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)

161 - 180 of 189 works

2012

Journal Article

A dynamic column breakthrough apparatus for adsorption capacity measurements with quantitative uncertainties

Hofman, Paul S., Rufford, Thomas E., Chan, K. Ida and May, Eric F. (2012). A dynamic column breakthrough apparatus for adsorption capacity measurements with quantitative uncertainties. Adsorption, 18 (3-4), 251-263. doi: 10.1007/s10450-012-9398-y

A dynamic column breakthrough apparatus for adsorption capacity measurements with quantitative uncertainties

2012

Journal Article

Thiol functionalized mesoporous silicas for selective adsorption of precious metals

Zheng, Huajun, Hu, Denghong, Zhang, Lei, Ma, Chun'an and Rufford, Tom (2012). Thiol functionalized mesoporous silicas for selective adsorption of precious metals. Minerals Engineering, 35, 20-26. doi: 10.1016/j.mineng.2012.04.006

Thiol functionalized mesoporous silicas for selective adsorption of precious metals

2012

Journal Article

Screening zeolites for gas separation applications involving methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide

Jensen, Nathan K., Rufford, Thomas E., Watson, Guillaume, Zhang, Dongke K., Chan, K. Ida and May, Eric F. (2012). Screening zeolites for gas separation applications involving methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 57 (1), 106-113. doi: 10.1021/je200817w

Screening zeolites for gas separation applications involving methane, nitrogen, and carbon dioxide

2012

Journal Article

Volumetric adsorption measurements of N 2, CO 2, CH 4, and a CO 2 + CH 4 mixture on a natural chabazite from (5 to 3000) kPa

Watson, Guillaume C., Jensen, Nathan K., Rufford, Thomas E., Chan, K. Ida and May, Eric F. (2012). Volumetric adsorption measurements of N 2, CO 2, CH 4, and a CO 2 + CH 4 mixture on a natural chabazite from (5 to 3000) kPa. Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data, 57 (1), 93-101. doi: 10.1021/je200812y

Volumetric adsorption measurements of N 2, CO 2, CH 4, and a CO 2 + CH 4 mixture on a natural chabazite from (5 to 3000) kPa

2011

Journal Article

Catalytic reduction of NO by CO over copper-oxide supported mesoporous silica

Patel, Archana, Shukla, Pradeep, Rufford, Thomas, Wang, Shaobin, Chen, Jiuling, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2011). Catalytic reduction of NO by CO over copper-oxide supported mesoporous silica. Applied Catalysis A: General, 409, 55-65. doi: 10.1016/j.apcata.2011.09.024

Catalytic reduction of NO by CO over copper-oxide supported mesoporous silica

2011

Journal Article

KOH catalysed preparation of activated carbon aerogels for dye adsorption

Ling, Sie King, Tian, H. Y., Wang, Shaobin, Rufford, Thomas, Zhu, Z. H. and Buckley, C. E. (2011). KOH catalysed preparation of activated carbon aerogels for dye adsorption. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 357 (1), 157-162. doi: 10.1016/j.jcis.2011.01.092

KOH catalysed preparation of activated carbon aerogels for dye adsorption

2011

Journal Article

A comparison study of catalytic oxidation and acid oxidation to prepare carbon nanotubes for filling with Ru nanoparticles

Wang, L, Ge, L, Rufford, TE, Chen, JL, Zhou, W, Zhu, ZH and Rudolph, V (2011). A comparison study of catalytic oxidation and acid oxidation to prepare carbon nanotubes for filling with Ru nanoparticles. Carbon, 49 (6), 2022-2032. doi: 10.1016/j.carbon.2011.01.028

A comparison study of catalytic oxidation and acid oxidation to prepare carbon nanotubes for filling with Ru nanoparticles

2011

Conference Publication

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by CO over CuO supported on SBA-15: Effect of CuO loading on the activity of catalysts

Patel, Archana, Rufford, Thomas E., Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2011). Selective catalytic reduction of NO by CO over CuO supported on SBA-15: Effect of CuO loading on the activity of catalysts. 2nd International Symposium on New Catalytic Materials, Cancun, Mexico, 16-20 August 2009. Amsterdam, The Netherlands: Elsevier BV. doi: 10.1016/j.cattod.2010.05.040

Selective catalytic reduction of NO by CO over CuO supported on SBA-15: Effect of CuO loading on the activity of catalysts

2011

Conference Publication

Study of nitric oxide (NO) reduction with carbon monoxide (CO) as reducing agent over copper oxide supported on mesoporous alumina and manganese oxide

Patel, Archana, Shukla, Pradeep, Rufford, Thomas, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2011). Study of nitric oxide (NO) reduction with carbon monoxide (CO) as reducing agent over copper oxide supported on mesoporous alumina and manganese oxide. Chemeca 2011: Australasian, Sydney, Australia, 18-21 September 2011. Barton, ACT, Australia: Engineers Australia.

Study of nitric oxide (NO) reduction with carbon monoxide (CO) as reducing agent over copper oxide supported on mesoporous alumina and manganese oxide

2010

Journal Article

Studies on mechanism of carbon nanotube and manganese oxide nanosheet self-sustained thin film for electrochemical capacitor

Zheng, HJ, Kang, W, Fengming, Z, Tang, FQ, Rufford, TE, Wang, LZ and Ma, CN (2010). Studies on mechanism of carbon nanotube and manganese oxide nanosheet self-sustained thin film for electrochemical capacitor. Solid State Ionics, 181 (37-38), 1690-1696. doi: 10.1016/j.ssi.2010.09.054

Studies on mechanism of carbon nanotube and manganese oxide nanosheet self-sustained thin film for electrochemical capacitor

2010

Journal Article

A comparative study of chemical treatment by FeCl3, MgCl2, and ZnCl2 on microstructure, surface chemistry, and double-layer capacitance of carbons from waste biomass

Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gao Qing (2010). A comparative study of chemical treatment by FeCl3, MgCl2, and ZnCl2 on microstructure, surface chemistry, and double-layer capacitance of carbons from waste biomass. Journal of Materials Research, 25 (8), 1451-1459. doi: 10.1557/JMR.2010.0186

A comparative study of chemical treatment by FeCl3, MgCl2, and ZnCl2 on microstructure, surface chemistry, and double-layer capacitance of carbons from waste biomass

2010

Journal Article

Microstructure and electrochemical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared by zinc chloride activation of sugar cane bagasse

Rufford, Thomas, Jurcakova, Denisa, Khosla, Kiran, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gaoqing (2010). Microstructure and electrochemical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared by zinc chloride activation of sugar cane bagasse. Journal of Power Sources, 193 (3), 912-918. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.08.048

Microstructure and electrochemical double-layer capacitance of carbon electrodes prepared by zinc chloride activation of sugar cane bagasse

2009

Journal Article

Empirical analysis of the contributions of mesopores and micropores to double-layer capacitance of carbons

Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gaoqing (2009). Empirical analysis of the contributions of mesopores and micropores to double-layer capacitance of carbons. Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 113 (44), 19335-19343. doi: 10.1021/jp905975q

Empirical analysis of the contributions of mesopores and micropores to double-layer capacitance of carbons

2009

Journal Article

Electrochemical behavior of carbon-nanatube/cobalt oxhydroxide nanoflake multilayer films

Zheng, Huajun, Tang, Fengqiu, Lim, Melvin, Rufford, Thomas, Mukherji, Aniruddh, Wang, Lianzhou and Lu,Gaoqing (Max) (2009). Electrochemical behavior of carbon-nanatube/cobalt oxhydroxide nanoflake multilayer films. Journal of Power Sources, 193 (2), 930-934. doi: 10.1016/j.jpowsour.2009.03.005

Electrochemical behavior of carbon-nanatube/cobalt oxhydroxide nanoflake multilayer films

2009

Journal Article

Influence of calcination temperatures of Feitknecht compound precursor on the structure of Ni–Al2O3 catalyst and the corresponding catalytic activity in methane decomposition to hydrogen and carbon nanofibers

Chen, J., Ma, Q., Rufford, T., Li, Y. and Zhu, Z.H. (2009). Influence of calcination temperatures of Feitknecht compound precursor on the structure of Ni–Al2O3 catalyst and the corresponding catalytic activity in methane decomposition to hydrogen and carbon nanofibers. Applied Catalysis A-general, 362 (1-2), 1-7. doi: 10.1016/j.apcata.2009.04.025

Influence of calcination temperatures of Feitknecht compound precursor on the structure of Ni–Al2O3 catalyst and the corresponding catalytic activity in methane decomposition to hydrogen and carbon nanofibers

2009

Journal Article

Double-layer capacitance of waste coffee ground activated carbons in an organic electrolyte

Rufford, Thomas E., Hulicova-Jurcakova, Denisa, Fiset, Erika, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gao Qing (2009). Double-layer capacitance of waste coffee ground activated carbons in an organic electrolyte. Electrochemistry communications, 11 (5), 974-977. doi: 10.1016/j.elecom.2009.02.038

Double-layer capacitance of waste coffee ground activated carbons in an organic electrolyte

2009

Conference Publication

Mesoporous supported catalysts for NOx reduction

Patel, Archana, Rufford, Thomas, Chen, Jiuling, Rudolph, Victor and Zhu, Zhonghua (2009). Mesoporous supported catalysts for NOx reduction. CHEMECA 2009, Perth, Western Australia, 27-30 September. Perth, Western Australia: Engineers Australia.

Mesoporous supported catalysts for NOx reduction

2009

Conference Publication

Mesoporous carbon from popcorn

Lu, Gaoqing, Rufford, Thomas and Zhu, Zhonghua (2009). Mesoporous carbon from popcorn. ICONN 2008: International Conference On Nanoscience and Nanotechnology, Melbourne, Vic, Australia, 25-29 February 2008. Bristol, England: IOP Publishing.

Mesoporous carbon from popcorn

2009

Conference Publication

Waste materials as precursors for supercapacitor electrodes

Rufford, T., Jurcakova, D., Fiset, E., Zhu, Z. and Lu, G. Q. (2009). Waste materials as precursors for supercapacitor electrodes. CHEMECA 2009, Perth, Australia, 27-30 September. Perth: Engineers Australia.

Waste materials as precursors for supercapacitor electrodes

2009

Conference Publication

Supercapacitor electrodes of carbon derived from waste materials

Rufford, Thomas, Jurcakova, Denisa, Cheng, Ching-Yuan, Zhu, Zhonghua and Lu, Gaoqing (2009). Supercapacitor electrodes of carbon derived from waste materials. International Green Energy NanoCarbon Conference 2009, Jeonju, South Korea, 3-6 November, 2009.

Supercapacitor electrodes of carbon derived from waste materials

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

    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

  • 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

    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

  • 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

Completed supervision

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