Contact Dr Serap Ozmen

Areas of expertise

  • Biomass and Waste
  • Design, Strategy & Innovation
  • Hydrogen
  • Waste Management and Resource Efficiency
  • Water and Sanitation for Development

Background

Dr Serap Ozmen is an expert in the development, testing, and standardisation of non-sewered sanitation systems, with a particular focus on ensuring compliance with ISO30500 standards. Her expertise lies in designing and implementing robust testing methodologies that validate the performance, safety, and operational reliability of decentralised sanitation technologies. In addition to leading performance validation activities, she actively contributes to the design and development of sanitation systems, collaborating with engineering teams to optimise system configurations and enhance technological functionality.

With an academic background in Chemistry and Chemical Process Engineering, Dr Ozmen completed her PhD on hydrogen production via steam gasification of plastic waste, applying artificial neural network (ANN) modelling to optimise process performance. This interdisciplinary training supports her continued work across sanitation systems, process modelling, and experimental system optimisation.

Dr Ozmen is a member of the British Standards Institution (BSI) B/505/41 Wastewater Treatment Systems Committee, where she contributes to the refinement of international standards for non-sewered sanitation. Her research bridges applied engineering with standardisation and policy, supporting the global deployment of sustainable sanitation solutions.

Research opportunities

Dr Ozmen’s research focuses on advancing non-sewered sanitation technologies through the development of performance-led testing frameworks and design-for-compliance methodologies. Her work places particular emphasis on ISO30500 standard integration, contributing to the design, evaluation, and refinement of decentralised sanitation systems intended for real-world deployment in resource-limited settings. Key interests include experimental validation, system reliability assessment, and standards-driven innovation in sanitation technology.

This primary research stream is informed by her doctoral work on hydrogen production from plastic waste via steam gasification, which combined kinetic modelling with artificial neural networks (ANN) to optimise process performance. Her interests in process design, waste valorisation, and data-driven system modelling continue to underpin her multidisciplinary research approach.

Complementing these areas, Dr Ozmen is engaged in the development of low-cost adsorbent materials for post-combustion CO₂ capture, particularly from biomass residues. She is interested in the broader application of resource recovery and circular economy principles across sanitation and energy systems.

Expressions of interest are welcomed from individuals who wish to engage in research within the following areas, including but not limited to:

Non-sewered sanitation systems

Wastewater treatment technologies

Process Design, Testing and Optimistion

Thermochemical Conversion

ISO30500 standardisation

Material Characterisation

Biomass and Waste

Hydrogen Production

Artificial Neural Network

Process Modeling and AI

Carbon Capture Technologies

Opportunities are open to Master's and PhD students, visiting researchers, and academic collaborators who are interested in contributing to ongoing and future projects.

Those interested in contributing are strongly encouraged to make contact to explore opportunities.

Current activities

Dr Ozmen is currently leading the performance testing and validation of non-sewered sanitation systems under Cranfield Circular Toilert Project funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Her work involves the leading the testing team, creation of ISO30500-compliant test protocols, operation and troubleshooting of the technologies, coordination of laboratory and field-based assessments, and data interpretation to inform technology refinement. In parallel, she works closely with engineering teams to contribute design decisions and ensure system compliance from early development phases.

She is actively involved in international standardisation through her role on the BSI B/505/41 Wastewater Treatment Systems Committee, helping to align field experience with evolving standards in non-sewered sanitation.

Clients

  • Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Publications

Articles In Journals