Research Booklet

Chemical Engineering Department
RESEARCH GUIDE
Research Guide

The Petroleum Institute
Prepared by: Dr. Abdallah Sofiane Berrouk

Carmen Gutierrez
Salaheddin Abuyahya
Ahmed Syed
Copyright@2012, The Petroleum Institute, Abu Dhabi
The department of chemical engineering at the Petroleum Institute (PI) hosts a variety of research programs
spanning a wide array of activities. Our faculty members and research associates lead research efforts in
fundamental as well as applied research in the traditional and emerging fields of chemical engineering. As you will
see from this booklet, our research activities fall into the following research areas:
Oil refinery and gas processing

Catalysis and reaction engineering
Process simulation, modeling and optimization
Thermodynamics and molecular modeling
Polymers and advanced materials
Flow assurance and enhanced oil recovery
Computational flow modeling
Colloid and surface science and interfacial engineering
Mass transport and separation technology
Energy and environmental engineering
Applied and environmental chemistry
Gas Processing
and Treating
Chemical Reactor
Modeling,
Simulation, and
Optimization
Catalysis and
Reaction
Engineering
New and
advanced
Materials
Polymer
Science and
Engineering
Desalination
and Corrosion
These areas represent key domains in which we like to offer expertise and research solutions specific to the needs of
our shareholders: the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) and its operating companies; as well as our
strategic international partners (BP, Shell, Total and Japan Oil Development Company). These partnerships supply
funding for our research program and help us attract world-class experts to the department. Our ultimate goal is to
achieve practicable and pragmatic solutions to our partners and offer the potential of creating new knowledge and
make important gains against the challenges they face.
Research in our department is supported by state-of-the-art laboratories and equipment. Our laboratories include
the Catalysis, Reaction Engineering and Process Intensification laboratory, the Flow Assurance and Production
Chemistry laboratory, the Polymer laboratory (polymer chemistry, polymer characterization and testing as well as
polymer processing), and the Environmental Chemistry laboratory. There are also dedicated facilities and software
for computational work. In our labs, safety is of paramount importance. All researchers adhere to strict safety
measures and go through safety training before they can access the labs.
Chemical Engineering Research Vision and Activities
The chemical engineering faculty members play a major role in interdisciplinary research and collaborate actively
with other researchers in other PI units such as the petroleum engineering department (collaborations in the areas
of enhanced oil recovery and carbon sequestration), mechanical engineering department (collaborations in energy
systems, computational flow modeling, and materials), and the chemistry department (collaborations in
environmental projects and corrosion). Our faculty members collaborate also widely in joint research projects
through the PI standing agreements with partner universities (e.g. University of Minnesota, University of Maryland,
Colorado School of Mines, Rice University, University of Texas - Austin, China University of Petroleum - Beijing, and
Johannes Kepler University at Linz - Austria).
All in all, the department of chemical engineering at the PI is committed to a strong research program. I hope you
will enjoy reading about our current research activities. Contact us for more information or if you wish to initiate any
collaboration or standing agreement.
Sincerely,
Chair, Department of Chemical Engineering,
The Petroleum Institute,
Bu Hasa Building, Room 2207
Sas Al Nakhl Campus,
P.O. Box 2533,
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Tel: +971 2 607 5276
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
E-mail: chego@pi.ac.ae
URL: http://www.pi.ac.ae/PI_ACA/ce/index.php
Chemical Engineering Research Vision and Activities
The Petroleum Institute (PI) is the research arm of ADNOC. The Chemical Engineering department (CE) has been
very active in terms of research and development for both upstream and downstream activities of ADNOC and its
different operating companies. CE research activities aim to either respond to immediate needs and requirements
of the local industry or develop new, cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies.
CE has developed strong research ties with international universities with strong research reputation in different
fields which greatly boosted research within the department.
CE faculty and research staff have been very active in attracting internal and extramural funds to finance their
growing research activities. CE is among the leading PI departments in terms of attracting funds from different
sources such as Gas Research Center (GRC), Gas Subcommittee, Oil Subcommittee, and ADNOC different operating
companies.
Research Partners
CE Faculty and research staff have obtained several strategic grants for developing research laboratories in different
fields of chemical engineering. These research Laboratories are populated with modern scientific equipment needed
to conduct state-of-the-art research. CE faculty and research staff are also involved in different ADNOC research
centres creating a synergy between academia and the ADNOC R&D sector.
Research Laboratories
Catalysis and Process Development laboratory

Applied and Environmental Chemistry laboratory
Polymer Characterization and Polymer Processing Laboratories
Flow Assurance and Production Chemistry laboratory
Research Centres
Takreer Research Centre [2009]

Bourouge Innovation Centre [2012]
ADNOC-PI Research Centre(ADPIRC) [2014]
Gas Research Centre (Virtual)
Research Facilities
Although the PI has started primarily as an educational institution, emphasis on research has increased
substantially. This has been witnessed by the increasing number of publications over the past six years. The CE
publications are diverse and multipurpose, consisting of books, book chapters, international peer-reviewed papers,
conference papers and patents. The figure below shows our increasing trend of peer-reviewed journal articles.
Chemical Engineering Publications

71
75
59
38
17
7
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Peer-reviewed Journal Articles 2006-2011
2011
Research Publications
The Chemical Engineering department at PI has been running a Masters degree program for the past 6 years. The
CE Masters modern curriculum has been designed and constantly revised to give students a rigorous education in
the fundamentals of engineering science and specific training in the applications of chemical engineering in the oil
and gas industry. The aim of the program is to equip students with the necessary knowledge to perform high quality
research and development. The program strives to meet the international standards of excellence in chemical
engineering education, research, and life-long learning.
Admission to the Master of Science (M.Sc) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng) Full Time Programs is open to all
qualified UAE national and International students. Outstanding graduates with excellent academic credentials, who
are highly motivated to undertake a challenging and rigorous graduate program of study are invited to apply. They
will be expected to have at least a B.S. degree from a well-recognized university.
Admission Requirements
The following general criteria apply to all applicants:
A minimum GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 point scale or its established equivalent) from a reputable B.Sc. Program;
applicants must submit an academic transcript attested by the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific
Research.
Recently certified TOEFL score of 550 or higher on Paper-Based, 213 on the Computer-Based, or 79 on the
Internet-Based test, or an IELTS score of 6.0.
Contacts
The Graduate School
P.O. Box 2533 | Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 6075936 | Fax: +971 2 6075200 | Email: ALLgs@pi.ac.ae
Web site: http://www.pi.ac.ae/graduatestudies
Graduate Studies
Chemical Engineering Faculty Members
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
REPRESENTATIVE PUBLICATIONS
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Purdue University,

West Lafayette, Indiana, USA.
A. Betancourt-Torcat, A. Elkamel, and L. Ricardez-Sandoval,

Integration of Nuclear Energy and Water Management into
the Oil Sands Operations, AIChE J., accepted, (2012).
EXPERTISE
Planning and Scheduling of Process Operations

Supply Chain Management
Process Modeling and Simulation
Process Optimization
Combinatorial Optimization
CURRENT INTERESTS
Energy and Environmental Engineering Systems

Air Pollution Modeling, Simulation, and Control
Refinery modeling, planning, and optimization
Sustainable Development of the Petrochemical
Industry
Computer-Aided Product Formulation and
Design
Modeling and Optimization of Complex Systems
Carbon management
I. Kantor, M. Fowler, and A. Elkamel, Optimized production

of hydrogen in an eco-park network accounting for life-cycle
emissions and profit, International Journal of Hydrogen
Energy, in press, (2012).
A. Hajimiragha, C. A. Caizares, M. Fowler, S. Moazeni, and
A. Elkamel, and S. Wong, Sustainable convergence of
electricity and transport sectors in the context of a hydrogen
economy, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 36 (11),
pages 6357-6375, (2011).
W. Al-Gherwi, H. Budman, and A. Elkamel, Selection of
Control Structure for Distributed Model Predictive Control in
the Presence of Model Errors, Journal of Process Control,
20, pages 270-284, (2010).
Dr. Ali ElKamel

Visiting Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5114
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: aelkamel@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Delft University of

Technology, Delft, The Netherlands.
B. Breure, E.J.M. Straver, L.J. Florusse, M.P.W.M. Rijkers, I.G.

Economou, F.M. Vargas & C.J. Peters, Phase equilibria in
binary mixtures of propane and phenanthrene: experimental
data and modeling with the GC-EoS, Journal of Chemical and
Engineering Data, vol. 56, no. 4, pp. 1407-1413, 2011.
EXPERTISE
Classical Thermodynamics
Statistical Thermodynamics
Complex Phase Behavior
High-Pressure Phase Equilibria
CURRENT INTERESTS
Gas separation with ionic liquids

Gas separation with gas hydrates
Gas separation with high gravity forces
Reactions and separations with ionic liquids
Asphaltene phase behavior
Hydrogen Storage
CO- Capturing and Sequestration
Desalination of seawater with gas hydrates
Mobility control in reservoirs
N.I. Papadimitriou, I.N. Tsimpanogiannis, A.K. Stubos, A.

Martin, L.J.
Rovetto, L.J. Florusse & C.J. Peters,
Experimental and computational investigation of the sII
binary He-THF hydrate, Journal of Physical Chemistry
Letters, vol. 115, no. 6, pp. 1411-1415, 2011.
H. Yoshioka, M. Ota, Y. Sato, M. Watanabe, H. Inomata, R.L.
Smith Jr. & C.J. Peters, Decomposition kinetics and recycle
of binary hydrogen-tetrahydrofuran clathrate hydrate, AIChE
Journal, vol. 57, no. 1, pp. 265-272, 2011.
S. Raeissi, L.J. Florusse & C.J. Peters, Scott-van
Konynenburg phase diagram of carbon dioxide plus
alkylimidazolium-based ionic liquids, The Journal of
Supercritical Fluids, vol. 55, no. 2, pp. 825-832, 2011.
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Distinguished Professor
Habshan Building, Room 5311A
Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: cpeters@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Johns Hopkins

University, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
G.P. Lithoxoos, A. Labropoulos, L. Peristeras, N.

Kanellopoulos, J. Samios and I.G. Economou, Absorption of
N2, CH4, CO and CO2 Gas in Single Walled Carbon Nanotubes.
A Combined Experimental and Monte Carlo Molecular
Simulation Study, J. Supercrit. Fluids, 55, 510 523 (2010).
EXPERTISE
Molecular Thermodynamics and
Simulation of Complex Fluid Systems
CURRENT INTERESTS
Ionic Liquids
Carbon capture and sequestration
Gas to Liquid conversion
Aqueous systems
Molecular
Z.A. Makrodimitri, D.J.M. Unruh and I.G. Economou,

Molecular Simulation of Diffusion of Hydrogen, Carbon
Monoxide, and Water in Heavy n-Alkanes, J. Phys. Chem. B,
115(6), 1429 1439 (2011).
N.M. Garrido, M. Jorge, A.J. Queimada, M.E.A. Macedo and
I.G. Economou, Using Molecular Simulation to Predict
Solvation and Partition Coefficients in Solvents of Different
Polarity, Phys. Chem. Chem. Phys., 13(20), 9155 9164
(2011).
N. Diamantonis and I.G. Economou, Evaluation of Statistical
Associating Fluid Theory (SAFT) and Perturbed Chain-SAFT
Equations of State for the Calculation of Thermodynamic
Derivative Properties of Fluids Related to Carbon Capture
and Sequestration, Energy & Fuels, 25(7), 3334 3343
(2011).
Dr. Ioannis G. Economou

Professor
Habshan Building, room 5333A
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5884
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email ieconomou@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering.
Waterloo, Ontario, Canada
University of
EXPERTISE
Rheology of Dispersed Systems
Physical Properties of Composites
Pipeline Flow of Dispersed Systems
CURRENT INTERESTS
Rheology of Emulsions
Mechanical/Thermal/Electrical Properties of
Composites
Drag Reduction in Pipeline Flow by
Polymeric/Surfactant Additives
Rajinder Pal. Rheology of Simple and Multiple emulsions,

Current Opinion in Colloid & Interface Science, Vol. 16,
2011, pp. 41-60.
Rajinder Pal. Influence of interfacial rheology on the
viscosity of concentrated emulsions , Journal of Colloid &
Interface Science, Vol. 356, 2011, pp. 118-122.
Rajinder Pal. Thermal conductivity of three-component
composites of core-shell particles , Materials Science and
Engineering A, Vol. 498, 2008, pp. 135-141.
Ali Mohsenipour, Rajinder Pal. Drag reduction in turbulent
pipeline flow of mixed non-ionic polymer and cationic
surfactant systems The Canadian Journal of Chemical
Engineering, 2012, in Press.
Dr. Rajinder Pal

Visiting Professor
Arzanah Building, Room 8317
Office: +971 2 607 5652
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: rpal@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. McGill University,

Montreal, Canada
F. Banat, S. Al-Asheh, M. Al-Rawashdeh, M. Nusair,

Photodegradation of Methylene Blue Dye by the UV/H2O2
and UV/acetone oxidation processes. Desalination 181, 225232 (2005).
EXPERTISE
Application of membrane distillation process in
desalination, water treatment, food industry, and
separation of azeotropes
Coupling solar energy with membrane distillation
for desalination
Multicomponent mass transfer using StefanMaxwell approach has been applied widely in my
research
CURRENT INTERESTS
Desalination and water purification processes

Membrane separation processes
Wastewater treatment
Coupling desalination processes with renewable
energy sources
F. Banat, N. Jwaied, M. Rommel, J. Koschikowski, M.

Wieghaus, Performance evaluation of the large SMADES
autonomous desalination solar-driven membrane distillation
plant in Aqaba, Jordan. Desalination, 217 17-28 (2007).
F. Banat, N. Jwaied, M. Rommel, J. Koschikowski, M.
Wieghaus, Desalination by a "compact SMADES"
autonomous solar powered membrane distillation unit.
Desalination, 217 29-37 (2007).
S. Al-Asheh, F. Banat, F. Lattieff, Comparison between
Activated Charcoal, Bentonite and Phillipsite as Storing
Media for Methane, Oil and Gas Technology, 104, 83-89
(2011).
Dr. Fawzi Banat

Visiting Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5099
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: fbanat@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Institute National

Polytechnique de Grenoble (INPG), Grenoble,
France
Yves Gunaltun, Matina Thammachart. Importance of TLC

stabilization process for TLC rate prediction. Presented at
the Second Top of Line Corrosion Conference at Bangkok.
January 28-30, 2009.
EXPERTISE
Corrosion control and monitoring in oil and gas
production
Corrosion Engineering
Modeling CO2 &H2S corrosion
Coating and painting
Cathodic protection
R&D in CO2 and H2S corrosion
Yves Gunaltun, Suchada Punpruk, Assoc. Prof. Siriporn

DAOPISET. SSC resistance of 13% Cr and Super 13% Cr
below pH 3.5 in low H2S environment. NACE 2009.
CURRENT INTERESTS
Yves Gunaltun, Suchada Punpruk, Matina Thammachart,

Pornthep Tanaprasertsong. Worst case top of line corrosion:
cold spot corrosion. NACE 2010.
Corrosion monitoring tools

Corrosion inhibitors
H2S modeling
3 layer polymer coatings
Cathodic protection
Materials selection
Flow related corrosion
Yves Gunaltun, Tong Eak Pou, Marc Singer, Claude Duret,

Stephane Espitalier. Laboratory testing of volatile corrosion
inhibitors. NACE 2010.
Dr. Yves Gunaltun

Chair Professor
Habshan Building, room 5248
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 75121
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: ygunaltun@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemistry. University Politehnica of

Timisoara, Timisoara, Romania
M.A. Panthaki, R. V. Vladea, A. Lphi, R.R. Hudgins, P.L.

Silveston, Trickle-bed removal of flugas SO2 using nonaqueous solvents Can. J. Chem. Eng. 79,765, 2001.
P.L. Silveston, M.A. Panthaki, K. Duval, R. V. Vladea, A. Lohi,

R. R. Hudgins, Low-temperature, carbon-catalyst, solventwashed trickle-bed sulfuric acid process Stud. Surf. Sci.
Catal. 133, 195-203, 2001.
R. Vladea, N. Hinrichs, R. R. Hudgins, S. Suppiah, P.L.

Silveston, High-efficient structured-packing with activated
carbon for SO2 oxidation from flue gas Energy & Fuels, 11,
277, 1997.
R. Vladea et al. Managing hydrogen production and use

on refinery platforms, Downstream Technology
Conference, Kuwait, 19-22 February, 2012.
EXPERTISE
Catalytic process development
Petroleum processing
Oilfield chemicals
CURRENT INTERESTS
New catalytic system and rector for
hydrotreating and hydrocracking oil fractions
New catalytic system for Steam Reforming of
Methane
Photocatalytic splitting of H2S into elements
Highly efficient system for dehydration of natural
gas
Highly efficient system for separating CO2/CH4
mixtures
Nanosized zeolites grown on SiC foams
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: rvladea@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Indian Institute of

Technology, Madras, India
Jimmy Lim, C. Srinivasakannan, N. Balasubramanian,

Activation of palm shells by phosphoric acid impregnation
for high yielding activated carbon, Journal of Analytical and
Applied Pyrolysis, 88, 181-186, 2010.
EXPERTISE
Heat and Mass Transfer Operations
CURRENT INTERESTS
Fluidization
Biomass gasification / Pyrolysis
Porous Carbons / Adsorption
Waste water treatment
Duan Xin-hui, C. Srinivasakannan, Peng Jin-hui, Zhang Li-bo,

Zhang zheng-yong, Comparison of activated carbon prepared
from Jatropha hull by conventional heating and microwave
heating, Biomass Bioenergy , 35 (9), 3920-3926, 2011.
C. Srinivasakannan, N. Balasubramanian, Variations in the
Design of Dual Fluidized bed Gasifiers and Quality of Syngas
from biomass, Energy Sources A: Recovery, Utilization, and
Environmental Effects, 33(4), 349-359, 2011.
Duan Xin-Hu, C. Srinivasakannan, Peng Jin-Hui, Zhang Li-Bo,
Zhang Zheng-yong, Preparation of activated carbon from
jatropha hull with microwave heating: optimization using
response surface methodology, Fuel Processing Technology,
92(3), 394-400, 2011.
Dr. C. S. Kannan
Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5580
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: ckannan@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. University of

Queensland, Australia
J. Chen, Leslie Loo, and K. Wang, D.D. Do, The Structural

Characterization of a CMS Membrane Using Argon Sorption
and Permeation, J. Membr. Sci., 335, 1-4, 2009.
EXPERTISE
Adsorption and Membrane Separation
Technology
Synthesis & Characterization of Carbon
Nanomaterials
Modeling Mass Transport in Porous Media
Energy Storage via Adsorption Technology
Low Cost Adsorbent for Separation and
Purification Applications
C. Li, S. Hein, and K. Wang, Separation of GMP from Milk

Whey Using Modified Chitosan Beads, Adsorption, 16, 85,
2010.
CURRENT INTERESTS
Yi Wang, Chun Xian Guo, Xin Wang, Cong Guan, Hongbin

Yang, Kean Wang, Chang Ming Li, Hydrogen Storage in Ni-B
nanoalloy-doped Three-dimensional Graphene
Material, Energy & Environmental Science, 4, 195, 2011.
Natural gas purification

Energy storage
Membrane Separation
Water treatment
D. Xu, Leslie Loo, K. Wang, Pervaporation Performance of

Novel Chitosan-POSS Hybrid Membranes: Effects of POSS
and Operating Conditions, J. of Polymer Science Part B:
Polymer Physics, 48(21), 2185-2192, 2010.
Dr. Kean Wang

Associate Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5116
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: kwang@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. North Carolina State

University, USA
H. Kim, A. Abdala, and C. Macosko, Graphene/Polymer

Nanocomposites, Macromolecules, 43(16), 6515-6530,
2010. (Prospective article)
EXPERTISE
Nanomaterials (Graphene)
Polymer nanocomposites
Polymer rheology
Enhanced oil recovery
CURRENT INTERESTS
Graphene
Production, characterization, and
functionalization
Polymer graphene nanocomposites
Functionalized graphene for acid gas
removal
Graphene applications in water treatment
Polymers
Polymer nanocomposites
Synthesis and rheology of polymers for
enhanced oil recovery (EOR)
S. Mahammad, A. A. Abdala, G. Roberts, and S. Khan,

Manipulation of hydrophobic interactions in associative
polymers using cyclodextrin and enzyme, Soft Matter, 6
(21), 4237-4245, 2010.
T. Ramanathan, A. A. Abdala, S. Stankovich, D. A. Dikin, M.
Herrera-Alonso, R. D. Piner, D. H. Adamson, H. C. Schniepp,
X. Chen, R. S. Ruoff, S. T. Nguyen, I. A. Aksay, R. K.
Prud'Homme, and L. C. Brinson Functionalized Graphene
Sheets for Polymer Nanocomposites, Nature
Nanotechnology, 3, 327-331, 2008.
M. McAllister, J. Li, D. Adamson, H. Schniepp, A. Abdala, J.
Liu, M. Herrera-Alonso, D. Milius, R. Car, R. PrudHomme & I.
Aksay, Single Sheet Functionalized Graphene by Oxidation
and Thermal Expansion of Graphite, Chemistry of Materials,
vol. 19 (18), 4396-4404, (2007). (Cover Article)
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: aabdala@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Imperial College,

London, United Kingdom.
A. Almansoori, and N. Shah, Design and operation of a

stochastic hydrogen supply chain network under demand
uncertainty, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 2012
(DOI: 10.1016/j.ijhydene.2011.11.091).
EXPERTISE
Process Systems Engineering
CURRENT INTERESTS
Design, operation, and management of energy
supply chain
Optimization of energy systems
Modeling and simulation of fuel cell systems
W. Hu, A. Almansoori, P. K. Kannan, S. Azarm, and Z. Wang,

Corporate dashboards for integrated business and
engineering decisions in oil refineries: An agent-based
approach, Decision Support Systems, vol. 52, pp. 729-741,
2012.
A. Elkamel, I. Alhajri, A. Almansoori, and Y. Saif, Integration
of hydrogen management in refinery planning with rigorous
process models and product quality specifications,
International Journal of Process Systems Engineering, vol.
1(3/4), pp. 302330, 2011.
D. Georgis, S.S. Jogwar, A. S. Almansoori, and P. Daoutidis,
Design and control of energy integrated SOFC systems for
in-situ hydrogen production and power generation,
Computers & Chemical Engineering, vol. 35(9), pp. 1691
1704, 2011.
Dr. Ali Al Mansoori

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5074
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: aalmansoori@pi.ac.ae
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Email: gbassioni@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemistry. Technical University of Munich,

Munich, Germany.
Ghada Bassioni, Mechanistic aspects on the influence of

inorganic anion adsorption on oilfield scale inhibition by
citrate, Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, vol.
70, pp. 298-30, 2010.
EXPERTISE
Organometallic magnetic materials

Homogeneous catalysis
Inorganic chemistry of binders
Interfacial science phenomena
CURRENT INTERESTS
Mitigation of Oilfield scales and asphaltenes
Optimization and Synthesis of Chemicals for Oilwell cementing
Environmental Construction and Oilfield
Chemicals
Yasser Al Wahedi, Jafar Awayes, Ghada Bassioni, Influence of

Classical & Modern Superplasticizers on the Chemical and
Rheological Behavior of Oil Well Cement- A comparative
study, Advances in cement research, Vol. 23 (4), pp. 175-184,
2011.
Ghada Bassioni, A study towards "greener" construction,
Applied Energy, in press 2012. DOI:
10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.09.012.
Ghada Bassioni, Fareed Abdulla, Zeinab Morsy, Nabil ElFaramawy, Evaluation of Naturally Occurring Radioactive
Materials (NORM) in Inorganic and Organic Oilfield Scales
from the Middle East, Archives of Environmental
Contamination and Toxicology, in press, 2012.
DOI: 10.1007/s00244-011-9706-7.
Dr. Ghada Bassioni

Assistant Professor
Phone:+971-2-607-5201
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Colorado School of

Mines, USA.
Al Shoaibi, A., Dean, A. M., Kinetic Analysis of C4 Alkane

and Alkene Pyrolysis: Implications for SOFC Operation, J.
Fuel Cell Sci. Technol., vol. 7(4), 2010, pp. 041015-8.
EXPERTISE
Detailed Chemical Kinetics

Pyrolysis/Gasification
Combustion
Fluidization
CURRENT INTERESTS
Experimental and Modeling analysis of
Hydrocarbon reactions
Sulfur Recovery in Gas Processing
Contaminants Removal in Gas Processing
Waste Plastic Gasification
Selim, H., Al Shoaibi, A., Gupta, A. K., Experimental

examination of flame chemistry in hydrogen sulfide-based
flames, Journal of Applied Energy, Vol. 88, Issue 8, August
2011, pp. 2601-2611.
Selim, H., Al Shoaibi, A., Gupta, A. K., Fate of sulfur with
H2S injection in methane/air flames, Journal of Applied
Energy, Vol. 92, Issue 8, November 2011, pp. 57-64.
Xu, C., Al Shoaibi, A., Wang, C., Carstensen, H.H., Dean,
A.M., Kinetic Modeling of Ethane Pyrolysis at High
Conversion, Journal of Physical Chemistry A, Vol 115, August
2011, pp.10470-10490.
Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5586
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: aalshoaibi@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Mechanical Engineering. The University of

Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.
Jieqing Gan, Hui Zhao, Abdallah S. Berrouk, Chaohe Yang,

Honghong Shan. Impact of the drag law formulation on the
predicted binary-particle segregation patterns in a gas-solid
fluidized bed. Powder Technology, Vol. 218, Mar. 2012,
pp.69-75.
EXPERTISE
Computational Fluid Dynamics
Large Eddy Simulation
Stochastic Modelling for Particle-laden Turbulent
Flows
Aerosol Dispersion and Deposition Indoors
Discrete Particle Modelling of Fluidized Bed
Reactors
CURRENT INTERESTS
Sour Gas Sweetening

Heavy Oil Catalytic Cracking
Waste Plastic Gasification
Foam Bubble Dynamics
Wael A. Fouad, Abdallah S. Berrouk, Cornelis J. Peters.

Mixing MDEA, TEA shows benefit for gas-sweetening
operations. Oil and Gas Journal. Vol. 109 (45), Nov. 2011,
pp. 25-33.
Jieqing Gan, Hui Zhao, Abdallah S. Berrouk, Chaohe Yang,
Honghong Shan. Numerical simulation of hydrodynamics
and cracking reactions in the mixing zone of a multi-regime
gas-solid riser reactor. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry
Research, Vol. 50(20), Oct. 2011, pp.11511-11520.
Abdallah S. Berrouk, D. Laurence, J. J. Riley, D. E. Stock.
Stochastic modelling of inertial particle dispersion by subgrid motion for LES of high Reynolds number pipe flow.
Journal of Turbulence, Vol. 8(50), Nov. 2007, pp. 1-20.
Dr. Abdallah Sofiane Berrouk

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5408
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: aberrouk@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Rice University,

Houston, Texas, USA.
Sai R. Panuganti, Francisco M. Vargas, Walter G. Chapman.

Modeling of Reservoir Connectivity and Tar-mat using
Gravity-Induced Asphaltene Compositional Grading. Energy
& Fuels, DOI: 10.1021/ef201280d.
EXPERTISE
Thermodynamics
Petroleum Phase Behavior Modeling
Asphaltene Deposition
CURRENT INTERESTS
Petroleum Thermodynamics
Asphaltene Precipitation and Deposition
Flow Assurance and Production Chemistry
Sai R. Panuganti, Francisco M. Vargas, Doris L. Gonzalez,

Anju Kurup, Walter G. Chapman. PC-SAFT characterization
of crude oils and modeling of asphaltene phase behavior.
Fuel, 2012, 93, pp. 658669.
Anjushri S. Kurup, Francisco M. Vargas, Jefferson L. Creek,
Jianxin Wang, Jill Buckley, Hariprasad Subramami, Walter G.
Chapman. Development and application of an asphaltene
deposition tool (ADEPT) for well bores, Energy & Fuels,
2011, 25 (10), pp. 4506-4516.
Francisco M. Vargas and Walter G. Chapman, Application of
the One-Third rule in Hydrocarbon and Petroleum Systems,
Fluid Phase Equilibria, 2010, 290, pp 103-108.
Dr. Francisco M. Vargas

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5456
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: fvargas@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Swiss Federal Institute

of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland .
V. Mittal. Modification of Montmorillonites with Thermally

Stable Phosphonium Cations and Comparison with
Alkylammonium Montmorillonites. Applied Clay Science,
2012, 56, 103-109.
EXPERTISE
Polymer nanotechnology
Surface functionalization of inorganic
surfaces
Hybrid nanostructured composite materials
Optimization of interactions at interfaces
Bio-nanocomposites
Polymer colloids
Functional latex particles
Polymer monoliths
Living polymerization methods
Coating technologies
Design of Experiments (DoE) and Six Sigma
applications on various systems
CURRENT INTERESTS
Polymer blends and nanocomposites

Biodegradable nanocomposites
Oil sensors
Surface engineered self-healing nanoparticle
coatings
L.A. Fielding, O.O. Mykhaylyk, S.P. Armes, P.W. Fowler, V.

Mittal , S. Fitzpatrick. Correcting for a Density Distribution:
Particle Size Analysis of CoreShell Nanocomposite Particles
Using Disk Centrifuge Photosedimentometry. Langmuir,
2012, in print.
V. Mittal. Polypropylene nanocomposites with thermally
stable phosphonium- and pyridinium-modified layered
silicates: Thermal, mechanical and gas barrier properties.
Journal of Thermoplastic Composite Materials, 2012, in
print.
V. Mittal, A. Voelkel, H. Coelfen. Analytical
Ultracentrifugation of Model Nanoparticles: Comparison of
Different Analysis Methods. Macromolecular Bioscience,
2010, 10(7), 754-762.
Dr. Vikas Mittal

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5491
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: vmittal@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH AREAS
EDUCATION
PhD in Chemical Engineering. Case Western Reserve

University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA.
Alhassan, S. M.; Schiraldi, D.; Agag, T.; Qutubuddin, S.;

Ishida, H., Various approaches for main-chain type
benzoxazine polymers In Handbook of Benzoxazine Resins,
Ishida, H.; Agag, T., Eds. Elsevier: 2011.
Schiraldi, D. A.; Gawryla, M. D.; Alhassan, S. M., Clay

Aerogel Composite Materials. Advances in Science and
Technology 2010, 63, 147-151.
Agag, T.; Geiger, S.; Alhassan, S. M.; Qutubuddin, S.; Ishida,

H., Low-Viscosity Polyether-Based Main-Chain Benzoxazine
Polymers: Precursors for Flexible Thermosetting Polymers.
Macromolecules 2010, 43 (17), 7122-7127.
Alhassan, S. M.; Qutubuddin, S.; Schiraldi, D., Influence of

Electrolyte and Polymer Loadings on Mechanical
Properties of Clay Aerogels. Langmuir 2010, 26 (14),
12198-12202.
EXPERTISE
Nanoparticle processing in aqueous media using
fundamental understanding of colloida
interactions and stability
Porous solids processing from colloidal
dispersions and the effect of processing
conditions on the properties of these solids
Processing and structure-property relationships
in polymeric nanocomposites
Nanoparticles characterization:
CURRENT INTERESTS
Polymer nano-composites
Colloids and porous solids
Surface science & catalysis
Nano particles processing & application
Enhanced oil recovery
Process design & simulation
Poly-benzoxazine synthesis, properties and
application
Dr. Saeed M. Alhassan

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5944
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: salhassan@pi.ac.ae
Industrial Research Projects and Scientific collaboration
RESEARCH PROJECTS
New Equation of State for Asphaltene Phase Behavior Prediction

Dr. C. Peters (PI), Dr. I. Economou (PI), Dr. B. Breure (PI), Dr. M. Anisimov (UMD*)
Sponsor: Gas Research Center (GRC)
Objectives
Background
Asphaltenes are a very complex and ill-defined
petroleum fraction often referred to as the cholesterol
of petroleum
Asphaltenes can precipitate and deposit spontaneously
upon changes in P, T and x thereby blocking critical parts
of the oil production system
Elucidate the behavior of asphaltenes by studying welldefined model compounds

Develop an accurate and realistic thermodynamic model
based on correct fundamental principles to predict
asphaltene phase behavior
Due to the complexity of asphaltenes, their (phase)

behavior is still poorly understood
Approach
Research Personnel
Dynamic Light Scattering study of

aggregation behavior
Phase behavior
measurements (Cailletet)
Dr. Bianca Breure

Research Associate
Molecular simulations
Accurate thermodynamic model for

asphaltene phase behavior prediction
*UMD: University of Maryland, US
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Interfacial tension and its influence on Asphaltene precipitation and

deposition
Dr. C. Peters (PI), Dr. B. Breure (PI), Dr. I. Economou (PI), Dr. F. Vargas (PI)
Background
Asphaltene precipitation and deposition is major
problem during oil production, transportation and
processing
Understanding the behavior of Asphaltene is crucial to
develop efficient mitigation strategies
Objectives
Development of a simulator to calculate interfacial
tensions for petroleum systems, including Asphaltene
Study the influence of interfacial tensions
Asphaltene behavior in petroleum systems
Still little is known about the role of interfacial tension in

Asphaltene precipitation and deposition
Approach
Interfacial properties of petroleum mixtures, including
Asphaltene are calculated using the so-called density
gradient theory
Calculated interfacial tensions are validated with
experimental data for petroleum systems
Interfacial properties of petroleum systems with and
without Asphaltene precipitation and/or deposition are
compared
Research Personnel
Dr. Bianca Breure
Research Associate
on
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Ionic Liquids for Gas Separation

Dr. C. Peters (PI), Dr. M. Kroon (TU-Eindhoven), Mr. F. Geuzebroek (Shell)
Objectives
Background
Increasing need for capturing CO2 from gas streams
(e.g. natural gas & flue gas ) followed by a societal
responsible way to store the captured CO2
This important process is identified as
Capture-Storage (CCS)
Carbon-
Approach
Selection of an optimum ionic liquid
Introduction of high-gravity separation technology
Exergy and economic analysis of the new technology
Identify more effective and selective solvents for

capturing CO2 from gas streams, for example, higher
generation ionic liquids
Develop novel and highly efficient separation
technology to capture the CO2, for instance the
application of high-gravity forces
Research Personnel
Mara Teresa Mota
Martnez
Graduate Research
Assistant
Mamoun Althuluth
Graduate Research
Assistant
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Evaluation of Solid Sorbent S6 to Absorb H2S under simulated industrial

tail gas stream
Dr. C. Peters (PI), C. Gutierrez (PI)
Sponsor: GASCO/ADGAS*
Background
A re-generable Zinc Oxide based solid sorbent has been
identified for effective removal of low levels of
hydrogen sulfide from tail streams of natural gas
Objectives
Evaluate effectiveness that PI sorbent S6 has to
absorb H2S under a simulated industrial tail gas stream
This sorbent S6 has been determined to have great

industrial potential, but there are several factors
needed to be understood at lab scale before a robust
economic analysis can be done
Approach
The experiments are performed at 1.0 bar in the Cahn
Versa ThermTM thermo gravimetric analyser (TGA)
Research Personnel
Carmen Gutirrez
Research Associate
The sorbent mass is measured with the TGA
An increase in sample mass would express H2S uptake

The experimental results would be expressed as
change in mass of the sorbent sample (mass %)
*GASCO/ADGAS: Abu Dhabi gas companies
Student:
Tareq Dabash (PI)
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Improved Performance of Gas-Sweetening Processes

Dr. C. Peters (PI), Dr. Abdallah S. Berrouk (PI)
Sponsor: GASCO/ADGAS
Objectives
Background
High production volumes have placed stringent new
requirements on GASCO/ADGAS gas-processing
operations to consistently meet required financial
performance
Improve GASCO/ADGAS asset utilization by applying
Reliable equilibrium and transport thermo-physical

properties are needed for the optimization of the gassweetening units
Identify potentially problematic corrosion inhibitors
Approach
Simulation of the
design and real
GASCO and ADGAS
data using ProMax
simulator
new modelling and design tools for amine sweetening

plants
and antifoaming agents based on phase behavior

measurements
Research Personnel
Optimization of GASCO
and ADGAS units in
terms of energy
requirement using
ProMax Simulator
Built a thermodynamics
facility to measure the
effects of antifoaming
agents (AFA) and corrosion
inhibitors (CI) on acid gas
solubility in Amine solutions
Sabbir Samdani Islam

Research Lab
Engineer
Developing models for
acid gas solubility in
Amine solutions in
presence of AFAs and
CIs
Implementation of the
new models in ProMax
Simulator
Richard Ochieng
Graduate Research
Assistant
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Thermodynamic Model Development for the ADCO CO2 EOR Project

Ioannis Economou (PI), Hisham Saadawi (ADCO)
Sponsor: ADCO
Background
ADCO commissioned recently the first CO2 EOR unit in
the Middle East
Accurate knowledge of physical properties and phase
equilibria of the mixtures involved is needed for the
efficient simulation and optimization of the process
Approach
Development focuses on (a) Peng-Robinson and (b)
Soave-Redlich-Kwong EoS
Properties of interest: vapor pressure, saturated
densities, heat of vaporization, thermal expansion and
isothermal compressibility, Joule-Thomson coefficient,
speed of sound
Objectives
Development and validation of a thermodynamic
model based on cubic equations of state
Extensive testing of model accuracy against literature
and proprietary data
Research Personnel
Nikos Diamantonis
Graduate student
Dr. Ioannis G. Economou

Professor
Habshan Building, room 5333A
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5884
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email ieconomou@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Deterioration of solvent Quality and Foaming Problems in a Gas Sweetening

Unit
Dr. Fawzi Banat (PI), Mr. S. Sayegh (GASCO), Mr. D. Prabhu (GASCO), Mr. A. Demmers (SHELL)
Sponsor: Gas Research Centre (GRC)
Background
Amine degradation and foaming is a critical problem in
gas treating plants and needs persistent research
efforts to get into the mechanism and find solutions
Objectives
Reduction of cost by cutting down or eliminating use of
antifoam in the amine column
Reduction of operating problems also leading to cost
saving
Approach
Research Personnel
To Be Hired
Dr. Fawzi Banat

Visiting Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5099
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: fbanat@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Advanced chemistry laboratory and materials laboratory

Corrosion monitoring tools for corrosion under heat insulation
Corrosion modeling for best and worst contaminants
Dr. Yves Gunaltun (PI), Dr. Dyana Saju Ambrose (PI)
Background
Objectives
Corrosion in oil/gas pipelines are major problem leads

to
shut down of plant process and productivity.
Proper selection of corrosion inhibitors can be
effective for corrosion control
Proper corrosion control and monitoring of pipeline
reduce the risk of plant shut down and improve HSE
Modeling of H2S corrosion is important for the
development of new fields with H2S
Approach
Modeling
Testing of different corrosion monitoring tools to apply

in oil/gas pipelines for inspection and monitoring
Study of various factors involved H2S corrosion by
modeling
Research Personnel
Research in Chemicals
and materials
Development of
Corrosion control
and monitoring
systems
Development of advance chemistry and materials

laboratory for the testing of corrosion inhibitors and
materials (metallic and non metallic
Improvement of
Corrosion control
in oil and gas
pipelines
Dr. Dyana Saju Ambrose

Research/Teaching
Associate
Dr. Yves Gunaltun

Chair Professor
Habshan Building, room 5248
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 75121
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: ygunaltun@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Highly Efficient Catalytic System for Production of Syngas or Hydrogen

Dr Radu Vladea (PI), Dr Saeed AlHasan (PI), Dr Nicoleta Doriana Banu (PI), Dr Gisha Luckachan
(PI), Dr Ionut Banu (PI), Dr Marios S. Katsiotis (PI), Jamie Whelan (PI), Anjana Tharalekshmy (PI),
Samuel Stephen (PI)
Sponsor: Takreer
Background
Ca. 85% of hydrotreating and hydrocracking operating
costs are due to hydrogen cost. Steam reformer is at
the heart of hydrogen production. Catalysts efficiency
is extremely low (6 to 10%)
Objectives
Development of new catalytic material grown on
silicon carbide/titanium carbide foams with high
geometric surface area and very high efficiency (ca.
90%)
The support has very high thermal conductivity and
very low pressure drop
Approach
Silicon carbide foams coated with TiO2 are oxidized and
loaded with micro-layers of nano-metallic catalysts.
Several catalytic systems are investigated. The size and
dispersion of nano-crystallites define most of the
catalyst performance and depends on the preparation
methods
The catalysts are characterized by FT-IR, Raman, BET,
XRD, TPD-MS, TGA/DTA/MS, TEM, and are tested in
Autoclave Engineers Microreactors system
Research Personnel
Dr. Nicoleta Doriana Banu
Dr. Gisha Luckachan
Dr. Ionut Banu
Dr. Marios S. Katsiotis
Mr. Jamie Whelan
Mr. Sam Stephen
Ms. Anjana Tharalekshmy
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Intensified Technology for Hydro-processing Crude Oils and/or Fractions

Dr Radu Vladea (PI), Dr Saeed Alhasan (PI), Dr Gisha Luckachan (PI), Dr Nicoleta Doriana Banu
(PI), Dr Ionut Banu (PI), Dr Marios S. Katsiotis (PI), Jamie Whelan (PI), Anjana Tharalekshmy (PI),
Samuel Stephen (PI)
Sponsor: Takreer
Background
The Project Program is aiming to generate a new
generation of catalysts with high thermal conductivity,
low pressure drop even at high LHSV or GHSV, high
thermal and chemical resistance and very good
mechanical strength
Approach
Functionalization of carbon nanotubes or nanofibers
through oxidation
Loading nanoparticles of metallic catalysts using either
reductive solvo-thermal decomposition of thioprecursors or reductive precipitation in supercritical
carbon dioxide as non-solvent on pre-oxidized CNTs or
CNFs
Optimize distribution and stability of nanoparticles
Objectives
Replacing current hydrocracking and hydrotreating
adiabatic reactors by isothermal multi-tubular reactors
with large inner diameter of the catalytic tubes
The research is focused on developing new types of
carbons nanostructures anchored on foams made on
vitrified carbon, silicon carbide, metals, or ceramics
Research Personnel
Dr. Nicoleta Doriana Banu
Dr. Gisha Luckachan
Dr. Ionut Banu
Dr. Marios S. Katsiotis
Mr. Jamie Whelan
Mr. Sam Stephen
Ms. Anjana Tharalekshmy
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Development of Catalyzed High Surface Area Porous Carbons Suitable for

Gas Processing
Dr. C.S. Kannan (PI), Dr Suresh Kumar Reddy (PI)
Sponsor: Petroleum Institute
Background
Removal of inorganic contaminants such as hydrogen
sulfide and mercury from the natural gas stream is one
of the biggest challenges of the oil and gas industry as
the contaminants vary significantly depending on the
nature of the gas
Objectives
Develop high adsorption capacity porous carbons for
mercury removal from natural gas
The porous carbons can be derived either from carbon

materials or from carbonaceous material (biomass)
utilizing appropriate activation process
Approach
Assess the present state of art of the adsorbents in
terms of their maximum adsorption capacity, the rate
of adsorption, cost effective ness
Surface modification and development of porous
carbon through statistical design of experiments to
optimize the process parameters
Development of appropriate adsorption isotherm
models
Research Personnel
K. Suresh Kumar Reddy
Research Associate
Dr. C.S. Kannan

Associate Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5580
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: ckannan@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH PROJECTS
N2 Removal from Natural Gas
Dr. Kean Wang (PI), Dr. Vikas Mittal (PI), R. Wang (SMTC)
Background
N2-contaminated natural gas (NG) has to be upgraded.
The current cryogenic processes are energy intensive
and complex
De-N2 processes to small-scale plants are very
attractive. For large scale plants, cheaper more reliable
technologies are required
Membrane technology is low-cost and environmentally
benign. It is the next generation technology for this
application
Approach
The project will develop carbon molecular sieve
membrane for this application. This material is famous
for its high selectivity and chemically-inert surface
In this project, low cost polymer/co-polymers will be
first screened for membrane precursors. Then the
polymeric membrane will be converted to carbon
molecular sieve via thermal treatment. Both slab and
hollow fiber membrane will by synthesized and tested
for N2/CH4 separation
Objectives
Setup the membrane spinning (Phase Inversion) rig
Setup the thermal treatment rig
Setup the permeation-testing rig
Fabricate slab/hollow fiber polymeric/ molecular sieve
membrane
Test the membrane performance for the separation of
N2/CH4, and CO2/CH4 gas mixtures
Optimize the membrane structure for high selectivity
and permeability
Research Personnel
To Be Hired
Dr. Kean Wang

Associate Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5116
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: kwang@pi.ac.ae
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Semi-conductive Cross-linked Polyethylene (X-PE) for Medium and High

Voltage Cables via Graphene Composites
Dr. Ahmed Abdala (PI)
Sponsor: Petroleum Institute (PI)
Background
Semiconductive crosslinked polyethylene (X-PE) is used
as a shielding in high voltage power cables. To achieve
the required conductivity level, high loading of carbon
black (40-50-%) is usually required. This high loading of
typically used as a conductive filler
This high loading of carbon black is not only difficult to
process but also deteriorates the mechanical
properties of XPE
Approach
Prepare crosslinkable PE composite with different
loading of graphene (1, 3, 5, 10%)
Thermally crosslink the crosslinkable PE composite
Measure the electrical, thermal, and mechanical

properties of the composite
Objectives
Develop a semiconductive X-PE based on X-PEgraphene nanocomposite with low loading of graphene
and enhanced mechanical properties
Research Personnel
Mohd Farhan Ansari
visiting MS student from
IIT, Kerla, India
Muhammad Jamil
visiting MS student
from KTH, Sweden
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Graphene/Polymer Composites
Dr. Ahmed Abdala (PI), Chris Macosko (UMN*)
Background
Although plastics have many outstanding properties,
their low stiffness, low strength, electrical and thermal
resistance, flammability, permeability to gases and
solvents limits their use in some special applications
Incorporation of stiff, strong, and conductive nanofiller
such as graphene can improve these weaknesses
Approach
Blend polyethylene with thermally reduced graphene
(TRG) using melt and solution blending methods
Objectives
Develop electrically conductive linear low density
polyethylene (LLDPE) with enhanced mechanical and
thermal properties and investigate the effects of the
blending method and polymer functionalization on
these properties
Research Personnel
Hyunwoo Kim
Graduate Student (UMN)
Vary TRG loading from 0.5 to 3%. Functionalize

polyethylene to improve the dispersion of TRG
Examine the morphology, electrical properties, and
mechanical properties of the composite
*UMN: University of Minnesota, US
Mohammed Abdulrahim
Graduate Student (PI)
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Conversion of CO2 into Polymers and Chemicals

Dr. Ahmed Abdala (PI), Friedrich Srienc (UMN)
Background
Plants, algae and bacteria converts CO2 into cell
material by sunlight energy. Valuable metabolite
products such as polyhydroxyalkanoic acid (PHA) and
its copolymers can be produced by chemolithoautotrophic bacterium
Objectives
Synthesis and characterization of biopolymers
Improve the properties of the bio polymer through
their graphene nanocomposites
This polymer making process can be engineering to be

carbon neutral negative process
Approach
Extract and purify polymers synthesized with bacteria
Examine the physical and mechanical properties of PHA
and its copolymers
Blend the polymers with graphene to enhance the

mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties of these
polymers
Research Personnel
To Be Hired
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Graphene Functionalization and Nanocomposite Applications

Dr. Ahmed Abdala (PI), Matthew Liberatore (CSM)
Background
Incorporation of graphene into polymer matrices
improves the mechanical, thermal, and electrical
properties of the polymer matrix. However, dispersion
of graphene into nonpolar polymer such as
polyethylene and polypropylene remains a challenge.
Therefore, attachment of alkyl and other functional
groups onto the surface of graphene should improve
the dispersion and enhance the composite properties
Approach
Synthesis of chemically converted graphene (CCG)
Covalent and noncovalent functionalization of CCG
with different function groups
Investigate the effect of functionalization on graphene

compatibility with different polymers
Objectives
Develop functionalized graphene sheets that are
compatible with different polymers
Establish the relation between the functionalization
type and level and the polymer-graphene composite
properties
Research Personnel
Muhammad Iqbal
Graduate Student
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Integration of Engineering and Business Decisions for Robust Optimization

of Oil Refinery Systems
Dr. A. Almansoori (PI), Dr. A.Elkamel (PI), Dr. S. Azarm (UMD), Dr. P.K. Kannan (UMD)
Objectives
Background
Oil refinery is a complex processing system with a
series of highly nonlinear and strongly coupled
subsystems
Managing the inherent tradeoffs in decisions in
business and engineering processes are most essential
to an oil refinerys success and profitability
Uncertain
parameters
Demonstrate the framework , using a simple oil

refinery system, with a dashboard that involves twostage decision making and robust optimization
Research Personnel
Decision maker
Goals
Dashboard
Business decisions
Business
model
Business objective
Decision Flow
Information Flow
Approach
Develop a framework for integrating engineering and

business decisions
Engineering decisions
Business
outputs
Engineering
outputs
Engineering
model
Engineering objective
Robust Optimization
Uncertain
parameters
Students:
W. Hu (UMD)
A. Butt (PI)
Dr. Ali Al Mansoori

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5074
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Simulation, Optimization and Control of Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Systems

Dr. A. Almansoori (PI), Dr. P. Daoutidis (UMN)
Background
Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SOFC):
1) highly efficient energy production
2) high operating temperature
3) stationary and stand-alone applications
Hydrogen:
1) favorable for fuel cell applications
2) environmentally friendly zero emissions
3) high energy density suitable energy carrier
Approach
Proposed two energy integrated configurations
Developed and simulated lumped nonlinear models,
and linear/nonlinear control strategies
Objectives
Combine SOFC with steam reformer for in-situ
hydrogen production from methane
Achieve tight energy integration through coupling of
exothermic and endothermic processes
Study complex dynamics of integrated system
Develop control strategies to ensure stability and
operational feasibility
Research Personnel
Students:
S. Jogwar (UMN)
D. Georgi (UMN)
Dr. Ali Al Mansoori

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5074
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
A Direct Internal-Reforming Protonic-Ceramic Fuel Cell

Dr. A. Almansoori (PI), Dr. R. OHayre (CSM*), Dr. N. Sullivan (CSM)
Background
Objectives
Solid state reaction sintering produces dense

electrolyte at lower temperatures
Develop BCZRe fabrication process for thin electrolyte

under 1400 C
BCZRe materials (i.e. BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1) exhibit good

performance for direct natural gas reforming (Re is Y or
Yb from 0.1-0.3)
Fabricate cells with BCZRe electrolyte

Characterize electrochemical and physical properties of
cells
Compare performance to standard SOFC
Approach
Optimize and characterize each material system
sintering/calcining condition
Electrolyte: BaCe0.7Zr0.1Y0.1Yb0.1 (BCZYYb)
Anode: 35 wt.% BCZYYb/65 wt.% NiO
Research Personnel
Students:
D. Clark (CSM)
Develop inexpensive fuel cell fabrication
*CSM: Colorado Schololof Mine
Dr. Ali Al Mansoori

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5074
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Conversion of Waste Plastics to Energy by Fluidized Bed

Gasification
Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi (PI), Dr. Abdallah S. Berrouk (PI), Dr. Chandrasekar S. Kannan (PI)
Sponsor: Bourouge (Plastic Company)
Background
Gasification is a promising route for utilizing increasing
volumes of waste plastics as a significant energy source
The conversion efficiency of the process has not been
maximized yet, owing to difficulties in optimizing the
numerous variables controlling the process
Approach
Objectives
Study both experimentally and numerically the thermal
conversion of plastic waste to synthetic gas (H2+CO)
that can be used as a source of energy
Research Personnel
Dr. Pravin Kannan
Research Associate

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5586
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
BTX Removal in the Sulfur Recovery Process using Adsorption

Ahmed Al Shoaibi (PI), C. S. Kannan (PI), Mohammed Abdul Sater (GASCO), Frank (SHELL)
Background
Objectives
To ensure uninterrupted Gas supply to GASCO

customers
To reduce the BTX concentration to acceptable levels,

before entry to the furnace
To avoid catastrophic shut down of SRU, eventually the

whole plant
To facilitate 2/3rd bypass of the inlet H2S stream directly

to the clause process
To Reduce operating cost of the plant and improve

catalyst life
To maintain high flame temperature in the furnace
Approach
Acquire SHELL best Technology practices
Design and fabrication of test rig and establishing
laboratory facilities
Procurement of commercial adsorbents
In house sorbent development, characterization,
equilibrium and kinetics parameter estimation
Assessment of commercial sorbents
Adsorption modeling, simulation of packed bed
adsorber with experimental verification
Design recommendation and report for commercial
adoption of technology
Research Personnel
Suleiman Mazin Suleiman Hasan
PI Student

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5586
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Sulfur Recovery from Gas Stream using Flameless and Flame Combustion
Reactor
Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi (PI), Dr. Ashwani Gupta (UMD)
Background
Removal of hydrogen sulfide from gaseous fuels is
crucial since it is hazardous, highly corrosive and
flammable gas.
Objectives
Obtain fundamental information on the thermal
process of sulfur recovery from sour gas using
numerical and experimental studies
Proper reaction pathways of hydrogen sulfide can

produce valuable sulfur without any environmental
impact.
Approach
Perform detailed simulations using the Fluent and
Chemkin computer codes.
Conduct experiments using flameless and flame
combustion over a range of dynamic conditions
determined in the numerical study .
Determine optimal operating conditions for enhanced

sulfur conversion
Research Personnel
Hatem Selim
UMD Graduate Student

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5586
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Pyrolysis Reactions of Butene Isomers at Low Temperatures

Dr. Ahmed Al Shoaibi (PI), Dr. Anthony Dean (CSM), Dr. Hans-Heinrich Carstensen (CSM)
Background
Hydrocarbons remains to be a major source of fuel
amidst growing sustainability and environmental
concerns
Accurate kinetic models describing butene pyrolysis
and oxidative process is vital for any process
development
Approach
Perform butene pyrolysis using a tubular reactor setup
at various conditions
Quantitative characterization pyrolysis products using a
GC/MS/FID
Comparison with predictions from CHEMKIN to identify
specific deficiencies using rate and sensitivity analysis
Objectives
Characterize the pyrolysis chemistry of the three
butene isomers using a tubular reactor setup
Update the CSM kinetic model by employing high-level
electronic structure calculations and other theories
Research Personnel
Kun Wang
CSM Graduate Student

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5586
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Proposed solutions for the new challenges facing GASCO existing and new
Habshan gas plants: High H2S and CO2 concentrations and unconventional
contaminants
Dr. A. S. Berrouk (PI), Dr. C. Peters (PI).
Background
Abu Dhabi has significant undeveloped gas reserves
which a large portion of them is sour. Gas fields such
as Shah, Bab Arab, and Hail are known for their high
H2S and CO2 contents (up to 30% of H2S)
Dealing with much sourer gas containing
unconventional contaminants such as N2, COS,
Mercaptan and Mercury will pose many challenging
technical problems for these gas plants
Approach
Simulation of
GASCO existing
and new units
using ProMax
simulator
Objectives
Investigate, through analytical and simulation work,

the effects the new very sour gas feeds will have on
the operations of the existing and new GASCO
Habshan amine sweetening units
Propose technical solutions for the new challenges

facing GASCO Habshan existing and new gas plants in
dealing with the highly sour natural gas
Research Personnel
Optimization of ProMax
simulator to efficiently
simulate sour gas
streams treated by
GASCO existing and new
units
Optimization of GASCO
new units in terms of
energy requirement
using ProMax Simulator
To Be Hired

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5408
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Discrete Particle Modeling of Hydrodynamics and Heat Transfer in

Fluidized Catalytic Cracking Reactors
Abdallah. S. Berrouk (PI), Dr. H. Zhao (PI), Dr. A. Koudil (TRC*)
Sponsor: Takreer (Oil Refining Company)
Objectives
Background
Fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) is the most important
conversion process used in petroleum refineries
Major advancements in the area of multiphase flow
modeling can offer substantial FCC process
improvements that have the potential to significantly
improve FCC unit operations.
Approach
Development of an
efficient serial threedimensional discrete
particle model
Implementation of heat
transfer and reaction
models in the discrete
particle model
Develop an efficient mesoscopic numerical model

named Discrete Particle Model (DPM) to be used to
study the fluid dynamics and heat transfer of
multiphase flows taking place in fluidized catalytic
cracking (FCC) units
Improve FCC unit components functioning using the
developed numerical models for multiphase flows
Research Personnel
Dr. Hui Zhao
Research Associate
Simulation of commercial
FCC units.
Purpose: Optimization of
the catalytic cracking
process, hardware,
capacity increase and
debottlenecking
Development of a
parallel version of the
above serial model
*TRC: Takreer Research Centre

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5408
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Prediction of Asphaltene Deposition Tendency Through Simultaneous

determination of Phase Behavior and Interfacial Tension
Francisco M. Vargas (PI), Bianca Breure (PI), Cor Peters (PI), Ioannis Economou (PI), Shawket
Ghedan (PI)
Sponsor: ADNOC Oil Subcommittee
Background
Asphaltene deposition represents one of the most
challenging and widely occurring flow assurance
problem in Abu Dhabi Oil Fields
This flow assurance problem is most likely to spread
out even more and aggravate with time, as CO2 and
hydrocarbon gases are been injected to the oil fields as
part of the enhanced oil recovery strategies
Approach
Analytical Methods: Develop improved methods using
spectroscopy and microscopy to understand the
mechanisms of asphaltene precipitation and
aggregation
Modeling: Enhance PVT and IFT predictions using EOS,
as well as molecular simulations of asphaltene
aggregation
Flow Assurance Analysis: Analyze the precipitation of
asphaltenes at high pressure and temperature using
SDS apparatus, as well as core flooding test to
understand the potential damage cause by deposition
of asphaltenes in the formation
Objectives
Develop experimental and modeling methods to
determine the onset of asphlatene precipitation in a
wide range of operating conditions
Develop a molecular simulation model for asphaltene
aggregation mechanism
Develop a model to predict the phase behavior and
interfacial properties of asphaltene phase
Study the potential formation damage caused by
deposition of asphaltene in the reservoir
Research Personnel
Lab Engineers: Sudha Prasad, Nevin Mathew
Graduate Students: Sameer Punnapala, Mohammed
Abutaqiya, Saoud Al Darmaki, Fahad Syed
Undergraduate Students: Ayesha Khalil, Mariam Al

Rashedi, Sara Al Hashmi, Sama Al Hallaq, Salama Al
Marzouqi, Hadel Al Asafen

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5456
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Development of a Rigorous Computational Fluid Dynamics Model for

Asphaltene Deposition
Francisco M. Vargas (PI), Yap Y. Fatt (PI), John C. Chai (PI)
Background
Asphaltene deposition can cause a significant reduction of
oil production with the corresponding economical losses
that this represents. Some wells in Abu Dhabi are so
severely affected by this problem that shutdowns and cleanup jobs are conducted every three months
The development of a simulation tool that predicts the
occurrence and the magnitude of Asphaltene deposition in a
wide range of operating conditions is necessary to help in
the decision making process to mitigate this problem
This simulation tool should include a very rigorous
computational fluid dynamics model to account for the
transport of particles in the well
Approach
Two approaches to be developed: (1) Assuming that
the deposited particles are in solid phase, (2) Assuming
that the precipitated Asphaltene phase is liquid-like but
that rapidly ages with time to become solid-like.
Inclusion of energy equation for non-isothermal
process, multiple particle sizes, first and second order
deposition rate.
Objectives
Provide a better understanding of the flow conditions
that affect Asphaltene deposition both in experimental
setups and wellbore
Develop a computer code that rigorously accounts for
the effects of temperature, pressure and flow field
under laminar and turbulent regimes
Perform sensitivity analyses to identify the process
variables that play the most important role in
Asphaltene deposition process
Research Personnel
Yap Y. Fatt
Qiaoyu Ge
Research Associate
Research Assistant

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5456
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Development of Experimental and Modeling Methods to Predict Asphaltene

Deposition
Francisco Vargas (PI), John Chai (PI), Dalia Abdullah (ADCO*), Sanjay Misra (ADCO), Walter
Chapman (Rice University)
Sponsor: ADNOC Oil Subcommittee
Background
The mechanism by which Asphaltene precipitate and
deposit, their structure and molecular weight distribution
are not completely understood, and
Asphaltene deposition data both in the lab and the field are
scarce. However, it is well accepted that
Asphaltene precipitation is a necessary but not a sufficient
condition for deposition. Therefore,
A successful simulation tool to predict the occurrence and
magnitude of Asphaltene deposition in the wellbore
requires a rigorous thermodynamic model to predict the
phase stability and a CFD model to account for flow
conditions
Approach
Experimental Work: Capillary tube and dynamic
deposition experiments using reservoir fluid at high P
and T. Characterization of deposited and non-deposited
Asphaltene and effect of inhibitors
Modeling Work: Integration of EOS and CFD models
Field Work: Effect of operating conditions on
deposition rate
Objectives
Increase the understanding of the mechanism of

Asphaltene deposition
Develop an integrated simulation tool that
incorporates thermodynamic and CFD modeling to
forecast the occurrence and magnitude of Asphaltene
deposition in the wellbore
Evaluate the performance of Asphaltene inhibitors
under dynamic conditions at reservoir conditions
Understand the physical and chemical differences of
deposited and non-deposited Asphaltene
Research Personnel
Research Associate: Yap Y. Fatt
Lab Engineers: Nevin Mathew and Sudha Prasad
Graduate Students: Sai Panuganti (Rice), Ali Al Hammadi
(Rice), two PI MSc student to be appointed
Undergraduate Students: Ayesha Khalil, Mariam Al
Rashedi, Hadel Al Asafen
*ADCO: Abu Dhabi Oil Company

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5456
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Inverse Opals for Oil Sensors

Dr. V. Mittal (PI), Dr A. Chaudhry (PI)
Background
Frequent corrosion of storage and transport facilities
by interaction with gas, oil, humidity, chemicals etc.
Chromate based corrosion protectors are
environmentally unfriendly due to their leachability on
coatings surface
Objectives
To develop use of inverse opal photonic crystals for oil
sensing
To demonstrate the selectivity of opals towards local
oils of different refractive indices like octane, diesel oil,
wax oil etc.
Approach
Research Personnel
A. Chaudhry
Graduate Student
H Li, J Wang, L Yang,

and Y Song, Advanced
Functional Materials, 2008,
18, 3258.
Dr. Vikas Mittal

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5491
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Surface-Engineered Self-Healing Anti-Corrosion Particle Coatings for Pipes

and Storage Tanks
Dr. V. Mittal (PI)
Background
Frequent leakage of petroleum products from
reservoirs, tanks, underground or undersea pipelines
causes significant pollution and environmental hazards
It would be very beneficial if a straightforward oil
Objectives
Self healing anti-corrosion particle coatings are
beneficial alternatives
The coatings have higher lifetime owing to the
controlled release of corrosion inhibitor from the
particles
sensor is present to detect such leakages
Approach
Research Personnel
To Be Hired
D G Shchukin and H Mhwald,

Advanced Functional
Materials, 2007, 17, 1451
Dr. Vikas Mittal

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5491
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH PROJECTS
Fundamental Understanding and Applications of Water based Colloidal

Glass and Gel
Dr. S. M. Alhassan (PI)
Background
Laponite is synthetic discotic nanoparticle that is
readily disperse in water due to extensive negative
charges on the face of the particle and positive charges
on edge of the particle
Objectives
Understand the fundamentals of laponite-water
colloidal glasses/gels
Utilize Laponite/water colloidal glasses/gels in different
applications
Laponite is important to both academia and industry.

From a fundamental point of view, laponite is one of
the few particles that can form unique colloidal phases
such empty liquid, equilibrium gel and Wigner glass
Approach
Sample preparation will be done by direct exfoliation of
laponite in water at different processing conditions
Samples will be analyzed using: x-ray diffraction (XRD),
small angle x-ray scattering (SAXS), Raman
spectroscopy, optical microscopy, rheology, light
scattering and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)
Solids samples prepared using the colloidal glass will be
analyzed using thermal measurements, Fouriertransform Infrared (FTIR), surface characterization,
mechanical measurements, scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy
(TEM) and electrical measurements
Research Personnel
To Be Hired

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5944
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Email: salhassanl@pi.ac.ae
Chemical Engineering Research Laboratories

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5944
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
RESEARCH LABORATORIES
Applied Catalysis and Process Development Laboratory

Team members
Dr. Radu V. Vladea Research Professor
Dr. Saeed M. Alhassan Assistant Professor
Dr. Nicoleta Doriana Banu Research/Teaching Associate
Dr. Gisha Luckachan - Research/Teaching Associate
Dr. Ionut Banu - Research/Teaching Associate
Dr. Marios S. Katsiotis - Research/Teaching Associate
Mr. Jamie Whelan - Laboratory Engineer
Mr. Sam Stephen - Laboratory Engineer
Ms. Anjana Tharalekshmy Laboratory Engineer
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5944
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Research Projects
On-going projects
Intensified Technology for Hydro-processing Crude Oils and/or Fractions Research Contract with TAKREER
The Project Program is aiming to generate a new generation of catalysts with high thermal conductivity, low pressure
drop even at high LHSV or GHSV, high thermal and chemical resistance and very good mechanical strength. Such
catalysts are using only micro-layers of metallic components, practically avoiding any intra-particle diffusional
resistance. Due to the much lower amount of metals, it becomes feasible to use precious metals enabling much
higher reaction rates. Hydrocracking and hydrotreating adiabatic reactors using inter-layers of catalysts, hydrogen
quenching for temperature control, may be replaced by isothermal multi-tubular reactors with large inner diameter
of the catalytic tubes. The use of supercritical fluids may increase the reaction rate more than 100 times. The use of
nanosized zeolites anchored on SiC foams may offer much better catalysts for hydrocracking process.
Confocal Raman
XRD
Micro-reactors
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5944
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Research Projects
On-going projects
Steam reforming of methane
Hydrogen contributes with 80-86% to the operating costs of hydrotreating and hydrocracking processes. Any
reduction of H2 cost will increase the profit margin of the refinery. Current catalysts for Steam Reforming of Methane
have very low efficiency due to the intra-particle diffusion limitations. Our goal is to develop a new generation of
catalysts with high efficiency and thermal conductivity which will improve the economics of the process while
reducing the H2 production cost.
NMR
FT-IR
TPD-MS
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5944
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Research Projects
Other research topics of interest
Recovery of both hydrogen and sulfur from hydrogen sulfide by photocatalytic splitting of H2S molecule
Synthesis of nanosized zeolites on SiC support with multiple applications, either as catalysts with low coke propensity
or as highly efficient adsorbents
Carbon dioxide separation from methane using new rotating separators
Stabilized CO2 foams for enhanced oil recovery using modified silica nanoparticles
TGA-DTA-MS
TEM
Dr. Radu Vladea

Research Professor
Office:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Applied and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory

Team members
Dr. Ghada Bassioni Assistant Professor
Mrs. Sabna Khadar Research Laboratory Engineer
Mrs. Nicy Kallely - Laboratory Engineer
Mr. Mohammed Ali Graduate student
Mr. Khalfan Al Marzouqi - Graduate student
Mr. Syed Taha Haider Taqvi - Graduate student
Dr. Ghada Bassioni

Assistant Professor
Phone:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200


The Lab for Applied and Environmental Chemistry is focused on mitigation of oilfield scales and asphaltenes,
optimization and synthesis of chemicals for oil-well cementing and environmental construction and oilfield chemicals.
The lab has all equipment required to conduct high level research for chemical analysis and properties testing and is
seen as an opportunity to seek external industrial funding.
Ion chromatography
Gel permeation
chromatography
Mixer
Dr. Ghada Bassioni

Assistant Professor
Phone:+971-2-607-5201
Fax: +971 2 607 5200


The laboratory mission statement is:
To enhance research activities aiming to develop environmentally acceptable chemicals ready for application in
the industry.
To generate scientific reports, presentations, papers and patents.
To serve as a base for useful informational exchange.
To build a facility for PI students for further development in material science and link to engineering.
To facilitate technical and scientific cooperation with local and international research groups or individuals
belonging to chemical companies, universities, or independent research organizations.
To provide solutions to field problems in ADNOC and the OPCOs.
To expand the experimental activities by means of workshops and seminars.
To undertake other activities as necessary to announce and emphasize the role of the lab.
To support PI and its faculty in any related projects.
Compressive Strength
Tester
Roller Oven for Aging

of Drilling Fluids
Scanning Electron
Microscope
Dr. Ghada Bassioni

Assistant Professor
Phone:+971-2-607-5201

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5408
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Thermodynamics Measurements Laboratory

Team Members
Dr Cornelis J Peters
Dr Abdallah S Berrouk
Dr Bianca Breure
Mr. Sabbir Samdani
Mr. Mamoun Althuluth
Miss Maria Teresa Martinez
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5408
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Thermodynamics Measurements Laboratory

Mission
The thermodynamics Laboratory has been recently established to help gather reliable
equilibrium and transport thermo-physical properties that are needed for the design,
operation, and optimization of gas sweetening units. It is well known that uncertainties
in these thermo-physical properties can lead to non-optimum operation of the plant,
deteriorating plant economics. Dynamic simulation and control based on thermophysical properties of acid gases in the pure solvents should account for the presence of
extraneous species in the system, such as corrosion inhibitors and antifoaming agents. It
is expected that these extrinsic materials will cause a shift in the thermo-physical
properties, such as acid gas solubility in the liquid solvents. Acid gases solubility in
different amine solutions will be measured in presence of different anti-foaming agents
and corrosion inhibitors used by the gas-sweetening industry.
Titanium
Reactor
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Gas Absorbents Research Laboratory

Team Member
Dr Cornelis Peters - Distinguished Professor
Mrs. Carmen Faride Gutierrez- Research Associate
Mr. Tareq Dabash - PI student
Mr. Subhan Zafar Ali PI student
Mr. Sherif Mohamed Abdel Rasoul Mohamed PI student
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Gas Absorbents Research Laboratory
Mission
This laboratory has a research oriented thermo gravimetric
analyzer (TGA) that is utilized to monitor the uptake of H2S
from waste gas tail streams by solid sorbents under
predetermined pressure, temperature, and gas concentration.
Thermal Gravimetric
Analyzer
Dr. Cornelis Peters

Office: +971 2 607 5492
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Dr. Vikas Mittal

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5491
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Polymer Laboratory
Team Member
Dr Ahmed Abdala - Associate Professor
Dr Vikas Mittal Assistant Professor
Mr. Mohamed Harith Sharif - PI Graduate student
Mr. Mohamed Zafar Iqbal - PI Graduate student
Mr. Ali Usman Chaudhry- PI Graduate student
Mr. Fakhruddin Patwary - PI Graduate student
Mini Extruder (Haak)

CTW5572286
Injection Molding
VC 2500/70 TECH
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Dr. Vikas Mittal

Assistant Professor
Office: +971 2 607 5491
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
Polymer Laboratory
Ongoing Projects
Factors effecting the synthesis of thermally reduced grapheme
Crosslinkable Polyethylene-Graphene composites for HV cables
Functionalization of graphene for making polymer Nano- composites for advanced applications
Amine functionalization of graphene for adsorption applications
Biopolymer-graphene composites
Applications of graphene in oil spill cleanup and wastewater treatment
Current Activities
Compounding of different polymers and fillers. Injection molding to form test samples
Rheological and mechanical testing. TGA and DSC analysis
Synthesization of nano-composites with uniform distribution of filler
Different polymers like PE, PP, biopolymers are used. The fillers include clay, graphene,
silica etc.
Single Screw Extruder/

Film Blowing
LE20-30/C
Dr. Ahmed A. Abdala

Associate Professor
Sas Al Nakhl Campus
Office: +971 2 607 5584
Fax: +971 2 607 5200
The Petroleum Institute

P.O. Box 2533 | Abu Dhabi | United Arab Emirates
Phone: +971 2 6075936
Fax: +971 2 6075200
http://www.pi.ac.ae

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Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Department

Prepared by: Dr. Abdallah Sofiane Berrouk

Oil refinery and gas processing

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Research Vision and Activities

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Research Vision and Activities

Chemical Engineering Department

Catalysis and Process Development laboratory

Takreer Research Centre [2009]

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Publications

Peer-reviewed Journal Articles 2006-2011

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Department

Chemical Engineering Faculty Members

PhD in Chemical Engineering. Purdue University,

A. Betancourt-Torcat, A. Elkamel, and L. Ricardez-Sandoval,

Planning and Scheduling of Process Operations

Energy and Environmental Engineering Systems

I. Kantor, M. Fowler, and A. Elkamel, Optimized production

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Ali ElKamel

PhD in Chemical Engineering. Delft University of

B. Breure, E.J.M. Straver, L.J. Florusse, M.P.W.M. Rijkers, I.G.

Gas separation with ionic liquids

N.I. Papadimitriou, I.N. Tsimpanogiannis, A.K. Stubos, A.

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Cornelis Peters

PhD in Chemical Engineering. Johns Hopkins

G.P. Lithoxoos, A. Labropoulos, L. Peristeras, N.

Z.A. Makrodimitri, D.J.M. Unruh and I.G. Economou,

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Ioannis G. Economou

Rajinder Pal. Rheology of Simple and Multiple emulsions,

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Rajinder Pal

PhD in Chemical Engineering. McGill University,

F. Banat, S. Al-Asheh, M. Al-Rawashdeh, M. Nusair,

Desalination and water purification processes

F. Banat, N. Jwaied, M. Rommel, J. Koschikowski, M.

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Fawzi Banat

PhD in Chemical Engineering. Institute National

Yves Gunaltun, Matina Thammachart. Importance of TLC

Yves Gunaltun, Suchada Punpruk, Assoc. Prof. Siriporn

Yves Gunaltun, Suchada Punpruk, Matina Thammachart,

Corrosion monitoring tools

Yves Gunaltun, Tong Eak Pou, Marc Singer, Claude Duret,

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Yves Gunaltun

PhD in Chemistry. University Politehnica of

M.A. Panthaki, R. V. Vladea, A. Lphi, R.R. Hudgins, P.L.

P.L. Silveston, M.A. Panthaki, K. Duval, R. V. Vladea, A. Lohi,

R. Vladea, N. Hinrichs, R. R. Hudgins, S. Suppiah, P.L.

R. Vladea et al. Managing hydrogen production and use

Chemical Engineering Department

Dr. Radu Vladea

PhD in Chemical Engineering. Indian Institute of