Contact Dr Kumar Patchigolla
- Tel: +44 (0) 1234 754124
- Email: k.patchigolla@cranfield.ac.uk
- ORCID
Areas of expertise
- Biomass and Waste
- Carbon Capture and Storage
- Carbon, Climate and Risk
- Computing, Simulation & Modelling
- Concentrating Solar Power
- Conventional & Advanced Fuels
- Environmental Impacts
- Fuels
- Renewable Energy
- Systems Engineering
Background
Dr Patchigolla joined Cranfield University in 2009, Lecturer in 2012, Senior Lecturer in 2017 and Reader in 2020. During this period he is involved in the demonstration of low temperature heat storage (rock bed), thermal driven absorption chiller (Li-Br), combustion (fluidized, pulverized), gasification (fixed, fluidized), capture of CO2 (Chemical/Calcium looping) and CO2 pipeline and shipping transport facilities, evaluating the effects on component durability and gas cleaning requirements of systems using a wide range of solid fuels. These include biomasses, waste and sewage sludge as well as coal either alone or in different co-fired combinations and supervision of research activities using the Pilot Scale Advanced Capture (PACT) facilities.
He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Andhra University, India, which was followed up with Masters from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Kanpur, India). Prior to his PhD he gained over 3 years work experience in both industry and higher education institutions. His PhD research was directly related to particle process measurements applied to crystallization operation and graduated in 2007 at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
Prior to this post at Cranfield University, Dr. Patchigolla was a Research Associate at Loughborough University, where he worked on multi dimensional population balance modelling sponsored by EPSRC. Dr Patchigolla has published one book based on his PhD studies and several journal articles.
Research opportunities
Dr. Patchigolla is currently accepting applications for PhD/MRes students in the fields of:
Integration of thermal energy storage to an existing fossil plants
SCO2 based heat removal technology for a fusion power plants
Hydrogen storage reversible solid oxide cell with coal plants for flexible operation
Solar thermal driven absorption chiller for cooling applications
Design development of solar desalination concept
Waste heat recovery options from gas engines
Along with these topics, Dr. Patchigolla is willing to discuss any other potential thermal engineering topics.
Current activities
Dr Kumar Patchigolla is currently a Reader in Low Carbon Energy Systems and Advanced Heat Engineering MSc Course Director, with in the Energy and Power theme. He is also the course director for "Advanced Heat Engineering" MSc and the MUSCAT-Cranfield academic relationship coordinator. He completed the National Examination Board for Occupational Safety and Health (NEBOSH) general certification in 2012.
Kumar's research is scientifically biased, focused towards fundamental research (bringing TRL 1 to 4), which he applies to a transformative industrial practice (moving TRL from 4 to 7/8). His focus is the development of a world leading research capability in 'heat recovery and energy storage' and runs community of practice on this topic at Cranfield. His heat related work also encompasses the capture and utilisation of waste heat, where he has been able to prove that, were the technology fully developed, these techniques could offer an economical way to maximise efficiency and minimise waste generation. He performs experimental, theoretical and thermodynamics research into many aspects of energy systems, as a key member of the PACT facilities operation at Cranfield. PI of the CO2LIQUID project on CO2 shipping-compression, liquefaction and dehydration and follow on projects on recovering liquefication cost by cold energy utilisation. In addition he is working on improving efficiency, reliability and flexibility of fossil plants. More recently he has been applying his knowledge in solar based renewables through H2020 project (WASCOP & SOLWARIS), in particularly developing an emerging technologies for the reduced use of the water needed to cool the power block for different operating conditions depending on geographical location, climate conditions and access to water.
He is responsible for a wide range of energy process facilities, including pilot scale plants for heat capture and storage, advanced energy systems, absorption chillers, desalination, as well as high pressure flow loop CO2 transport systems. These facilities have been recently extended with fully automated sophisticated gas supply and mixing system, which can permit operation for extended periods.
He is the Module Manager for "Industrial Thermal Operations" and "Advanced Heat Exchanger Design" within the Energy and Power Masters Programme at Cranfield. He currently supervises several PhD students across a range of low carbon technologies, along with delivering lectures across a number of MSc courses.
He is a member of the International Flame Research Foundation (IFRF) Editorial Board and one of the academic directors of British Flame Research Committee (BFRC) .
His current research activities include:
CO2 compression, Liquefaction and dehydration-CO2LIQUID (EPSRC)
Supercritical CO2 cycles with energy storage (BF2RA)
Understanding the chemical complexity in controlling air pollution problems (Royal Society-NSFC)
Low grade heat recovery to drive absorption chiller and desalination units (Newton-Mosharafa Institutional links)
WASCOP and SOLWARIS on concentrated solar power plants (H2020)
Solar desalination (Solar Water)
Improving efficiency, reliability and flexibility of power plants (US DoE-Siemens)
Nano-membrane toilet - Phase II & III (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation)
Multipurpose Applications by Thermodynamic Solar (MATS) (FP7)
Yorkshire Water SPC Gasification trials
UK-China cooperation for technology transfer to establish the co-utilisation of waste biomass with coal (TSB)
The effects of impurities for capture technologies on CO2 compression (BCURA)
Energy from waste: Characterization of UK waste streams and assessment of energy from waste technology opportunities (ETI)
Materials for Next Generation CO2 Transport Systems (MATTRAN) (EPSRC)
Joint UK-china hydrogen production network (EPSRC)
In Europe and UK he is a member of a number of networks such as UKCCSRC, IFRF, ETN, BFRC, UCG association and CO2NET.
Clients
UKRI-EPSRC
British Council-Newton Institutional Links
Royal Society
EU FP7, H2020 & RFCS
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation
UKCCSRC
Siemens
Solar Water
EGB Engineering
ETI
Caterpillar
CPI
E. ON UK
RWE npower
BCURA/BF2RA
National Grid
EEDA
Disruptatek Ltd
Bowman Power
Heat Recovery Solutions
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Ukanwa KS, Patchigolla K & Sakrabani R. (2023). Energy and economic assessment of mixed palm residue utilisation for production of activated carbon and ash as fertiliser in agriculture. Environmental Technology, 44(7)
- Abu R, Patchigolla K, Simms N & Anthony EJ. (2023). Natural Gas Flaring Management System: A Novel Tool for Sustainable Gas Flaring Reduction in Nigeria. Applied Sciences, 13(3)
- Abu R, Patchigolla K & Simms N. (2023). A Review on Qualitative Assessment of Natural Gas Utilisation Options for Eliminating Routine Nigerian Gas Flaring. Gases, 3(1)
- Sakrabani R, Garnett K, Knox JW, Rickson J, Pawlett M, .... (2023). Towards net zero in agriculture: Future challenges and opportunities for arable, livestock and protected cropping systems in the UK. Outlook on Agriculture, 52(2)
- Poirier K, Lotfi M, Garg K, Patchigolla K, Anthony EJ, .... (2023). A comprehensive review of pre- and post-treatment approaches to achieve sustainable desalination for different water streams. Desalination, 566(November)
- Liu H, Zhai R, Patchigolla K, Turner P, Yu X, .... (2023). Multi-objective optimisation of a thermal-storage PV-CSP-wind hybrid power system in three operation modes. Energy, 284
- Thanganadar D, Fornarelli F, Camporeale S, Asfand F, Gillard J, .... (2022). Thermo-economic analysis, optimisation and systematic integration of supercritical carbon dioxide cycle with sensible heat thermal energy storage for CSP application. Energy, 238
- Palenzuela P, Roca L, Asfand F & Patchigolla K. (2022). Experimental assessment of a pilot scale hybrid cooling system for water consumption reduction in CSP plants. Energy, 242(March)
- Al Baroudi H, Wada R, Ozaki M, Patchigolla K, Iwatomi M, .... (2022). Real-scale investigation of liquid CO2 discharge from the emergency release coupler of a marine loading arm. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 118(July)
- Narisetty V, Nagarajan S, Gadkari S, Ranade VV, Zhang J, .... (2022). Process optimization for recycling of bread waste into bioethanol and biomethane: A circular economy approach. Energy Conversion and Management, 266(August)
- Tao X, Thanganadar D & Patchigolla K. (2022). Compact Ammonia/Water Absorption Chiller of Different Cycle Configurations: Parametric Analysis Based on Heat Transfer Performance. Energies, 15(18)
- Qi X, Lin S, Tao S & Patchigolla K. (2022). Numerical study on the impact of wall structure on the thermal performance of double-channel porous solar wall. Scientific Reports, 12(1)
- Poirier K, Al Mhanna N & Patchigolla K. (2022). Techno-Economic Analysis of Brine Treatment by Multi-Crystallization Separation Process for Zero Liquid Discharge. Separations, 9(10)
- Faisal NH, Prathuru A, Ahmed R, Rajendran V, Hossain M, .... (2022). Application of Thermal Spray Coatings in Electrolysers for Hydrogen Production: Advances, Challenges, and Opportunities. ChemNanoMat, 8(12)
- Al Baroudi H, Awoyomi A, Patchigolla K, Jonnalagadda K & Anthony EJ. (2021). A review of large-scale CO2 shipping and marine emissions management for carbon capture, utilisation and storage. Applied Energy, 287(April)
- Mukelabai MD, Gillard JM & Patchigolla K. (2021). A novel integration of a green power-to-ammonia to power system: Reversible solid oxide fuel cell for hydrogen and power production coupled with an ammonia synthesis unit. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 46(35)
- Liu H, Zhai R, Patchigolla K, Turner P & Yang Y. (2021). Model predictive control of a combined solar tower and parabolic trough aided coal-fired power plant. Applied Thermal Engineering, 193(July)
- Thanganadar D, Asfand F, Patchigolla K & Turner P. (2021). Techno-economic analysis of supercritical carbon dioxide cycle integrated with coal-fired power plant. Energy Conversion and Management, 242(August)
- Zhao Z, Patchigolla K, Wu Y, Oakey J, Anthony EJ, .... (2021). Performance study on Ca-based sorbents for sequential CO2 and SO2 capture in a bubbling fluidised bed. Fuel Processing Technology, 221(October)
- Zhao Z, Wu Y, Patchigolla K, Anthony EJ, Oakey J, .... (2021). Preparation and Characterization of Lime/Coal Ash Sorbents for Sequential CO2 and SO2 Capture at High Temperature. Energy & Fuels, 35(13)
- Al Baroudi H, Patchigolla K, Thanganadar D & Jonnalagadda K. (2021). Experimental study of accidental leakage behaviour of liquid CO2 under shipping conditions. Process Safety and Environmental Protection, 153(September)
- Cutillas CG, Ruiz J, Asfand F, Patchigolla K & Lucas M. (2021). Energetic, exergetic and environmental (3E) analyses of different cooling technologies (wet, dry and hybrid) in a CSP thermal power plant. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering, 28(December)
- Liu H, Zhai R, Patchigolla K, Turner P & Yang Y. (2021). Off-design thermodynamic performances of a combined solar tower and parabolic trough aided coal-fired power plant. Applied Thermal Engineering, 183
- Thanganadar D, Fornarelli F, Camporeale S, Asfand F & Patchigolla K. (2021). Off-design and annual performance analysis of supercritical carbon dioxide cycle with thermal storage for CSP application. Applied Energy, 282
- Ukanwa KS, Patchigolla K, Sakrabani R & Anthony E. (2020). Preparation and Characterisation of Activated Carbon from Palm Mixed Waste Treated with Trona Ore. Molecules, 25(21)
- Yan Y, Thanganadar D, Clough PT, Mukherjee S, Patchigolla K, .... (2020). Process simulations of blue hydrogen production by upgraded sorption enhanced steam methane reforming (SE-SMR) processes. Energy Conversion and Management, 222
- Awoyomi A, Patchigolla K & Anthony EJ. (2020). Process and Economic Evaluation of an Onboard Capture System for LNG-Fueled CO2 Carriers. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 59(15)
- Liu H, Zhai R, Patchigolla K, Turner P & Yang Y. (2020). Analysis of integration method in multi-heat-source power generation systems based on finite-time thermodynamics. Energy Conversion and Management, 220
- Asfand F, Palenzuela P, Roca L, Caron A, Lemarié C-A, .... (2020). Thermodynamic Performance and Water Consumption of Hybrid Cooling System Configurations for Concentrated Solar Power Plants. Sustainability, 12(11)
- Liu H, Zhai R, Patchigolla K, Turner P & Yang Y. (2020). Performance analysis of a novel combined solar trough and tower aided coal-fired power generation system. Energy, 201
- Anyaoha KE, Sakrabani R, Patchigolla K & Mouazen AM. (2020). Co-gasification of oil palm biomass in a pilot scale downdraft gasifier. Energy Reports, 6
- Li C, Zhai R, Yang Y, Patchigolla K, Oakey JE, .... (2019). Annual performance analysis and optimization of a solar tower aided coal-fired power plant. Applied Energy, 237
- Ukanwa K, Patchigolla K, Sakrabani R, Anthony E & Mandavgane S. (2019). A Review of Chemicals to Produce Activated Carbon from Agricultural Waste Biomass. Sustainability, 11(22)
- Thanganadar D, Asfand F & Patchigolla K. (2019). Thermal performance and economic analysis of supercritical Carbon Dioxide cycles in combined cycle power plant. Applied Energy, 255
- Li C, Yang Z, Zhai R, Yang Y, Patchigolla K, .... (2018). Off-design thermodynamic performances of a solar tower aided coal-fired power plant for different solar multiples with thermal energy storage. Energy, 163
- Li C, Zhai R, Yang Y, Patchigolla K & Oakey JE. (2018). Thermal performance of different integration schemes for a solar tower aided coal-fired power system. Energy Conversion and Management, 171
- Jurado N, Somorin T, Kolios AJ, Wagland S, Patchigolla K, .... (2018). Design and commissioning of a multi-mode prototype for thermochemical conversion of human faeces. Energy Conversion and Management, 163
- Anyaoha KE, Sakrabani R, Patchigolla K & Mouazen AM. (2018). Critical evaluation of oil palm fresh fruit bunch solid wastes as soil amendments: Prospects and challenges. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 136
- Anyaoha KE, Sakrabani R, Patchigolla K & Mouazen AM. (2018). Evaluating oil palm fresh fruit bunch processing in Nigeria. Waste Management & Research, 36(3)
- Zhai R, Li C, Chen Y, Yang Y, Patchigolla K, .... (2016). Life cycle assessment of solar aided coal-fired power system with and without heat storage. Energy Conversion and Management, 111
- Onabanjo T, Patchigolla K, Wagland ST, Fidalgo B, Kolios A, .... (2016). Energy recovery from human faeces via gasification: A thermodynamic equilibrium modelling approach. Energy Conversion and Management, 118
- Hanak DP, Kolios AJ, Onabanjo T, Wagland ST, Patchigolla K, .... (2016). Conceptual energy and water recovery system for self-sustained nano membrane toilet. Energy Conversion and Management, 126
- Onabanjo T, Kolios AJ, Patchigolla K, Wagland ST, Fidalgo B, .... (2016). An experimental investigation of the combustion performance of human faeces. Fuel, 184
- Haider SK, Duan L, Patchigolla K & Anthony EJ. (2016). A Hydrodynamic Study of a Fast‐Bed Dual Circulating Fluidized Bed for Chemical Looping Combustion. Energy Technology, 4(10)
- Haider SK, Azimi G, Duan L, Anthony EJ, Patchigolla K, .... (2016). Enhancing properties of iron and manganese ores as oxygen carriers for chemical looping processes by dry impregnation. Applied Energy, 163
- Erans M, Beisheim T, Manovic V, Jeremias M, Patchigolla K, .... (2016). Effect of SO2and steam on CO2capture performance of biomass-templated calcium aluminate pellets. Faraday Discussions, 192
- Kavosh M, Patchigolla K, Oakey JE, Anthony EJ, Champagne S, .... (2015). Pressurised calcination–atmospheric carbonation of limestone for cyclic CO2 capture from flue gases. Chemical Engineering Research and Design, 102
- Kavosh M, Patchigolla K, Anthony EJ & Oakey JE. (2014). Carbonation performance of lime for cyclic CO 2 capture following limestone calcination in steam/CO 2 atmosphere. Applied Energy, 131
- Cotton A, Finney KN, Patchigolla K, Eatwell-Hall REA, Oakey JE, .... (2014). Quantification of trace element emissions from low-carbon emission energy sources: (I) Ca-looping cycle for post-combustion CO2 capture and (II) fixed bed, air blown down-draft gasifier. Chemical Engineering Science, 107
- Cotton A, Patchigolla K & Oakey JE. (2014). Minor and trace element emissions from post-combustion CO2 capture from coal: Experimental and equilibrium calculations. Fuel, 117(PART A)
- Cotton A, Patchigolla K & Oakey JE. (2013). Hydrodynamic characteristics of a pilot-scale cold model of a CO2 capture fluidised bed reactor. Powder Technology, 235
- Chen H, Zhao Z, Huang X, Patchigolla K, Cotton A, .... (2012). Novel Optimized Process for Utilization of CaO-Based Sorbent for Capturing CO2 and SO2 Sequentially. Energy & Fuels, 26(9)
- Yang Y, Zhai R, Duan L, Kavosh M, Patchigolla K, .... (2010). Integration and evaluation of a power plant with a CaO-based CO2 capture system. International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 4(4)
- Patchigolla K & Wilkinson D. (2009). Crystal Shape Characterisation of Dry Samples using Microscopic and Dynamic Image Analysis. Particle & Particle Systems Characterization, 26(4)
- Patchigolla K & Wilkinson D. (2008). Characterization of Organic and Inorganic Chemicals Formed by Batch-Cooling Crystallization: Shape and Size. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 47(3)
- Li M, Wilkinson D & Patchigolla K. (2005). Determination of non-spherical particle size distribution from chord length measurements. Part 2: Experimental validation. Chemical Engineering Science, 60(18)
- Li M, Wilkinson D & Patchigolla K. (2005). Comparison of Particle Size Distributions Measured Using Different Techniques. Particulate Science and Technology, 23(3)
Conference Papers
- Sansom C, Patchigolla K, Jonnalagadda K & King P. (2022). Design of a novel CSP/MED desalination system
- Thanganadar D, Simms N, Patchigolla K, Mori S & Kulkarni A. (2022). A Detailed Modelling of Deposition on Superheater Tubes to Enhance Boiler Flexibility
- Thanganadar D, Fornarelli F, Camporeale S, Gillard J & Patchigolla K. (2021). Design Performance Analysis of Supercritical CO2 Cycle for CSP Application With Sensible Heat Thermal Storage
- Thanganadar D, Fornarelli F, Camporeale S, Asfand F & Patchigolla K. (2020). Analysis of Design, Off-Design and Annual Performance of Supercritical CO2 Cycles for CSP Applications
- Thanganadar D, Fornarelli F, Camporeale S, Asfand F & Patchigolla K. (2020). Recuperator Transient Simulation for Supercritical Carbon Dioxide Cycle in CSP Applications
- Abdulkarim HT, Sansom CL, Patchigolla K & King P. (2020). Statistical and economic analysis of solar radiation and climatic data for the development of solar PV system in Nigeria
- Bruch A, Patchigolla K, Asfand F, Turner P, Monte LM, .... (2020). Industrial scale cTES cold thermal energy storage: Demonstrator in La Africana CSP power plant and evaluation of benefits - SOLWARIS project
- Chowdhury JI, Asfand F, Hu Y, Balta-Ozkan N, Varga L, .... (2019). Waste heat recovery potential from industrial bakery ovens using thermodynamic power cycles
- Asfand F, Thanganadar D & Patchigolla K. (2019). Thermodynamic performance of a supercritical CO
2 cycle integrated with a recuperative absorption cooling system - Awoyomi A, Patchigolla K & Anthony EJ. (2019). CO2/SO2 emission reduction in CO2 shipping infrastructure
- Bruch A, Patchigolla K, Asfand F, Monte LM, Menéndez RP, .... (2019). Industrial-scale prototype of cTES for water consumption reduction and power block efficiency improvement - SOLWATT PROJECT
- Patchigolla K, Oakey JE & Anthony EJ. (2014). Understanding dense phase CO2 corrosion problems
- Cotton A, Patchigolla K & Oakey JE. (2014). Engineering Scale-up Challenges, and Effects of SO2 on the Calcium Looping Cycle for Post Combustion CO2 Capture
- Chen HW, Zhao ZH, Patchigolla K & Oakey J. (2013). The Agglomeration of CaO-Based Sorbent Used to Capture CO2 in Fluidized Bed
- Cotton A, Patchigolla K & Oakey JE. (2013). Overview of, and Experimental Methodology for, Sorption Enhanced Hydrogen Production
- Patchigolla K & Oakey JE. (2013). Design Overview of High Pressure Dense Phase CO2 Pipeline Transport in Flow Mode
- Wilkinson D, Li M & Patchigolla K. (2006). Determining particle size distribution of non-spheres from chord length measurements
- Patchigolla K, Wilkinson D & Li M. (2006). Measuring Size Distribution of Organic Crystals of Different Shapes Using Different Technologies
- Patchigolla K. (2006). Shape and size of crystallised polymorphic L-glutamate by solution crystallization
- Li M, Wilkinson D & Patchigolla K. (2006). Obtaining Particle Size Distribution from Chord Length Measurements
- Li M, Wilkinson D, Patchigolla K, Mougin P, Roberts KJ, .... (2004). On-Line Crystallization Process Parameter Measurements Using Ultrasonic Attenuation Spectroscopy