Dr Darryn Rackemann

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Program Leader (Bioprocessing)

PhD (Queensland University of Technology), Master of Engineering Science (James Cook Uni. of North Qld)

Darryn Rackemann has over 20 years experience in undertaking R&D and consulting for raw sugar mills and other clients. Over this time he has developed a comprehensive knowledge of the sugar industry in the areas of clarification and filtration technology and evaporation and crystallisation vessel design and operation. Dr Darryn Rackemann has developed CFD modelling tools and knowledge (including multi–phase and multi–component flows) to evaluate enhanced process vessel designs and has also trained other staff in CFD modelling techniques. Darryn has completed a Masters in Chemical Engineering on heat and mass transfer in crystallization unit operations and was responsible for the design of proprietary circulation and heat transfer assistance technology (SRI Jigger Tube System) for improving the performance of crystallisation pans. This technology is promoted worldwide. Darryn completed a PhD program exploring environmentally friendly and efficient solvolysis processes to target bio-chemical products (e.g. platform chemicals and biofuels) from the carbohydrate content of lignocellulosics.

Recently Darryn has been involved in a number of sugar factory and refinery design and review projects undertaking activities including developing Process Flow Diagrams, Heat and Mass Balance considerations and Process and Instrumentation Diagrams and preparing and reviewing proposed sugar factory and refinery process and equipment design, equipment selection and equipment layout. Darryn is also currently involved in research projects examining biomass pretreatment and processing strategies, and production of renewable fuels, biochemicals and biomaterials at both laboratory and pilot scale.

Projects (Chief investigator)

Projects

Additional information

Experience

  • 2017 to Current Senior Research Fellow, CTCB - Bioprocessing, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Queensland University of Technology
  • 2014 to 2016 Research Fellow, CTCB - Bioprocessing, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Queensland University of Technology
  • 2005 to 2014Research Fellow, Sugar Research and Innovation, Centre for Tropical Crops and Biocommodities, Queensland University of Technology.
  • 2000 to 2005 Process Engineer, Sugar Research Institute

Publications

Research Projects

Title
Pan Design and Operational Changes to Suit Australian Pan Stages Operating on Low Pressure Vapour (4342)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
2018/012
Start year
2018
Keywords
Low Pressure Vapour; Massecuite Circulation; Sugar Crystallisation; Sugar Manufacture; Vacuum Pan Design
Title
Investigations to Mitigate the Effects of Juice Degradation in Factory Evaporators on Sugar Recovery and Quality, Corrosion and Effluent Organic Loading (4300)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
2017/007
Start year
2017
Keywords
Title
A profitable future for Australian agriculture: Biorefineries for higher-value animal feeds, chemicals, and fuels (RnD4Profit 14-01-044) (4207)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
78452104
Start year
2016
Keywords
Agriculture; Bioproducts; Biorefinery; Diversification; Value Chain
Title
Develop a Blueprint for the Introduction of New Processing Technologies for Australian Factories (4220)
Primary fund type
CAT 1 - Australian Competitive Grant
Project ID
2015/043-RB003
Start year
2015
Keywords
Crystallisation Pans; Falling Film Evaporators; Juice Evaporation; Steam Economy

Current Supervisions

Completed Supervisions (Masters by Research)