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Dr Abul Hossain

 

Research Fellow

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 the 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, cooling tower and mechanical maintenance of heavy machineries. In industry, I was actively engaged in design and 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 working closely with the researchers of the newly established European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI). In addition, I am involved in some teaching and supervision of students' (MSc and BSc) research projects.

Qualifications & Education  

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

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
  • Carbon capture and storage (CCS), energy storage 

Membership of Professional Bodies

Member of the Energy Institute

Research Projects

Bio-energy: technology and business solutions for the UK and India (Science Bridges), funded by Research Councils, UK (EP/G039992/1) and DST,Governmnet of India

Enhanced biomass production and energy conversion for use in water-scarce areas of India, funded by EPSRC (EP/E044360/1)

Selected Publications   

 

A. K. Hossain, M. Oaudi, S. Siddiqui, Y. Yang, J. Brammer, A. Hornung, M. Kay, P. A. Davies. Experimental investigation of performance, emission and combustion characteristics of an indirect injection multi-cylinder CI engine fuelled by blends of de-inking sludge pyrolysis oil with biodiesel. Fuel; 2012 (in press).

A.K. Hossain, R. Thorpe, P. Vasudevan, P.K. Sen, R.E. Critoph, P.A. Davies. Omnigen: providing electricity, food preparation, cold storage and pure water using a variety of local fuels. Renewable Energy; 2012 (in press).

A.K. Hossain, R. Thorpe, R.E. Critoph, P.A. Davies. Development of a small scale pure plant oil fuelled CI engine based trigeneration plant: principles, design, construction, performance and emission. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research; 2011: 70, 688-693.

P. A. Davies, R. Srivastava, B. Kaphaliya, A. K. Hossain, O. Ngoye Igobo, G. Garantziotis: A greenhouse integrating desalination, water saving and rainwater harvesting for use in salt-affected inland regions, Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research; 2011: 70, 628-633.

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

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

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

P.A. Davies, A.K. Hossain, P. Vasudevan.  Stand-alone groundwater desalination system using reverse osmosis combined with a cooled greenhouse for use in arid and semi-arid zones of India. Desalination and Water Treatment; 2009: 5, 223-234.

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

A.K. Hossain, O. Badr. Prospects of renewable energy utilization for electricity generation in Bangladesh. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews; 2007, 11 (8), 1617-1649.