Three teams of first-year Engineering students did us proud in Gladstone recently, winning praise from industry reps and academics for finding solutions to real problems and for explaining them with confidence...

One team sought the best way to get rid of coal which sometimes remains 'hung up' after wagons are unloaded at the power station, leading to problems with reduced carrying capacity, dust emissions and fouling of track support materials. In extreme cases, there could even be a train derailment.

Event convenor Dr Sanath Alahakoon watches the audience reaction during the 'shiploader lubrication' presentation

To detect the left-over coal, students evaluated everything from lasers to thermal imaging before settling on an automated video analyser.

They then considered ways to remove the coal, including air bursts, wagon vibration, water flooding and vacuuming before deciding to recommend targeted bursts of high-pressure water, computer-coordinated via a grid system to match the spots found by the video.

Our students earned praise for a solution which avoided water reaching hot wheel bearings and which included instant jet release to match the movement of wagons.

Another team evaluated ways to automate lubrication of the metal 'luff ropes' used for lifting and lowering of the pulley system of shiploaders. Working on a brief from Gladstone Ports Coporation, students recommended the best type of lubricant based on performance and environmental safety.

They also suggested the best applicator sheath mechanism and outlined procedures to reduce manpower while ensuring quality results.

Serious at first are L-R Palisa Huoth, Ryan Muller, Shannon Sutherland and Sam Eborn. Later they get a chance to relax and mingle with NRG rep Ben Hayden, Dr Sanath Alahakoon and Sashigaran Sivathasan

The third team of students worked on a brief from Gladstone Regional Council, examining state-of-the-art systems to handle storm water from urban areas. Students designed a system to filter out coarse sediments before using grasses to soak up any undesirable nutrients left in the water.

Meanwhile, event convenor Dr Sanath Alahakoon made the most of having key industry representatives in attendance by outlining a range of new technical equipment available in the PELM (Process Engineering and Light Metals) Centre on campus.

Engineering Skills II Project Presentation Schedule:

Design of a "sustainable" bio‐retention basin and associated coarse sediment fore‐bay applicable to the Gladstone Region

Presenters: Sampath Howpe Liyanage, Robert Lucas, Troy Millers, Adam Clarke

Design of a Detection and Removal System for Coal Hang‐up in Rail Wagons

Presenters: Shannon Sutherland, Samuel Eborn, Ryan Muller, Palisa Huoth

11.00‐11.40 Design of Automated Lubrication Systems for Ship loaders

Presenters: Hayden Coward, Beau McFadzen, Brett Robinson