PhD Students

To address the major issues associated with the-state-of-art carbon-based materials for CO2 capture, which typically require the costly cooling of flue gas streams down to ambient or even lower temperatures, the proposed research aims to develop a new generation of carbon materials that are able to achieve high capture capacities with high selectivity at practical or realistic temperatures. Major objectives include: to undertake scoping study to examine the effect of the chemistry of different precursor feedstocks on CO2 adsorption performance and related temperature sensitivity of the carbon materials. Also, to examine the efficacy of different carbonisation and/or activation strategies in improving the CO2 capture performance of carbon materials at high temperatures. Moreover, to assess the potentials of different surface functionalisation technologies for improved high temperature CO2 adsorption. In addition, to determine the governance of the precursor chemistry and the surface properties of the resultant carbon materials on CO2 adsorption, leading to the establishment of best preparation strategies for carbon materials with high CO2 capacity and selectivity at practical flue gas temperatures (40-50 oC).

A novel static concentrating photovoltaic (PV) system is designed and proposed, being suitable for use building integration as windows or glazing façades. The developed smart Concentrating PV (CPV) system is lightweight, low cost and able to generate electricity. Additionally, this system automatically responds to climate by varying the balance of electricity generated from the PV with the amount of solar light and heat permitted through it into the building. It therefore offers the potential to contribute to, and control, energy consumption within buildings.

Cacao pod husks are the predominant waste stream (or co-product) from cocoa processing, accounting for 70% of total weight of cacao fruit. The cacao pods contain promising bioactive compounds, such as phenolic and pigment compounds. Thus, valorisation of cacao pod husks will be investigated via extraction of bioactive compounds by using Microwave-Assisted Extraction.

Due to the energy and environment crisis, the solar power generation technologies have been extensively studied and applied in various countries. With regard to solar energy conversion, solar-based thermos-electrical generator (STEG) with PCM heat sink can be applied in areas with hot daytime and cool nighttime to meet the electricity demand. This project aims to assess the possibility of solar based thermoelectric generator (STEG) with phase change material as heat sink applied in area with extreme hot daytime and cool nighttime for electricity generation and investigate the performance optimization of STEG. 

Chemical recycling of acrylic-based materials is a challenge that needs to be met to realise a more circular economy. Microwave heating has been identified as an attractive technology for thermal recycling of acrylic feedstocks into their monomeric constituents. Further understanding into the polymer-microwave interaction are to be investigated through microwave depolymerisation experiments and product analysis. The degradation pathways of poly(methyl methacrylate) via microwave pyrolysis will be compared to conventional pyrolysis using kinetic models.

The depleting nature of the atmosphere, global warning, and the use of biomass as an alternative source of energy has is the driving force of this research. It focuses on modelling and simulation the gasification processes of different biomass using the ANNs Design Simulator and exploring the different available numerical tools to replicate a specific type of gasifier (20 KW Downdraft Gasifier). Several physical, chemical, thermodynamic, and kinetic data of biomass that constitute a typical gasifying process are determined in experimental analysis and injected into the process simulator for a more generalized model.

This project is going to adoption of Building Information Modelling (BIM) to Building Energy Modelling (BEM) for optimisation of building design and energy consumption. This project will explore the potential and deficits of the modelling, analysis and optimisation of energy efficient buildings using BIM to BEM methodology, through case studies.

Heavy industries such as cement, iron-steel, petrochemical and oil refineries are collectively responsible for approximately 22 % of global CO₂ emissions. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies have been developed to mitigate these emissions, with three different methodologies established; (1) Oxy-combustion, (2) Pre-combustion, and (3) Post-combustion. In addition, more recently, chemical looping combustion (CLC) has also begun to be attracting attention as an alternative process for CO₂ capture. In this study, the applicability of CLC for a Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit of oil refineries is being assessed as an innovative approach for CO₂ capture.

Around 93,000 tonnes clothing waste are sent to landfill every year. Therefore, my research is investigating the conversion of cotton and mixed (polyester and cotton) clothing waste to high energy density bio-coal through hydrothermal carbonisation process. During hydrothermal carbonisation of mixed clothing waste, terephthalic acid also obtain (a valuable product for polyester remanufacturing). The terephthalic acid produced through hydrothermal carbonisation process usually contains some dyes and other impurities. In order to improve the purity of terephthalic acid, absorption is applied to remove them.

Catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) is becoming more important industrially due to the urgent need for the conversion of oxygen-rich biomass into a renewable hydrocarbon energy sources. However, the traditional HDO process conditions using external hydrogen are rather severe (300 – 400°C, 5-10 MPa), and these also lead to rapid catalyst deactivation.  In situ hydrogen generation for HDO  can be used for upgrading bio-oil via hydrogen donor solvents and so avoiding high hydrogen pressures. The nature of catalyst used and reaction conditions are being investigated to enhance the generation of hydrogen from the hydrogen donor solvent for HDO.Image: find attached

My research is focused on the synthesis of porous biocarbon materials from using lignocellulosic biomass via hydrothermal carbonization (HTC). Textural characteristics will be analysed to examine the pathways to further functionalize and enhance the adsorptive property for target applications.

My research is mainly focusing on evaluating the solar transmittance, U-value and solar heat gain coefficient of the developed building integrated PV window systems by industry, and also evaluating building performance (lighting, thermal and energy) with integration of the developed advanced thin film solar PV systems and monitoring system performances.

Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is the most important and complicated process in petroleum refining, which is widely used to catalytically cracked heavy petroleum fractions into gasolines, light olefins and cycle oils at 480–550 ◦C. During the process, the catalyst deactivation via coke is one of the major concerns in petroleum refineries since there is heavy loss of catalyst after every run. Also, characterization of coke is still remaining as a great challenge to researchers due to its complex nature of composition and structure along with its insolubility factor. Thus, for better understanding of the chemistry of the FCC process we should have deep knowledge of nature and composition of feeds, structure of catalysts and nature of coke. This understanding helps in optimizing the process parameters of the reactor for a desired product slate.

Outdoor pollutants significantly contribute towards indoor pollution, its strength depending on various parameters including ventilation strategy, meteorological conditions, building design, outdoor sources etc. The aim of my project is to develop a methodology to quantify the transmission of pollutants between the two environments in an urban setting, using numerical modelling techniques. The model will help designers and planners to better estimate pollution levels and adopt strategies to limit personal exposure.

My research concerns the use of mineral additives such as clay and coal fly ash to reduce the release of gaseous inorganic metals during the combustion of biomasses. I have predominantly been experimenting with olive cake biomass, due to its high potassium content, and kaolin clay. Two methods of combustion have been used, slow heating in an oven and fast heating in a drop tube furnace. The effectiveness of the additives at reducing release of inorganics can be deduced by quantifying the inorganics still present in the ash after combustion. XRF and ICP-MS have been used for this. In addition, the association between the problematic metal species and the additives can be examined by SEM-EDX.

Using regenerated activated carbon can provide significant cost savings and reduce the carbon footprint associated with the production of new activated carbon and the emissions associated with transportation. A significant amount of this spent carbon that is now beneficial to regenerate has a high sulphur loading, which is not possible to process using conventional thermal regeneration techniques. Microwave heating is being investigated as an alternative technology for regeneration, and one that can process high sulphur materials. The goal is to identify mechanisms of devolatilisation and mass transfer during the microwave regeneration process, and to establish opportunities and limitations for re-use of a range of carbon-based adsorbents. The project will also investigate acid/alkali and washing in combination with microwave regeneration.

My research focuses on the use of a novel liquid pyrolysis system to produce pyrolysis liquids with different compositions. These pyrolysis liquids are characterised and turned into polymers that have a range of potential applications.

“My research aims to assess the economic feasibility and environmental impacts of developing BECCS technologies for transport fuel and chemicals production, including pyrolysis, gasification and carbon dioxide adsorption. Process simulations, cost modelling and life-cycle analyses (LCA) will be conducted to calculate product yields, production costs and environmental impacts (e.g. greenhouse gas emissions) for all BECCS processes examined. The process simulator Aspen Plus and the LCA software GaBi will be used to carry out the process simulations and life-cycle assessments, respectively. All the BECCS processes modelled will be compared against conventional fuel and chemical production technologies in terms of costs and environmental impacts to identify the most promising BECCS technologies for further development.

In order to meet increasing legislative drives, fuel is constantly changing, for example, the move to ultra-low sulphur diesel (ULSD) and the introduction of biofuel. The result of this has been to change solubilising power of a fuel and its ability to “carry” material from whatever source in the fuel system. In order to meet emission standards, the engine manufacturers have also introduced high pressure common rail injection systems delivering fuel to the injectors at ever increasing pressures and temperatures with fine filters to protect the systems. Analyse of the nature of material that deposits in such filters and characterising the deposits.

The rise in the world’s energy demand has led to an increase in oil and gas exploitation and exploration activities. During these processes, crude oil and refined product spillages occur resulting to major environmental problems such as land pollution. Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH) is identified as a key land contaminant from these spillages that has led to the destruction of flora and posed severe health risks to human inhabitants. My research is focussed on carrying out a robust and systematic remediation technology evaluation for TPH removal from contaminated soils based on efficiency, energy requirement, speed, environmental impact, cost etc.

My research relates to the improvement of existing carbon capture and utilisation technology as well as the development of new methods that are more economically viable options. Specifically, I will be carrying out a techno-economic analysis in relation to capturing of CO2 and converting it to useful products such as liquid hydrocarbon fuels and methanol. In order to achieve this, I will be modelling different process configurations, utilising process simulation software such as Aspen HYSYS and Aspen Plus. Overall, my work will primarily contribute towards integrating carbon capture and utilisation technology to the metallurgy industry.

Activated carbon is a highly porous material used for filtration, purification, storage etc. Any carbonaceous substance can be treated to produce activated carbon, creating a useful commercial product from low value waste streams e.g. sewage sludge. The transformation requires two stages. Hydrothermal carbonization is a new method to concentrate the carbon constituent by replicating the natural coalification process under aqueous conditions. The output can then be activated physically or chemically which opens up the structure and clears the networks. The difficulty activating sewage sludge comes from the high ash content which has limited the surface area to 600m2/g.

The aim of my project is to evaluate the potential of amending soil with different chars as a mean of carbon sequestration. It will entail making chars from different feedstocks, chemically analysing those chars and determining how and if the chars react when buried in the soil. As well as trying to understand what effects the chars have on the soil and life in the soil and how these affect the plants growing in that soil.

In the 21st century, developing renewable energy technologies is one of the most popular topics due to the energy shortage. Solar energy possesses the advantages of abundant, universal and environmental friendly, which is a suitable option for renewable energy development. However, the unstable/unpredictable solar energy supply as well as the mismatch between the energy supply/usage make the direct use of solar energy impossible. This project aims to find out suitable thermochemical storage materials for seasonal energy storage in domestic conditions. In detail, micro and macro scale experiments will be conducted together for a better convincing result. 

The removal of multiple pollutants or gas impurities, such as SOx, NOx and H2S, present in either industrial flue gas or product gas streams has long been a major challenge in clean production. The conventional pollutant control technologies show out-of-date performance and low cost-effectiveness. Alternatively, this project is to develop an innovative microwave-facilitated solid adsorbent-based multi-pollutants capture and conversion system. The research focus/scope can be divided into two parts. One is the novel adsorption capture process while another is the simultaneous regeneration/conversion. 

There is a drive to seek alternatives to petroleum-based feedstocks across the chemical industry and this includes bitumen as a binder in asphalt pavements. This research involves investigating various biomass feedstocks (i.e. algae, paper and plastic waste) by thermal processing to generate high boiling material in high yield (bio-binders) and evaluate their chemical and rheological properties. The objective is to characterize the bio-binders and evaluate their performance as an alternative to bitumen in asphalt pavements. The results from the research will be used to design a pilot plant for bio-bitumen in order to test sufficient quantities under real life conditions and, ultimately, to provide design information for a full-scale plant. 

Research Engineer for the EPSRC Centre for Resilient Decarbonised Fuel Energy Systems at Nottingham University, working with Cultivate Innovation to explore the opportunities and challenges of increasing energy flexibility as we transition to Net Zero Emissions. Specifically looking into how we can use Heat Networks and Underground Thermal Energy Storage in the UK's disused coal mines. My work feeds into a national effort to find ways to decarbonise the energy sector, and heating in-particular, in the move towards Net Zero by 2050.

My research project is eventually aiming at using the spectral method in cloud cover modelling to classify the clouds and determine the transmissivity, which is a crucial process in ground-based solar irradiance forecasting.

Solar Forecast, predict the light intensity, machine learning, AI.