This project is concerned with transferring knowledge into Europe on the extraction process of alumna, from centres of expertise throughout the world but in particular Australia. This will be achieved by expanding the Host’s knowledge and R and D capabilities in alumna extraction chemistry and associated technologies. The project will have 3 priority areas, which will allow the knowledge, gained through fundamental research at laboratory scale to be initially scaled up to full plant and finally embedded into the key operational systems. The priority areas are: Process Geochemistry; Computational Fluid Dynamics; Process Control. A number of research fellows will be recruited that have relevant research experience in the priority areas for various periods from 2 months to 2 years. It is planned that a number of very experienced researchers will be recruited for short periods throughout the project to provide expertise in terms of scope development, research methodology and direction, to be followed by less experienced researchers for longer time spans. In addition up to 7 key technical people from the host will be sent to a number of well renowned institutions worldwide for short periods for training and knowledge acquisition. A key factor in the project is the well-established partnership that is in place between the Host and the University of Limerick (UL). This gives access for the research fellow to a most advanced scientific and academic infrastructure. It is envisaged that the research fellows will move freely between the host laboratories and those of UL as the research programme dictates. Another important feature of this partnership is that it provides the host with advice and assistance as regards research project management.
Source: European Commission
