Research Clusters

Research in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Qatar University is remarkable for its quality and innovation, as well as its depth and breadth. Our award-winning faculty interests span both traditional and emerging areas of research that interests in Qatar (as stated in Qatar National vision 2030) and tackles global grand challenges as well. The department boasts a diverse set of research projects, with each professor leading a group of students investigating a variety of interdisciplinary topics. Our faculty focus on five strategic areas — Reaction and Catalysis- Advanced Materials- Solar Energy-Water & Waste Management- Gas Processing Systems Engineering; while incorporating elements of classical engineering principles into their work, such as thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, kinetics and reaction engineering, separations, and transport phenomena. Current projects in the department address some of the largest global challenges of the 21st century, including designing sustainable systems for improving the environment, and creating more efficient methods for producing new and better technologies, alternative renewable energy sources etc.

The ultimate goal of the research performed in the Department of Chemical Engineering at Qatar University is to positively impact society by providing new knowledge through highly qualified independent researcher equipped with contemporary issues of the field of advance the forefront of Chemical Engineering and Science.

Reaction and Catalysis

The RCRC brings faculty members together to enhance the fundamental understanding at the molecular level, and support the development of novel technologies at the process level. The faculty utilize their expertise to initiate projects that are relevant to the environment and the industries in Qatar such as

Heterogeneous catalysis
Reactor design and optimization
Catalytic conversion of CO2
Electrocatalysis and microbial fuel cell
Hydrogen production
Selective catalytic reduction of NOx

Advanced Materials

The Advanced Materials researchers conduct both experimental and computational studies focusing on creating new materials in areas such as

Adsorbents/Absorbents
Composite materials
Corrosion
Coatings
Energy storage Ionic Liquids
Membranes
Nanostructured materials

Gas Processing Systems Engineering (GPSE)

The GPSE is focused on various different challenges in the gas processing industry, which requires finding and producing fuels in high qualities, improving the efficiency of energy use under the ultimate limits imposed by thermodynamics, and reducing the effects of these processes on the environment. The GPRC specifically focuses on the use of fossil fuels and its problems with increased the amount of carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere, and means are sought for its reduction, capture and conversion. Moreover, GPRC focuses on the development of algorithms for the solution of large-scale process models as well as in the development of specialized models for general science and technology solutions, finding alternatives to volatile solvents, developing more effective separation processes, dealing with gas hydrates and other related chemical engineering process problems in the area of oil & gas processing.

Oil and gas processing
Separation process
Gas hydrates
Energy efficiency and heat recovery

Solar Energy

The solar energy cluster brings faculty members together to enhance the fundamental understanding at the molecular level, and support the development of novel technologies at the process level. The faculty utilize their expertise to initiate projects that are relevant to

Solar thermochemical fuel production
Solar energy storage
Solar desalination
Solar thermal CO2 capture
Computational solar thermochemistry
Photovoltaic solar cells

Water & Waste Management

The Water & Waste Management activities include interdisciplinary research about freshwater resources, simulations and analysis of the behavior of water on many different levels using experimental, computational and analytical processes to develop technology for the efficient and sustainable management of water resources including membrane treatments, desalination, water reuse, wastewater treatment, produced water etc. The cluster has a number of internationally recognized researchers in water resources with expertise ranging from physical modeling, water chemistry, engineering and infrastructure.

Wastewater treatment & reuse
Produced and processed water treatment
Nonconventional water sources
Bio-electrochemical systems
Forward/Reverse osmosis, membrane desalination