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Alexander Jackson

Location
Level 1, Energy Building
Sponsor
Infineum
Primary Supervisor
Professor Kevin Roberts, Chemical & Process Engineering
Qualifications
MChem Chemistry (International), Leeds

Biography

During the third year of his undergraduate degree Alex studied abroad at the University of Newcastle in Australia. Here he experienced a different culture and a course with different focuses. Meeting chemists from across the globe has also given Alex a greater appreciation of the research that takes place internationally.
Alex’s undergraduate research project was with the Meldrum group, where he investigated how the nucleation of crystals can be controlled using surface topography. The aim was to gain a better understanding of the factors affecting nucleation processes.

PhD: Instantaneous versus Progressive Nucleation: Impact on Additive Design

Diesel fuel contains long chain n-alkanes which can phase separate at low temperatures and result in formation of large flat wax crystals. Such wax crystals can block fuel filters which results in fuels starvation and vehicle failure. These problems have become exacerbated by the introduction of biofuel, with thousands of vehicles failing in winter conditions. To-date, these issues have been addressed by developing chemistries to nucleate wax (and hence produce more smaller crystals) and also by introducing polymers which incorporate in a plane of crystallization and hence produce needle-like crystals. Both approaches reduce filter blockages, through modification of crystal structure. However, wax crystals do still form and the possibility of filter blockage and deposit formation throughout the fuel system (including in fuel injectors) does still exist.
If wax nucleation could be effectively understood and controlled, then tailored cold weather properties could be designed. Recent research has highlighted the presence of ordering prior to nucleation of crystals. If the factors affecting such pre-nucleation ordering were understood, it may be possible to prevent (or control) nucleation and hence wax crystal formation. Nucleation of wax then occurs via two possible mechanisms: instantaneous and progressive, which are influenced by the composition of the fuel. The aim of the project will be to develop an understanding of the fundamental principles involved in pre-nucleation ordering of n-alkanes and biofuel components and to link instantaneous and progressive nucleation to the chemical composition of the fuel.

Outreach, training and other activities:

  • Student Helper at IChemE ChemEng Day 2018 (hosted by University of Leeds)
  • Participated in 2018 Summer School in Nottingham, hosted by CDT in Advanced Therapeutics

Masters research project in year 1 of CDT:

  • ‘Decomposition of the Molecular Modelling of Crystalline Energies onto their molecular structures’ with Dr Ian Rosbottom and Professor Kevin Roberts, Chemical & Process Engineering