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Early career researcher profiles
Profiles of early career researchers within UKCCSC (in alphabetical order). If you would like your profile added to this webpage, please email ukccsc@ed.ac.uk
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Name |
Institution |
Profile and project information |
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Saif Al Ghafri | Imperial College | The understanding and measurements of phase behaviour and properties of CO2-hydrocarbon mixtures at reservoir conditions play a major role in the design, construction and operation of CO2 storage processes or in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) applications. Phase equilibriadiagrams and data for such systems are required for simulation of petroleum reservoirs, for the design of separation processes and for the transportation facilities. New experimental apparatus are designed and installed to measure the phase equilibria in systems containing CO2, brine and oil at reservoir temperatures and pressures. The design will make measurements on synthetic mixtures and live crude oil. Phase behaviour of complex mixtures under CO2 addition will be studied. The design involves a high pressure-high temperature (HPHT) variable-volume view cell in which phase diagrams will be mapped over relevant ranges of temperature and pressure, especially in respect of the effects of CO2 addition. Observations under visible light will be used for simple synthetic mixtures; while near infra-red (NIR) will be used for the fluids that are opaque to visible light. The results of this study will be compared with the available thermodynamic models and used to optimize some model parameters for the conditions of interest. |
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Oladotun Ayeni | University of Dundee | Current Research: “The legal and regulatory challenges associated with development and deployment of carbon capture and storage (CCS) as a viable tool in mitigating the risk of climate change from green gas emissions.” It involves comparative primary and secondary study on CCS especially on the regulatory and legal aspects of CCS, long-term liability of CO2, monitoring, verification, CO2 retention, site-closure and postclosure liabilities, international efforts to advance the legal issues associated with CO2 storage, jurisdictional issues via amending oil and gas regulations, property rights and the future of CCS. Education: 2009-2011: LL.M Petroleum Law and Policy, Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee, Scotland 2005-2006: BL Barrister-at-Law, Nigerian Law School (Second Class Upper) 2000-2005: LL.B Bachelor of Laws, Lagos State University, Nigeria (Second Class Upper) Research Skills: Ability to demonstrate critical, analytical and logical understanding of issues. I make time for research and I enjoy sorting out information. I am able to use books, journals, internet in getting materials for research, making effective use of the library resources coupled with an excellent mastery of library cataloging system. Future Research interests: Having undergone a course on Energy and Climate Change Law and Policy, I hope to pursue a Ph.D on the relationship between CCS on energy and climate policies especially policy approaches and instruments, practical implementation of EU CCS Directive to CCS project (the limits and successes), EU Emission Trading Scheme, carbon tax and litigation, joint implementation, clean development mechanism and capacity building in the area of energy. |
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Ann Barrett | Cranfield University | Is Integrated Risk Management Frameworks Appropriate For Carbon Capture and Storage Installations? The dynamic economic and regulatory environment that surrounds the development of CCS requires a risk management framework which manages the entire portfolio of risks required to deliver CCS. The aim of this research is to produce a risk register for CCS and to develop an integrated risk management framework which supports a commercially viable and sustainable capture, transportation and storage system. This research will identify the macro risks from a project prospective so that these can be managed and the resulting risk register and risk management framework can be used to supports regulation, financing, insurance and risk management of the CCS value chain. Ann brings a wealth of practical corporate risk management experience gained from working in the London insurance market as a Senior Vice President, Managing consultant and insurance broker at Marsh for over 20 years. Ann is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute. Most recently she has focused on the management of environmental risks for the waste sector, infrastructure projects and Private Finance Initiatives. Ann holds a BA in business studies (South Bank Polytechnic), an MBA in finance/ insurance (Cass Business School) and a Post-graduate diploma in environmental management and health (University of Surrey). Ann joins Cranfield to enhance her practical knowledge of risk management and to develop an integrated risk management framework capable of commercial application for CCS. Ann’s future research interests are in the area of the interface management of CCS. |
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Frances Boait | University of Cambridge | My PhD project is based at Sleipner, a storage site beneath the North Sea that has been capturing and storing 1 million tonnes of CO2 each year since 1996. I am trying to assess the reliability of seismic reflection imaging techniques, which are used to record the concentration and movement of the underground CO2. This data is also being used to build mathematical models, which help us to predict the flow of CO2 as it is injected into the reservoir. My undergraduate degree was undertaken from 2004 to 2008 and is an MSc in Natural Sciences (Geology) from the University of Cambridge. My research skills vary from teaching, to communication and outreach. The teaching I undertake involves supervising 4th year undergraduates with their MSc projects, lecturing and demonstrating in practical classes. I presented a poster and paper at the GHGT-10 conference this year. I have also founded a network of all the CCS researchers in Cambridge. The network provides contacts to enable our research to become more interdisciplinary, but apart from that we hope to engage with a wider audience on the public acceptability of CCS. I started this by giving a talk to the Graduate Union in March this year, entitled ‘Carbon capture and storage – decarbonising our global energy production’. Since then I have been elected the Graduate Union Environmental Director. My future research interests lie in the practical application of geophysical monitoring techniques on an industry scale, whilst still being financially viable. |
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Davide Bocciardo | University of Edinburgh | To start, my previous activity in my master thesis was about carbon capture by using Molten Carbonate Fuel Cells (in collaboration with Ansaldo Fuel Cells) with particular attention to cell efficiency both in terms of CO2 abatement and overall performances. It also included a period (6 months) of apprentice work in Ansaldo Fuel Cells. On the 1st of October I started the PhD on membrane processes, in collaboration with Scottish Power, which will include a training period both with a graduate training programme and a direct experience on Longanet power station here in Edinburgh. My research is focused on Mixed Matrix Membranes, containing both a polymeric phase and inorganic fillers, and, apart from the initial background on the actual research on the field, will require the use of simulators and computer programming. In particular, my work will be focused on predicting the behavior of nano-particle mixed matrix membranes with very thin layers, with attention to the transport mechanism and defects into the matrix itself. The challenging aspect of this research, which is accounting for the matrix geometry and dimension of the particles, is also the development of models that can address dynamic behavior, differently from the current studies on the subject. Finally, this research will be the base for the study the integration of this type of membrane processes with a CCS system in a typical power plant. |
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Alissa Cotton | Cranfield University | My PhD is focused on researching the technology scale-up, and potential environmental effects of coal-based sorption-enhanced hydrogen production, with inherent carbon capture. My PhD involves the design and construction of a cold model to investigate the hydrodynamics of Cranfield’s existing hot pilot scale rig, as well as the modification of the hot rig to enhance carbon capture efficiency, and produce a clean, low-emission fuel. In addition, I hope to assess the emissions from this novel technology to assess potential effects on the environment. My first degree gained from the University of Nottingham was in Environmental Science, which provided me with an excellent background in the requirements for ‘clean energy’, and an understanding of the technology required to help mitigate climate change. My research skills include method validation; analytical techniques including ICP/MS; IT skills; and statistics, as well as resource management, time management, and communication skills (oral and written). My future research interests are primarily concerned with the scale-up of carbon capture technology, as well as potential environmental effects and how the technology can be implemented across industry. |
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Benjamin Franchetti | Imperial College | I am a 2nd year PhD student in the Thermo-fluid division of the Mechanical Engineering Department at Imperial College London. I have a Masters in Mechanical Engineering (MEng) also obtained at Imperial College London. My main research skills are related to Computational Fluid Combustion, in particular in the field of turbulent combustion. My current research is on the Large Eddy Simulation (LES) of oxy-coal combustion. I have been developing an in house code that attempts to simulate the physical and chemical mechanisms that arise during coal combustion. Initially I have been simulating very simple coal-air jet flames. My results show promising agreement with experimental data; however they also highlight the differences and problems that arise when using the standard coal models developed for RANS, in an LES framework. At this stage I am in the process of adjusting these problems before starting to look at oxy-coal test cases. My short term future interests lies on the use of numerical methods, to understand the main chemical and physical differences between oxy-coal and air-coal combustion. My long term ambition is to be more involved in the CCS research over a wider range of areas. |
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Aaron Goater | Imperial College | Aaron is a Post-Doctoral Research Associate at BGS. His main concentration is upon modelling subsurface fluid flow associated with CO2 storage and its impact upon storage capacity, regulation and cost.
He holds a PhD from Imperial College entitled ‘Multiphase Flow Simulation with Applications for CO_2 Storage’ as well as MA and MMath degrees from the University of Cambridge . |
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Zoe Kapetaki | University of Edinburgh | I have earned my MEng Degree in Chemical Engineering from the Faculty of Engineering of Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece. My Diploma thesis was about the Wittig reaction and its industrial applications. During my undergraduate studies, I also completed a techno –economical project for acumene production plant. My PhD project includes rigorous simulation not only of the carbon capture process, but also of the power plant in total. Initially, I investigated pressure swing adsorption for carbon capture by simulating the adsorption column. I also designed the process flow diagram of the cycle incorporating the mass and energy balances, and the cost functions of the units involved. Currently, I am examining the pre-combustion process for carbon capture. CO2 capture is achieved by absorption with a physical solvent. One of the most challenging parts is to simulate successfully the absorption process in order to predict accurately the purity and recovery of CO2 in the product streams, as well as the energy that is consumed in the process, as they constitute the objectives for the optimization. My future work will include the cost estimation and the optimization of both capture options in order to draw useful conclusions about which capture process is the most cost effective. Furthermore, I will investigate carbon capture systems for chemical plants that are major CO2 emitters. |
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Chenfeng Li | Swansea University | Research Background: computational mechanics, computational fluid dynamics, stochastic modeling Main Future Research Interests: computer modeling and its applications in CCS. |
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Tom Lynch | University of Leeds | PhD Title - Geological Storage of CO2 in the UK: Opportunities and Risks Current research involves characterising the major risks of geological CO2 storage in the UK, this research will then be used to target numerical and experimental modelling using coupled fluid flow-geomechanical modelling to examine issues related to storage capacity, injectivity and leakage. Based on this analysis, opportunities for CO2 storage can be further constrained. The specific study area will be the Bunter Sandstone Saline Aquifer in the Southern North Sea. The project will also have an interdisciplinary nature, and work carried out in the technical areas will feed into an investigation of risk based regulation for CO2 storage. Education – My first degree was a MEarthSci in Earth Sciences at the University of Manchester, followed by a Geotechnical Engineering MSc also at Manchester. Currently I am studying for an integrated MSc/PhD in the Low Carbon Technologies Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Leeds. Research Skills – Tempest/Eclipse reservoir simulation, and will develop skills with Petrel and Elfen Geomechnical software. I have experience of various experimental procedures in geotechnical applications from my first two degrees, and I also have 2yrs work experience as a Geotechnical Engineer. |
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Fabrizio Marincola | Imperial College | Having graduated in 2009 with an MEng in Engineering with Business Finance at University College London, I am currently pursuing a PhD at Imperial College on ‘Large Eddy Simulations of oxy-coal combustion’. Large eddy simulation is an increasingly popular approach to simulating turbulent reacting flows, such as those involved in pulverised coal combustion. The research scope is purely computational, and involves developing the in-house code PsiPhi by implementing realistic models for coal combustion, devolatilisation, char burnout, pollutant formation, radiation and several others, in an attempt to simulate a flowfield as accurately (given realistic computational resources) as possible. Simple models have already been implemented and verified by simulating a laboratory scale air-fired coal jet flame, with successful results. The current research is focused on studying more sophisticated models, comparing these, and assessing them with new experimental test cases in an attempt to provide a stable, flexible and computationally efficient code to simulate accurately a wide range of configurations. |
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Ana Mijic | Imperial College | Currently I’m working on the modeling of near-wellbore effects in CO2 injection into saline aquifers and addressing the processes like pressure buildup, salt precipitation and carbonate dissolution. I have a MSc in Civil Engineering from University of Belgrade, Serbia and MSc in Hydrology (Hons) from Imperial College London. I’m developing analytical solutions for the above stated problems but have been and still am working on the development of 1D and 2D finite difference numerical models that can simulate the same problems.I would like to stay in the area of CCS as it seems to be maybe the only feasible solution that can significantly contribute to the CO2 emissions reduction in a nearby future. |
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Dr Kola Liadi Mudashiru | Newcastle University | Dr. Kola Liadi Mudashiru is a research associate in the clean use of fossil fuels at the Sir Joseph Swan Institute for Energy Research at Newcastle University. He has a solid background in general chemistry and environmental geosciences and started his current position after completing his PhD in late 2008. His current research focuses on underground coal gasification and carbon capture and storage (UCG-CCS). He is currently working with a team of people on feasibility study of potential development of opportunities for cross-linking research and application and commercial viability of UCG technology in the North East of England. Dr Mudashiru is a member of many scientific organizations including the American Chemical Society (ACS) and the Royal Society of Chemistry(RSC). Dr Mudashiru was made student Science and Engineering Ambassador for the University of Newcastle in 2007. He was awarded the Hugh Prize in 2008 by the School of Natural Sciences, Newcastle University for his contributions to its engagement activities. He was recently awarded the most inspiration science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) ambassador in the UK. He is also a member of the steering group for the North East of England's Regional Centre of Expertise in Education for Sustainable Development (RCE North East). |
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Sam Pickard | University of Leeds | My primary research focus is on the co-combustion of biomass with coal under oxy-fuel conditions. The research addresses several issues investigating the combustion process from both experimental and modelling points of view. Both of these viewpoints focus on the 300kWth pulverised fuel test rig that is currently under construction. In addition to the engineering aspects of my PhD, later work will also ascertain the potential of this process to reduce greenhouse gas emissions here in the UK within a practicable timescale. This inter-disciplinary section of the research is more closely tied with the School of Earth and Environment and addresses UK energy and innovations policy and issues relating to the total fuel lifecycle. I graduated in 2008 from the University of Manchester with a Masters degree in chemical engineering with chemistry. Since September 2009 I have been a member of the Low Carbon Technologies Doctoral Training Centre at the University of Leeds where I am studying for an integrated MSc and PhD. |
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Wilson Rivera | Cranfield University | I worked at the Universidad Industrial de Santander (UIS) in Colombia from 1988 having nearly 20 years of working experience as a Technical Assistant in the School of Metallurgical Engineering, in the field of fracture, mechanics testing, microscopy, non-destructive testing, and general evaluation and characterization of materials. In 2000, I obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Metallurgical Engineering from Universidad Industrial de Santander and then worked as an Assistant Researcher training and teaching Undergraduate Students in Physical and Mechanical Metallurgy. I am a registered as a Professional Engineer with the Board of Engineers in Colombia. In 2008, I obtained a Master’s degree in Metallurgy from UIS in the field of materials fatigue; my research project was focused on the behaviour of shape memory alloy (NiTi) microtubes under cyclic load. At the same time, I worked as a Consultant Engineer for several companies and industries over a ten-year period, applying international codes and standards. In May 2010, I joined Cranfield University to pursue my PhD in the Department of Offshore, Process & Energy Engineering under the supervision of Professor Feargal Brennan. The topic of my doctoral research is Structural Integrity of Materials for CO2 transport, where the main objective is to get a better understanding of failure mechanisms in a CO2 environment. |
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Benedict Robbins | University of Edinburgh | My research will be a geophysical assessment of the mitigation pathways within secondary seals in the shallow sub-structure to evaluate the Captain aquifer suitability for long tem CO2 storage Aim: to use an integrated approach of geophysical methods combining seismic techniques of conventional 2-D data sets with bore-hole data and core samples when ever possible. I will be able to make a geophysical assessment of possible mitigation pathways within the secondary and tertiary seals found within the shallow overburden, between the reservoir and overburden. The project will essentially be a seismic interpretation, trying to identify the most likely mitigation pathways that CO2 could take should the selected site be appraised for Carbon storage. This study focuses on the aquifer closest to the shore, the Captain aquifer which contains depleting hydrocarbon reserves. The project will provide the most detailed evaluation of the Captain aquifer’s potential to be used as a storage site. The project would also aim to acquire high-resolution seismic data wherever possible to provide a means to better constrain the location of faults of secondary traps with high leak risk applied on a basin-wide scale. Therefore attempting to demonstrate how conventional 2D seismic data requires seismic acquisition at 3D smaller scales in order to image deformation in shallow sub-structure between shallow up to 1000m to decrease uncertainty. |
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Susan Rousak | The Crown Estate | I am currently working for The Crown Estate as a Marine Spatial Planning Analyst. Prior to this I worked for the Australian Government in GIS analysis. I have a degree in Environmental Science so my interests lie there. The Crown Estate own the seabed out to 12 nautical miles and have rights to the UKCS for all activities except oil, gas and coal. Therefore they will be leasing out areas of seabed to companies for CO2 storage. I am working with others in The Crown Estate to try to develop methodology for spatial planning around carbon capture and storage. This involves modeling of potential sites, identifying potential sites and determining logistics. My goal is, in the short term; better understand the process and its implications. In the long term I hope to work with companies to help develop carbon storage sites offshore. I am also interested in looking at the possibilities of coexistence between carbon storage and other activities in the marine environment. |
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Seyed Mohammad Shariatipour | Heriot Watt University | The title of my PhD Project is "Modelling of CO2 Behaviour at the Interface between the Storage Formation and the Cap Rock". This project will study the processes that occur during the development of a column of CO2 below the cap rock. Calculations will be performed to identify the impact of structure, rugosity, dip angle, capillary trapping and dissolution on the migration of CO2. The positive and negative impacts of possible mobilisation of hydrocarbons trapped locally beneath the cap rock will also be considered. The study will also evaluate the conditions under which CO2 may migrate through the cap rock, either as a free phase or when dissolved in brine. I recently completed an MSc in Petroleum Engineering at Heriot-Watt |
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Tammy-Ann Sharp | University of Sussex | I am currently a DPhil student at the Science and Technology Policy Research Unit (SPRU) at the University of Sussex and the topic of my thesis is assessing the role of CCS in the UK context of broader low carbon transition of the energy system. My supervisor is Dr Jim Watson and my work is NERC funded and part of a larger project called ‘Multiscale Whole Systems Modelling for Analysis for CO2 capture, transport and storage’ led by Sevket Durucan at Imperial College. Prior to starting my DPhil a couple of months ago I also completed my MSc at SPRU in Science and Technology for Sustainability and my dissertation examined the role of energy efficient technologies in China’s Iron and Steel sector with a specific focus on using these to contribute to meeting China’s Climate Intensity Target. Before joining SPRU I worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry in both laboratory (Merck, Sharp and Dohme) and sales-based roles (GlaxoSmithKline and Anachem) after achieved my undergraduate degree in 2006 from the University of Kent in Molecular and Cellular Biology. |
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Janos Szuhanszki | University of Leeds | I have already attended a couple of conferences and workshops, including the First Annual UKCCSC Network Early Career Researchers Meeting in Edinburgh and the 8th European Conference on Coal Research and its Applications, at Leeds. These events were interesting and informative, and they also provided excellent opportunities to meet fellow CCS researchers, including other graduate students and early career researchers. I found these events especially useful for sharing ideas and keeping up to date with the current challenges within the wider field of CCS research. Attending the UKCCSC Winter School would give me a wonderful opportunity to hear from a range of speakers (from industry and academia), ask questions, and find out about the latest developments in the field. Although my own research is at a relatively early stage, I am also keen to share my own ideas and findings with others, and would be an enthusiastic and engaged participant in the wider proceedings. |
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Dr Ben Wetenhall | Newcastle University | I work on the MATTRAN project: materials for next generation of CO2 transport. The overall aim of the project is to resolve the principal material issues required to allow the near term implementation of CO2 transport, and thereby of CCS itself. My part of the project is the pipeline hydraulics. I work on the physical modelling with the aim of getting a pipeline specification. At present I am using commercial software but in the future it would be nice to write my own code, at least for part of the process. I hold a PhD in mathematical physics and my undergraduate degree is in mathematics and physics and I am interested in modeling physical systems. My future interests are in integrated transport networks looking at the operational issues associated, how to circumvent problems working with dense phase CO2, modelling CO2 dispersion and the best choice of equation of state. I would like the chance to be able to explore thermodynamic properties and equations of state. |
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Bing Jun Zhu | University College London | My research will focus on the synthesis of sorbent nanostructures for effective carbon capture in the next three years. It aims to develop microporous nanostructures of carbon and oxides with enhanced surface area for CO2 contact. This project is also looking for effective molecular groups to modify the surface, in order to increase the adsorption efficiency. Currently, I am in a skill training program, which covers a series of training sessions relative to the CCS research. For example, modern techniques in surface science, electrochemistry , organic chemistry and characterisation techniques for the examination of both structures and properties of adsorbents. |
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