Dr. Thawatchai Maneerung

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Personal Particulars

Research Fellow

Email: TManeerung@gmail.com

Personal Website

Education

Ph.D. , Chemical Engineering, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 2012.

M.Sc., Polymer Science, Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand, 2007

B. Eng., Petrochemical and Polymeric Materials (1st Class Honour), Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Thailand, 2005.

Work expeiences

2006-2007: Master Research, The Petroleum and Petrochemical College, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand (Research Topic: Molecular design and fabrication of metal nanoparticles/biopolymer composite membrane for medical application)

2007-2011: Graduate Teaching Assistant, Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, National University of Singapore (Lab demonstrator, tutor, and grader)

2013-Present: Research Fellow, Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore (Research Topic: Biomass Gasification in Clean Energy)

Honours/Awards

2015, Invited speaker (Speech Title: Waste-to-Energy: Biomass/Solid Waste Gasification for Clean Energy Production), Asia Gasification Forum (Chiang Mai, Thailand).

2007-2012, Graduate (Ph.D) Fellowship Research Scholar, National University of Singapore.

Jan. 2011, One of the Top Ten Cited Articles 2008-2010 (Carbohydrate Polymers 72 (2008) p.43¨C51); Rewarded by Elsevier Publisher.

Aug. 2007, PhD (Research) Scholarship, National University of Singapore, Singapore

May 2005, Master Degree Scholarship, Petroleum & Petrochemical College, Thailand

Mar. 2005, 1st Class Honour, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Jan. 2004, Outstanding Student, Silpakorn University, Thailand

Knowledge and Experiences

  1. Catalysts & Adsorbents: Synthesis, characterization and applications of nanostructured catalysts and adsorbents for chemical reaction and adsorption processes.
  2. Membranes Science & Technology: Development of hollow fiber membranes for separation and/or chemical reactions.
  3. Waste-to-Energy Technology: Conversion of biomass and solid wastes into BioEnergy.
  4. Polymer Science & Technology: Synthesis, processing, surface modification and characterizations of polymeric materials.
  5. Application and interpretation of complementary analytical techniques, e.g. SEM, TEM, FTIR, XRD, XPS, UV-Visible spec., ICP-MS, HPLC, TGA, GC-MS and etc.

Trainings

Chemical safety training; Electrical and Mechanical Hazard course; Personal Protective Equipment training; Laboratory Risk Assessment training

Research Grants

Conversion of Solid Residues from Coal Combustion Facilities and Carbon Soot to High Value Products. (Co-Principal Investigator) Supposed by SembCorp Industries Ltd and National Research Foundation (NRF). S$ 1.7 Million, Jan. 2016 to Jan. 2018.

Research Interests

I have a strong interest in two inter-related research areas including:

(i) biomass and solid wastes gasification for clean energy production and conversion of solid the residues left after the gasification process into beneficial materials; (ii) design and synthesis of nanostructured catalytic materials for heterogeneous catalysis and (iii) development of inorganic hollow fiber membranes for high temperature gas separation and Catalytic Membrane Reactor (or Reactive-Separation Membrane Reactor) applications.

(i) Biomass and Solid Wastes Gasification for Clean Energy Production and Conversion of Fly and Bottom Ashes into High Value Materials

As Singapore is an energy import society, energy security is one of the most important issues. By recovery energy from solid waste materials such as “waste” woody biomass and other solid wastes which need to be disposed in every single day, it would reduce the dependence on imported fuel and raise the level of energy self-sufficiency. GASIFICATION, whereby biomass and solid wastes is converted to synthesis gas (mixture of H2 and CO), therefore provides an attractive alternative process to traditional combustion process as the reducing (or oxygen-deficient) atmosphere in gasifier does not provide environment required for those toxic gases to be formed, and hence preventing the aforesaid problems of incineration.

Figure 1 shows (a) biomass gasification process for clean energy production and (b) co-gasification of sewage sludge and wood wastes [Reproduced from Z. Ong, Y. Cheng, T. Maneerung et al., AIChE Journal 2015, DOI: 10.1002/aic.14836]

Currently, we mainly focus on the development of the biomass and solid waste gasification process for syngas and/or electricity production. The gasification and/or co-gasification of several solid wastes including woody biomass, sewage sludge, manures and food wastes have been investigated successfully. Our developed system has been successfully used to convert those solid wastes into producer gas, including 30 to 50 vol. % of syngas (CO and H2) and other gases, which can be directly used to produce electricity. Table 1 shows gas composition during co-gasification of sewage sludge and wood chips.

Table 1 Gas composition during co-gasification of sewage sludge and wood chips

Moreover, we have also collaborated with the local industrial partner (i.e. Leong Siew Weng Engineering (LSWE) Pte Ltd.) to develop the pilot scale of downdraft gasification for co-production of “bio-char” and “electricity” from wood wastes, as shown in Figure 2. This downdraft gasifier consumes the biomass or solid waste up to 1.5 tons per hour with the conversion efficiency up to 75%, producing the gaseous product (which contains CO 21 ± 3%, H2 20 ± 2%, CO2 10 ± 3% and CH4 ~3%) and 7 – 10% of ash (dry basis).

Figure 2 shows pilot-scale (1M watts) gasification system (Collaboration between NUS and LSWE Ptd. Ltd.)

Furthermore, the disposal of solid residual wastes (e.g. ashes and char) left after the gasification process is also one of our concerns as these materials mainly contain some harmful and toxic inorganic compounds as well as heavy metals. As a result, disposal of the solid residual wastes left after the gasification process may create grave risks to human health as well as environment. Majority of ashes is dumped or used in low-valued methods such as using as a land-fill material. However, the cost of landfilling is now dramatically increasing due to the presence of toxic compounds, strict environmental regulations and limited availability of landfill space, especially in land-limited countries likes Singapore. From those points of view, it is essential to develop beneficial uses of ashes and char to solve the concerns associated with the disposal of those solid residual wastes.

Figure 3 Utilization of solid residue wastes from gasification process as source of catalysts and adsorbent materials. [Reproduced from T. Maneerung et al., Energy Conversion and Management, 92 (2015) 234–243]

Recently, we have successfully developed the “CaO catalysts” and “activated carbon” from bottom ash and char produced from waste woods gasification. The CaO catalysts can be effectively used for biodiesel production via transesterification, while the activated carbon can be employed for dye removal from wastewater, as shown in Figure 3. Moreover, the wood ash containing those basic compounds can also be used as a catalyst support for catalytic steam reforming reactions as the basic compound remarkably promotes the adsorption of water, enhancing performance of the catalysts. Therefore, we have also developed the nano-catalytic materials from this wood ash and used for catalytic steam reforming of tar into syngas, as tar is one of the most unpleasant from gasification and it tends to deposit in the reactor and intake valves causing sticking and troublesome operations. The utilization of ash and char as sources of the catalytic and adsorbent materials not only provides a cost-effective and environmental friendly way of recycling the solid residue from gasification process, reducing the environmental problems related to their disposal, but also produces beneficial and high value materials, making the overall gasification process more economic efficient.
Moreover, we have also collaborated with incineration plants in Singapore, which are now facing the difficulty in disposing massive amount of coal-based fly ash, for developing the valuable materials, such as “Zeolite” and “Mesoporous Silica materials”, from coal fly ash, as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 Utilization of coal fly ash as a source of Zeolite and Mesoporous silica oxide materials.

(ii) Heterogeneous Catalytic Materials for Energy and Environmental Applications

My works in this area are wide-ranging from catalyst synthesis to characterizations by using several complementary techniques [e.g. Microscopies (SEM and TEM), UV-Vis spectroscopy, N2-Physisorption and H2-Chemisorption analyses, XRD, XPS, GC-MS, ICPMS, Temperature Programmed (TPO/TPR/TPD) analyses, Thermal analysis, etc.] and evaluation of catalytic performance. Moreover, in-situ DRIFTS analysis was also applied for the surface adsorption and surface reaction studies in order to understand the roles of each catalytic component. Various types of heterogeneous catalyst have been developed (as shown in Figure 5) and employed for heterogeneous catalysis including methane reforming, water-gas shift reaction, biomass gasification, biodiesel production, and DeNOx reactions

Figure 5 shows the nanostructured catalytic materials developed for heterogeneous catalysis [Reproduced from T. Maneerung et. al., International Journal of Hydrogen Energy, 37 (2012) p.11195; Catalysis Today, 171 (2011) p.24; Energy Conversion and Management, 92 (2015) p. 234].

(iii) Inorganic membranes for high temperature gas separation and Catalytic Membrane Reactors (or reactive-separation membrane reactors) applications

This work involves: (1) membrane fabrication processes (i.e., phase-inversion spinning, sintering, and electroless plating); (2) membrane characterizations using complementary techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, and three point bending (mechanical strength) testing; and (3) evaluation of separation performance. I am particularly interested in the development of ultrathin palladium and palladium-alloy membranes and their applications in hydrogen separation at high temperatures ranging from 100°C to 700°C. Recently, I have successfully developed ultrathin (less than 1 micron) palladium-silver alloy membranes coated on the interior surface of porous ceramic hollow fiber membrane supports (as shown in Figure 6). The internal coating can significantly improve mechanical stability of the palladium-silver alloy membranes. This is because of high thermal-expansion of palladium-silver alloy, causing palladium-silver alloy to penetrate into the small pores on the support surface which helps to anchor the palladium-silver alloy membrane with the support.

Figure 6 shows the internally coated Pd-Ag alloy membrane for hydrogen separation at high temperature [Reproduced from T. Maneerung et al., Journal of Membrane Science 452 (2014) 127–142

This work also involves the development of novel Catalytic Membrane Reactor (CMR) – whereby “catalytic reaction” for generating hydrogen gas and “separation process” for isolating hydrogen from the residual gases through palladium-based membrane simultaneously takes place in the same device – in a structure of triple-layer hollow fiber membrane (as shown in Figure 7). The developed triple-layer hollow fiber membrane is employed as a catalytic membrane reactor for coupled hydrogen production and purification from hydrocarbon reforming.

Figure 7 shows the production of pure H2 in the developed triple-layers catalytic membrane reactor via catalytic decomposition of methane [Reproduced from S. Kawi, K. Hidajat, T. Maneerung, US. Patent, WO 2013133771 A1, 2013]

Patents

Kawi, K. Hidajat, and T. Maneerung, “Catalytic hollow fiber Membrane Reactors for Hydrogen Production”, US patent no. US 20150298102 A1, 2015

Journal Publications

    1. P. Dong, T. Maneerung, N.W. Cheng, X. Zhen, Y. Dai, Y.W. Tong, Y-P. Ting, K.S. Nuo, C-H. Wang, K.G. Neoh, “Chemically treated carbon black waste and its potential applications”, Journal of Hazardous Materials 321 (2017) 62–72.
    2. T. Maneerung, S. Kawi, Y. Dai, C.-H. Wang, “Sustainable biodiesel production via transesterification of waste cooking oil by using CaO catalysts prepared from chicken manure”, Energy Conversion and Management 123 (2016) p. 487–497.
    3. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi, “Triple-layer catalytic hollow fiber membrane reactor for hydrogen production via catalytic decomposition of methane”, Journal of Membrane Science 514 (2016) p. 1–14.
    4. T. Maneerung, J. Liew, Y. Dai, S. Kawi, C. Cheong, C.-H. Wang, “Activated carbon derived from carbon residue from biomass gasification and its application for dye adsorption: Kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic studies”, Bioresource Technology 200 (2016) p. 350–359.
    5. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi, “Co-production of hydrogen and carbon nanofibers from catalytic decomposition of methane over LaNi(1−x)MxO3−α perovskite (where M = Co, Fe and X = 0, 0.2, 0.5, 0.8, 1)”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 40 (2015) p.13399–13411.
    6. T. Maneerung, S. Kawi, C.-H. Wang, “Biomass gasification bottom ash as a source of CaO catalyst for biodiesel production via transesterification of palm oil”, Energy Conversion and Management 92 (2015) 234–243.
    7. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi, “Ultrathin (<1 μm) Pd-Ag alloy films supported on internal surface of YSZ-mixed Al2O3 hollow fiber membrane for high temperature H2 separation”, Journal of Membrane Science 452 (2014) P. 127–142.
    8. Z. Ong, Y. Cheng, T. Maneerung, Z. Yao, Y. Dai, Y. W. Tong, C.-H. Wang, “Co-gasification of woody biomass and sewage sludge in a fixed-bed downdraft gasifier”, AIChE Journal 61 (2015) p. 2508-2521.
    9. L. Rong, T. Maneerung, J. C. Ng, K.G. Neoh, B. H. Bay, Y.W. Tong, Y. Dai, C.-H. Wang, “Co-gasification of sewage sludge and woody biomass in a downdraft gasifier: Toxicity assessment of solid residues”, Waste Management 36 (2015) p. 241–255.
    10. W. Thitsartarn, T. Maneerung, S. Kawi, “Highly active and durable Ca-doped Ce-SBA-15 catalyst for biodiesel production”, Energy 89 (2015) p. 946–956.
    11. K. Sutthiumporn, T. Maneerung, Y. Kathiraser, and S. Kawi, “CO2 dry-reforming of methane over La0.8Sr0.2Ni0.8M0.2O3 perovskite (M = Bi, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe): Roles of lattice oxygen on C–H activation and carbon”, International Journal of Hydrogen Energy 37 (2012) p.11195–11207.
    12. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi, “LaNiO3 perovskite catalyst precursor for rapid decomposition of methane: Influence of temperature and presence of H2 in feed stream”, Catalysis Today 171 (2011) p.24–35.
    13. T. Maneerung, S. Tokura, and R. Rujiravanit, “Impregnation of silver nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose for antimicrobial wound dressing”, Carbohydrate Polymers 72 (2008) p.43–51.
    14. W. Sricharussin, C. Sopajaree, T. Maneerung & N. Sangsuriy, “Modification of cotton fabrics with β-cyclodextrin derivative for aroma finishing” The Journal of The Textile Institute 100 (2009) p. 682-687. T. Maneerung , J. Liew, Y. Dai, K. Sibudjing, CH. Wang, Activated carbon derived from carbon residue from biomass gasification and its application for dye adsorption: kinetics, isotherms and thermodynamic studies, Bioresource Technology 2015 (under revision).

Conference Presentations

  1. T. Maneerung, R. Rujiravanit, and S. Tokura (2007) “Preparation of bacterial cellulose impregnated with silver nanoparticles as antimicrobial wound dressing”, International Conference on Materials for Advanced Technologies 2007, July 2007, Singapore
  2. T. Maneerung, S.Tokura, R. Rujiravanit (2007) “Impregnation silver nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose as antimicrobial wound dressing”, International Symposium in Science and Technology at Kansai University 2007- Collaboration between ASEAN Countries in Environment and Life Science, August 2007, Osaka, Japan
  3. T. Maneerung, S.Tokura, R. Rujiravanit (2007) “Impregnation silver nanoparticles into bacterial cellulose for antimicrobial and controlled extrudate wound dressing”, Chemeca 2007, September 2007, Victoria, Australia
  4. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi (2009), “Lanthanum nickelate-perovskite-type oxide:  Catalyst for production of COX-free hydrogen and carbon nanotubes from decomposition of methane”, 21st North American Meeting, June 2009, San Francisco, USA
  5. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi (2010), “K-doped LaNiO3 perovskite-type oxide catalyst for production of carbon nanotubes from CO2 hydrogenation”, 239th ACS National Meeting & Exposition, March 2010, San Francisco, USA
  6. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, S. Kawi (2010), “LaNi1-xMxO3 (M = Fe, Co and 0 ≤ X ≤ 1) perovskite for co-production of carbon nanotubes and COX-free hydrogen from methane decomposition, 9th Novel Gas Conversion Symposium, June 2010, Lyon, France
  7. T. Maneerung, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi (2011), “Novel triple-layer catalytic membrane reactor for producing pure hydrogen via catalytic decomposition of methane”, 22nd North American Meeting, June 2011, Detroit, USA
  8. T. Maneerung, E.T. Saw, K. Hidajat, and S. Kawi (2012), “Role of potassium for high-temperature water-gas shift over K-doped LaNiO3 perovskite catalyst precursor”, 15th International Congress on Catalysis, July 2012, Munich, Germany
  9. T. Maneerung, Y. Cheng, X. Jiang, Y. Zhanyu, K. G. Neoh, C.-H. Wang, “Waste-to-Energy Gasification Technology for Clean Energy Production” Clean Environment Summit Singapore, June 2014
  10. T. Maneerung, R. Le, S. Kawi, K. G. Neoh, T. Y. Wah, C.-H. Wang, “Utilization of Bottom Ash arising from Woody Biomass Gasification” Clean Environment Summit Singapore, June 2014
  11. T. Maneerung, K. G. Neoh, C.-H. Wang, “Solid Waste to Clean Energy through Gasification”, 13th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, HES-SO – Geneva – Switzerland, 25th – 28th August 2014.
  12. T. Maneerung, P. Dong, Z. Yang, Z. Yao, K. G. Neoh, C.-H. Wang, “Biomass and Solid Waste Gasification for Clean Energy Production: Experimental and Simulation Studies” AIChE Annual meeting (Particle Technology Forum), Atlanta, USA , November 2014
  13. T. Maneerung, Z. Yang, S. Kawi, C.-H. Wang, “Utilization of Solid Residual Wastes Arising from Woody Biomass Gasification” AIChE Annual meeting (Environmental Division), Atlanta – USA , 16th  – 21st   November 2014
  14. T. Maneerung, S. Kawi and C.-H. Wang, “Chicken Manure As Heterogeneous CaO Catalysts for Biodiesel Production from Transesterification of Waste Cooking Oil” AIChE Annual meeting (Catalysis and Reaction Engineering (CRE) Division), Atlanta – USA , 16th  – 21st   November 2014
  15. S. Li, W. Zhang, S. N. Lee, L. Rong, T. Maneerung, Chi-Hwa Wang, Koon Gee Neoh, “Detection of toxic substances in environmental samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and metabolomics”, 2015 American Society for Mass Spectrometry meeting.
  16. P. Dong, T. Maneerung, Z. Yang, Y. Shen, X. Kan, Z. Yao, K. G. Neoh, Y. W. Tong, C. Chong, C.-H. Wang, “Co-gasification of Woody Biomass and Solid Waste for Clean Energy Production” 14th International Conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, Nottingham, UK, 25th – 27th August 2015.
  17. T. Maneerung, J. Liew, S. Kawi, Y. Dai and C.-H. Wang, “Preparation and Characterizations of Activated Carbon from Char Produced from Woody Biomass Gasification and Its Application for Dye Removal” AIChE Annual meeting, Salt Lake City, USA, November 2015.
  18. T. Maneerung, S. Kawi, Y. Dai, C.-H. Wang, “Sustainable biodiesel production via transesterification of waste cooking oil by using heterogeneous CaO catalysts developed from chicken manure”, 15th International conference on Sustainable Energy Technologies, Singapore, 19th – 22nd July 2016.
  19. T. Maneerung, D. Pengwei, H.S. Wah, S. Irawaty, K. Sibudjing, K.G. Neoh, C.-H. Wang, “Reutilization of Coal Fly Ash for the Production of Highly Beneficial Products” 2016 AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, USA, November 2016, T. Maneerung , J. Liew, K. Sibudjing, Y. Dai, C-H. Wang, Preparation and characterizations of activated carbon from char produced from woody biomass gasification and its application for dye removal, AIChE Annual meeting (November 2015) Salt Lake City, Utah, USA

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