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My research involves the
evaluation of new environmental technologies
that can achieve both energy generation and
waste remediation. I am interested in the
production of renewable energy from liquid,
solid wastes and microalgae by applying
bioelectrochemical, chemical and thermal
techniques.
Bio-electrochemistry Technology
Microbial Fuel
Cells (MFCs) are a type of technology that
enables wastewater treatment and electricity
generation. MFCs utilise various organic
electron donors under anaerobic conditions and
directly transform chemical energy into
electrical energy via a series of
electrochemical reactions. I have studied the
effect of different organic wastewaters, novel
mediator compounds and organic loading rates on
bioelectricity production, organic matter
removal and microbial diversity.
Projects: Collaboration with
Palintest Ltd: This project investigates the use
of microbial fuel cell (MFC) technology as a
biosensor to facilitate the continuous and
on-line monitoring of organic matter content in
wastewater. Organic matter is a parameter
internationally reported in terms of Biochemical
Oxygen Demand (BOD). Analysis of BOD in
wastewater helps maintain adequate removal
efficiency in treatment works.
Collaboration with Ngee
Ann (Singapore): Development of low cost
microbial fuel cells to produce energy: This
project analyses the application of microbial
fuel cells for developing countries. It includes
the evaluation of low cost materials,
microbiological performance and municipal
wastewater treatment.
Key article: Factors
affecting current production in microbial fuel
cells using different industrial
wastewaters (2011) Bioresource Technology 102(80)
Bio-fuel Production
Biofuel
can be produced from wastewater sludge and
microalgae using chemical (in
situ transesterification), thermal (catalytic
cracking) or biological processes. These two
processes offer several advantages such as the
elimination of the oil extraction step,
potential improvement on biofuel yield, and
reduction in the transportation of intermediate
products. In situtransesterification is utilised
for biodiesel production while catalytic
cracking can produce several types of biofuels
such as methane, biodiesel and jet fuel.
Projects: Collaboration with
UNAM University (Mexico): This project involves
the technical, economical and process evaluation
of biodiesel production from different single
and mixed cultures of microalgae. It analyses
the use of waste resources as source of
nutrients and the technological application for
developing countries.
Key article: Alkaline in situ
transesterification of Chlorella vulgaris (2011)
Fuel, in press
Sustainable Engineering
Systems
Collaboration with SECURE (Self
Conserving Urban Environments): Life cycle
analysis to determine the energy use and carbon
emissions produced during the transportation,
treatment and final disposal of solid wastes,
wastewater produced in the North East of
England.
To know more about this
research visit: https://www.secure-project.org/
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