Research Interests:

Dr Pullammanappallil’s expertise and research interests are in the areas of process design, modelling, optimisation and control with applications in fuel production. He has carried out research on pyrolysis, and bioprocesses for methane and hydrogen production. He has developed processes for biogasification using solid and liquid organic waste feedstocks, and has experience with full-scale installations, including design, construction and commissioning of a sewage treatment plant utilizing biosolids; trouble shooting operation of brewery wastewater treatment plant; design, construction and operation of 5000m3 landfill cells for municipal solid waste; and design and operation of an integrated system for biogas production from animal manure. He has designed, developed, constructed and operated a laboratory scale apparatus for rapid pyrolysis and gasification of coal and oil shales as part of a DOE project and has carried out modelling of pyrolysis and gasification processes. He has consulted for Environmental Solution International Ltd. and Brighstar Environmental on their biosolids pyrolysis (Perth, Australia) and municipal solid waste gasification (Wollongong, Australia) processes respectively. He is an active member in national and international professional bodies. He contributed to International Water Association’s Task group on Anaerobic Digestion Model No.1 and convened the ORBIT (Association for Organic Recovery and Biological Treatment) 2003 international conference on biological processing of organics. He is on the editorial board of Environmental Technology and referees publications for Biotechnology & Bioengineering, Waste Management and Research, Water Research, Water Science and Technology, Journal of Bioprocessing of Solid Waste and sludge, Computers and Chemical Engineering, Waste Management and Horticultural Science. He has authored 56 papers in peer-reviewed international journals and conferences, 29 papers in international conference proceedings, 15 technical reports and 3 book chapters reflecting his extensive experience gained from the many research projects and consultancies he has undertaken.