Process System Engineering

INTRODUCTION

Process System Engineering Research Group undertakes research and developmental work on sustainable process technology. Currently this group conducts research work on the development of inherently safer design tools that is integrated into process simulator, imaging of process dynamics via CFD simulation and process tomography and the development of phycoremdiation and CO sequestration technologies. The group is led by Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Sobri Takriff, with 1 post-doctoral fellow, 6 PhD students and 2 Master students. The Research facilities includes a carbon capture laboratory and Fluid Particle Laboratory. The research work is done collaborative with  Chiba University, Japan, Thai Institute of Scientific and Technology Research, Sime Darby Research Sdn. Bhd., Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research Sdn. Bhd., Universiti Malaysia Sarawak and Universiti Pertahanan National Malaysia

Research work on process imaging is done collaboratively with Chiba University, Japan and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak.  The focus of this research work is on the elucidating the dynamics of multiphase flow system using CFD simulation.  In addition, real system imaging is done non-invasively using electrical resistance a process tomography system that allows for 3d real time imaging.  The results of the real time imaging are used for the validation of the CFD Simulation.

The research work on process safety focuses on the application of inherent safety principles for the development of tool to assist in the design of inherently safer system.  The research work has successfully development add-on tools for integration with process simulator for implementation of inherent safety approach. In addition, the add-on tools also covers the economic implications of adopting inherently safety approach.  The research work has also successfully developed  index for assessing dust explosion hazard – Dust Explosion Safety Index (DESI) by adopting inherent safety approach.

The focus of the phycoremediation and carbon capture research is on the application of native miroalgal strains.  This work is done collaboratively with Thai Institute of Scientific and Technology Research, Sime Darby Research Sdn. Bhd., Tenaga Nasional Berhad Research Sdn. Bhd., and Universiti Pertahanan National Malaysia. Nine newly-isolated microalgae strains from have been identified and registered in the NCBI database.  The strains have been extensively studied for their capacity to phycoremediate industrial effluent and sequestrating CO2.

Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohd Sobri Takriff
BEng (Monash), PhD (Cantab), MIChEM, MIEM, AMIChe (UK), PEng