Alf is a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering and a member of academic staff.  His research is all directed at energy solutions for a low carbon future. His interests include direct electromagnetic heating of catalysts and magnetometry techniques; direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells for low carbon propulsion applications; and hydrogen isotope separation and measurement for future nuclear fusion reactors.  the development of technologies for low carbon sustainable energy applications.  

Role

Alf was appointed as a Lecturer in Chemical Engineering in November 2016, a role which includes Research, Teaching and Administration.  He supervises PhD students across a number of projects..

Career achievements

Alf graduated from the University of Bath with an MEng in Chemical Engineering in 2004. He embarked on a career in the Oil and Gas industry with BP and Petroplus (2004-2010) during which he worked as a project manager to successfully deliver large CAPEX projects and specialised in crude oil distillation performance. In 2012 he was recognised by the IChemE in the award of Chartered Chemical Engineer. Alf completed a PhD in the Centre for Sustainable Chemical Technologies in 2014. As a senior chemical engineer with Atkins Nuclear, Alf was responsible for delivering the design for the Hinkley Point C reactor primary coolant storage and processing systems and he authored the Safety Performance chapter of the Periodic Safety Review of Heysham 1 and Hartlepool nuclear reactors.

Alf's research has been published in high impact journals 'Energy & Environmental Science; and 'Advanced Energy Materials' and has received over 350 citations.

Education

Alf received the degrees of MEng and PhD in Chemical Engineering and MRes in Sustainable Chemical Technologies in 2004, 2015 and 2011 respectively. He was awarded the qualification of Chartered Chemical Engineer and Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers in 2012.

Research

Alf’s research focus is in the integration of reactor, catalyst and heat transfer design for sustainable energy applications. Direct electromagnetic heating of catalysts promises both to simplify chemical synthesis and to align energy intensive industries such as chemicals manufacture with low carbon renewable electricity.

Direct ammonia solid oxide fuel cells can bring this high hydrogen density liquid into play as a portable transport energy source. Alf's group are developing proton and oxide conducting electrolytes for this application.

Future fusion power stations must have hydrogen isotopologue separation systems. Alf's expertise is applied to the new generation of cryogenic distillation columns that will be required.

We are currently looking for a highly motivated PhD student for a fully-funded opportunity to work in hydrogen isotope purification for nuclear fusion applications.