Dr Gongkui Xiao is a chemical engineer and researcher within the Department of Chemical Engineering. His research primarily focuses on the fundamentals of adsorption science and adsorptive separation processes. This encompasses the characterisation of adsorption kinetics in porous materials and the development of numerical models for pressure swing adsorption processes, with applications in diverse areas such as nitrogen rejection from methane, carbon capture, helium separation, and hydrogen purification.

Recent contributions from Dr Xiao’s research portfolio have been directed towards valorising domestic waste streams and mining byproducts. He has forged collaborative partnerships with North American and European industry stakeholders, working on innovative projects to upgrade landfill gas into renewable natural gas using membrane and adsorption processes. Additionally, his efforts have extended to technological and scientific advancements for sustainable mining tailings utilisation, promoting resource recovery, and mitigating environmental impacts.

In addition to his research pursuits, Dr Xiao possesses a keen interest in teaching. He champions the adoption of blended learning methodologies, explicitly focusing on incorporating high-quality educational videos and offering comprehensive guidance for hands-on practical exercises. These teaching approaches are designed to enhance the comprehension of fundamental chemical engineering principles and their real-world applications.

Gas Processing Technologies (Lecturer and Coordinator)  | Course: Masters of Professional Engineering (Chemical)

Gas Processing 2: Treatment & LNG Production (Lecturer and Coordinator) | Course: Masters of Professional Engineering (Chemical) and Masters of Engineering (Oil & Gas)

Chemical Engineering Design Project (Co-coordinator) | Course: Masters of Professional Engineering (Chemical) and Masters of Engineering (Oil & Gas)

Engineering Research Project. (Project Supervisor) | Master of Professional Engineering (Chemical), Master of Engineering (Oil & Gas)

Since 2016. I have obtained and managed funds over $1.4 million as a leading Chief Investigator (Lead CI) and over $1.4 million as a Co-Chief Investigator (Co-CI) .

2023, Developing and demonstrating zeolite synthesis at a pilot scale. Industry Project. (Dr Gongkui Xiao, Prof. Eric May)

2022, Pilot demonstration and field development design of non-cryogenic low-cost helium production. Future Energy Export CRC project. (Dr Gongkui Xiao, Prof. Eric May)

2022, Zeolite synthesis from mining and metal refinery tailings. Industry Project. (Dr Gongkui Xiao, Prof. Eric May, Dr Guoping Hu)

2022, Simulation and testing of cryogenic ortho-para conversion in hydrogen liquefaction processes. Future Energy Export CRC project. (A/Prof. Paul Stanwix, Dr Einar Fridjonsson, Dr Gongkui Xiao)

2021, Feasibility study of zeolite synthesis from mining and metal refinery tailings. Indutry Project. (Dr Gongkui Xiao, Prof. Eric May, Dr Guoping Hu)

2021, Testing Synergistic Controlled Atmospheres against Stored Grain Pests. Indutry Project. (Prof. Theo Evans, Prof. Philip Withers, Dr Waseem Abbas, Dr Gongkui Xiao)

2020, Low-cost helium production and recovery from Australia's natural gas. National Energy Resources Australia (NERA) future technology project fund. (Dr Gongkui Xiao, Prof. Eric May)

2020, Interoperability Enablement for Natural Resources. Industry Project. (Prof. Eric May, Dr Gongkui Xiao)

2020, Design and optimisation of processes for biogas upgrading. Indutry Project. (Dr Gongkui Xiao, Prof. Eric May)

2019, Next Generation Gas Separations via Innovative Adsorption Technologies. ARC Discovery, DP190100983. (Prof. Eric May, Dr Gang Li, Dr Gongkui Xiao)

2018, Study of the separation of nitrogen and methane using an optimised dual reflux-pressure swing adsorption (DR-PSA) process. Industry Project. (Prof. Eric May, Dr Gongkui Xiao)

2016, Nitrogen capture from natural gas with transition metal complex solutions. Industry Project. (Prof. Eric May, Dr Gongkui Xiao)