Professor Tom Rufford
Professor

Tom Rufford

Email: 
Phone: 
+61 7 336 54165

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:
Not 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

Search Professor Tom Rufford’s works on UQ eSpace

201 works between 2006 and 2027
All (201) Book (1) Journal Article (104) Other Outputs (10) Conference Publication (84) Book Chapter (2)

121 - 140 of 201 works

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.

Membrane-based helium recovery from natural gas: a simulation and cost study

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.

Methane adsorption on pitch derived activated carbon monoliths

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

Gravimetric adsorption measurements of helium on natural clinoptilolite and synthetic molecular sieves at pressures up to 3500 kPa

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

Effect of sonication and hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube modifiers on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon discs

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

A critical review of flow maps for gas-liquid flows in vertical pipes and annuli

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

Experimental investigation on the impact of coal fines generation and migration on coal permeability

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.

Interim report stage 3 - CCSG1204 nanotechnologies to stabilise clays in coal seam gas producing wells

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

Efficient water oxidation with amorphous transition metal boride catalysts synthesized by chemical reduction of metal nitrate salts at room temperature

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

Surface-etched halloysite nanotubes in mixed matrix membranes for efficient gas separation

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.

Activated carbon foam discs with high compressive strength derived from mixture of mesophase pitch and coal

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

Experimental study of impact of dewatering induced coal fines on coal permeability

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

Screening of nanoparticles to control clay swelling in coal bed methane wells

2016

Journal Article

The preparation of activated carbon discs from tar pitch and coal powder for adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

Gao, Shuai, Ge, Lei, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). The preparation of activated carbon discs from tar pitch and coal powder for adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2. Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 238 (SI), 19-26. doi: 10.1016/j.micromeso.2016.08.004

The preparation of activated carbon discs from tar pitch and coal powder for adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

2016

Journal Article

Nitrogen-doped carbon foams synthesized from banana peel and zinc complex template for adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

Arami-Niya, Arash, Rufford, Thomas E. and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Nitrogen-doped carbon foams synthesized from banana peel and zinc complex template for adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2. Energy & Fuels, 30 (9), 7298-7308. doi: 10.1021/acs.energyfuels.6b00971

Nitrogen-doped carbon foams synthesized from banana peel and zinc complex template for adsorption of CO2, CH4 and N2

2016

Journal Article

Structure control of nitrogen-rich graphene nanosheets using hydrothermal treatment and formaldehyde polymerization for supercapacitors

Wen, Yangyang, Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa, Zhu, Xiaobo and Wang, Lianzhou (2016). Structure control of nitrogen-rich graphene nanosheets using hydrothermal treatment and formaldehyde polymerization for supercapacitors. ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 8 (28), 18051-18059. doi: 10.1021/acsami.6b04572

Structure control of nitrogen-rich graphene nanosheets using hydrothermal treatment and formaldehyde polymerization for supercapacitors

2016

Journal Article

Control over the morphology and phase of MnOx formed in the modified Hummers’ method and impact on the electrocapacitive properties of MnOx-graphite oxide composite electrodes

Sun, Xiaoming, Liu, Peng, Gu, Yi, Rufford, Thomas E. and Zhao, X. S. (2016). Control over the morphology and phase of MnOx formed in the modified Hummers’ method and impact on the electrocapacitive properties of MnOx-graphite oxide composite electrodes. RSC Advances, 6 (50), 44717-44722. doi: 10.1039/C6RA05577J

Control over the morphology and phase of MnOx formed in the modified Hummers’ method and impact on the electrocapacitive properties of MnOx-graphite oxide composite electrodes

2016

Journal Article

Nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped graphene monolith for supercapacitors

Wen, Yangyang, Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa and Wang, Lianzhou (2016). Nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped graphene monolith for supercapacitors. ChemSusChem, 9 (5), 513-520. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201501303

Nitrogen and phosphorous co-doped graphene monolith for supercapacitors

2016

Conference Publication

Effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube additives on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon foam

Gao, Shuai, Villacorta Hernandez, Byron, Ge, Lei, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube additives on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon foam. Carbon 2016, Penn State University, 10-15 July 2016.

Effect of hydrogen peroxide oxidation of carbon nanotube additives on the microstructure of pitch-derived activated carbon foam

2016

Conference Publication

Evaluation of a pressure-swing adsorption process for recovery of helium from a laboratory shock-tunnel facility

Chua, Aaron, Rufford, Thomas, Arami-Niya, Arash, Rose, Erika and Gildfind, David (2016). Evaluation of a pressure-swing adsorption process for recovery of helium from a laboratory shock-tunnel facility. 12th International Conference on the Fundamentals of Adsorption (FOA12), Friedrichshafen, Germany, 29 May - 3 June 2016.

Evaluation of a pressure-swing adsorption process for recovery of helium from a laboratory shock-tunnel facility

2016

Conference Publication

Nitrogen and phosphorous doped graphene nanosheets for supercapacitors

Rufford, Thomas, Yangyang Wen, Wang, Lianzhou and Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa (2016). Nitrogen and phosphorous doped graphene nanosheets for supercapacitors. Curtin-UQ Workshop on Nanostructured Electromaterials for Energy, Perth, 18-19 January 2016.

Nitrogen and phosphorous doped graphene nanosheets for supercapacitors

Current funding

  • 2026 - 2029
    Redefining pH and Advancing Electrolyte Thermodynamics using Ion Trios (ARC Discovery Project administered by The University of Western Australia)
    University of Western Australia
    Open grant
  • 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

Availability

Professor Tom Rufford is:
Not available for supervision

Supervision history

Current supervision

Completed supervision

Enquiries

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