Dr Gaurav Singh

Areas of expertise

• Aeronautical Systems
• Gas Turbines & Propulsion
• Power Systems & Turbines

Background

Dr Gaurav Singh is a combustion and aerothermal engineer specialising in low-emission propulsion technologies, with over fifteen years of combined industrial and academic experience in gas turbines, hydrogen combustion, and marine propulsion systems. His research focuses on high-fidelity CFD modelling, experimental rig development, and the design of low-NOx combustors for future aviation applications.

He holds a PhD in Low Emission Combustion Technology from Cranfield University, where he developed multi-fidelity numerical methods for preliminary design and NOx emissions assessment in hydrogen micromix combustors. His work contributed to advancing best practices for hydrogen combustion modelling and deepened the understanding of NOx formation in aero-engine applications. Dr Singh also holds an MSc in Thermal Power from Cranfield University, where his thesis involved the preliminary design and fuel scheduling optimisation of an injector plate for a hydrogen micromix combustor.

Prior to his academic career, Dr Singh served in the maritime sector as a senior marine engineer with Maersk Line, where he managed high-power marine propulsion systems and led initiatives on fuel efficiency and emissions control. This industrial background provides him with a practical foundation for addressing sustainability challenges in aviation and marine propulsion.

He has contributed as lead author to European hydrogen research project reports and authored multiple peer-reviewed publications in the area of low-emission combustion. His recent work involves the design and integration of high-pressure, high-temperature combustion test rigs, development of reduced-order NOx prediction models, and engagement with stakeholders across industry and government to advance low emissions aviation policy and funding. His research interests include hydrogen micromix combustion, emissions prediction, non-CO2 emissions, and the integration of sustainable fuels in propulsion systems.

Research opportunities

- Hydrogen Micromix Combustion: Design, modelling, and experimental evaluation of micromix combustors for low-NOx emissions in aero-engine applications.

- Emissions Prediction and Reduction: Development of multi-fidelity and reduced-order modelling approaches for NOx and non-CO₂ emissions in hydrogen-fuelled propulsion systems.

- Combustion Rig Design and Integration: High-pressure, high-temperature experimental rig development for characterisation of advanced low-emission combustor technologies.

- Sustainable Aviation Propulsion: Integration of alternative fuels and propulsion technologies to support net-zero aviation goals

Current activities

Gaurav is currently involved in two EU projects: ONEHeart and MINIMAL. In ATI funded ONEHeart, he is focusing on developing a low-emissions hydrogen micromix combustion system, specifically defining the combustor design and NOx emissions characteristics for the EIS-2050 UHBR aero-engines. Furthermore, his work also involves developing reduced order NOx emissions model, that will serve as a foundation for conducting a comprehensive life cycle assessment of the propulsion systems. In MINIMAL, apart from supporting NOx emissions modelling, Gaurav is supporting development, commission and conducting experimental campaign on free opposed piston engine rigs with hydrogen fuel to develop validated combustion and emissions model.

Publications

• Articles in journals
• Conference papers