KAUST's Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC) has become a global hub for combustion research within four years of its inauguration. The CCRC focuses on developing expertise in efficient, clean, and economical fuel combustion, including a 10-year FUELCOM project with Saudi Aramco. The center utilizes specialized facilities and the KAUST supercomputer Shaheen to test computations and simulations, and also introduced CloudFlame for managing research data. Why it matters: The CCRC's work is crucial for improving the efficiency and sustainability of internal combustion engines, expected to remain relevant for the next 30-40 years.
KAUST Associate Professor Aamir Farooq has been named a co-recipient of the 2019 Hiroshi Tsuji Early Career Researcher Award, co-sponsored by Elsevier and The Combustion Institute. Farooq, who leads the KAUST Chemical Kinetics and Laser Sensors Laboratory, is recognized for his work on fuel ignition chemistry. His research aims to improve fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in transportation and power generation. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's commitment to fostering talented faculty and advancing research in clean combustion, a critical area for Saudi Arabia's energy future.
KAUST researchers reviewed 570 papers on alcohol combustion dating back to the early 1900s, synthesizing existing knowledge and identifying gaps in the literature. They developed a model that simulates alcohol combustion, gathering specific aspects to better understand combustion in engines. The study revealed properties of alcohol fuels, including high resistance to autoignition and decreased particulate matter emissions, but also increased emissions of carcinogenic aldehydes. Why it matters: This comprehensive study provides valuable insights for designing more efficient internal combustion engines operating on alcohols and addresses implications for air quality regulations.
KAUST's Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC) hosted the Combustion in Extreme Conditions research conference from March 5-8. The conference focused on combustion under extreme conditions in modern engines, covering high-pressure combustion, advanced diagnostics, and high-performance computations. Experts from academia, national labs, and industry discussed global collaborations toward clean combustion systems, alternative fuels, and emission reduction techniques. Why it matters: The conference highlights KAUST's role as a global hub for combustion research and its commitment to advancing technologies for cleaner and more efficient energy solutions.
The 2017 KAUST Research Conference focused on new combustion concepts, bringing together experts from academia, national labs, and industry. Participants discussed various aspects of combustion, including energy conversion by Professor Igor Adamovich from Ohio State University. Anne Bourdon from École Polytechnique presented on plasma-assisted applications. Why it matters: The conference facilitated knowledge exchange and collaboration on advancing combustion technologies, a field relevant to energy and environmental sustainability in the region.
KAUST and GE have partnered to study the feasibility of using crude oils like Arabian Super Light (ASL) to power heavy-duty gas turbines. The collaboration aims to develop turbines capable of burning crude oil directly from the ground to meet Saudi Arabia's energy security needs. The research involves building a rig at KAUST's High Pressure Combustion Laboratory (HPCL) to conduct corrosion tests on turbine materials by burning ASL/AXL crude continuously for 2,000 hours. Why it matters: This partnership could reduce reliance on natural gas and offer an economically viable alternative fuel source, bolstering energy security in Saudi Arabia and potentially influencing turbine technology worldwide.
KAUST Professors Aamir Farooq and Mani Sarathy received the inaugural Research Excellence Award from The Combustion Institute (CI). The CI, established in 1954, promotes combustion science and technology research worldwide. The award recognizes CI members with impactful research papers in combustion science. Why it matters: This award highlights KAUST's contributions to combustion research and strengthens its position as a leading institution in this field.
Fethi Khaled, a mechanical engineering Ph.D. student at KAUST's Clean Combustion Research Center (CCRC), is researching fuel combustion with a focus on cleaner, safer, and more efficient energy sources. His work in the Chemical Kinetics and Laser Sensors Laboratory under Professor Aamir Farooq involves studying the science of combustion and different energy sources like fossil and solar energy. Khaled aims to contribute to inventing new combustion engine modes that are more efficient and produce less or zero pollutants. Why it matters: This research aligns with Saudi Arabia's broader goals of promoting sustainable energy solutions and reducing reliance on traditional fossil fuels, contributing to environmental sustainability and economic diversification.