Research interests

• Experimental and Numerical Study of High-Pressure Adsorption and Desorption of Methane, Ethane And CO2 and Their Mixtures on Shale Gas and depleted reservoirs to Optimize the economics of recovery and storage

Current research

This work will aim at investigating the high pressure adsorption and desorption of Methane, Ethane and CO2 and their mixtures on different samples from different reservoirs. Secondly numerical simulation and modelling of adsorbed gas contribution to overall gas storage and recovery in these reservoirs will be explored. Due to the nonexistence of an adsorption database for shale gas and reservoirs in the UK, this study will provide a basis for providing such a database that could prove useful in accounting for gas storage and recovery in these reservoirs. The results from the study would also prove useful in identifying adsorption models that can adequately predict the adsorption capacities to further enhance numerical studies of gas storage and recoveries. To be able to achieve this aim, the following studies will be conducted:

1. Study the binary and ternary mixtures of methane, ethane and CO2 on several samples from shale gas and gas reservoirs in order to obtain the adsorption and desorption equilibria of these gas affinity regions.

2. Study the effect of several reservoirs characteristics such as porous structure, surface composition and density on the adsorption and desorption behavior of gas mixtures.

3. Study pure gas adsorption and desorption behavior at several temperatures.

4. Study the enthalpy of adsorption of methane, ethane and CO2 on the samples from the reservoirs on the basis of adsorption equilibrium.

5. Study different thermodynamic concepts and determine thermodynamic quantities such as Gibbs free energy, excess and absolute adsorption.

6. Study critical injection pressures at which point CO2 can be injected for Methane recovery and CO2 holding capacity.

7. Develop a mathematical model to predict gases behaviors inside the reservoirs, In relation to Geomechanics and geochemistry

8. Developing an initial economical frame work for Carbon storage.

The successful implementation of this research will serve to first provide useful database for adsorption capacities in the locations of the samples and extrapolated to similar formation. This will make it easy for researchers and engineers to model and design simulation studies involving gas storage and recovery. Also, the results from the study will provide useful guide on enhanced gas recovery options in these reservoirs. For instance, knowledge of binary gas mixtures of Ethane and CO2 can be used in carbon sequestration and as enhanced gas recovery method. Furthermore, the results obtained of adsorption processes at several temperatures would ensure the development of thermal stimulation strategies by the use of more accurate temperature dependent adsorption models that can capture the adsorption rate as a function of both pressure and temperature.

Finally, the output from the research is expected to result in the following- but not limited- publications:

1. Database of Gas adsorption mixtures of shale gas and reservoirs that will enable informed decisions to invest in the development.

2. High pressure adsorption of methane, ethane and CO2 on shale gas reservoirs to enhanced productivity and storage capacity of the filed

3. Evaluation of pure gas adsorption and desorption CO2, methane and ethane and their mixtures on shale gas reservoirs

4. Prediction of gas adsorption mixtures of shale gas reservoirs using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN).

5. The development of an initial commercial economical model based on technical analysis for reservoir Gas storage characteristics.

Past Publications to strengthen capability :

· Fianu, J. S Hassan M. (2019). Comparison of single, binary and temperature dependent adsorption models based on error function analysis. Journal of Oil, Gas and Petrochemical Sciences, 2(2), 77-91.

· Fianu, J., Hassan, M. (2020). Thermal simulation of shale gas recovery involving the use of microwave heating. Journal of Petroleum Science and Engineering, 186, 106768.

· Fianu, J., Hassan, M. (2019). Application of temperature-dependent adsorption models in material balance calculations for unconventional gas reservoirs. Heliyon, 5(5), e01721.

· Gholinezhad, J., Fianu, J. S., & Hassan, M. G. (2018). Challenges in modelling and simulation of shale gas reservoirs. Springer.

Multi-criteria decision-making MCDM is a branch of operations research. Decision making often involves inaccuracies and ambiguities that can be effectively handled using fuzzy sets and fuzzy decision techniques. Much research has been carried out into the theoretical and applied aspects of MCDM and fuzzy in recent years. Most real-world decision problems have several conflicting criteria and goals that need to be considered at the same time. MCDM addresses the need for a number structure in the material selection process. MCDM provides a basis for the selection, classification and prioritization of materials/economic and policy drivers and helps with the overall assessment. The value of information/data VOI is a normative theory (i.e. regarding however individuals ought to decide in a very rational manner) for creating choices concerning data acquisition. Value of information VOI aims to assess the advantages of gathering information before making a decision. The key side of VOI is that the possibility of assessing whether or not it's worthy to amass new information, and this relies on the chance of exploitation of new data to various decisions that may be created otherwise without that information.

Most decision problems in real life have several conflicting criteria and goals that need to be considered at the same time; for example, the compromises necessary to strike a balance between the performance and cost of a car, or between health and the enjoyment of rich foods this can be expanded to chemical properties and performance indicators in material/ process selection and design. Of the many uses for MCDM, the choice of the source is undoubtedly one of the most important. MCDM provides a basis for the selection, classification and prioritization of materials and helps with the overall assessment. The MCDM generally follows six steps, which include formulating problems, identifying requirements, setting goals, identifying various alternatives, establishing criteria, and identifying and applying decision-making techniques

Our research is broken down to two elements that map sustainability wholistic Process design and to Safety and risk analysis.

We are currently operating two projects in this area with the support of the world association for sustainable development WASD

• An integrated decision-making solution for a sustainable Whole Process Design: with the objectives of this project is to develop an effective Multi-Criteria Decision-Making MCDM solution for application in sustainable Whole Process Design (WPD) that includes the fuzzy nature of data refined through assessing the Value of Information VOI
• Intelligent prediction, monitoring and decision-making for risk in the chemical and energy industries: The research aim is to create a decision-making system to investigate ways to alleviate risks in Chemical and Energy Industries.  A predictive system based on trend analysis of historic data to determine the probable future condition of trait ‘states’ and so predict potential situations that may lead to catastrophe.

1. Sustainable Reactors (MSc)
2. Professional Aspect of Chemical Engineering (MSc)
3. Group Desing Project for Chemical Engineers (MSc)
4. Desing and computing (B/MEng Chemical Engineering)
5. Principles of Chemical Engineering (B/MEng Chemical Engineering)
6. Heat and Mass Transfer (B/MEng Chemical Engineering) 

Mohamed is an experienced academic with a demonstrated history of working in higher education and industry for 20 years. Skilled in Chemical and Energy systems, a Chartered Energy Engineer From the Energy Institute in the UK and a Chartered Engineer from the Institute of Engineering and Technology in the UK.  He developed and taught a range of Energy and Chemical Engineering courses at the undergraduate, master's and doctoral levels in Kuwait, Saudi, Egypt and the UK. A strong engineering professional with over 95 publications and several book contributions supervised 20 PhD projects to conclusion. Mohamed holds a PhD in Chemical Engineering from Loughborough University and TAFE diploma focused on Education. A Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK. And several certifications in Engineering Management, and innovation.

Mohamed Developed the Energy and Petroleum courses at the Australian College in Kuwait then became an Associate Professor for 6 years at the American University in Cairo, where he helped in developing the Energy and Petroleum engineering courses leading to ABET accreditation, and participated in the Education Development Program for Egyptian Universities and has previously taught at Suez Canal University and many other private universities such as the British University in Egypt. Mohamed Developed and Lead the course in Energy and Petroleum Engineering at the University of Portsmouth for six years achieving accreditation through the Engineering Council in the UK. Mohamed also held visiting post at King Khalid University in Saud Arabia developing distance learning and the Academy of Banking and Finance in Sudan. Mohamed has many roles as an External Examiner for several universities in the UK and Africa. 

Mohamed’s current role is the Founder and Director of Chemical Engineering programs at the University of Southampton. His research interests are in the areas of environmental development, integrating Green Chemistry principles to multi-criteria decision-making MCDM using AI and predictive models & techniques for a sustainable Whole chemical Process Design as well as Intelligent prediction, monitoring and decision-making for risk in the chemical and energy industries.

Prizes