Education:
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering, The City College of New York (2012-2017)
Description of research and activities
Primary project – Methane Hydrates and Carbon Capture & Sequestration: Investigation of methane hydrates decomposition by thermal stimulation & CO₂ injection. The objective of this work is to develop efficient methods for the extraction of methane gas from methane hydrates using thermal stimulation and to study the CO₂ sequestration at the fundamental level by lab scale experiments. This work is complemented by numerical simulations in COMSOL using fluid flow, heat transfer in porous media and phase change modules. Work to date has investigated an effect of initial hydrate saturation, heating rates, and CO₂ injection rates on methane recovery and CO₂ sequestration capabilities
Landfill Decomposition: In situ decomposition of synthetic landfill sample in a high-pressure stainless steel reactor and the study of gas evolution rates and composition of the gas exiting the system. The objective of this work is to understand the heat transfer characteristics (endothermic or exothermic) on a large scale landfill and gas composition by testing at laboratory scale. This work also includes Gas Chromatography, Mass Spectroscopy and Thermal Gravimetric analysis of the landfill sample and gas samples.
Viscosity Measurements of Biological Waste: Measurement of viscosity of biological waste slurry to determine the rheological characteristics. The viscosity of different concentration slurries is measured at a constant temperature (varying shear rate) and at a constant shear rate (different temperatures). The objective is to find the optimum shear rate at which the slurry remains in the Newtonian regime and does not clog the instruments in a waste treatment plant.
Supersonic Flow Modeling in COMSOL: Modeling of the supersonic flow in a CU Aerospace (CUA) converging-diverging nozzle, utilized in the propulsion of cube satellites by using COMSOL numerical simulations. This project is guided by Dr. Nick Tiliakos.
Heat Transfer Modeling in the Landfill: Modeling of the heat transfer in the landfill by using COMSOL numerical simulations.
Viscosity Reduction of Crude Oil using CO2/N2: Measurement of viscosity of crude oil sample in the presence of pure N₂, pure CO₂ and a mixture of CO₂ with N₂ at elevated conditions of temperature and pressure.
Peer-Reviewed Journal Publications
Professional Presentations and Conferences
S. Tupsakhare, Ph.D. proposal presentation to the Ph.D. committee at the City College of New York, April 28th, 2015, New York City, USA