University of Pittsburgh-Johnstown
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  2. Hui Liu, PhD

Hui Liu, PhD

  • Associate Professor of Chemical Engineering

Dr. Liu serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Pittsburgh Johnstown. He earned both a Master of Applied Science degree and a Ph.D. from the University of Waterloo in Canada and subsequently pursued postdoctoral research at the University of California, San Diego. His primary research interests encompass a range of areas: machine learning, biomass utilization including gasification and pyrolysis, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, kinetic modeling, and process optimization. Prior to his academic career, Dr. Liu accrued 10-year of professional experience in some international chemical companies such as Bayer Material Science and China National Petroleum Corporation.

Education & Training

  • Postdoctoral scholar, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, University of California, San Diego, 2014-2017.
  • Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2009-2014.
  • MASc. (Master of Applied Science), Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, 2007-2009.
  • B.S., Chemical Engineering, Jilin Institute of Chemical Technology, 1991-1995.

Representative Publications

  1. Liu, H., Alhumade, H., Elkamel, A. (2023), A combined scheme of parallel-reaction kinetic model and multi-layer artificial neural network model on pyrolysis of Reed Canary. Chemical Engineering Science (Impact Factor: 4.7). Volume 281.
  2. Liu, H., Ahmad, M.S., Alhumade, H., Elkamel, A., Sammak, S., Shen, B.X. (2020). A hybrid kinetic and optimization approach for biomass pyrolysis: The hybrid scheme of the isoconversional methods, DAEM, and a parallel-reaction mechanism. Energy Conversion and Management (Impact factor: 10.4).
  3. Ahmad, M.S., Liu, H., Alhumade, H., Elkamel, A. (2020). A Modified DAEM: To Study the Bioenergy Potential of Invasive Staghorn Sumac through Pyrolysis, ANN, TGA, Kinetic Modeling, FTIR and GCMS analysis. Energy Conversion and Management (Impact factor: 10.4).
  4. Liu, H., Ahmad, M. S., Alhumade, H., Elkamel, A., & Cattolica, R. J. (2019). Three pseudo-components kinetic modeling and nonlinear dynamic optimization of Rhus Typhina pyrolysis with the distributed activation energy model. Applied Thermal Engineering (Impact Factor: 6.4).
  5. Liu, H., Cattolica, R.J.; Seiser, R. (2017). “Operating Parameter Effects on the Solids Circulation Rate in the CFD Simulation of a Dual Fluidized-Bed Gasification System”, Chemical Engineering Science (Impact Factor: 4.7).
  6. Liu, H., Cattolica, R.J.; Seiser, R. (2016). “CFD studies on biomass gasification in a pilot-scale dual fluidized-bed system”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (Impact Factor: 7.2).
  7. Biglari, M., Liu, H., Elkamel, A.; Lohi, A. (2016). “Application of Scaling-Law and CFD Modeling of Hydrodynamics of Circulating Biomass Fluidized Bed Gasifier”, Energies (Impact Factor: 3.2).
  8. Liu, H.; Cattolica, R.J.; Seiser, R.; Liao, C. (2015) “Three-Dimensional Full-loop Simulation of a Dual Fluidized-Bed Biomass Gasifier”. Applied Energy (Impact Factor: 11.2).
  9. Liu, H.; Elkamel, A.; Lohi, A.; Biglari, M. (2014). "Effect of Char Combustion Product Distribution Coefficient on the CFD Modeling of Biomass Gasification in a Circulating Fluidized Bed", Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (Impact Factor: 4.2).
  10. Liu, H.; Elkamel, A.; Lohi, A.; Biglari, M. (2013). "Computational Fluid Dynamics Modeling of Biomass Gasification in Circulating Fluidized-Bed Reactor Using the Eulerian–Eulerian Approach", Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research (Impact Factor: 4.2).
  11. Liu, H.; Biglari, M.; Elkamel, A.; Lohi, A. (2013). “The Impacts of Standard Wall Function and Drag Model on the Turbulent modelling of Gas–Particle Flow in a Circulating Fluidized Bed Riser”, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering (Impact Factor: 2.1).
  12. Liu, H.; Almansoori, A.; Fowler, M.; Elkamel, A. (2012). “Analysis of Ontario's Hydrogen Economy Demands from Hydrogen Fuel Cell Vehicles”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (Impact Factor: 7.2).
  13. Liu, H.; Kantor, I.; Elkamel, A.; Fowler, M. (2009). “Optimal Synthesis of Heat Exchanger Network for Thermochemical S-I cycle”, Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry (Impact Factor: 4.4).

Research Interest Summary

Dr. Liu's area of expertise encompasses biomass gasification and pyrolysis, machine learning modeling, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulation, kinetic modeling, and process optimization.

Research Grants

  1. Pitt Momentum Funds: Prime Grants, University of Pittsburgh, 2023
  2. The College Research Council Summer Grants Programs, University of Pittsburgh, Johnstown, 2022
  3. Distinguished Paper-Fast Publication Track, Project Number: DF-740-135-1441 by Deanship of Scientific Research (DSR), King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Division

Engineering and Computer Science Division

Academic Programs

Chemical Engineering