Process and Reaction Systems Engineering

The department has a comprehensive program in process systems and reaction engineering. The increasing pressure to reduce environmental impact, while maintaining or improving cost-effectiveness has motivated the chemical, particulate and energy industries to develop new and more efficient process and reactor configurations.

Research in this area focuses on the following:

  1. The development of computer aided tools for addressing design and operations issues arising at various stages of product and process design and process operations by developing and analyzing efficient models and solution methodologies.
  2. The development of efficient methodologies for multi-scale model development and simulation, numerical analysis, optimization and control of industrial processes.
  3. The investigation of new catalysts and catalytic processes that make efficient use of existing and new raw materials. This is achieved by the fundamental understanding of how the microscopic structure and chemical composition of a catalyst relate to the macroscopically observable activity and selectivity for a desired chemical reaction.
  4. The evaluation of new energy conversion technologies through bench- and demonstration-scale studies, process simulation, and economic evaluation.  

Faculty in Process and Reaction Systems Engineering

Androulakis, Asefa, Celik, Ramachandran

Renewable fuels and chemicals through catalytic transformations. Through in situ spectroscopy and quantum mechanics we develop insight into rational catalyst design and create new pathways for energy conversion (Fuat Celik) Develop mechanistic understanding of particulate-based processes Integrate multi-scale models with cyber-infrastructure for scalable solutions (Rohit Ramachandran) Develop quantitative systems pharmacology models to advance our understanding of how lifestyle and environment interact with genetics and contribute to the development of chronic disease and how pharmaceutical and non-pharmaceutical interventions can be optimally delivered. Of particular interest in our work is the interplay between circadian rhythms, the endocrine system, and inflammatory diseases (Ioannis P. Androulakis)