Profile
I joined Aston in 1997 as a Research Assistant, and completed a Ph.D in 2001 in the field of bio-energy (the production of energy from biomass). I obtained a lectureship in the Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry subject group in 2002, and since then I have developed my teaching to include heat and mass transfer, process simulation, process economics and particle technology. I am also active in research in the field of energy systems.
Prior to joining Aston, I worked extensively in industry, with both Rolls-Royce plc on aero gas turbine combustion, and with PowerGen plc primarily on stationary boilers.
Qualifications & Education
- BSc with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering, University of Southampton, 1981
- MEng in Engineering and Management, University of Durham, 1982
- MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology, Loughborough University, 1997
- PhD in bio-energy systems analysis, Aston University, 2001
Employment - 2002 – date: Lecturer, Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, Aston University
- 1997 – 2002: Research Assistant, Bioenergy Research Group, Aston University.
- 1990-1995: Group Leader, Combustion Section, Power Technology, PowerGen plc., Nottingham
- 1983-1990: Technologist, Combustion Department, Engineering Division, Rolls-Royce plc, Derby
Teaching activity I teach the following subjects to students on Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry undergraduate programmes:
- Heat Transfer to Level 1, 2 and 3 students
- Mass Transfer and Process Simulation to Level 2 students
- Process Economics and Particle Technology to Level 3 students
Research interests
My research interests are in the field of energy production systems, in particular bio-energy systems. I specialise in overall system modelling and analysis, and also in computational fluid dynamics analysis of individual plant components.
I am a member of the Bio-energy Research Group and the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) at Aston.
Recent research funding
Current: 2 EPSRC DTA grants under Supergen programme, 1 EPSRC CASE award
Completed: 2 EPSRC CASE awards, 1 KTP award
PhD Supervision
1 student: techno-economic analysis of energy systems based on biomass pyrolysis
1 student: techno-economic analysis of systems for the production of ammonia from biomass, and for the production of energy from macro-algae
1 student: computational modelling of fixed bed biomass gasifiers
1 student: experimental and system analysis of energy recovery from paper industry wastes
Available to supervise new suitable applicants in the field of energy systems analysis, and design analysis and modelling of energy system components.
Membership of Professional Bodies
Chartered Engineer, Member of the Energy Institute
Selected publications
Last five refereed publications: Thornley, P.; Upham, P.; Huang, Y.; Rezvani, S.; Brammer, J. G.; Rogers, J. G. (2009). Integrated assessment of bioelectricity technology options. Energy Policy, vol. 37, no. 3, 890-903.
Tsioumanis, N; Brammer, J. G. (2008). Flow processes in a radiant tube burner: isothermal flow. Fuel, vol. 87, no. 1, 103-111
Longden D. M.; Brammer, J. G.; Bastin L.; Cooper N. (2006). Distributed or centralised energy-from-waste policy? Implications of technology and scale at municipal level. Energy Policy, vol. 35, no. 4, 2622-2634
Brammer, J. G.; Lauer, M.; Bridgwater, A. V. (2006). Opportunities for Biomass-derived “Bio-oil” in European Heat and Power Markets. Energy Policy, vol. 34, no. 17, 2871-2880
Brammer, J. G.; Bridgwater, A. V.; Lauer, M.; Jungmeier, G. (2004). Opportunities for Bio-oil in European Heat and Power Markets. Science in Thermal and Chemical Biomass Conversion (ed. Bridgwater A. V., Boocock D. G. B.), pp. 1662-1674, CPL Press.
Main University navigation links
