Catalysis and chemical reaction engineering lie at the core of many chemical and biochemical processes. Research activities cover the fundamental catalyst design, through formulation and catalyst manufacture, to operational issues and reactor design.  The group aims to optimize reactor type, design and operating conditions to get the best performance and product selectivity in a particular reaction.  Application areas have recently concentrated on circular economy including chemical recycling of renewable and traditional polymers, as well as the energy transition, including capture of carbon dioxide from power station flue gases, upgrading of waste plastic pyrolysis oil, bio-oil and related model compounds.  Funded research projects currently active within the group include:

A Scalable Process for the Chemical Recycling of PET using Ionic Organocatalysts (EPSRC):  This project aims to address the current drawbacks of existing  Polyethylene Terephthalate  (PET) polymer recycling methods by developing a scalable, continuous process for its depolymerisation.  In particular, to study the effect of polymer additives and food contaminants in real wastes upon the depolymerisation, to understand how the catalyst/process can be made resilient to these issues, and develop strategies for efficient product separation.  We are collaborating with the group of Prof. Andrew Dove at Chemistry, University of Birmingham.

Catalytic Microwave Process for Upgrading of Pyrolysis Liquids from Ubiquitous Plastic Wastes:  In Catawave we aim to develop a robust and energy efficient process to upgrade pyrolysis liquids derived from a range of plastic waste streams. To do this we bring together several novel requisite technologies, which will include specially developed catalysts made from wastes, microwave heating and induction heating. The upgraded oil products will be characterised using a range of techniques, with aim to increase the value of products, including upscaling to meet standards required for drop-in fuels.

Thermally Responsive Supports for Enhanced Efficiency in PET Depolymerisation: This project aims to create solutions to develop supported catalysts and separation technologies to enable a scaled-up process for PET depolymerisation, which could potentially be deployed industrially. Catalyst supports will be developed based on thermally responsive polymers, which can be solubilised to contact the reacting mixture, or solidified via simple temperature cycling to aid recovery by filtration.

Co-creating a digital platform for the rapid development of sustainable polymer products:  The twin-screw extrusion process used by Aquapak is complex and difficult to predict scalability.  The goal of the present project led by Dr Windows-Yule is to alleviate these issues through the co-creation of a new, digital approach to development, scale-up and optimisation. Through this approach, the team will help widen and expedite the adoption of Aquapak's products and thus, in the long term, play a small but significant role in reducing plastic waste, and thus helping to fight the wider climate crisis.

CDT Geo Net Zero:  The Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) entitled GeoNetZero is a new program of PhD research and training set up to address key areas in Geoscience and their role in the Low Carbon Energy Transition and Challenge of Net Zero.  We are part of the programme led by Heriot Watt University.

Recently Completed Projects:

EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Carbon Capture and Storage and Cleaner Fossil Energy

Novel Membrane Catalytic Reactor for Waste Polylactic Acid Recycling and Valorisation (EPSRC) with University of Bath

Electromagnetically-assisted Catalytic-upgrading of Heavy Oil (ECHO) (EPSRC) with University of Nottingham

Reaction-Separation Engineering for the Production of Bio-based Chemicals (UK Catalysis Hub) with University of Bath

Joe Wood qualified with a BEng degree in Chemical Engineering with Environmental Protection from Loughborough University in 1995. He worked at Albright and Wilson in Whitehaven from 1995-97 as a Graduate Chemical Engineer. He then studied for a PhD at the University of Cambridge, with thesis topic Transport and Reaction in Porous Catalysts under the supervision of Professor Lynn Gladden, which was awarded in 2001. Since 2001 he has worked at the University of Birmingham as Lecturer (2001-2008), Senior Lecturer (2008-2010), Reader (2010-2012) and Professor (2012-Present).

Professor Wood held a Junior Research Fellowship at Hughes Hall Cambridge from 1998-2000 and a Teaching Fellowship from 2004-2007.

Professor Wood’s research focuses on the application of catalysis and reactor engineering to solve problems of energy supply, environmental concerns and to deliver chemical products in a more sustainable way.

He teaches on Chemical Engineering programmes in the School, is Examinations Officer and IChemE Liaison Officer.

• Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, University of Birmingham, 2003
• CEng, MIChemE, Institution of Chemical Engineers, 2002, FIChemE 2018.
• PhD in Chemical Engineering, University of Cambridge, 2001
• BEng in Chemical Engineering with Environmental Protection, University of Loughborough, 1995
• Diploma in Industrial Studies, Loughborough University, 1995