Staff Profile

Qualifications

B.Eng. (Hons) Chemical and Process Engineering

Ph.D. Chemical and Process Engineering

Certificate in Teaching and Learning

Areas of expertise

Intensified carbon capture processes

Rotating packed beds

Post combustion carbon capture

Microalgae harvesting

Conversation of microalgae to biofuels

Microalgae biocomposites for carbon

Previous Positions

2024 - present Professor of Carbon Capture, School of Engineering, Newcastle University

2017 - 2024 Senior Lecturer, School of Engineering, Newcastle University.

1997 - 2017 Lecturer, School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, Newcastle University.

1995 - 1997 Lecturer, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bradford. Teaching Fluid Mechanics and conducting research on solvent extraction in rotating equipment and electrically assisted coalescence in water in crude oil dispersions.

1993 - 1995 Research Associate, Process intensification Group, University of Newcastle. Working on Solvent Extraction in Rotating Packed Bed Contactors.

Memberships

Associate Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers

Languages

French

Google scholar: Click here.

Research Interests

Process Intensification - Rotating Packed Beds

Biofuel and chemical production from algae

Algae harvesting

Research themes:

Jonathan Lee's profile can be viewed at Google Scholar

Other Expertise

Computational Fluid Dynamics

Algae Harvesting

Current Work

Intensification of solvent based post combustion carbon capture using rotating packed beds

Hydrodynamics of co current and counter current multiphase flows in rotating systems

Harvesting of marine micro algae using a foam column

Selective removal of ciliates from algal culture using a foam column

particle production in a foam column

Catalytic pyrolysis of micro algae.

Catalytic cracking of vegetable oil.

Future Research

Esteem Indicators

Invited Presentations to the Netherlands Process Intensification Network
Reviewer for Chemical Engineering Science.
Reviewer for Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research.

Industrial Relevance

Consultancy

Specialist Expertise
Solvent extraction, in particular rotating liquid-liquid contactors for the extraction of product from fermentation broths. We have a rotating solvent extraction unit that can be used for small scale trials.
Fluid flow/ multiphase flow: Expert in the use of FLUENT software to simulate complex fluid flow problems, in particular solid particle  gas flows.
Biofuels: Biodiesel and the use of algae to provide oil for conversion into biodiesel.

I teach thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and process design. I believe that group design projects play a vital role in linking student knowledge from single subjects to give an overview of what professional chemical engineers do,  the problems they have to solve and the issues they have to consider.

 Currently I am involved in delivering the following modules

• Articles

  • Hendry J, Lee J. Pilot-Scale Carbon Capture in a Heat-Pipe-Intercooled Rotating Packed Bed. Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 2025, 64(5), 2872–2879.
  • Aliyu A, Lee JGM, Harvey AP. Microalgae for biofuel: Isothermal pyrolysis of a fresh and a marine microalga with mass and energy assessment. Chemical Engineering Journal Advances 2023, 14, 100474.
  • Al-Humairi ST, Lee JGM, Harvey AP, Salman AD, Juzsakova T, Van B, Le PC, La DD, Mungray AK, Show PL, Nguyen DD. A foam column system harvesting freshwater algae for biodiesel production: An experiment and process model evaluations. Science of the Total Environment 2023, 862, 160702.
  • In-na P, Byrne F, Caldwell GS, Lee JGM. Techno-economic analysis of living biocomposites for carbon capture from breweries. Algal Research 2022, 66, 102781.
  • In-Na P, Lee JGM, Caldwell GS. Living textile biocomposites deliver enhanced carbon dioxide capture. Journal of Industrial Textiles 2022, 51(4_suppl), 5683S-5707S.
  • In-na P, Sharp E, Caldwell GS, Unthank M, Perry J, Lee JGM. Engineered living photosynthetic biocomposites for intensified biological carbon capture. Scientific Reports 2022, 12, 18735.
  • Al-Humairi ST, Lee JGM, Harvey AP. Direct and rapid production of biodiesel from algae foamate using a homogeneous base catalyst as part of an intensified process. Energy Conversion and Management: X 2022, 16, 100284.
  • Hendry J, Reay D, Lee J. Computational fluid dynamics modelling of expanded metal porous matrix heat exchangers for intensified carbon capture applications. Thermal Science and Engineering Progress 2022, 33, 101373.
  • Hart R, In-na P, Kapralov MV, Lee JGM, Caldwell GS. Textile-based cyanobacteria biocomposites for potential environmental remediation applications. Journal of Applied Phycology 2021, 33, 1525-1540.
  • Aliyu A, Lee JGM, Harvey AP. Microalgae for biofuels: A review of thermochemical conversion processes and associated opportunities and challenges. Bioresource Technology Reports 2021, 15, 100694.
  • Aliyu A, Lee JGM, Harvey AP. Microalgae for biofuels via thermochemical conversion processes: A review of cultivation, harvesting and drying processes, and the associated opportunities for integrated production. Bioresource Technology Reports 2021, 15, 100694.
  • Luo X, Wang M, Lee J, Hendry J. Dynamic modelling based on surface renewal theory, model validation and process analysis of rotating packed bed absorber for carbon capture. Applied Energy 2021, 301(2), 117462.
  • Alkarawi MAS, Caldwell GS, Lee JGM. Corrigendum to "Continuous foam flotation harvesting with enhanced drainage: Overcoming the recovery-enrichment paradox". Algal Research 2021, 61, 102558.
  • Alkarawi MAS, Caldwell GS, Lee JGM. Continuous foam flotation harvesting with enhanced drainage: overcoming the recovery-enrichment paradox. Algal Research 2021, 54, 102203.
  • Hendry JR, Lee JGM, Attidekou PS. Pressure drop and flooding in rotating packed beds. Chemical Engineering and Processing - Process Intensification 2020, 151, 1079008.
  • In-na P, Umar AA, Wallace AD, Flickinger MC, Caldwell GS, Lee JGM. Loofah-based microalgae and cyanobacteria biocomposites for intensifying carbon dioxide capture. Journal of CO2 Utilization 2020, 42, 101348.
  • Hendry J, Lee JGM. Carbon Capture: But Not as We Know It. The Chemical Engineer 2020, 953, 30-33.
  • Tait A, Lee JGM, Williams BR, Montague GA. Numerical analysis of in-flight freezing droplets: Application to novel particle engineering technology. Food and Bioproducts Processing 2019, 116, 30-40.
  • Hendry JR, Lee JGM, Battrum MJ. CFD model of fluid flow and particle deposition during cryogenic condensation. Chemical Engineering Research and Design 2019, 143, 201-214.
  • Alkarawi MAS, Caldwell GS, Lee JGM. Continuous harvesting of microalgae biomass using foam flotation. Algal Research 2018, 36, 125-138.
  • Outram V, Lalander C-A, Lee JGM, Davies ET, Harvey AP. Applied in situ product recovery in ABE fermentation. Biotechnology Progress 2017, 33(3), 563-579.
  • Outram V, Lalander C-A, Lee JGM, Davis ET, Harvey AP. A comparison of the energy use of in situ product recovery techniques for the Acetone Butanol Ethanol fermentation. Bioresource Technology 2016, 220, 590–600.
  • Coward T, Lee JGM, Caldwell GS. The effect of bubble size on the efficiency and economics of harvesting microalgae by foam flotation. Journal of Applied Phycology 2015, 27(2), 733-742.
  • Jammoal Y, Lee JGM. Drop velocity in a rotating liquid-liquid system. Chemical Engineering Research and Design 2015, 104, 638-646.
  • Coward T, Lee JGM, Caldwell GS. Harvesting microalgae by CTAB-aided foam flotation increases lipid recovery and improves fatty acid methyl ester characteristics. Biomass and Bioenergy 2014, 67, 354-362.
  • Afolabi EA, Lee JGM. An Eulerian-Eulerian CFD simulation of air-water flow in a pipe separator. Journal of Computational Multiphase Flows 2014, 6(2), 133-149.
  • Velasquez-Orta SB, Lee JGM, Harvey A. Evaluation of FAME production from wet marine and freshwater microalgae by in situ transesterification. Biochemical Engineering Journal 2013, 76, 83-89.
  • Coward T, Lee JGM, Caldwell GS. Development of a foam flotation system for harvesting microalgae biomass. Algal Research 2013, 2(2), 135-144.
  • Porwal J, Bangwal D, Garg MO, Kaul S, Harvey AP, Lee JGM, Kasim FH, Eterigho EJ. Reactive-extraction of pongamia seeds for biodiesel production. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research 2012, 71(12), 822-828.
  • Velasquez Orta SB, Lee JGM, Harvey A. Alkaline in situ transesterification of Chlorella vulgaris. Fuel 2012, 94, 544-550.
  • Eterigho EJ, Lee JGM, Harvey AP. Triglyceride cracking for biofuel production using a directly synthesised sulphated zirconia catalyst. Bioresource Technology 2011, 102(10), 6313-6316.
  • Bailes PJ, Lee JGM, Parsons AR. An experimental investigation into the motion of a single drop in a pulsed DC electric field. Chemical Engineering Research and Design 2000, 78(3), 499-505.

• Book Chapter

  • Joel AS, Oko E, Wang M, Ramshaw C, Lee JGM, Wu K, Kim D, Shah N, Ma L, Pourkashanian M. Carbon capture: Application of rotating packed bed technology for intensified postcombustion CO₂ capture based on chemical absorption. In: The Water-Food-Energy Nexus: Processes, Technologies, and Challenges. CRC Press, 2017, pp.457-478.

• Conference Proceedings (inc. Abstracts)

  • Papadopoulos A, Seferlis P, Michailidis N, Stergioudi F, Tsivintzelis I, Papadokonstantakis S, Spoelstra S, Gross K, Schulz R, Dimitriadis G, Intzes K, Kougias I, Ntrenogianni K, Gottfroh A, Jouenne S, Llosa C, Lee J, Hendry J, Adjiman C, Jackson G, Galindo A, Haslam A, Johnson R, Addison R, Raisbeck J, Tsipa F, Hall J, Abdollahi A, Horton R. Scaling-up Of A Highly Modular Rotating Packed Bed Plant With An Efficient Solvent ForCapture Cost Reduction: An Overview of the HiRECORD Project. In: 17th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies (GHGT-17). 2024, Calgary, Canada.
  • Hendry J, Lee J. Miniaturizing amine-based carbon capture with heat-pipe intercooled rotating packed beds. In: 16th International Conference on Greenhouse Gas Control Technologies. 2022, Lyon, France: GHGT.
  • Muhsin WAS, Zhang J, Lee J. Modelling and Optimisation of a Crude Oil Hydrotreating Process Using Neural Networks. In: 19th Conference on Process Integration, Modelling and Optimisation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction (PRES 2016). 2016, Prague: Italian Association of Chemical Engineering.
  • Velasquez-Orta SB, Lee JGM, Harvey AP. Catalytic cracking using ZSM-5 or Zeolite-Y and pyrolysis of Chlorella vulgaris. In: 5th International Conference on Algal Biomass, Biofuels and Bioproducts. 2015, San Diego, USA.
  • Velasquez-Orta SB, Harvey AP, Lee J. Biodiesel production from nannochloropsis occulata by in situ transesterification. In: European Process Intensification Conference. 2011, Manchester, UK: AIChE.

• Note

  • Alkarawi MAS, Caldwell GS, Lee JGM. Corrigendum to “Continuous foam flotation harvesting with enhanced drainage: Overcoming the recovery-enrichment paradox” [Algal Res. 54 (2021), 102203]. Algal Research 2022, 61, 102558.

• Review

  • Caldwell GS, In-na P, Hart R, Sharp E, Stefanova A, Pickersgill M, Walker M, Perry J, Lee JGM. Immobilising microalgae and cyanobacteria as biocomposites: New opportunities to intensify algae biotechnology and bioprocessing. Energies 2021, 14(9), 2566.