A Novel Spatio-Temporal Multi Criteria Framework for Evaluating the Economic Viability of Blue Ammonia
Alish Lemberanskiy
Ammonia is vital for global food production, while its potential in emerging energy applications such as fuel and hydrogen carrier is increasingly being explored. However, its production remains a major source of industrial CO₂ emissions. This project develops a novel Multicriteria Economic Viability Assessment Model to evaluate blue ammonia feasibility, one of the possible ammonia decarbonization pathways, using detailed country specific policy frameworks and financial conditions. Using plant level and regional data, it models greenfield and brownfield plant configurations, assesses key economic metrics, identifies breakeven policy thresholds, and tests sensitivity to major cost drivers.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr Gbemi Oluleye, The Grantham Institute
A Novel Multi Criteria Economic Viability Assessment Model for CCS in Cement Plants
Erlingur Geirsson
This project develops a Multi-Criteria Economic Viability Assessment Model (MCEVAM) to evaluate CCS in the cement sector, which accounts for ~8% of global CO₂ emissions. The model adopts a bottom-up approach using plant-level data across 165 countries and integrates financial metrics, policy mechanisms and risk factors and applies a variety of tools to simulate real-world investment decisions. This model is designed to inform a more realistic, region-specific CCS evaluations compared to existing techno-economic assessments in the literature and support the scaling of CCS as a viable decarbonisation pathway for the cement sector through generating demand-pull.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr Gbemi Oluleye, The Grantham Institute
Development of an Engineering Simulation and Machine Learning-based Proxy Model for CO₂ Pipeline Network in the Integrated CCUS Value Chain
Ferdyan Ihza Akbar
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is vital for accelerating emissions reduction to combat climate change. Integrating networks of industrial clusters, operators, and CO₂ sinks is key to improving CCUS efficiency. This work develops a CO₂ pipeline hydraulic simulation, benchmarking the Net Zero Teesside (NZT) configuration and operational scenarios. Impurities, flow rate fluctuations, and trunk-line effects are considered. Operational envelopes are analysed, and a machine learning proxy model is created to simplify simulations for broader model development.
Supervisor(s)
- Professor Anna Korre (Earth Science and Engineering)
- Bangkit Dana Setiawan (Earth Science and Engineering)
- Hongcheng Xie (Department of Earth Science and Engineering)
Designing Balanced Market-Based Policies for CCS Deployment in Global Refineries Using a Novel Spatio-Temporal Multi-criteria Economic Assessment Model
Hendra Teguh Martua
This project examines the economic viability of implementing CCS across 512 refinery plants worldwide, assessing how product price impacts, carbon pricing strategies, ETS, and government support influence investment decisions. It highlights how well‑designed market policies can create positive tipping points for CCS adoption. By addressing regulatory uncertainties, technological risks, and financial challenges through detailed analysis, this project aims to guide practical steps for advancing CCS in the refining sector.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr Gbemi Oluleye, The Grantham Institute
Enhancing the LNG Supply Chain through Cold Energy Recycling and Carbon Capture
Minaco Rino
The LNG supply chain supports the energy transition but suffers from high exergy losses in liquefaction and regasification. Meanwhile, CO₂ capture remains costly, especially in power and cement sectors. This project explores integrating LNG cold energy recovery with cryogenic air separation and oxyfuel combustion to boost efficiency, cut emissions, and avoid energy-intensive amine scrubbers. Using Aspen Plus/HYSYS, the system aims for >90% CO₂ capture and up to 30% energy savings by producing high-purity CO₂ via oxyfuel combustion.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr Mahdi Sharifzadeh (Chemical Engineering)
- Professor Nilay Shah (Chemical Engineering)
- Depak Lal (DESNZ)
Advancing Circular Bioeconomy: Integrating CCUS and Biorefineries in the Olive Oil Sector
Qirana Ashilah
This project evaluates the life cycle impacts of integrating anaerobic digestion, biomethane upgrading, and carbon capture technologies into olive mill waste management focusing in Spain. Four scenarios are compared: current practice, biogas upgrading, power‑to‑methane with hydrogen, and CCUS. Using ISO‑compliant LCA and techno‑economic analysis, the study quantifies emissions, energy recovery, and carbon removal, demonstrating how circular bioeconomy strategies can transform a high‑impact waste stream into a source of renewable energy and negative emissions.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr. Rocio A. Diaz-Chavez (Centre for Environmental Policy)
- Professor Eulogio Castro (Jaen University)
LNG Cold Energy Recycling: An Integrated Approach for a Greener LNG & Ammonia Supply Chain
Satheeshkumar Arumugam
Natural Gas (NG) and Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) contribute to net-zero goals by filling the gaps of renewable energy's intermittency as transitional fuels. LNG’s international production, transportation, and regasification unlock sustainability potential via supply chain optimisation. This paper presents energy modelling of techno-economic-environmental prospects to recycle cold energy from LNG regasification in the UK to produce liquid nitrogen. It is then shipped to Qatar to recover the cold energy for NG liquefaction before consumed for green or blue ammonia production pathways, ultimately enhancing the LNG supply chain in an integrated approach.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr Mahdi Sharifzadeh (Chemical Engineering)
- Depak Lal (DESNZ)
- Professor Nilay Shah (Chemical Engineering)
A Novel Multicriteria Economic Viability Assessment Model for CCUS in Integrated Steel Plants
Tristan Mangin
The decarbonisation of industrial sectors, like the iron and steel industry, is crucial for achieving global climate goals. However, investment decisions for carbon reduction using CCUS at the plant level presents challenges as they involve balancing technological, financial, and policy considerations. This research will develop a technoeconomic-finance framework to support investment planning for the integration of carbon capture utilization and storage, at the plant level and determine what policies are needed for the uptake of CCUS in the iron and steel industry.
Supervisor(s)
- Dr Gbemi Oluleye (The Grantham Institute)