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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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
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
Funding
Current funding
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
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Understanding interaction between ionomers, particles and solvents in catalyst ink formulation for CO2 electrolysis to multicarbon products
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Tim Duignan
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Investigation of Electrolyte Flooding in a Carbon-based Gas Diffusion Electrode for CO2 Electrolysis to CO
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Geoff Wang
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Magnesium based clay stabilizers for swelling inhibition of smectites in coal seam gas reservoirs
Principal Advisor
-
2021
Doctor Philosophy
Optimizing Catalyst-electrolyte Interfaces for Selective Electrocatalytic CO2 Reduction to CO over Ag Electrodes
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Geoff Wang
-
2020
Doctor Philosophy
Design and Techno-economic Evaluation of Multi-stage Membrane Processes for Helium Recovery from Natural Gas
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Simon Smart
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
The Effects of Surface Chemistry, Mineral Content and Effective Pressure on Relative Permeability using Artificial Australian Coal Cores
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Novel Adsorbents for Natural Gas Separation and Purification
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Greg Birkett, Professor John Zhu
-
2023
Doctor Philosophy
Carbon Footprint Mapping & Modelling for an Ironmaking Blast Furnace
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Geoff Wang
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
The experimental study of counter-current two-phase flows in annuli
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Mahshid Firouzi
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Application of Electrohydraulic Discharge (EHD) Stimulation for Unconventional Reservoir Development
Associate Advisor
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Dynamics of anisotropic permeability in coal seam gas reservoirs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
-
-
2018
Doctor Philosophy
Foam structured carbon monoliths for gas adsorption
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lei Ge, Professor John Zhu
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
The Effect of Water Occlusion on Gas Production in Coal
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Karen Steel
-
2017
Doctor Philosophy
Design and Preparation of Novel Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
-
2016
Doctor Philosophy
Two-Dimensional Nanomaterials for Supercapacitors
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Lianzhou Wang
-
-
2012
Doctor Philosophy
Mesoporous materials supported catalysts for removal of nitric oxide using carbon monoxide as reducing agent
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
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