I am a Lecturer in the Department of Chemical and Process Engineering at the University of Strathclyde. My research focuses on turning waste biomass into chemicals, fuels, and energy. My research group has expertise in CFD modeling of reacting flow, such as ignition and flame properties, multiphase interactions, reacting progress, heat transfer, and emissions. We have the equipment to conduct experimental studies, at high temperatures and high heating rates, to characterize the solid fuel on its inherent properties, kinetics, and thermal performances.

I received my Ph.D. degree in energy engineering from KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Sweden in 2014. Thereafter, I was working at the University of Glasgow as a postdoctoral researcher. I studied my MSc at the National Engineering Lab for Biomass Power Generation Equipment, based in the North China Electric Power University (Beijing). I am an academic member of the International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF) and Combustion Institute (British Section). 

• Development of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) methods of thermal/chemical processes.
• Biomass characterization: fuel properties, kinetics, ignition, thermal conversion behaviour.
• Biomass combustion & co-firing: large percentage biomass substitutions; ash related problems and aerosol formations; volumetric combustion.
• Biofuels/biomaterials production & upgrading by pyrolysis,  gasification, and synthesis.
• Wet biomass (waste) valorisation:  supercritical CO₂-enhanced hydrothermal processing technology. 
• Integrated energy systems: biomass and solar system combination; co-processing biomass/bio-oil in oil refinery; advanced clean combustion technologies
• Ash related challenges: release mechanism and kinetics of alkali metals (i.e. potassium); removal of inherent alkali metals at the fuel processing stage.

Current PhD students: 

Jixiang Zhang [Feb 2018-]: Designing novel systems for clean, sustainable heat production from biomass

Morgen Mukamwi [Nov 2019-]: Catalytic steam reforming of syngas hydrocarbons to maximise hydrogen production

Asuquo Jackson Asuquo [April 2020 -]: Developing green heterogeneous catalysts for converting waste papaya oilseed into biodiesel

Formal PhD students:

Teresa Martí Rosselló [Feb 2016 - Feb 2020]: Development of robust modelling methods for a quick evaluation of biomass pyrolysis performance and its transient behaviour at a particle level

Wenhan Cao [Jun 2016- Nov 2019]: Experimental and modelling study on the release of potassium during biomass combustion

I have expertise in the assessment of thermal conversion behaviors of biomass and waste feedstock; experimental characterization of solid, gas, and liquid products from thermal conversions of biomass and waste feedstock; kinetic evaluation of thermal conversions of solid fuel at varying ranges of temperatures and heating rates; kinetic evaluation of release of alkali metals during biomass combustion and prediction of ash related slagging and fouling. I also have extensive experience in the numerical simulations of reacting flow, heat transfer, and energy system with particular interest in the application areas of biomass energy, clean fuel technologies, thermal process and heat recovery. My expertise is broadly covering the following areas:

• Numerical simulation of turbulence reacting flow, multiphase flow, and heat transfer,
• Biomass fuel characterization and thermal conversion performances analysis,
• Clean combustion technologies & applications (i.e. flameless, volumetric,  and oxyfuel combustion),
• Analysis and optimization of thermochemical processes and energy systems,
• Techno-economic and environmental assessment of energy systems.

Currently taught modules:

• CP533: Clean Combustion Technologies
• CP407: Design Project

Previously taught modules:

• CP206: Chemical Engineering Practice 1 
• CP414: Particle Technology & Advanced Reactors