Arash IzadpanahArash Photo

PhD Research Student

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7594 1442 Extension 49039

Email: a.izadpanh12@imperial.ac.uk

Office 425, ACEX Building

Department of Chemical Engineering 

Personal Website

Biography

Date

Role

2013 - present

PhD Research Student, REaCT group, Imperial College London

2010 - 2012

M.Eng in Mechanical Engineering, University of Birmingham

2007 - 2010

Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University (Tehran Polytechnic)

Research

Arash Izadpanah is a multi-skilled PhD student researching biomass processing for Bio-fuel Production.  He graduated from the University of Birmingham with an MEng degree in Mechanical Engineering in July 2012 and joined Imperial College London in February 2013. His research interests include: renewable energy sources (especially algae), catalytic gasification, bio-oil upgrading and investigation of optimum combustion condition for the new generation of engine fuels.

Nowadays fossil fuels are the main source of energy worldwide. Fossil fuels are a limited resource, and their continued use impact the already high level of CO2 and other pollutant in the atmosphere.  Considering the bioenergy consumption policy that aiming to increase the current 3% contribution of bioenergy in UK’s energy production to 15% in 2020 and also carbon reduction target for 2050, 80% of the current greenhouse gases (according to UK Renewable Energy Road Map), scrutinising of biofuel production issues is urgent.

One of the most promising biomass materials for biofuel production is algae which does not have the problems associated with first and second generation biofuels regarding competition with food product. The food prices have increased all over the world as a result of the scarcity of arable land (according to FAO & United Nations). Led by Dr. Klaus Hellgardt, reaction engineering and catalytic technology (REaCT) group is carrying out a wide range of research from algae cultivation to biofuel production.  

Arash’s project deals with biofuel production from biomass with an emphasis on utilizing algae as the feedstock for biofuel production. Currently, the limitation for commercialisation is poor economic feasibility. A range of products can be delivered by processing algae, but separation of the algae-water mixture is an energy consuming process, leading to an increase in the final biofuel product price. He will apply catalytic gasification to produce biofuels from various biomasses, particularly algae. 

See also Arash Izadpanah's LinkedIn Profile

Honours and Memberships

  • Scholarship, University of Birmingham (2010-2012)
  • Top Student in Mechanical Engineering, Amirkabir University (2008)
  • Winner, Mathematic Olympiad, Bandar Abbas (2003)
  • Associate Member, Institution of Mechanical Engineers (AMIMechE)