
Professor Graeme Millar
Science and Engineering Faculty,Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering,
Environmental Technologies
Personal details
- Name
- Professor Graeme Millar
- Position(s)
- Professor
Science and Engineering Faculty,
Chemistry, Physics, Mechanical Engineering,
Environmental Technologies - Discipline *
- Chemical Engineering, Macromolecular and Materials Chemistry, Physical Chemistry (incl. Structural)
- Phone
- +61 7 3138 2377
- graeme.millar@qut.edu.au
- Location
- View location details (QUT staff and student access only)
- Identifiers and profiles
-
- Qualifications
-
PhD (University of Dundee)
- Professional memberships
and associations Member Australian Water Association
- Keywords
-
Coal Seam Gas Water & Coal Bed Methane, Heterogeneous Catalysis & Industrial Chemistry, Clean Technologies including Renewable Energy, Clean Transportation, Solar, Shale Oil & Gas, Hydraulic Fracturing, Nanomaterials, Synthetic Zeolites & Natural Zeolites, Pollution Minimization & Waste Recycling, Ion Exchange & Adsorption; Electrocoagulation; Dissolved Air Flotation; Ultrafiltration, Membrane technologies such as Forward Osmosis, Reverse Osmosis, Membrane Distillation, Wastewater Treatment, Drinking Water, Acid Mine Drainage, Heavy Metal Removal, Biocommodities, Agriculture
Biography
Career Summary:
- Professor at Queensland University of Technology in the area of Industrial Chemistry, Process Engineering & Clean Technologies
- Director of industrial chemistry start-up company from initial concept to point of global product sales and subsequent expansion into the marketplace
- Technical General Manager of a start-up company which has successfully taken two technologies from proof-of-concept stage through to full scale commercial demonstration and sales. One product is used for wastewater clean-up and the other for industrial bulk chemical manufacture.
- Business Manager with a company which developed and supplies novel water treatment technologies, chemical production plants, fireproof construction materials made from renewable sources and green energy generation units.
- Catalysis Project Manager with a start-up company which resulted in receipt of commercial orders for a new automotive 3-way catalyst with the world’s largest chemical company and development to pilot plant stage of a novel catalyst for pollution control in lean burn engine exhausts
- Director of international sales and technology development for the world’s largest supplier of formaldehyde related equipment
- Senior lecturer at The University of Queensland
Skills and Attributes
- Demonstrated ability to link academia effectively with industry
- Excellent teaching record
- Good management skills and organizational capabilities
- Team player with drive and enthusiasm
- International experience with regards to business development, product commercialization, sales, marketing and customer service
- Ability to develop technology from concept to fully commercial status
- Broad range of skills relevant to chemical, petrochemical, energy, material & environmental sectors
- Capacity to design business and marketing programs resulting in increased level of income and enhanced profit margin
- Goal-oriented individual with strong leadership capabilities
- Highly motivated and detail-directed problem solver
- International links to chemical industry and unique insight to future trends
- Capacity to formulate & balance budgets
- Reorganized business sales strategy to incorporate improved customer sales pipeline
- Ability to design teaching courses, manage laboratory personnel, train new staff members and supervise graduate students
- Effective management and organization of global business partners
- Successful implementation of numerous projects
- Capability to bridge the gap between academia and industry
- Proven track record for leadership and management of multidisciplinary teams
- Experienced in writing grant applications and securing funding
Education:
- Doctor of Philosophy (Physical Chemistry) (University of Dundee, 1992)
- Bachelor of Science (Honours 1st Class, Chemistry) (University of Dundee, 1989)
PhD research work was partially conducted at the worldwide research headquarters for ICI Katalco located in Billingham, England. 16 international journal publications resulted from the PhD research, including one paper in a special invite only issue of Molecular Physics.
Scientific & Technical Expertise:
- Fundamental chemistry:
- physical chemistry; materials science; catalysis andsurface science; ion exchange; adsorption
- Industrial chemistry:
- bulk chemicals; fine chemicals; catalysts; energy production; petroleum products; polymers; wood panels; electrochemistry; coal seam gas
- Environmental chemistry:
- wastewater treatment; control of gas phase pollutants; renewable energy
- Materials science:
- zeolites; nano-oxides; membranes
- Analytical capabilities:
- spectroscopy; electron microscopy; thermal analysis;surface science techniques; X-ray diffraction; massspectrometry
Experience
Our main research focus is to work on technologies relevant to the Cleantech sector. In particular, our large research team concentrates on industry problems such as those in the burgeoning coal seam gas industry, water purification, mining and industrial chemical sectors.
Invariably, each project has an industrial associate who guides us to the research needs. For example, Santos GLNG are a strong supporter of our coal seam gas research activities. To meet the challenge of being part of a “University for the Real World” we not only have excellent bench scale testing facilities but also several pilot plants for the treatment of water. For example, presently we are operating a 100,000 L per day ion exchange facility; a 500 L per day membrane distillation unit; a 100 L plasma reactor; a solar still; a 25,000 L per day heavy metal removals demonstration plant.
Publications
- Ezzatahmadi N, Ayoko G, Millar GJ, Speight RE, Yan CA, Li J, Li S, Zhu J, Xi Y, (2017) Clay-supported nanoscale zero-valent iron composite materials for the remediation of contaminated aqueous solutions: A review, Chemical Engineering Journal p336-350
- Altaee A, Millar GJ, Zaragoza G, Sharif AO, (2017) Energy efficiency of RO and FO-RO system for high-salinity seawater treatment, Clean Technologies and Environmental Policy p77-91
- Blair DT, Alexander DT, Couperthwaite SJ, Darestani MT, Millar GJ, (2017) Enhanced water recovery in the coal seam gas industry using a dual reverse osmosis system, Environmental Science: Water Research and Technology p278-292
- Darestani MT, Haigh VG, Couperthwaite SJ, Millar GJ, Nghiem LD, (2017) Hollow fibre membrane contactors for ammonia recovery: Current status and future developments, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering p1349-1359
- Pepper RA, Couperthwaite SJ, Millar GJ, (2017) Value adding red mud waste: High performance iron oxide adsorbent for removal of fluoride, Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering p2200-2206
- Altaee A, Millar GJ, Zaragoza G, (2016) Integration and optimization of pressure retarded osmosis with reverse osmosis for power generation and high efficiency desalination, Energy p110-118
- Millar GJ, Couperthwaite SJ, Moodliar CD, (2016) Strategies for the management and treatment of coal seam gas associated water, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews p669-691
- Millar GJ, Couperthwaite SJ, Leung C, (2015) An examination of isotherm generation: Impact of bottle-point method upon potassium ion exchange with strong acid cation resin, Separation and Purification Technology p366-377
- Millar GJ, Lin J, Arshad A, Couperthwaite SJ, (2014) Evaluation of electrocoagulation for the pre-treatment of coal seam water, Journal of Water Process Engineering p166-178
- Millar GJ, Papworth SP, Couperthwaite SJ, (2014) Exploration of the fundamental equilibrium behaviour of calcium exchange with weak acid cation resins, Desalination p27-36
For more publications by this staff member, visit QUT ePrints, the University's research repository.