Spray Flames

P.R. Medwell, B.B. Dally, H.G. Pitsch

Australian Research Council: Discovery Project (2017)
$80,000 Suitability of belt materials for CO2 pellet cleaning.

P.R. Medwell, C.H. Birzer

Cold Logic Pty Ltd, for Australian Meat Processor Corporation (2018)
$5000 Comparison of Residential Heating Costs for Electricity, Gas, Firewood and Pellets.

P.R. Medwell, H. Wang

Australian Home Heating Association (2018)
$956,700 Novel diagnostics capabilities in reacting, particle-laden flows.

A.R. Masri, B.B. Dally, M.J. Brear, S. Kook, M.J. Dunn, Y. Yang, Q.N. Chan, G.J. Nathan, R.L. Gordon, P.R. Medwell, M.J. Cleary, Z.T. Alwahabi, P.J. van Eyk, M. Talei, E.R. Hawkes

Australian Research Council: Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities (2018)
$3000 Comparison of Residential Heating Costs for Electricity, Gas, Firewood and Pellets - Addendum.

P.R. Medwell, H. Wang

Australian Home Heating Association (2019)
$520,000 Adaptation of carbon free fuels to high temperature industrial processes.

P.R. Medwell, B.B. Dally, G.J. Nathan, H.G. Pitsch

Australian Research Council: Discovery Project (2019)
$119,000 Compatibility of current technology: opportunities and constraints of future fuel use in Type B and industrial equipment

P.J. Ashman, N. Smith, P.R. Medwell, Y. Yang, M. Talei, R.L. Gordon, M.J. Brear.

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2019)
$20,000 Bio-fertilisers and biologically-produced methane from anaerobic digesters

P.R. Medwell, C.H. Birzer, S. Kidd, T. Cavagnaro, M. Indren.

Waite Research Institute (2019)
$944,000 Resolving the impact of pressure on hot and low-oxygen combustion

P.R. Medwell

Australian Research Council: Future Fellowship (2019)
$25,500 Effect of dopants on hydrogen flames for improved safety and performance

P.R. Medwell, N. Smith, M.J. Evans, D.B. Proud

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2020)
$63,500 Metering and gas quality monitoring of future fuel blends in transmission pipelines

P.R. Medwell, N. Smith, C. Lu, A. Godbole

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2020)
$447,000 De-risking Hydrogen Adaptation to Industrial Processes

P.R. Medwell, A. Chinnici, G.J. Nathan, N. Smith, Z.F. Tian

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2020)
$75,500 Hydrogen gas specification and review of end-user instrumentation

N. Smith, P.J. Ashman, P.R. Medwell, T. Hosseini

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2020)
$394,400 Performance of Type A appliances with blends of hydrogen and natural gas

P.J. Ashman, P.R. Medwell, N. Smith

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2021)
$70,400 Planning detailed assessment of Type B appliances with blends of hydrogen and natural gas

P.J. Ashman, P.R. Medwell, N. Smith, Y. Yang, M. Brear

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2021)
$495,200 Biomethane injection into the gas network: impact of impurities on the performance of end-use appliances

M. Talei, Y. Yang, D. Davis, S. Kentish, P.R. Medwell, N. Smith, P.J. Ashman

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2021)
$954,200 Detailed assessment of Type B appliances with blends of hydrogen and natural gas and 100% hydrogen

P.J. Ashman, P.R. Medwell, N. Smith

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2021)
$191,400 A Novel Inline High-Efficiency Motor/Pump System

N. Ertugrul, P.R. Medwell

Australian Research Council: Linkage Project (2022)
$356,500 Industrial pathways to 100% hydrogen

N. Smith, P.J. Ashman, P.R. Medwell

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2023)
$102,500 Assessment of hydrogen flame visibility

P.R. Medwell, P.J. Ashman, D.B. Proud, N. Smith

Future Fuels Cooperative Research Centre (2023)
$45,000 Thermal radiation enhancement of hydrogen flames

P.R. Medwell, B.B. Dally

King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (2024)
  • Sports Engineering 2
  • Sports Engineering 3
  • Aerospace Propulsion
  • Current Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2024 Co-Supervisor A Novel In-line High-Efficiency and Fully Integrated Motor/Pump System Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Ms Sharon Chelattu Lazar
    2024 Co-Supervisor Coal Power Plant Sustainability in Climate Mitigation Scenarios Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Alvin Mizrawan Tarmizi
    2021 Co-Supervisor A Numerical Investigation of Hypersonic Flows Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Harry Colin Rowton
    2020 Co-Supervisor Understanding the effect of biochar on the reduction of hydrogen sulphide in biogas from a biodigester Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Ben Ashleigh Collins
  • Past Higher Degree by Research Supervision (University of Adelaide)

    Date Role Research Topic Program Degree Type Student Load Student Name
    2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Analysis of Flame Characteristics in Hot and Vitiated Environments Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Jordan Kildare
    2021 - 2022 Principal Supervisor Transient Antenna-Plasma Interaction in Inductive Plasma Thrusters Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Robin Christopher Georg
    2021 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Effect of Hydrogen Blending in Industrial Flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Adam John Gee
    2020 - 2024 Principal Supervisor Effect of Biofuel Blending on Combustion Characteristics of Hydrogen Flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Yilong Yin
    2020 - 2023 Principal Supervisor MILD Combustion of Ethylene and Natural Gas Master of Philosophy Master Full Time Ian James Shaw
    2019 - 2023 Principal Supervisor Flame Structure and Stability for Improved Fuel Flexibility in Practical Combustion Devices Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Douglas Brinkworth Proud
    2017 - 2020 Principal Supervisor The Use of Biochar in High-Solids Anaerobic Digestion Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Mathu Indren
    2017 - 2022 Co-Supervisor Soot Evolution in Turbulent Non-Premixed Bluff-Body Flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Amir Rowhani
    2016 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Small-Scale Batch-Fed Biomass Gasification and Combustion Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Thomas Kirch
    2014 - 2019 Co-Supervisor Soot evolution in acoustically forced laminar non-premixed jet flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Kae Ken Foo
    2014 - 2018 Principal Supervisor Initiation of smouldering combustion in biomass Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Houzhi Wang
    2014 - 2019 Principal Supervisor Reaction Control Jet Actuators for Air-Breathing Hypersonic Vehicles Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Part Time Mr Warrick Alan Miller
    2014 - 2017 Principal Supervisor Flame Stabilisation in the Transition to MILD Combustion Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Michael John Evans
    2013 - 2017 Co-Supervisor MILD Combustion of Prevaporised Liquid Fuels Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Miss Jingjing Ye
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor Development and Application of Planar Laser Thermometry in Sooting Flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Dahe Gu
    2012 - 2016 Co-Supervisor MILD Combustion of Solid Fuels Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Manab Saha
    2012 - 2018 Co-Supervisor Parametric Study of Soot in Turbulent Non-Premixed Jet Flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Mr Saleh Mahmoud
    2009 - 2011 Co-Supervisor Development of Instantaneous Temperature Imaging in Sooty Flames Doctor of Philosophy Doctorate Full Time Dr Shaun Chan
  • Other Supervision Activities

    Date Role Research Topic Location Program Supervision Type Student Load Student Name
    2014 - 2016 External Supervisor Effects of Air Flow Modifications on Biomass Cookstoves University of California, Berkeley - Doctorate - Kathleen Lask
  • Board Memberships

    Date Role Board name Institution name Country
    2014 - ongoing Board Member Journal of Humanitarian Engineering - Australia
  • Committee Memberships

    Date Role Committee Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Member ME-093 Hydrogen Technologies Standards Australia Australia
    2018 - ongoing Member CS-062 Solid Fuel Burning Appliances Standards Australia Australia
    2017 - 2019 Member International Organization for Standardization Project Committee 305 ISO Australia
    2017 - ongoing Member WS-040-01 Sustainable non-sewered sanitation systems Standards Australia Australia
    2015 - ongoing Representative International Organization for Standardization Technical Committee 285 ISO Australia
    2015 - ongoing Chair EE-003 Clean Cookstoves Standards Australia Australia
  • Editorial Boards

    Date Role Editorial Board Name Institution Country
    2019 - ongoing Editor Progress in Combustion Diagnostics, Science and Technology Applied Sciences Switzerland
    2014 - ongoing Associate Editor Journal of Humanitarian Engineering - Australia
  • Position: Professor
  • Phone: 83135920
  • Email: paul.medwell@adelaide.edu.au
  • Fax: 83134367
  • Campus: North Terrace
  • Building: Engineering South, floor 2
  • Org Unit: Mechanical Engineering

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