Tom Butterworth

Email: t.butterworth@shef.ac.uk

Biography

I graduated with an MEng in Chemical and Process Engineering from the University of Sheffield in 2011. For my Masters research project I used COMSOL multiphysics to model laminar flow of gasses in a radial disk reactor. From the data produced I derived an equation linking the Reynolds number and residence time for laminar flow radial reactor. Using this equation I demonstrated the potential for a significant improvement in efficiency of a radial flow microplasma reactor. This project was also the time when I realised I would like to continue with research after my degree.

After much PhD hunting, I realised that the best and most interesting opportunity was right on my doorstep at Sheffield with two great supervisors and an interesting project with a lot of scope for creativity.

Supervisors:

Dr Rachel Elder
Professor Ray Allen

Research group:

Process Fluidics Group

Research interests

I am researching the potential application of non-thermal plasma for the reduction of carbon dioxide and water vapour to produce syngas in order to create synthetic fuels for a carbon neutral fuel cycle. I am currently using a ferroelectric packed bed reactor for these experiments, although I am also interested in the possible application of dielectric barrier discharge and hybrid catalytic reactors.