Dr Thomas Rainey

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PhD (Queensland University of Technology), GradCertAcadPrac (Queensland University of Technology), BEng(Chem)Hons (University of Adelaide)

Dr Tom Rainey is coordinator of the Chemical Process Engineering course at QUT. He is a winner of The Caltex Award for excellence in chemical engineering education and the Sugar Research Development Corporation Award.
Key research areas:

  • Process Engineering and Energy relating to biomass
  • Cellulose nanofiber materials
  • Advanced filtration problems
  • Process modelling and financial valuation (technoeconomic assessment)
  • Pulp and paper- all areas: specialising in sugarcane bagasse, paper formation and property testing
  • Pyrolysis and HTL biocrudes
  • Biomass processing technology

After completing his Chemical Engineering degree at University of Adelaide, Tom worked in the pulp and paper industry at Kimberly Clark (Mount Gambier, South Australia). Following this, he worked for the Sugar Research Institute in Mackay with a focus on value added products from sugarcane bagasse, particularly paper products, as well as raw sugar production. He completed his PhD in 2009 and worked as a Research Fellow until 2012. Since 2013 he has worked in the QUT Science and Engineering Faculty. He has acted as discipline leader in the Energy and Process Engineering Discipline acted as school HDR Director.

PhD opportunities: There are opportunities to work in Dr. Rainey’s process engineering group. Applicants are welcome to contact him to discuss potential projects. He leads a program investigating the nanocellulose, filtration problems and refinement of biofuels for performance testing in affiliation with the Biofuels Engine Research Facility (BERF). This is underpinned by technoeconomic assessment as part of their studies. https://research.qut.edu.au/berf/

Publications http://eprints.qut.edu.au/view/person/Rainey,_Thomas.html

Projects

Additional information

Experience

Professional Experience: 

  • 2020 to present Senior Lecturer/Lecturer, Science and Engineering Faculty, School of Mechanical, Medical and Process Engineering, QUT
  • 2013 to 2019 Senior Lecturer/Lecturer, Science and Engineering Faculty, Energy and Process Engineering Discipline in the School of Chemistry, Physics and Mechanical Engineering, QUT
  • 2005 to 2012 Research Fellow, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, QUT
  • 2003 to 2005 Research Engineer, Sugar Research Institute (SRI), Mackay, Queensland
  • 2000 to 2003 Process Technologist, Kimberly – Clark, Millicent Paper Mill and Tantanoola Pulp Mill, South Australia

Grants: in such fields as:

  • Pulp/fertiliser production from sugarcane bagasse
  • Filtration of sugar factory mud
  • Bagasse paper formation and filtration
  • Process modelling
  • Government policy review

External collaborations (academic)

  • Monash University- Australian Pulp and Paper Institute, Melbourne, Australia
  • Central Pulp and Paper Research Institute, India
  • Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, Germany
  • University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

Awards

Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2019
Details
The Caltex Award for excellence in Chemical Engineering
Type
Membership of Learned Societies
Reference year
2017
Details
Chartered Engineer, Member IChemE
Type
Academic Honours, Prestigious Awards or Prizes
Reference year
2011
Details
Sugar Research Development Corporation Award

Publications

Research Projects

Title
Process for Making Bagasse Paper Pulp (4029)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT053
Start year
2012
Keywords
Bagasse; Biomass; Paper; Pulp; Sugarcane
Title
Flocculation and Sedimentation of Slow Settling Mud and Mud Cake Conditioning(4055)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT056
Start year
2012
Keywords
Clarification; Clays; Flocculation; Juice; Sugar Manufacture
Title
Evaluate Brazilian mud filtration technology to increase the profitability and environmental performance of Australian factories (3959/3960)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT048
Start year
2011
Keywords
Cake Moisture; Mud Filtration; Retention; Rotary Vacuum Filtration; Technopulp
Title
Advanced Computer Simulation of Sugar Factories - SysCAD (3874)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT040
Start year
2010
Keywords
Mass Balances; Energy Balances; Process Simulation; Computer Simulation; Process Flowsheet
Title
The Production of Biofuels and Value added Co-products from the Thermochemical Processing of Sugarcane Bagasse (3836)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT036
Start year
2009
Keywords
Thermochemical Processing; Sugarcane Bagasse; Biofuels; Platform Chemicals
Title
Low Moisture Mill Mud for Cost Effective Return to Cane Fields (also includes Clarification of A Molasses)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
SRI134
Start year
2005
Keywords
Cane Mud; Moisture; Centrifugal; Belt Filter; Decanter
Title
Opportunities for the Australian Sugar Industry in Greenhouse Gas Abatement and Carbon Trading (3866)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT027
Start year
2009
Keywords
LCA; Sugar; Bagasse; Emissions Trading; Renewable; Energy
Title
The 2006 Appita Conference - Value Adding Of Bagasse
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT006
Start year
2006
Keywords
Bagasse; Pulp; Paper
Title
Improving the cost-effectiveness of mud filtration through modern technology
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
QUT012
Start year
2006
Keywords
Sugar; Mud; Transport
Title
SIRE #5 - Crystallisation Rates In Pilot Vacuum Pan
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
SRI123
Start year
2005
Keywords
Crystallisation; Sugar Manufacture; Growth Rates; Growth Dispersion; Vacuum Pan

Current Supervisions

Completed Supervisions (Doctorate)

Completed Supervisions (Masters by Research)