Research Interests: This research proposes an innovative, holistic approach to co-processing microalgae and plastic wastes addressing two pervasive environmental issues into sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) through pyrolysis and catalytic hydrotreatment. The research plan involved strategies on the improvements in feedstock pre-treatment to reduce the nitrogen in the biocrude prior pyrolysis and catalytic hydrotreating. By nutrient (phosphorus and nitrogen) removal is a key to avoid downstream processing of the bio-crude oil, nitrogen removal by nitrification-denitrification is a common electromechanical nutrient removal process, but it is costly, furthermore plastics wastes are the reduction in oxygen content in the bio-crude, which is removed as carbon dioxide and water, leading to lower oxygen content and higher energy liquid crude oil. This makes it more comparable to the heating value for conventional aviation fuels required in aviation engines. However, due to the properties of the bio-crude oil such as its high oxygen and water content, corrosivity, and low heating value, bio-oil cannot be used as a drop-in hydrocarbon transportation fuel. Upgrading of bio-oil to SAF can be achieved via hydrotreatment, therefore I am ambitioning an innovative catalyst bed with blends of strategical catalysts to simplify the hydrotreatment process by decreasing the steps, energy/H
2 consumption. Finally, to achieve 100% of aviation fuel demand by 2050, aligning with the Biden-Harris administration's net-zero emissions goal, the term sustainability transcends carbon footprint. This definition should be analyzed considering its three fundamental pillars (environmental, economic, and social). Therefore, evaluation tools, such as techno-economic analysis (TEA) and life cycle assessment (LCA), will determine whether the SAF produced through the designed process proposed is sustainable.
Teaching Interests: I am qualified to teach any core courses in chemical, food, plastics and environmental engineering in undergraduate and graduate level. My multidisciplinary academic and research background allows me to teach Mass Transfer, Food Science Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer, Chemical Engineering Laboratory, Environmental Engineering and Sustainability. The best part of mentorship is watching my students grow and become independent. I find it is important to let people try things on their own, in this way they can build confidence. As a TA during my graduate studies, I taught two courses in food engineering program. I mentored one master student while I was at the University of Santa Maria, Brazil. While his project was not related to mine, I was able to help him talk through problems and develop the research skills he needed to be successful. I still keep in touch with him today and I feel overjoyed when I see what great researchers he have become. I continued my mentorship as a postdoctoral associate at UMass Lowell, where I directly mentor undergraduate students. I am excited to continue mentorship with my own graduate students as a professor at US university.
