An Aussie student engineer is undertaking groundbreaking research that could help decarbonise the aviation and transport sector.
Rohith Prakash is studying cryogenic fuels at Monash University’s Department of Civil Engineering, where he aims to find clean energy solutions for some of Australia’s most carbon-heavy fuel sources.
His efforts will help pump the gas towards advancing the renewable energy sector, helping find cleaner alternatives and more sustainable storage solutions to current fuel options within road transport and aviation.
The research centres around liquid hydrogen, a cryogenic fuel stored at -253°C, prone to boil-off during transportation, making its management both critical and challenging.
The delicate nature of liquid hydrogen means sloshing effects within storage tanks during transportation can cause structural and environmental conditions to change, subsequently increasing boil-off rates.
However, overcoming this challenge holds the potential to revolutionise the fuel industry, with the energy source being seen as a green alternative to fossil fuels thanks to its low weight and high energy density.
Monash University senior lecturer in Civil Engineering, Dr Tom Hughes, will assist Rohith in the research project. He says addressing Hydrogen’s boil-off problem will open greener paths for powering many of our most carbon-productive industries.
“Sloshing and the boil-off losses during transportation are a significant concern for the economic viability and environmental sustainability of liquid hydrogen as a clean energy carrier,” said Dr Hughes.
“Hydrogen is a good solution for an industry such as aviation as you need to bring the energy source with you. The weight of the energy solution becomes important, and that’s where liquid hydrogen has some big advantages.”
Originally from Chennai, India, Rohith’s work has seen him selected as a recipient of the esteemed Centre for Australia-India Relations (CAIR)’s Maitri Scholars Program, which aims to build academic excellence and research collaboration between the two countries.
The work will also align with the targets set out by the Green Hydrogen Taskforce, a coalition of Australian and Indian hydrogen engineer experts who have teamed up to provide advice and recommendations to both governments on opportunities to further the development of the hydrogen industry.
Rohith says his selection for the Maitri Scholars Program shows how international collaboration can help address global challenges.
“I’m proud to represent the Indian diaspora in my beloved second home, Australia. I feel like it was my destiny to move back here and study at Monash University,” he said.
“I’m honoured to be given this opportunity to work closely with Dr Hughes. This work will play an important step in promoting green energy solutions as an alternative to using fossil fuels.”
