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