Dr Nader Karimi

• Power-to-X and sustainable fuels (SAFs, e-fuels, hydrogen, ammonia)
• Process intensification in chemical reactors
• Heat transfer and thermal integration
• Transport phenomena and mass transfer
• Modelling, optimisation, and techno-economic analysis of energy and fuel systems

Karimi’s research spans component- to system-level investigations in sustainable fuels.

Component level.  Our research group investigates the fundamental physics of chemical reactors, with a particular focus on the interplay between transport phenomena, chemical reactions, and plasma processes. We develop and optimise process-intensified thermochemical reactor technologies, including gasification, pyrolysis, reforming, and fuel-synthesis systems. Current research focuses on catalytic process intensification for hydrogen and synthetic fuel production, plasma-assisted biomass gasification and fuel reforming, and the development of advanced reactor concepts for sustainable energy applications. We also advance reactor electrification, thermal integration, and waste-heat recovery strategies, which are critical to improving the efficiency, sustainability, and economic viability of next-generation low-carbon fuel production systems.

System level. At the systems level, our research employs techno-economic analysis, sustainability assessment, and decision-making analytics to evaluate and optimise complex fuel and energy production pathways. We integrate process modelling, energy integration, waste-heat recovery, hybridisation with complementary energy vectors, and machine-learning-based optimisation under uncertainty to identify robust and economically competitive technology configurations. Particular emphasis is placed on Power-to-X systems, including hydrogen, e-fuels, and synthetic chemicals, where our work seeks to establish scalable pathways for deep decarbonisation. We also develop and assess waste-to-fuel and waste-to-energy solutions, providing insights that support technology development, investment decisions, and energy policy.

Methods and collaboration. Our research combines high-fidelity computational tools—from continuum-scale CFD to molecular dynamics—with laboratory experimentation and advanced machine-learning techniques. We work closely with academic and industrial partners to translate fundamental scientific insights into deployable, high-impact technologies for sustainable energy and fuels.