(6ji) Integrated design and operation for energy security and environmental protection

The convergence of recent advances in computer-aided engineering and theoretical developments for design and operation of industrial processes has provided unprecedented opportunities to explore new solutions for energy security and environmental protection. Integration of process design and control¹ offers enormous advantages in terms of profitability and flexibility in the presence of uncertainties, and is the leading research in Process Systems Engineering. However, this approach also results in highly combinatorial mathematical formulations that pose tough challenge for current optimization technology. During my PhD studies^1-4, I developed a new method for simultaneous optimization of process design and its control system, which is computationally manageable. It also ensures that the designed process is economically optimal and features controllability as well as self-optimizing properties. Furthermore, I have been conscious about my research impacts and during my postdoctoral studies, I applied my knowledge to novel applications for energy security and environmental protection^5-15. I have conducted a comprehensive study on biofuel production via fast pyrolysis^6-9, including reaction kinetics, process synthesis, integration and retrofit, in addition to supply chain optimization. The other application of my interest is carbon capture and storage. In this area, I investigated^10-12 multi-scale modelling and optimization of absorption/desorption systems and their flexible operation, when integrated with power plants under a wide range of uncertainties in the electricity load. While these demonstrating studies provide the proof of concept, my global research objective is to enhance sustainability of energy resources and protect the environment by changing the processing paradigms and adaptation of renewable energies. My strategies to achieve this goal will include application of mathematical programming and big-data analytics for quantification and optimization of the energetic and environmental footprints of new technologies, developing enabling software tools that make new methods accessible to a wide spectrum of beneficiaries, and delivering the research impact via industrial collaborations.

Publications

[1] Sharifzadeh M*, Integration of process design and control: a review, Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 91 (12), 2515–2549, (Link).

[2] Sharifzadeh M*, (2013). Implementation of an inversely controlled process model for integrated design and control of an ETBE reactive distillation, Chemical Engineering Science. 92, 21–39. (Link)

[3] Sharifzadeh M*, Thornhill NF, (2013). Integrated design and control using a dynamic inversely controlled process model. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 48, 121–134. (Link)

[4] Sharifzadeh M*, Thornhill NF, (2012).Optimal selection of control structures using a steady-state inversely controlled process model. Computers & Chemical Engineering, 38 (5), 126–138. (Link)

[5] Sharifzadeh M*, Rashtchian D, Pishvaie M R, Thornhill NF, (2011). Energy induced separation network synthesis of an olefin compression section: a case study. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 50 (3), 1610–1623, (Link).

[6] Sharifzadeh M*, Richards CJ, Liu K, Hellgardt K, Chadwick D., Shah N. (2015). An integrated process for biomass pyrolysis oil upgrading: A synergistic approach. Biomass & Bioenergy. 76, 108–117, (Link).

[7] Sharifzadeh M^*, Wang L., Shah N., (2015). Decarbonisation of olefin processes using biomass pyrolysis oil. Applied Energy, 149, 404–414, (Link).

[8] Sharifzadeh M^*, Wang L, Shah N, (2015). Integrated bio-refineries: CO2 utilization for maximum biomass conversion. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 47, 151–161, (Link).

[9] Sharifzadeh M^*, Cortada Garcia M., Nilay Shah, (2015). Supply chain network design and operation: Systematic decision-making for centralized, distributed, and mobile biofuel production using mixed integer linear programming (MILP) under uncertainty. Biomass and Bioenergy, 2015, 81, 401–414, (Link).

[10] Sharifzadeh M*, Shah, N, (2015). Comparative studies of CO2 capture solvents for gas-fired power plants:  Integrated modelling and pilot plant assessments. (accepted for publication at International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control).

[11] Sharifzadeh M^*, Shah, N, (2015). Carbon capture from natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) power plants: solvent performance comparison at industrial scale (invited paper, minor revisions required by AIChE Journal)

[12] Sharifzadeh M*, Shah, N, (2015). Carbon capture from pulverised coal power plants (PCPP): solvent performance comparison at industrial scale (under review at Applied Energy)

[13] Wang L, Sharifzadeh M, Templer R, Murphy RJ*, (2012). Technology performance and economic feasibility of bioethanol production from various waste papers. Energy & Environmental Science, 5, 5717-5730, (Link).

[14] Wang L, Sharifzadeh M, Templer R, Murphy RJ^*, (2013). Bioethanol production from various waste papers: Economic feasibility and sensitivity analysis. Applied Energy, 111, 1172–1182, (Link).

[15] Chen L^¥, Sharifzadeh M^¥, Dowell NM, Welton T, Shah N, Hallett JP^*, (2014). Inexpensive ionic liquids: [HSO4]−based solvent production at bulk scale. Green Chemistry, 16, 3098-3106, (Link).