Aug 18 2008
A new Phase Doppler laser has been added to a suite of high-tech, unique (within Australia) measurement systems that UQ researchers are using to help industry clients achieve cost, energy and efficiency savings.
C-START, the Centre for Spray Technology, Application, Research and Training based at UQ's Gatton campus, is making the Phase Doppler Particle Analyser (PDPA) available to industry clients through the Consulting and Research division of UniQuest, UQ's main commercialisation company.
C-START's lasers are being used to measure particle size and velocity as well as assess flow-fields for various applications including agriculture, forestry, mosquito control, stack emissions, mining, fuel combustion, chemicals and pharmaceuticals.
“Any industry that needs to measure flow fields, droplet and solid particle size and velocity, such as mining, paints, food drying, pharmaceuticals, automotive, fuel combustion to name a few, will find the more accurate data we can now produce extremely helpful for understanding and improving product performance,” said C-START Director, Dr Andrew Hewitt.
The PDPA uses dual laser beams and optics to determine the size and velocity of spherical particles, unlike traditional measurement techniques with intrusive probes that interfere with flow. The results are significantly more accurate.
The Doppler's capabilities have enhanced the range of sampling and modelling services C-START can provide to industry and government, including companies developing new products related to spray technology.
The new equipment complements C-START's wind tunnel, which is also unique within Australia. This facility includes a state-of-the-art photo analysis equipment for analysing spray droplet size and spread “Achieving strong product performance whilst minimising environmental impact is a major priority for most businesses these days,” said Dr Hewitt.
“The range of testing services we can offer has now expanded. Each laser system uses a different approach to measurement and measures different things. The equipment we have makes it possible for our research to help industry clients meet their regulatory obligations as well as their business objectives.”
UniQuest Managing Director, David Henderson, said facilitating access to C-START's exceptional research expertise and resources meant more Australian-based businesses could benefit from UQ research.
“Commercialising UQ's intellectual and scientific assets in this way offers mutual benefits. The researchers are helping to address real-world problems faced by today's industries whilst generating an additional revenue stream to fund their vital basic research,” Mr Henderson said.
C-START researchers are using the lasers to identify and collate procedures that establish pesticide application ‘best practice' for crop spraying (e.g. grains and cotton) and the nursery industry.
The Centre was established by UQ's School of Land, Crop and Food Sciences in the Faculty of Natural Resources, Agriculture and Veterinary Sciences, and is a national scientific research and training group funded by Australian and international government research corporations and development councils, confidential industry research and student research grants