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Associate Professor Tom Rufford
Associate Professor

Tom Rufford

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54165

Overview

Background

Biography:

Tom Rufford is an Associate Professor in the UQ School of Chemical Engineering and chief investigator in the ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of CO2 (GETCO2). Tom completed his BE and PhD degrees in Chemical Engineering at the University of Queensland in 2000 and 2009, respectively. Tom’s PhD thesis investigated the use of porous carbon materials derived from waste coffee grounds for energy storage via hydrogen or supercapacitors on board electric vehicles. From 2001 to 2005 he worked as a process engineer and technologist on the crude distillation columns, naptha reformers and hydrogen purification plant at Shell’s Geelong Oil Refinery. From 2010 to late 2012, Tom was a research fellow at the University of Western Australia working on natural gas processing and LNG production research projects with the UWA’s Chevron Chair in Gas Process Engineering, Prof. Eric May. He returned to UQ as a teaching and research academic in December 2012.

Dr Rufford is a chartered member of the IChemE and Engineers Australia (chemical engineering).

Dr Rufford has published more than 80 scientific papers in international journals and an edited book on carbon materials. He has been a visiting researcher at the National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology in Tsukuba, Japan, and an Endeavour Research Fellow visiting the Institute of Metals Research of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Shenyang, China.

Research:

Associate Professor Rufford conducts research on gas processing and purification for cleaner energy production and utilization. His research interests include electrochemical processes including energy storage and CO2 reduction, natural gas process engineering, porous carbons, and solid-fluid interactions in coal seam gas reservoirs. Current and recent projects include studies on electrochemical CO2 reduction, development of gas diffusion electrode materials, helium recovery and nitrogen rejection from natural gas, low permeability coals, and the capture of methane emissions from liquefied natural gas (LNG) production plants.

Teaching and Learning:

Tom teaches into the BE and BE/ME chemical engineering programs at UQ. He's taught core chemical engineering courses such as heat and mass transfer, unit operations, and the capstone design project courses CHEE4001 and CHEE7103. In 2024 he is teaching into CHEE3004 Unit Operations in Semester 1 and CHEE7103 BE/ME Design Project in Semester 2.

Availability

Associate Professor Tom Rufford is:
Available for supervision

Qualifications

  • Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
  • Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
  • Member, Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)

Works

Search Professor Tom Rufford’s works on UQ eSpace

184 works between 2006 and 2024

1 - 20 of 184 works

Featured

2020

Journal Article

Catalyst‐electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

Garg, Sahil, Li, Mengran, Rufford, Thomas Edward, Ge, Lei, Rudolph, Victor, Knibbe, Ruth, Konarova, Muxina and Wang, Guoxiong (2020). Catalyst‐electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction. ChemSusChem, 13 (2) cssc.201902433, 304-311. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201902433

Catalyst‐electrolyte interactions in aqueous reline solutions for highly selective electrochemical CO2 reduction

2019

Journal Article

Carbon monoliths by assembling carbon spheres for gas adsorption

Gao, Shuai, Ge, Lei, Villacorta, Byron S., Rufford, Thomas E. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2019). Carbon monoliths by assembling carbon spheres for gas adsorption. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 58 (12) acs.iecr.8b04891, 4957-4969. doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.8b04891

Carbon monoliths by assembling carbon spheres for gas adsorption

Featured

2018

Journal Article

A phase inversion polymer coating to prevent swelling and spalling of clay fines in coal seam gas wells

Ge, Lei, Hamilton, Christopher, Febrina, Rahmah Tasha, Rudolph, Victor and Rufford, Thomas E. (2018). A phase inversion polymer coating to prevent swelling and spalling of clay fines in coal seam gas wells. International Journal of Coal Science & Technology, 5 (2), 179-190. doi: 10.1007/s40789-018-0199-0

A phase inversion polymer coating to prevent swelling and spalling of clay fines in coal seam gas wells

Featured

2017

Journal Article

Gate opening effect of zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-7 for adsorption of CH4 and CO2 from N2

Arami-Niya, Arash, Birkett, Greg, Zhu, Zhonghua and Rufford, Thomas E. (2017). Gate opening effect of zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-7 for adsorption of CH4 and CO2 from N2. Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 5 (40), 21389-21399. doi: 10.1039/C7TA03755D

Gate opening effect of zeolitic imidazolate framework ZIF-7 for adsorption of CH4 and CO2 from N2

Featured

2017

Journal Article

Nitrogen-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors

Wen, Yangyang, Rufford, Thomas E. , Chen, Xingzhu, Li, Neng, Lyu, Miaoqiang, Dai, Liming and Wang, Lianzhou (2017). Nitrogen-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors. Nano Energy, 38 (78), 368-376. doi: 10.1016/j.nanoen.2017.06.009

Nitrogen-doped Ti3C2Tx MXene electrodes for high-performance supercapacitors

Featured

2017

Journal Article

The effect of rank, lithotype and roughness on contact angle measurements in coal cleats

Mahoney, Shilo A., Rufford, Thomas E., Johnson, David, Dmyterko, Anastasia, Rodrigues, Sandra, Esterle, Joan, Rudolph, Victor and Steel, Karen M. (2017). The effect of rank, lithotype and roughness on contact angle measurements in coal cleats. International Journal of Coal Geology, 179, 302-315. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2017.07.001

The effect of rank, lithotype and roughness on contact angle measurements in coal cleats

Featured

2017

Journal Article

A facile method to synthesize boron-doped Ni/Fe alloy nano-chains as electrocatalyst for water oxidation

Yang, Yisu, Linzhou Zhuang, Rijia Lin, Mengran Li, Xu, Xiaoyong, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2017). A facile method to synthesize boron-doped Ni/Fe alloy nano-chains as electrocatalyst for water oxidation. Journal of Power Sources, 349, 68-74. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2017.03.028

A facile method to synthesize boron-doped Ni/Fe alloy nano-chains as electrocatalyst for water oxidation

Featured

2016

Journal Article

Activated carbon monoliths with hierarchical pore structure from tar pitch and coal powder for the adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

Arami Niya, Arash, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Activated carbon monoliths with hierarchical pore structure from tar pitch and coal powder for the adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2. Carbon, 103, 115-124. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2016.02.098

Activated carbon monoliths with hierarchical pore structure from tar pitch and coal powder for the adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

Featured

2014

Journal Article

A review of conventional and emerging process technologies for the recovery of helium from natural gas

Rufford, Thomas E., Chan, K. Ida, Huang, Stanley H. and May, Eric F. (2014). A review of conventional and emerging process technologies for the recovery of helium from natural gas. Adsorption Science and Technology, 32 (1), 49-72. doi: 10.1260/0263-6174.32.1.49

A review of conventional and emerging process technologies for the recovery of helium from natural gas

Featured

2012

Journal Article

The removal of CO2 and N-2 from natural gas: A review of conventional and emerging process technologies

Rufford, T. E., Smart, S., Watson, G. C. Y., Graham, B. F., Boxall, J., Diniz da Costa, J. C. and May, E. F. (2012). The removal of CO2 and N-2 from natural gas: A review of conventional and emerging process technologies. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 94-95, 123-154. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2012.06.016

The removal of CO2 and N-2 from natural gas: A review of conventional and emerging process technologies

2008

Journal Article

Nanoporous carbon electrode from waste coffee beans for high performance supercapacitors

Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gao Qing (2008). Nanoporous carbon electrode from waste coffee beans for high performance supercapacitors. Electrochemistry Communications, 10 (10), 1594-1597. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2008.08.022

Nanoporous carbon electrode from waste coffee beans for high performance supercapacitors

2024

Journal Article

Flooding control by electrochemically reduced graphene oxide additives in silver catalyst layers for CO2 electrolysis

Wu, Yuming, Idros, Mohamed Nazmi, Feng, Desheng, Huang, Wengang, Burdyny, Thomas, Wang, Bo, Wang, Geoff, Li, Mengran and Rufford, Thomas E. (2024). Flooding control by electrochemically reduced graphene oxide additives in silver catalyst layers for CO2 electrolysis. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces. doi: 10.1021/acsami.4c09095

Flooding control by electrochemically reduced graphene oxide additives in silver catalyst layers for CO2 electrolysis

2024

Conference Publication

Hydrogen in engineering degrees and its importance

Rufford, Thomas E. (2024). Hydrogen in engineering degrees and its importance. 6th Australia (Inter)National Hydrogen Day – Queensland Edition, Kelvin Grove, QLD Australian, 8 October 2024. Perth, WA Australia: Hydrogen Society of Australia.

Hydrogen in engineering degrees and its importance

2024

Conference Publication

Scaffolding development of process engineering drawing skills across an undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum

Rufford, Thomas E., Coulter, Bev, Ye, Liu, Fraga, Gabriel and Jensen, Paul (2024). Scaffolding development of process engineering drawing skills across an undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum. CHEMECA 2024, Gold Coast, QLD, Australia, 29 September-1 October 2024. IChemE.

Scaffolding development of process engineering drawing skills across an undergraduate chemical engineering curriculum

2024

Conference Publication

Threading process control and process safety concepts through undergraduate chemical engineering courses at UQ

Coulter, Bev, Ye, Liu, Oehmen, Adrian and Rufford, Thomas E. (2024). Threading process control and process safety concepts through undergraduate chemical engineering courses at UQ. CHEMECA 2024, Gold Coast, QLD Australia, 29 September - 1 October 2024. IChemE.

Threading process control and process safety concepts through undergraduate chemical engineering courses at UQ

2024

Conference Publication

Catalyst ink effects in the fabrication of electrodes for CO2 electrolysis

Rufford, Thomas E., Idros, Mohammed Nazmi, Wu, Yuming, Sahu, Aloka Kumar, Li, Mengran, Duignan, Tim and Wang, Geoff (2024). Catalyst ink effects in the fabrication of electrodes for CO2 electrolysis. International Conference on Advanced Materials for Energy, Environment and Health 2024, Adelaide, SA, Australia, 24-27 September 2024. Adelaide, SA, Australia: The University of Adelaide.

Catalyst ink effects in the fabrication of electrodes for CO2 electrolysis

2024

Journal Article

Pairing Oxygen Reduction and Water Oxidation for Dual−pathway H2O2 Production

Sun, Xin, Yang, Jindi, Zeng, Xiangkang, Guo, Lijun, Bie, Chuanbiao, Wang, Zhuyuan, Sun, Kaige, Sahu, Aloka Kumar, Tebyetekerwa, Mike, Rufford, Thomas E. and Zhang, Xiwang (2024). Pairing Oxygen Reduction and Water Oxidation for Dual−pathway H2O2 Production. Angewandte Chemie International Edition. doi: 10.1002/anie.202414417

Pairing Oxygen Reduction and Water Oxidation for Dual−pathway H2O2 Production

2024

Conference Publication

Progress and challenges in the electrochemical conversion of CO2 for decarbonization of ironmaking

Rufford, Thomas E. and Wang, Geoff (2024). Progress and challenges in the electrochemical conversion of CO2 for decarbonization of ironmaking. HBIS-UQ Innovation Centre for Sustainable Steel (ICSS) –ICSS Symposium 2024, Shijiazhuang, China, 23 - 24 May 2024.

Progress and challenges in the electrochemical conversion of CO2 for decarbonization of ironmaking

2024

Journal Article

An indirect Z-scheme heterostructure of nano-gold layer immobilized Cu-Al-doped SrTiO3 and CoOx-WO3 for photocatalytic CO2 reduction

Sahu, Aloka Kumar, Pokhriyal, Meenakshi, Banerjee, Debarun, Rufford, Thomas E. and Upadhyayula, Sreedevi (2024). An indirect Z-scheme heterostructure of nano-gold layer immobilized Cu-Al-doped SrTiO3 and CoOx-WO3 for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Chemical Engineering Journal, 487 150716, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2024.150716

An indirect Z-scheme heterostructure of nano-gold layer immobilized Cu-Al-doped SrTiO3 and CoOx-WO3 for photocatalytic CO2 reduction

2024

Journal Article

Accelerating charge separation and CO2 photoreduction in aqueous phase under visible light with Ru nanoparticles loaded on Ga-doped NiTiO3 in a batch photoreactor

Kumar Sahu, Aloka, Yadav, Sushant, Banerjee, Debarun, Rufford, Thomas E. and Upadhyayula, Sreedevi (2024). Accelerating charge separation and CO2 photoreduction in aqueous phase under visible light with Ru nanoparticles loaded on Ga-doped NiTiO3 in a batch photoreactor. ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces, 16 (6), 7057-7069. doi: 10.1021/acsami.3c15915

Accelerating charge separation and CO2 photoreduction in aqueous phase under visible light with Ru nanoparticles loaded on Ga-doped NiTiO3 in a batch photoreactor

Funding

Current funding

  • 2023 - 2030
    ARC Centre of Excellence for Green Electrochemical Transformation of Carbon Dioxide
    ARC Centres of Excellence
    Open grant
  • 2023 - 2026
    Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant

Past funding

  • 2022
    Laboratory verification of heating milk in Exothermic Baby bottle
    The Trustee for Grumbler Provisions Entrepreneurial Trust
    Open grant
  • 2020 - 2021
    Understanding wetting of gas diffusion electrodes during electrochemical CO2 reduction
    UQ Foundation Research Excellence Awards
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2023
    Developing a full-chain process integrated CO2 capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies with iron- and steel-making for HBIS
    HBIS Group Co, Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018 - 2021
    Selective wellbore coatings to control fines damage in coal seam gas wells
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Optimisation of Devatering Rates to Maximise CSG Production
    Arrow Energy Pty Ltd
    Open grant
  • 2018
    Multiphase and multiscale modelling of gas-liquid-particle transport in CSG reservoirs and wells
    Pawsey Supercomputing Centre
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2023
    Electrochemical conversion of CO2 to formic acid
    ARC Linkage Projects
    Open grant
  • 2017 - 2018
    Acoustic levitation facility for high pressure multiphase systems research (ARC LIEF project administered by the University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2021
    The Australian Centre for LNG Futures (ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre administered by the University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 2016 - 2019
    Relative Permeability in Coal
    ARC Discovery Projects
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2016
    X-ray transparent core flood apparatus
    ARC Linkage Infrastructure, Equipment and Facilities
    Open grant
  • 2015 - 2019
    Mathematical modelling of wellbore pressure profiles in CSG (pumped) wells
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2018
    High-pressure experimental measurements of gas-water relative permeability behaviour
    QGC Pty Limited
    Open grant
  • 2014
    Controlling fines in coal seam gas wells using MgO nanoparticles
    UQ Early Career Researcher
    Open grant
  • 2014 - 2016
    Recovering helium from Australia's natural gas: A case study for advanced adsorption processes to concentrate dilute gases
    ARC Discovery Early Career Researcher Award
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2017
    Identification, characterisation and stimulation of low permeability coals (Centre for Coal Seam Gas Research Project)
    Santos Limited
    Open grant
  • 2013 - 2018
    Understanding, characterising, and managing solids production in CSG producing wells (Centre for Coal Seam Gas Research Project)
    Santos Limited
    Open grant

Supervision

Availability

Associate Professor Tom Rufford is:
Available for supervision

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Supervision history

Current supervision

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Accelerated stress testing and degradation mechanisms in CO2 electrolysis cell

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Synthesis of Graphene Assisted Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Conversion of CO2 to Methanol

    Principal Advisor

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Modelling of thermal engineering management for hydrogen ironmaking in shaft furnace

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xiaodong Ma, Professor Geoff Wang

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Low emission iron and steelmaking using hydrogen to pre-reduce lump ore

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Professor Geoff Wang, Dr Helen Tang, Dr Xiaodong Ma

  • Master Philosophy

    Optimization of structured cementitious composite for sustainability: Mechanical properties and thermal properties

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao, Dr Shujian Chen

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Polymeric Photocatalysts for Solar-Driven Hydrogen Peroxide Production

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Xiangkang Zeng

  • Doctor Philosophy

    Controlling microenvironments to enable green fuels and scalable electrolysis

    Associate Advisor

    Other advisors: Dr Christopher Leonardi, Dr Travis Mitchell

Completed supervision

Media

Enquiries

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