Overview
Background
Liguang Wang is an internationally recognised researcher in mineral processing, with research leadership in flotation science and process intensification to enable efficient recovery of critical and energy-transition minerals. His research group has delivered patented and patent-pending technologies, supported by international (PCT) filings, for flotation process intensification, monitoring, and control, bridging fundamental understanding with industrial application. He received his PhD from Virginia Tech (Supervisor: Roe-Hoan Yoon) in 2006 and was awarded the ACARP Research and Industry Excellence Award in 2022.
More details from the lab website.
Fully funded PhD project: We are seeking a domestic student working on sustainable production of lithium minerals, which is supported by an Australian Research Council Linkage grant. Web link for the scholarship: https://study.uq.edu.au/study-options/phd-mphil-professional-doctorate/projects/sustainable-beneficiation-lithium-minerals
Availability
- Associate Professor Liguang Wang is:
- Available for supervision
- Media expert
Fields of research
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University
Research interests
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Critical minerals, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy, flotation, dewatering, agglomeration, particle separation, thin liquid films, complex fluids, modelling and simulation, process control.
Research impacts
Developed a versatile method to improve flotation efficiency using low-frequency acoustic sound. This technology has entered industrial demonstration stage.
Improved mineral or coal flotation using oscillatory air supply. This work is highlighted in an industrial e-newsletter: ACARP Matters
Developed a novel sensor to monitor the mass pull of any flotation cell. In-plant testing of the sensor has been successful.
Developed a simple and fast method to measure frother distribution in flotation circuits for process control.
Works
Search Professor Liguang Wang’s works on UQ eSpace
2015
Journal Article
Thermodynamic stability conditions, methane enrichment, and gas uptake of ionic clathrate hydrates of mine ventilation air
Du, Jianwei, Li, Huijuan and Wang, Liguang (2015). Thermodynamic stability conditions, methane enrichment, and gas uptake of ionic clathrate hydrates of mine ventilation air. Chemical Engineering Journal, 273, 75-81. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2015.03.046
2015
Journal Article
Experimental studies and modeling of surface bubble behaviour in froth flotation
Park, Hangil and Wang, Liguang (2015). Experimental studies and modeling of surface bubble behaviour in froth flotation. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 101, 98-106. doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2015.04.021
2015
Journal Article
Hydrophobized particles can accelerate nucleation of clathrate hydrates
Li, Huijuan and Wang, Liguang (2015). Hydrophobized particles can accelerate nucleation of clathrate hydrates. Fuel, 140, 440-445. doi: 10.1016/j.fuel.2014.10.005
2015
Journal Article
Modeling of bubble coalescence in saline water in the presence of flotation frothers
Wang, Liguang (2015). Modeling of bubble coalescence in saline water in the presence of flotation frothers. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 134, 41-49. doi: 10.1016/j.minpro.2014.11.008
2015
Conference Publication
A Study of Fine Coal Flotation Using a Cyclic Alcohol Frother
Park, Hangil and Wang, Liguang (2015). A Study of Fine Coal Flotation Using a Cyclic Alcohol Frother. Asia Pacific Confederation of Chemical Engineering Congress 2015: APCChE 2015, incorporating CHEMECA 2015, Melbourne, Australia, 27 September - 1 October 2015. Melbourne, Australia: Engineers Australia.
2014
Journal Article
Effects of ionic surfactants on methane hydrate formation kinetics in a static system
Du, Jianwei, Li, Huijuan and Wang, Liguang (2014). Effects of ionic surfactants on methane hydrate formation kinetics in a static system. Advanced Powder Technology, 25 (4), 1227-1233. doi: 10.1016/j.apt.2014.06.002
2014
Journal Article
Effective harvesting of low surface-hydrophobicity microalgae by froth flotation
Garg, Sourabh, Wang, Liguang and Schenk, Peer M. (2014). Effective harvesting of low surface-hydrophobicity microalgae by froth flotation. Bioresource Technology, 159, 437-441. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2014.03.030
2014
Journal Article
Equilibrium conditions for semi-clathrate hydrates formed with CO2, N2 or CH4 in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphine oxide
Du, Jianwei and Wang, Liguang (2014). Equilibrium conditions for semi-clathrate hydrates formed with CO2, N2 or CH4 in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphine oxide. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 53 (3), 1234-1241. doi: 10.1021/ie403130h
2014
Conference Publication
Experimental studies and modelling of surface bubble behaviour in flotation froth
Park, Hangil and Wang, Liguang (2014). Experimental studies and modelling of surface bubble behaviour in flotation froth. Chemeca 14: Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering 2014, Perth, WA, Australia, 28 September-1 October, 2014. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Institution of Chemical Engineers.
2014
Journal Article
Phase equilibria and methane enrichment of clathrate hydrates of mine ventilation air + tetrabutylphosphonium bromide
Du, Jianwei, Li, Huijuan and Wang, Liguang (2014). Phase equilibria and methane enrichment of clathrate hydrates of mine ventilation air + tetrabutylphosphonium bromide. Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, 53 (19), 8182-8187. doi: 10.1021/ie5000664
2014
Book Chapter
Hydrophobic Forces in Foam Films
Yoon, Roe-Hoan and Wang, Liguang (2014). Hydrophobic Forces in Foam Films. Colloids and Interface Science Series, 6 Volume Set. (pp. 161-186) wiley. doi: 10.1002/9783527631193.ch7
2014
Conference Publication
Comparative study of clathrate hydrate formation in the presence of octadecyltrichlorosilane-coated glass particles and sodium dodecyl sulphate
Li, Huijuan and Wang, Liguang (2014). Comparative study of clathrate hydrate formation in the presence of octadecyltrichlorosilane-coated glass particles and sodium dodecyl sulphate. Chemeca 14: Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering 2014, Perth, WA, Australia, 28 September-1 October, 2014. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Institution of Chemical Engineers.
2013
Journal Article
Atomic force microscopy study of forces between a silica sphere and an oxidized silicon wafer in aqueous solutions of NaCl, KCl, and CsCl at concentrations up to saturation
Wang, Yuhua, Wang, Liguang, Hampton, Marc A. and Nguyen, Anh V. (2013). Atomic force microscopy study of forces between a silica sphere and an oxidized silicon wafer in aqueous solutions of NaCl, KCl, and CsCl at concentrations up to saturation. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 117 (5), 2113-2120. doi: 10.1021/jp3092495
2013
Journal Article
Correlation of air recovery with froth stability and separation efficiency in coal flotation
Qu, Xuan, Wang, Liguang and Nguyen, Anh V. (2013). Correlation of air recovery with froth stability and separation efficiency in coal flotation. Minerals Engineering, 41, 25-30. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2012.10.013
2013
Conference Publication
Effect of surfactant-coated particles on clathrate hydrate formation
Li, Huijuan, Du, Jianwei and Wang, Liguang (2013). Effect of surfactant-coated particles on clathrate hydrate formation. Chemeca 2013: Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September-2 October, 2013. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Institution of Engineers, Australia.
2013
Conference Publication
Formation kinetics of methane hydrate in the presence of ionic surfactants
Du, Jianwei, Li, Huijuan and Wang, Liguang (2013). Formation kinetics of methane hydrate in the presence of ionic surfactants. Chemeca 2013: Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September-2 October, 2013. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Institution of Engineers, Australia.
2013
Conference Publication
Effects of algal hydrophobicity and bubble size on flotation separation of microalgae from aqueous medium
Garg, Sourabh, Wang, Liguang and Schenk, Peer (2013). Effects of algal hydrophobicity and bubble size on flotation separation of microalgae from aqueous medium. Chemeca 2013: Australasian Conference on Chemical Engineering, Brisbane, QLD, Australia, 29 September-2 October, 2013. Hawthorn, VIC, Australia: Institution of Engineers, Australia.
2012
Journal Article
Flotation of marine microalgae: Effect of algal hydrophobicity
Garg, Sourabh, Li, Yan, Wang, Liguang and Schenk, Peer M. (2012). Flotation of marine microalgae: Effect of algal hydrophobicity. Bioresource Technology, 121, 471-474. doi: 10.1016/j.biortech.2012.06.111
2012
Journal Article
Phase equilibria and dissociation enthalpies of hydrogen semi-clathrate hydrate with tetrabutyl ammonium nitrate
Du, Jianwei, Wang, Liguang, Liang, Deqing and Li, Dongliang (2012). Phase equilibria and dissociation enthalpies of hydrogen semi-clathrate hydrate with tetrabutyl ammonium nitrate. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 57 (2), 603-609. doi: 10.1021/je201177t
2012
Journal Article
Drainage and rupture of thin foam films in the presence of ionic and non-ionic surfactants
Wang, Liguang (2012). Drainage and rupture of thin foam films in the presence of ionic and non-ionic surfactants. International Journal of Mineral Processing, 102-103, 58-68. doi: 10.1016/j.minpro.2011.09.012
Funding
Current funding
Past funding
Supervision
Availability
- Associate Professor Liguang Wang is:
- Available for supervision
Looking for a supervisor? Read our advice on how to choose a supervisor.
Available projects
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Sustainable beneficiation of lithium minerals
Pioneer a novel flotation beneficiation method to upgrade lithium ores, lowering costs and environmental impacts while enabling sustainable recovery of critical minerals.
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Mineral Beneficiation
The objective of this project is to develop a novel and effective beneficiation process to upgrade critical minerals, increase utilisation of existing resources, and reduce costs and adverse impacts in processing of the ores.
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Development of Advanced Coal Cleaning Technologies
Separation of ultrafine coal particles from clay and water during a cleaning operation has been a long-term problem that the industry has faced. This project will develop advanced solid-solid and solid-liquid separation technologies, aiming to achieve high combustible recovery and low product moisture at low cost.
Supervision history
Current supervision
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Doctor Philosophy
Advancing beneficiation of fine particles
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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Doctor Philosophy
Advancing particulate materials separation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
-
Doctor Philosophy
A novel process for mineral separation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
Completed supervision
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2025
Doctor Philosophy
Ultrasonic flotation of minerals without and with external air supply
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Studies of wetting film stability, froth stability and mineral flotation with acoustic sound
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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2023
Doctor Philosophy
Gas Dispersion and Graphite Flotation in Saline Water with Oscillatory Air Supply
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2021
Doctor Philosophy
Modelling the Solid-liquid Separation and Monitoring the Solids Recovery in Solid Bowl Centrifugation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Hangil Park
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2020
Doctor Philosophy
Inhibition of Bubble Coalescence and Improvement of Froth Flotation Using Acoustic Sound
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang, Dr Hangil Park
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2019
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of starches as depressant in the flotation separation of hematite from quartz
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2018
Doctor Philosophy
Coal flotation using oscillatory air supply
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Experimental and Computational Studies of Gas Hydrate Formation and Dissociation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Debra Bernhardt
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
A study of frother chemistry and froth behaviour in coal flotation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Mingxing Zhang
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2016
Doctor Philosophy
Clathrate hydrate formation in presence of kinetic and thermodynamic promoters
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2012
Doctor Philosophy
Correlation of air recovery with froth stability, thin liquid film stability and separation efficiency in coal flotation
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2017
Doctor Philosophy
Effect of contact angle and contact angle hysteresis on the stability and detachment of floating particles
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Anh Nguyen
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2015
Doctor Philosophy
Bioprocess engineering and downstream process optimisation of microalgae for biomass production
Associate Advisor
Media
Enquiries
Contact Associate Professor Liguang Wang directly for media enquiries about:
- Gas hydrates clean energy algal biofuel flotation coal cleaning mineral processing
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