Gupta, Ashwani K.

Distinguished University Professor
Minta Martin Professor of Engineering
Professor, Institute of Physical Science and Technology
Affiliate Professor, Dept . of Aerospace Engineering

Mechanical Engineering
Maryland Energy Innovation Institute
Aerospace Engineering

2159 Glenn L. Martin Hall, Building 088

akgupta@umd.edu

301-405-5276

View CV

Website(s):
https://enme.umd.edu/combustion/
Combustion Lab
Wikipedia

EDUCATION

Ph.D., 1973, University of Sheffield, UK
D.Sc., 1986, University of Sheffield, UK
D.Sc., 2013, Southampton University, UK

BACKGROUND

Professor Ashwani K. Gupta has been a faculty member in the Mechanical Engineering Department at the University of Maryland, College Park since 1983, following six years at MIT as a member of the research staff in the Energy Laboratory and Department of Chemical Engineering, and three years at Sheffield University as an independent research worker and research fellow in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Fuel Technology. He has 45+ years of experience in Combustion engineering since his graduation from Southampton University in 1970. He has authored/co-authored over 850 technical papers, three books, 18 edited books, and 22 book chapters. In 2023, Gupta was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), UK. In 2020, he was elected to Honrary Fellowship of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), UK, the highest professional recognition bestowed by the RAeS. He is currently Honorary Fellow of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), and Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics AIAA), Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) and the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), and American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (ASTFE), and Member of the European Academy of Sciences and Arts (EASA). In 2022, Gupta was included in the top 2% of the scientists in the world by Stanford University which includes the researchers who receive the most citations across all academic fields. More about Dr. Gupta on his Wikipedia.

HONORS AND AWARDS

Fellow, Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng), UK (2023)
Top 2% of the Scientists in the world published by Stanford University (2022)
Honorary Fellow of Royal Aeronautical Society, RAeS U.K (2020).
Honorary Member (Fellow) of American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2016)
Honoris Causa Doctorate, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee (2014)
Honoris Causa Doctorate, King Mungkut University of Technology North Bangkok, Bestowed by the Princess of Thailand (2014)
Honoris Causa Doctorate, University of Derby, UK (2015)
Fellow of American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (1991), American Society of Mechanical Engineers (2000), Society of Automotive Engineers (2007), American Association for the Advancement of Science (2016), and American Society of Thermal and Fluids Engineers (2024)
Member, European Academy of Science and Arts, EASA (2021)
AIAA Energy Systems Award (1990)
ASME George Westinghouse Gold Medal (1998)
AIAA Propellants and Combustion Award (1999)
ASME James Harry Potter Gold Medal Award (2003)
University of Maryland President Kirwan Research Award (2003)
ASME James N. Landis Medal (2004)
University of Maryland A. James Clark School of Engineering Outstanding Research Award (2006)
ASME Worcester Reed Warner Medal (2008)
Distinguished University Professor (2008)
ASME Holly Medal (2010)
ASME-AIM Percey Nichols Award (2011)
AIAA Air Breathing Propulsion Award (2014)
ASEE Ralph Coats Roe Award (2015)
ASME Honorary Member/Fellow (2016)
AIAA Pendary Aerospace Literature Award (2017)
ASME Sochiro Honda Medal (2018)
ASME Dixy Lee Ray award (2021)
Seven Best Paper Awards by AIAA (in 1987, 1989, 1992, 1994, 2006, 2010 & 2010) and three by ASME (in 1991, 1997 & 2003)
Delivered 90+ Plenary/Keynote/Invited presentations at international conferences and organizations during the past 20 years

PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS

Ediotr in Chief of Intl. J. Energy for a Clean Environment (IJECE)
Editor in Chief of APEC Youth Scientist Journal
Associate Editor of ASME Journal of Energy Resources Technology
Associate Editor of Journal of Applied Energy
Associate Editor of International Fuel Sprays and Combustion Dynamics
Associate Editor of Journal of Sustainable Energy and Environment
Editor, Energy and Engineering Science Series, CRC Press
Associate Editor, J. Prop. and Power
Chair, Board of Boiler Rules, State of Maryland
Chair, ASME Fuels and Combustion Tech. Division (1998-2000)
Chair of ASME FACT Section, Power Division (2017-present)
Executive Committee Member, ASME Computers and Information in Engineering Division (1999-2000)
Director of Propulsion and Energy, and Member of Board of Directors, AIAA (2006-2012)
Deputy Directr of Energy, AIAA (2000-2007, and 2018-present)
Oversight Chair, International Conference on Incineration and Thermal Treatment Technologies (IT3)

Swirl flows
Combustion
Sprays
High-temperature air combustion (HiTAC)
Distributed combustion
Sulfur chemistry and sulfur removal from acid gases in natural gas
Biofuels / fuel reforming
CO2 use for fuels and value-added products
Microcombustion
Alternative fuels/ Biofuels
Air pollution
High intensity gas turbine combustion / Green combustion turbine
Thermal destruction of solid and liquid wastes
Gasification and pyrolysis
Supercritical and near critical CO2 liquifaction of biomass to liquid fuels
Waste & Biomass comnversion to value added products using CO2
Sensors and diagnostics
Internal combustion engines
Fouling and deposition
Non-intrusive laser diagnostics
Hypersonics - non-intrusive flow diagnostics

High Temperature Energy Systems (HiTES), Gasification, Pyrolysis, Colorless Distributed Combustion, Micro-combustion, Biofuels, Air toxins, Combustion, Laser Diagnostics, Sulfur recovery from acid gases present in natural gas and oils, High intensity gas turbnie combustuon, CO2 utilization, Supercritical & Near critical liquifaction of low grade feedstocks to liquid biofuels, Near Critical Integrated liquefaction and Extraction (NILE) proces, Waste and biomass conversion to fuels and high value-added products, Biomass char to activated carbon conversion, Swirl flows, Noise emisson and reduction from flames, Precessinf Vortex Cores (PVC) in swirl flows, MHD, High intensity gas turbine combustion, and Hydrogen production from hydrocarbons

Thermo-Fluid Courses

2024

Mavukwana, A. E, Burra, K. G., Sempuga, C., Castaldi, M., and Gupta, A. K.: Effect of Spent FCC Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) Catalyst on Syngas Production from Pyrolysis and CO2-assisted Gasification of Waste Tires, Fuel Journal, Vol. 355, Issue 1, Jan. 2024, 129446, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2023.129446
Roy, R., and Gupta, A. K.: Comparison of Non-reactive Flow fields in Conventional Swirl-air Combustion and Swirl Distributed Combustion, J. Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science, Vol. 150, Jan. 1, 2024, 111029 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.expthermflusci.2023.111029
Burra, K. G, Sahin, M., Zheng, Y., and Gupta, A. K.: Near-Critical CO2-Assisted Liquefaction-Extraction of Biomass and Wastes to Fuels and Value-Added Products, ASME J. Energy Resources Technology, Jan. 2024, 146(1): 011801 (9 pages), https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4063813

2023

Li J., Ye X., Burra K. G., Lu W., Wang Z., Liu X. and Gupta A. K.: Synergistic Effects During Co-pyrolysis and Co-gasification of Polypropylene and Polystyrene, Applied Energy, 336, April 15, 2023, 120750, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.202B3.120750
Zhiwei Wang, Mengge Wu, Gaofeng Chen, Mengju Zhang, Tanglei Sun, Kiran G. Burra, Shuaihua Guo, Yan Chen, Shuhua Yang, Zaifeng Li, Tingzhou Lei, and Ashwani K. Gupta, Co-pyrolysis Characteristics of Waste Tire and Maize Stalk using TGA, FTIR and Py-GC/MS Analysis, Fuel Journal, 337, 2023, p. 127206.. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.127206
Cao, Q., Lu W., Li, J., Burra, K. R. G., and Gupta, A. K.: Energy Recovery of Expired Pistachios from Pyrolysis and CO2-assisted Gasification, ASME J. Energy Resources Tech., Trans ASME, January 2023, 145(1): 012102. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4054788 .

2022

Roy, R., and Gupta, A. K.: Data-driven Prediction of Flame Temperature and Pollutant Emission in Distributed Combustion, Applied Energy J., Vol. 310, March 15, 2022, p. 118502. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.118502
Li, J., Burra K. G., Wang, Z., Liu, X., and Gupta, A. K.: Syngas Evolution and Energy Efficiency in CO2 Assisted Gasification of ion-exchanged Pine wood, Fuel Journal, Vol. 317, p. 123549, June, 2022. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2022.123549
Roy, R., and Gupta, A. K.: Recognition of Distributed Combustion Regime from Deep Learning, ASME J. Energy Resources Tech. Vol. 144, no. 9, Sep. 2022, p. 092303 (5 pages). https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4053616.

2021

Wang, Z., Burra, K. G., Lei, T., and Gupta, A. K.: Co-pyrolysis of Waste Plastic and Solid Biomass for Synergistic Production of Biofuels and Chemicals-A Review, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, Vol. 84, May 2021, 100899. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2020.100899
Li, J., Burra, K.G., Wang, Z., Liu, X., and Gupta, A.K.: Co-gasification of High Density Polyethylene and Pretreated Pinewood, Applied Energy, 285, 116472, 2021. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116472
Liu, X., Burra, K., Wang, Z., Li, J and A. K. Gupta, A. K.: Towards Enhanced Understanding of Synergistic Effects in Co-pyrolysis of Pinewood and Polycarbonate, Applied Energy, Vol. 289, 1 May 2021, 116662, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116662

2020

Roy, R. and Gupta, A. K.: Flame Structure and Emission Signature in Distributed Combustion, Fuel Journal, Vol. 262, 116460, Feb. 2020. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116460
Wang, Z., Feser, J. S., Lei T., and Gupta, A. K.: Performance and Emissions of Camelina Oil Derived Jet Fuel Blends under Distributed Combustion Condition, Fuel J., Vol. 271, July 2020, pp. 117685. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117685
Feser, J. S., Karyeyen, S. and Gupta, A. K.: Flowfield Impact on Distributed Combustion in a Swirl Assisted Burner, Fuel, Vol. 263, March 2020, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.116643

2019

Brooks, J. M., Gupta, A. K., Smith, M. S. and Marineau, E. C.: High-Speed Local Particle Injection for Particle Image Velocimetry, AIAA Journal, Aug 2019, https://doi.org/10.2514/1.J057654
Hussein, A. M. A., Burra, K. G., Bassioni, G., Hammouda, R. M. and Gupta A. K.: Production of CO from CO2 over mixed-metal oxides derived from layered-double-hydroxides, Applied Energy, Vol. 235, February 2019, pp. 1183-1191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.11.040
Burra, K. and Gupta, A. K.: Modeling of Biomass Pyrolysis Kinetics Using Sequential Multi-Step Reaction Model, Fuel Journal, Vol. 237, 2019, pp. 1057-1067. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2018.09.097

2018

Burra, K. R. and Gupta, A.K.: Synergistic Effects in Steam Gasification of Combined Biomass and Plastic Waste Mixtures, Applied Energy, Vol. 211, pp. 230-236, 1 February 2018. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.10.130
Burra, K. and Gupta, A. K.: Kinetics of Synergistic Effects in Co-pyrolysis of Biomass with Plastic Wastes, Applied Energy, Vol. 220, 2018, pp. 408-418. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.117
Feser, J. S, Bassioni, G and Gupta, A. K.: Effect of Naphthalene Addition to Ethanol in Distributed Combustion, Applied Energy, Vol. 216, April 2018, pp. 1-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.02.090

2017

Khalil, A. E. and Gupta, A. K.: The Role of CO2 on Oxy-Colorless Distributed Combustion, Applied Energy, Vol. 188, February 15, 2017, pp. 466-474. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2016.12.048
ElMelih, A. M. AlShoaibi, A. and Gupta, A. K.: Reformation of Hydrogen Sulfide to Hydrogen in the Presence of Xylene, Applied Energy, Vol. 203, October 2017, pp. 403-411. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.06.064
Khalil, A. E. and Gupta, A. K.: Acoustic and Heat Release Signatures for Swirl Assisted Distributed Combustion, Applied Energy, Vol. 193, May 1, 2017, pp. 125–138. https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2017.02.030

2016

Gupta, A. K. Ibrahim, S. and AlShoaibi, A.: Advances in Sulfur Chemistry for Treatment of Acid Gases, Progress in Energy and Combustion Science, 54, May 2016, pp. 65–92. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.pecs.2015.11.001
Scenna, R. and Gupta, A.K.: Partial Oxidation of JP8 in a Well Insulated Distributed Reactor, J. Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 142, 2016, pp. 174-182, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2015.10.014
Khalil, A.E. and Gupta, A. K.: Fuel Property Effect on Distributed Combustion, Fuel, 171, 2016, pp. 116-124. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2015.12.068

2015

Khalil, A. and Gupta, A. K.: Thermal Field Investigation under Distributed Combustion Conditions, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 160, 2015, pp. 477-488. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.09.058
Ibrahim, S., AlShaoibi, A. and Gupta, A. K.: Xylene and H2S Destruction in High Temperature Flames under Claus Condition, Applied Energy, Vol 154, 15 Sep 2015, Pages 352–360. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2015.05.017
Scenna, R., and Gupta, A. K.: Partial Oxidation of JP8 in a Distributed Reactor, Fuel Processing Technology, Vol. 134, 2015, pp. 205-213. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuproc.2015.01.036

2014

Wierzbicki, T., Lee, I. and Gupta, A. K.: Combustion of Propane with Pt and Rh Catalysts in a Meso-scale Heat Recirculating Combustor, Applied Energy, Vol. 130, October 2014, pp. 350–356. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2014.05.069
Ibrahim, S., AlShoaibi, A. and Gupta, A. K.: Toluene Destruction in Thermal Stage of Claus Reactor with Oxygen Enriched Air, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 115, pp. 1-8, 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.10.060
Khalil, A. and Gupta, A. K.: Clean Combustion in Gas Turbine Engines using Butyl Nonanoate Biofuel, Fuel, Vol. 116, pp. 522-528, 2014, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2013.08.022

2013

Singh, A., Yu, M., Bryden, K.M. and Gupta, A. K.: Investigation of Noise Radiation from a Swirl Stabilized Diffusion Flame with an Array of Microphones, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 112, pp. 313-324, December 2013. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.06.034
Pang, C., Yu, M., Gupta, A. K. and Bryden, K. M.: Investigation of Smart Multifunctional Optical Sensor Platform and its Application in Optical Sensor Networks, Smart Structures and Systems, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2013, pp. 023-039, DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.12989/sss.2013.12.1.023
Arghode, V. and Gupta, A.K.: Role of Thermal Intensity on Operational Characteristics of Ultra-Low Emission Colorless Distributed Combustion, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 111, November 2013, pp. 930-956. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2013.06.039

2012

Shirsat, V., and Gupta, A. K.: Extinction, Discharge, and Thrust Characteristics of Methanol fueled Meso-Scale Thrust Chamber, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 103, pp. 375-392, November 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2012.09.058
Pang, C., Yu, M., Zhang, X.M., Gupta, A. K. and Bryden, K.M.: Multifunctional Optical MEMS Sensor Platform for Wireless Optical Sensor Networks, Sensors and Actuators A: Physical, Vol. 188, 2012, pp. 471-480. http://ac.els-cdn.com/S092442471200180X/dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.sna.2012.03.016
Arghode, V. and Gupta, A. K.: Jet Characteristics from a Submerged Combustion System, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 89, pp. 246-253, 2012, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.07.022

2011

Abdelhafez, A. and Gupta, A. K., "Effect of Swirl on Mixing in Underexpanded Supersonic Airflow", J. Propulsion and Power, Vol. 27, No. 1, January-February, 2011, pp. 117-131, https://doi.org/10.2514/1.45716
Ahmed, I. I., Nipattummakul, N., Gupta A. K., "Characteristics of Syngas from Co-Gasification of Polyethylene and Woodchips", J. Applied Energy, Vol. 88, 2011, pp. 165-174, https://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2010.07.007
Shirsat, V. and Gupta, A. K.: A Review of Progress in Heat Recirculating Meso-Scale Combustors, J. Applied Energy, Vol. 88, Issue: 12, 2011, pp. 4294-4309, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.apenergy.2011.07.021

Other professional society fellows

Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE)
American Association of Arts and Science (AAAS),
Member, European Academy of Arts and Sciences (EASA).

Honorary Fellow

American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME)

Honorary Fellow

American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA)

Fellow

American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)

Fellow

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