Process intensification (PI) plays an essential role in the new paradigm of chemical engineering, which is characterized by any technology that leads to a substantially smaller, cleaner, and more energy-efficient process with multiscale cognition. However, the development of process intensification technologies, such as reactor development, is a very challenging task because of the inherent complexity in momentum/heat/mass transfer, mixing, sourcing and/or storing of reactants, products, or catalysts, transport processing, etc. The use of multi-scale computation and modelling has led to breakthroughs in the design and optimization of chemical equipment and processes. With my research group I intend to build a research framework to effectively and efficiently develop process intensification technologies by coupling (1) lab-scale fundamental experiments, (2) computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations & optimization and (3) process simulations & assessment, allowing low-cost process innovation from reactor-scale, bench-scale to pilot-scale.

My research program aims to establish the proposed framework as a generic solution for the intensification of existing chemical processes. More specifically, the multiscale framework will be demonstrated in the context of novel reactor designs such as vortex reactors and rotating packed bed reactors. Three targeted processes will be intensified using potential reactor types:

1. Point-source CO₂ absorption & desorption. With my research group, we will develop a new and better type of gas-liquid contactor. Particular attention will be given to maximizing the volumetric mass transfer coefficient and heat transfer efficiency, allowing substantial reduction in equipment size and energy consumption.
2. Direct air capture. We will focus on high-throughput direct air capture in a vortex unit/modified unit supported by CFD and process simulations. The main goal is to allow cost reduction.
3. Powder drying. We will demonstrate powder drying in the (modified) vortex unit for different Geldart type particles used in the pharmaceutical, food and chemical industries.