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
- Professor Tom Rufford is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Bachelor (Honours) of Engineering, The University of Queensland
- Doctor of Philosophy, The University of Queensland
- Member, Engineers Australia, Engineers Australia
- Member, Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE), Institute of Chemical Engineers (IChemE)
- Member, International Society of Electrochemistry, International Society of Electrochemistry
Works
Search Professor Tom Rufford’s works on UQ eSpace
2018
Journal Article
Permeability enhancement of coal by chemical-free fracturing using high-voltage electrohydraulic discharge
Ren, Fei, Ge, Lei, Rufford, Thomas E., Xing, Huilin and Rudolph, Victor (2018). Permeability enhancement of coal by chemical-free fracturing using high-voltage electrohydraulic discharge. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 57, 1-10. doi: 10.1016/j.jngse.2018.06.034
2018
Journal Article
A reduced graphene oxide-NiO composite electrode with a high and stable capacitance
Sun, Xiaoming, Lu, Hao, Liu, Peng, Rufford, Thomas E., Gaddam, Rohit R., Fan, Xin and Zhao, X. S. (2018). A reduced graphene oxide-NiO composite electrode with a high and stable capacitance. Sustainable Energy and Fuels, 2 (3), 673-678. doi: 10.1039/c7se00420f
2018
Conference Publication
Membrane-based helium recovery from natural gas: a simulation and cost study
Quader, Md Abdul , Smart, Simon and Rufford, Thomas E. (2018). Membrane-based helium recovery from natural gas: a simulation and cost study. 2018 Membrane Society of Australasia Early Career Researcher Membrane Symposium, Sydney, Australia, 5-6 February 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Methane adsorption on pitch derived activated carbon monoliths
Rufford, Thomas E., Gao, Shuai , Arami-Niya, Arash , Villacorta, Byron S., Ge, Lei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2018). Methane adsorption on pitch derived activated carbon monoliths. 8th Pacific Basin Conference on Adsorption Science and Technology, Sapporo, Japan, 3-6 September 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Cost-optimal helium capture ratio from different natural gas sources by integrated membrane process designs
Quader, Md Abdul, Smart, Simon and Rufford, Thomas E. (2018). Cost-optimal helium capture ratio from different natural gas sources by integrated membrane process designs. 1st International Conference on Energy-efficient Separation (iEESEP2018), Melbourne, 23-27 January 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Electrochemical CO2 reduction for the iron and steel making industry
Rufford, Thomas E., Garg, Sahil , Li, Mengran , Li, Liye , Rudolph, Victor and Wang, Geoff (2018). Electrochemical CO2 reduction for the iron and steel making industry. HBIS-Northeastern University International Academic Conference, Shijiazhuang, China, 21-22 August 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Response of relative permeability to coal surface chemistry and effective pressure through steady-state flooding measurements using X-ray CT scanner and artificial Australian coal cores
Terzini Soares, Fabio, Ge, Lei, Rufford, Thomas E., Steel, Karen and Rudolph, Victor (2018). Response of relative permeability to coal surface chemistry and effective pressure through steady-state flooding measurements using X-ray CT scanner and artificial Australian coal cores. InterPore 10th Annual Meeting, New Orleans, LA USA, 14-17 May 2018.
2018
Conference Publication
Mitigating the failure of downhole pumps due to gas interference in coal seam gas wells
Wu, Benjamin, Firouzi, Mahshid, Rufford, Thomas E. and Towler, Brian (2018). Mitigating the failure of downhole pumps due to gas interference in coal seam gas wells. SPE Asia Pacific Oil and Gas Conference and Exhibition, Brisbane, Australia, 23-25 October 2018. Society of Petroleum Engineers. doi: 10.2118/191910-ms
2018
Conference Publication
Techno-economic evaluation of multistage membrane combinations using three different materials to recover helium from natural gas
Quader, M. Abdul, Smart, Simon and Rufford, Thomas E. (2018). Techno-economic evaluation of multistage membrane combinations using three different materials to recover helium from natural gas. 13th International Symposium on Process Systems Engineering – PSE 2018, San Diego, CA, United States, 1-5 July 2018. Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/B978-0-444-64241-7.50195-6
2018
Conference Publication
Critical review of the effects of electrolyser design and operating parameters on electrochemical CO2 reduction with Cu metal catalysts
Garg, Sahil , Li, Mengran , Ge, Lei , Wang, Geoff (GX) and Rufford, Thomas E. (2018). Critical review of the effects of electrolyser design and operating parameters on electrochemical CO2 reduction with Cu metal catalysts. Energy Future (EF3) Conference: Fundamental and Applied Science for Alternative Energy Technologies, Sydney, Australia, 5-7 February 2018.
2017
Journal Article
Gravimetric adsorption measurements of helium on natural clinoptilolite and synthetic molecular sieves at pressures up to 3500 kPa
Arami-Niya, Arash, Rufford, Thomas E., Birkett, Greg and Zhu, Zhonghua (2017). Gravimetric adsorption measurements of helium on natural clinoptilolite and synthetic molecular sieves at pressures up to 3500 kPa. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 244, 218-225. doi: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2016.10.035
2017
Journal Article
Effect of sonication and hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube modifiers on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon discs
Gao, Shuai, Villacorta, Byron S. , Ge, Lei, Rufford, Thomas E. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2017). Effect of sonication and hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube modifiers on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon discs. Carbon, 124, 142-151. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2017.08.036
2017
Journal Article
A critical review of flow maps for gas-liquid flows in vertical pipes and annuli
Wu, Benjamin, Firouzi, Mahshid, Mitchell, Travis, Rufford, Thomas E., Leonardi, Christopher and Towler, Brian (2017). A critical review of flow maps for gas-liquid flows in vertical pipes and annuli. Chemical Engineering Journal, 326, 350-377. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2017.05.135
2017
Journal Article
Experimental investigation on the impact of coal fines generation and migration on coal permeability
Bai, Tianhang, Chen, Zhongwei, Aminossadati, Saiied M., Rufford, Thomas E. and Li, Ling (2017). Experimental investigation on the impact of coal fines generation and migration on coal permeability. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 159, 257-266. doi: 10.1016/j.petrol.2017.09.035
2017
Other Outputs
Interim report stage 3 - CCSG1204 nanotechnologies to stabilise clays in coal seam gas producing wells
Patel, Archana, Tom Rufford, Ge, Lei, Yao, Zheng, Rudolph, Victor and Towler, Brian (2017). Interim report stage 3 - CCSG1204 nanotechnologies to stabilise clays in coal seam gas producing wells. University of Queensland: UQ School of Chemical Engineering.
2017
Journal Article
Efficient water oxidation with amorphous transition metal boride catalysts synthesized by chemical reduction of metal nitrate salts at room temperature
Yang, Yisu, Zhuang, Linzhou, Rufford, Thomas E., Wang, Shaobin and Zhu, Zhonghua (2017). Efficient water oxidation with amorphous transition metal boride catalysts synthesized by chemical reduction of metal nitrate salts at room temperature. RSC Advances, 7 (52), 32923-32930. doi: 10.1039/c7ra02558k
2017
Journal Article
Surface-etched halloysite nanotubes in mixed matrix membranes for efficient gas separation
Ge, Lei, Lin, Rijia, Wang, Li, Rufford, Thomas E., Villacorta, Byron, Liu, Shaomin, Liu, Lian X. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2017). Surface-etched halloysite nanotubes in mixed matrix membranes for efficient gas separation. Separation and Purification Technology, 173, 63-71. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2016.09.015
2017
Conference Publication
Activated carbon foam discs with high compressive strength derived from mixture of mesophase pitch and coal
Gao, Shuai, Villacorta, Byron S. , Ge, Lei , Rufford, Thomas E. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2017). Activated carbon foam discs with high compressive strength derived from mixture of mesophase pitch and coal. Carbon 2017, Melbourne, VIC, Australia, 23-28 July 2017.
2017
Conference Publication
Experimental study of impact of dewatering induced coal fines on coal permeability
Bai, Tianhang, Chen, Zhongwei, Aminossadati, Saiied M. and Rufford, Thomas (2017). Experimental study of impact of dewatering induced coal fines on coal permeability. 6th Biot Conference on Poromechanics, Paris, France, 9-13 July 2017. Reston, VA, United States: American Society of Civil Engineers. doi: 10.1061/9780784480779.141
2016
Conference Publication
Screening of nanoparticles to control clay swelling in coal bed methane wells
Patel, Archana, Goh, Clarice, Towler, Brian, Rudolph, Victor and Rufford, Thomas E. (2016). Screening of nanoparticles to control clay swelling in coal bed methane wells. International Petroleum Technology Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 November 2016. IPTC. doi: 10.2523/iptc-18713-ms
Funding
Current funding
Supervision
Availability
- 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
Single-atom catalysts (SACs) as potential catalysts for Electrochemical CO2 reduction
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Simon Smart
-
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of Graphene Assisted Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Conversion of CO2 to Methanol
Principal Advisor
-
Doctor Philosophy
CO2 electrolyser degradation mechanisms and accelerated testing methods
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe, Dr Ray Bi
-
Doctor Philosophy
Enhanced approaches to engineering the scale-up of CO2 electrolysers from bench to pilot scale
Principal Advisor
Other advisors: Professor Xiwang Zhang, Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa
-
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
Utilising co-products of water electrolysis in wastewater treatment
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Mike Tebyetekerwa, Dr Ray Bi, Professor Xiwang Zhang
-
Doctor Philosophy
Controlling microenvironments to enable green fuels and scalable electrolysis
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Christopher Leonardi, Dr Travis Mitchell
-
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
Advanced imaging of CO2 electrochemical conversion materials.
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Ruth Knibbe
-
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
Completed supervision
-
2024
Doctor Philosophy
Synthesis of Graphene Assisted Heterojunction Photocatalysts for Conversion of CO2 to Methanol
Principal Advisor
-
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
-
2024
Master Philosophy
Optimization of structured cementitious composite for sustainability: Thermal properties and Mechanical properties
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Associate Professor Vinh Dao, Dr Shujian Chen
-
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
Dynamics of anisotropic permeability in coal seam gas reservoirs
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Professor John Zhu
-
2019
Doctor Philosophy
Application of Electrohydraulic Discharge (EHD) Stimulation for Unconventional Reservoir Development
Associate Advisor
-
-
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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