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Dr Abul Hossain

Research Associate

Mechanical Engineering & Design (ME+D)

I joined Aston University in September 2007 as a Research Associate in the Sustainable Environment Research Group. Although this is my first appointment in academia, I previously worked in process industry as a Mechanical Engineer for 6 years before starting my postgraduate study – where I worked on boiler, dual-fuelled engine generator, gas engine generator and mechanical maintenance of heavy machineries. In industry, I was actively engaged in design/modification of components, process design and optimisation, and new installation and commissioning of machineries. Currently I am working on the development of biofuels-based co-generation/tri-generation systems, biofuels development and CI engine parameters modifications to adapt these biofuels, and solar PV-based brackish water desalination technique combined with green house cooling system. I am involved in some teaching and supervision of students (MSc and BSc) projects.

Qualifications & Education  

  • PhD - Cranfield University, UK, 2006.
  • MSc - Cranfield University, UK, 2002.
  • BSc in Mechanical Engineering with 1st Class - BUET, Bangladesh, 1994.

Research interests  

My main research interests are in developing small-to-medium scale renewable energy systems for multi/poly generation application. Specific areas of interest include but not limited to:
  • - Use of renewable biofuels for IC engine-based CHP or tri-generation application (waste energy recovery)
  • - Biofuels development and characterisation 
  • - Performance, emissions and combustion of alternative fuels in IC engines
  • - IC engine modification/parameter optimisation to use with alternative fuels
  • - Solar PV based brackish water desalination technique
  • - Biomass energy: resource assessment, techno-economic modelling, and lifecycle energy and emission analysis

Membership of Professional Bodies

Member of the Energy Institute

Selected publications   

Hossain, A.K., Thorpe, R., Critoph, R.E. and Davies, P.A. (2011). Development of a small-scale trigeneration plant based on a CI engine fuelled by neat non-edible plant oil. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research (JSIR), 70, 688-693.

Hossain, A.K. and Davies, P.A. (2010). Plant oils as fuels for compression ignition engines: a technical review and life-cycle analysis. Renewable Energy, 35, 1-13.

Davies, P.A. and Hossain, A.K. (2010). Development of an integrated reverse osmosis-greenhouse system driven by solar photovoltaic generators. Desalination and Water treatment, 22, 161-173.

Hossain, A.K., Thorpe, R., Vasudevan, P., Sen, P.K., Critoph, R.E. and Davies, P.A. (2010). Omnigen: providing electricity, food preparation, cold storage and pure water using a variety of local fuels. In: Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress (WRECXI), Abu Dhabi, UAE, September 25-30, pp. 133-138. (to be published in Renewable Energy)

Hossain, A.K. and Davies, P.A. (2010).Use of pyrolysis oil for CHP application: difficulties and prospects. In: Proceedings of the World Renewable Energy Congress (WRECXI), Abu Dhabi, UAE, September 25-30, pp. 121-126.

Hossain, A.K. and Davies, P.A. (2009). Small scale reverse osmosis brackish water desalting system combined with greenhouse application for use in remote communities of arid zone. Desalination and Water Treatment, 3, 229-235.

Davies, P.A., Hossain, A.K. Lychnos, G. and Paton, C. (2008). Energy saving and solar electricity in fan-ventilated greenhouses. Acta Horticulturae 797, 339-346.

Hossain, A.K. and Badr, O. (2007). Prospects of renewable energy utilization for electricity generation in Bangladesh. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 11, 1617-1649.