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:
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

189 works between 2006 and 2025
All (189) Journal Article (99) Book Chapter (2) Conference Publication (79) Book (1) Other Outputs (8)

121 - 140 of 189 works

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

Journal Article

Developing new mechanistic models for predicting pressure gradient in coal bed methane wells

Firouzi, Mahshid, Towler, Brian and Rufford, Thomas (2016). Developing new mechanistic models for predicting pressure gradient in coal bed methane wells. Journal of Natural Gas Science and Engineering, 33, 961-972. doi: 10.1016/j.jngse.2016.04.035

Developing new mechanistic models for predicting pressure gradient in coal bed methane wells

2016

Conference Publication

A technical evaluation of hybrid membrane-absorption processes for acid gas removal

Sclierf, Michael and Rufford, Thomas E. (2016). A technical evaluation of hybrid membrane-absorption processes for acid gas removal. International Petroleum Technology Conference, Bangkok, Thailand, 14-16 November 2016. International Petroleum Technology Conference. doi: 10.2523/iptc-18732-ms

A technical evaluation of hybrid membrane-absorption processes for acid gas removal

2016

Conference Publication

Equilibrium capacity of He, N2 and CO2 on Ga-rich PST-1 zeolite at 303 K and pressures up to 5000 kPa

Niya, Arash Arami, Rufford, Thomas, Birkett, Greg and Zhu, Zhonghua (2016). Equilibrium capacity of He, N2 and CO2 on Ga-rich PST-1 zeolite at 303 K and pressures up to 5000 kPa. 12th International Conference on the Fundamentals of Adsorption (FOA12), Friedrichshafen, Germany, 29 May-3 June 2016.

Equilibrium capacity of He, N2 and CO2 on Ga-rich PST-1 zeolite at 303 K and pressures up to 5000 kPa

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

2016

Conference Publication

CO2 adsorption on banana-peel derived hierarchical porous carbon foams

Arash Arami Niya, Zhu, Zhonghua and Rufford, Thomas (2016). CO2 adsorption on banana-peel derived hierarchical porous carbon foams. Carbon 2016, Penn State University, 10-15 July 2016.

CO2 adsorption on banana-peel derived hierarchical porous carbon foams

2015

Journal Article

Structural sensitivity of mesoporous alumina for copper catalyst loading used for NO reduction in presence of CO

Patel, Archana, Shukla, Pradeep, Chen, Jiuling, Rufford, Thomas E., Wang, Shaobin, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Structural sensitivity of mesoporous alumina for copper catalyst loading used for NO reduction in presence of CO. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 101, 27-43. doi: 10.1016/j.cherd.2015.03.027

Structural sensitivity of mesoporous alumina for copper catalyst loading used for NO reduction in presence of CO

2015

Journal Article

Low-temperature synthesis of hierarchical amorphous basic nickel carbonate particles for water oxidation catalysis

Yang, Yisu, Liang, Fengli, Li, Mengran, Rufford, Thomas E., Zhou, Wei and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Low-temperature synthesis of hierarchical amorphous basic nickel carbonate particles for water oxidation catalysis. ChemSusChem, 8 (13), 2193-2197. doi: 10.1002/cssc.201500182

Low-temperature synthesis of hierarchical amorphous basic nickel carbonate particles for water oxidation catalysis

2015

Journal Article

Capture of low grade methane from nitrogen gas using dual-reflux pressure swing adsorption

Saleman, Thomas L., Li, Gang (Kevin), Rufford, Thomas E., Stanwix, Paul L., Chan, K. Ida, Huang, Stanley H. and May, Eric F. (2015). Capture of low grade methane from nitrogen gas using dual-reflux pressure swing adsorption. Chemical Engineering Journal, 281, 739-748. doi: 10.1016/j.cej.2015.07.001

Capture of low grade methane from nitrogen gas using dual-reflux pressure swing adsorption

2015

Journal Article

An experimental and simulation study of binary adsorption in metal-organic frameworks

Yang, Ying, Sitprasert, Chatcharin, Rufford, Thomas E., Ge, Lei, Shukla, Pradeep, Wang, Shaobin, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). An experimental and simulation study of binary adsorption in metal-organic frameworks. Separation and Purification Technology, 146 12261, 136-142. doi: 10.1016/j.seppur.2015.03.041

An experimental and simulation study of binary adsorption in metal-organic frameworks

2015

Journal Article

Synthesis and characterization of three amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks based on 2-aminoterphthalic ligand

Yang, Ying, Lin, Rijia, Ge, Lei, Hou, Lei, Bernhardt, Paul V., Rufford, Thomas, Wang, Shaobin, Rudolph, Victor, Wang, Yaoyu and Zhu, Zhonghua (2015). Synthesis and characterization of three amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks based on 2-aminoterphthalic ligand. Dalton Transactions, 44 (17), 8190-8197. doi: 10.1039/c4dt03927k

Synthesis and characterization of three amino-functionalized metal-organic frameworks based on 2-aminoterphthalic ligand

2015

Journal Article

Creation of micro channels in Bowen Basin coals using UV laser and reactive ion etching

Mohoney, Shilo A., Rufford, Thomas, Rudolph, Victor, Liu, Kai-Yu, Rodrigues, Sandra and Steel, Karen (2015). Creation of micro channels in Bowen Basin coals using UV laser and reactive ion etching. International Journal of Coal Geology, 144-145, 48-57. doi: 10.1016/j.coal.2015.04.001

Creation of micro channels in Bowen Basin coals using UV laser and reactive ion etching

2015

Journal Article

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) as a porogen to prepare nitrogen-enriched porous carbon electrode materials from pyrolysis of melamine resin

Fiset, Erika, Rufford, Thomas E. and Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa (2015). Poly(vinylidene fluoride) as a porogen to prepare nitrogen-enriched porous carbon electrode materials from pyrolysis of melamine resin. Materials Today Communications, 3, 36-42. doi: 10.1016/j.mtcomm.2015.04.001

Poly(vinylidene fluoride) as a porogen to prepare nitrogen-enriched porous carbon electrode materials from pyrolysis of melamine resin

2015

Conference Publication

Measurements of gas-liquid relative permeability of Queensland coals

Ge, Lei, Khan, Charwarwan, Rufford, Thomas E. and Rudolph, Victor (2015). Measurements of gas-liquid relative permeability of Queensland coals. AAPG Opportunities and Advancements in Coal Bed Methane in the Asia Pacific, Brisbane / Brisbane Convention Centre, 12-13 February 2015. Tulsa, OK United States: Datapages.

Measurements of gas-liquid relative permeability of Queensland coals

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

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

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