2006 Graduate Catalog and 2005 Annual R & D Report - Sirindhorn ...

2006 Graduate Catalog and 2005 Annual R & D Report
Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology (SIIT)
Research Interests:
With a background in mechanical engineering and
energy technology, research activities and interests
include both energy equipment design, development
and applications, as well as energy system planning
and management.
Energy conservation and management in
industries and in large commercial buildings in
Thailand is an area which still needs a lot of research.
The main topics include energy analysis of potential
savings, thermal energy storage (cool/ice storage) for
air-conditioning system, cogeneration system for
industries which require both heat and electricity
simultaneously, industrial waste heat recovery and
evaporative cooling.
The transportation sector accounts for about 45% of
total energy demand in Thailand and, in addition,
fuels used are mainly from imported petroleum. This
not only affects the country economy but burning
fossil fuels also produces air pollution as well as CO 2
which is a main greenhouse gas emission. Research
topics under investigation include the development of
Bangkok driving modes for various types of vehicles,
assessment of the use of catalytic converters in
gasoline cars, and the effects of using vegetable oils
in diesel engines.
Another field of research to be mentioned is
concerned with solar energy; both thermal and
electrical applications. Interesting topics under
consideration are the design and development of low
cost solar water heaters using local materials, solarphotovoltaic
refrigerators for use in remote areas
where electricity from the utility grid is not available,
modeling of solar PV/thermal systems under various
types of applications, development of standard
methods for testing solar energy equipment, software
packages for optimum sizing of solar energy systems.
Dr. Thananchai Leephakpreeda
Associate Professor
B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand
M.S. & Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, The University of Akron, Ohio, USA
Areas of Specialization: Process control and modeling, Robotics, Expert control system, Neural networks
and fuzzy logics, Process identification, Numerical simulation and optimization.
Resarch Interest:
Mechatronics in Application-oriented Control
The primary research interests cover mechatronics in
application-oriented control for practical implementation
in process modeling and control as well as
design and optimization. The current topics include
optimal control for air condition, and novel techniques
for computational intelligence in system and control
engineering, etc.
Dr. Vladimir I. Kuprianov
Associate Professor
Honors Diploma of Engineer (Equiv. to B.Eng. & M.Eng.) in Mechanical Engineering, Moscow Power
Engineering Institute (MPEI), Russia
D.Eng. in Steam Boilers & Steam Generators, MPEI, Russia
Areas of Specialization: Thermal power plants; Boiler and furnace technology; Combustion and emission
control in boilers fired with fossil fuels; Fluidized bed combustion (FBC) of biomass residues and wastes;
Assessment of environmental impacts by thermal power plants and FBC systems.
Research Interests:
Analysis and Improvement of Thermal Efficiency
and Environmental Performance of Boiler Units
In many countries, fossil fuels of relatively low quality
(e.g. lignite) and/or high-calorific fuels with elevated
contents of fuel-S and fuel-N are used for power
generation. Such a situation results in significant
environmental impacts by the pollutants discharged
from the boilers of different power plants.
Implementation of least-cost methods for the
improvement of thermal efficiency and environmental
performance of operating utilities seems to be the
most attractive way for energy conservation as well
as mitigating environmental impacts by the power
producers. Research works relevant to this objective
include various aspects, such as: (1) exploring
technological options for the improvement of the
thermal efficiency and environmental performance of
existing boiler units; (2) optimization of key operating
variables affecting the combustion process in the
boiler furnace when firing distinct fuels and/or fuel
blends; (3) optimal load dispatching over the boiler
units of a power plant. Additionally, through modeling
the emission rates of different pollutants (NO x , CO 2 ,
CO, SO x , PM, trace elements) discharged from
distinct boiler units, reliable data for the assessment
of environmental impacts by a power plant can be
obtained for various fuel options taking into account
actual unit operating conditions and power
outputs.
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