Dr. Vemuri Balakotaiah
ProfessorHugh Roy and Lillie Cranz Cullen Distinguished University Chair
Dr. Balakotaiah’s research involves the mathematical modeling and analysis of the interactions between the transport processes and chemical reactions in various systems of engineering interest. The objective of the research is to gain a fundamental understanding of the complex behavior of these nonlinear systems and use this understanding to solve some practical problems.
Chemical Reaction Engineering:
Modeling and Analysis of Catalytic Partial Oxidations:
Catalytic partial oxidations constitute an important class of reactions in the chemical industry for CO2 free manufacturing of olefins by oxidative dehydrogenation of C1-C3 alkanes. The high temperature required for these processes lead to two fundamental challenges from a reaction engineering perspective: firstly, determining the intrinsic kinetics at high reaction temperatures for highly exothermic reactions is a challenging task, and secondly, the presence of both homogeneous and gas phase reactions complicates interpretation of kinetic data. The focus of our work in this area is to address these challenges from a modeling perspective and develop rigorous kinetic and reactor scale models.
Electrified modular reactors for CO2-free chemicals production: proof of concept and experimental validation
The main goal of our work in this area is to develop and validate modular reactor and process concepts for CO2-free manufacturing of basic chemicals by shifting from fossil fuel based large units to renewable power based electrified modular units. The research aims at identifying the materials with required catalytic and electrical properties, validation of the feasibility of the concepts in laboratory experiments and examining the design and scale-up of modular reactor units that can be adapted to the intermittent nature of renewable electric power. The model systems include steam methane reforming (SMR) and methane bi-reforming to produce syngas or hydrogen.
Numerical Computation and Bifurcation Analysis of Homogeneous and Catalytic Reactors
Reacting flows exhibit multiple solutions, oscillations in temperature and concentration fields, spatial and temporal patterns, traveling fronts and exponentially thin boundary or internal (reaction) layers. One goal of our work in this area is the development and application of various analytical and computational techniques (singularity, bifurcation, group theories and dynamical systems concepts) to explore and classify the different types of behaviors in the parameter space. A second goal is to develop reduced order models that can be used to analyze the nonlinear behavior and facilitate real time simulations.
Transport Phenomena:
Studies on Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flows through Packed-Beds under Normal and Microgravity Conditions:
Gas-liquid two-phase flows through packed-beds occur in many normal gravity applications. In addition, this is identified as an enabling technology for long duration space travel. Our work in this area is aimed at understanding of the fundamental role of capillary and viscous forces in controlling phase distribution and transport of momentum, heat and mass in gas-liquid flows through micro-channels and packed-beds under normal and microgravity conditions.
Transport and reaction modeling of mineral carbonation for CO2 sequestration:
A promising approach toward meeting the Net-Zero Emissions (NZE) of CO2 is carbon capture and storage (CCS) in geological formations. While long term storage in saline aquifers appears to be promising, it requires a deep understanding of the trapping mechanisms, interactions between the injected CO2, water and various metals that may be present. These interactions are strongly coupled to solubility variations with temperature and brine composition, and reactions between dissolved CO2 with minerals leading to precipitation of the carbonate compounds formed. The experimental portion of the project involves measuring reaction rates of dissolved CO2 with some rock samples and using the data to estimate the various rate constants. The modeling component involves the development of an appropriate multi-scale transport and reaction model(s) for the storage process and performing the simulations.
2025: AIChE Fellow
2018: LIfetime Achievement Award, MACKiE-2018
2010: Cullen Distinguished University Chair
2007: Fluor-Daniel Faculty Excellence Award, Cullen College of Engineering
2003: Award for Excellence in Research and Scholarship, University of Houston
2001: Ya. B. Zeldovich Award, The Dow Chemical Company
1998-2001: Member, Modeling Technical Advisory Board, The Dow Chemical Company
Selected Publications
- E. Tegeler, Y. Cui, M. Masoudi, A. M. Bahmanpour, T. Colbert, J. Hensel and V. Balakotaiah, , “A novel contactor for reducing the cost of direct air capture of CO2”, Chemical Engineering Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ces.2023.119107 , 2023
- J. Chen, Z. Sun, P. Bollini and V. Balakotaiah, “Scale-up Analysis of the Oxidative Dehydrogenation of Ethane over MoVTeNbOx Catalysts in an Autothermal Reactor”, Chemical Engineering Science, 273, 118649, 2023
- M. Taghavi, B. J. Motil, H. Nahra and V. Balakotaiah, “The International Space Station Packed-Bed Reactor Experiment: Capillary Effects in Gas-Liquid Two-Phase Flows”, NPJ Microgravity 9:55. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41526-023-00302-2, 2023
- Meet Shah, D. H. West and V. Balakotaiah, “Analysis of thermoflow instabilities in adiabatic packed-bed reactors”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 452,139365; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.139365, 2023
- S. Sharma and V. Balakotaiah, “Non-Oberbeck-Boussinesq Effects and Sub-Critical Primary Bifurcations in Porous Media Convection”, Int. J. Thermal Sciences, 193 108448. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2023.108448, 2023
- J. Chen, Z. Sun, V. Balakotaiah and P. Bollini, “A global kinetic model for oxidative dehydrogenation of ethane over mixed metal oxide catalysts at supra-ambient pressures”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 445, 136605, 2022
- Meet Shah, D. H. West and V. Balakotaiah, “Bifurcation and stability analysis of temperature patterns in shallow-bed catalytic reactors”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 437, 135027, 2022
- Mingjie Tu, R. Ratnakar and V. Balakotaiah,, “Multi-mode reduced order models for real time simulations of monolith reactors with micro-kinetics”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 430, 132532. , 2022
- Sarkar, R. R. Ratnakar and V. Balakotaiah, “Multi-scale coarse-grained continuum models for bifurcation and transient analysis of coupled homogeneous-catalytic reactions in monoliths”, Chemical Engineering Journal, 407, 126500, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2020.126500, 2021
- V. Balakotaiah and R. Ratnakar, “Modular reactors with electrical resistance heating for hydrocarbon cracking and other endothermic reactions”, AIChE Journal, doi:10.1002/aic.17542 , 2021
JOURNAL PAPERS / REFEREED JOURNAL PUBLICATIONS
- A. Kumar, V. Medhekar, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “NO Decomposition and Reduction on Pt/Al2O3 Powder and Monolith Catalysts using the TAP Reactor”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 90, pp. 642-651, 2009
- D. Bhatia, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Kinetic and Bifurcation Analysis of the Co-oxidation of CO and H2 in Catalytic Monolith Reactors”, Chem. Eng. Sci., 64, 1544-1558, 2009
- D. Bhatia, R. D. Clayton, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “A Global Kinetic Model for NOx Storage and Reduction on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Monolith Catalysts”, Catalysis Today, 147S, pp. S250-S256, 2009
- D. Bhatia, Robert W. McCabe, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Experimental and kinetic study of NO oxidation on model Pt catalysts”, Journal of Catalysis., 266, pp.106-119, 2009
- J. Xu, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Microkinetic Modeling of Steady-State NO/H2/O2 on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Monolith Catalysts”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 89, pp. 73-86, 2009
- N. Kalia and V. Balakotaiah, “Effect of Medium Heterogeneities on Reactive Dissolution of Carbonates”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 64, 376-390, 2009
- R. Clayton, M. P. Harold and V. Ba, “Performance Features of Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Lean NOx Trap with Hydrogen as Reductant”, AIChE Journal, 55, 3, pp. 687-700, 2009
- R. D. Clayton, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, C. Z. Wan, “Pt Dispersion Effects during NOx Storage and Reduction on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Catalyst”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 90, pp. 662-676, 2009
- S. Y. Joshi, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Low-dimensional Models for Real Time Simulation of Catalytic Monoliths”, AIChE Journal, 55, 1771-1783, 2009
- S. Y. Joshi, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “On the Use of Internal Mass Transfer Coefficients in Modeling of Diffusion and Reaction in Catalytic Monoliths”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 64, 4976-4991, 2009
- C. Meza and V. Balakotaiah, “Experimental and Modeling Studies of Large Amplitude Waves on Vertically Falling Films”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 63, pp.4704-4734, 2008
- J. Xu, R. Clayton, V. Balakotaiah and M. P. Harold, “Experimental and Microkinetic Modeling of Steady-State NO Reduction by H2 on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Monolith Catalysts”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 77, 395-408, 2008
- N. Malamataris and V. Balakotaiah, “Flow Structure Underneath the Large Amplitude Waves of a Vertically Falling Film”, AIChE Journal, 54, pp.1725-1740, 2008
- R. Agrawal, D. H. West and V. Balakotaiah, “Transport-Limited Pattern Formation in Fluid Particle Catalytic Systems”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 63, 460-483, 2008
- R. Clayton, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “NOx Storage and Reduction with H2 on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Monolith:Spatio-Temporal Resolution of Reaction Pathways”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 84, pp. 616-630, 2008
- R. D. Clayton, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Selective Catalytic Reduction of NO by H2 in O2 on Pt/BaO/Al2O3 Monolith NOx Storage Catalysts”, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 81, pp.161-181, 2008
- V. Balakotaiah, “Taylor Dispersion with Absorbing Boundaries”, Physical Review Letters”, 100, 029402-1, 2008
- V. Balakotaiah, “On the Relationship between Sherwood numbers, Aris numbers, Friction and Effectiveness factors”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 63, 5802-5812, 2008
- M. Sharma, R. Clayton, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Multiplicity in Lean NOx Traps”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 62, 5176-5181, 2007
- N. Kalia and V. Balakotaiah, “Modeling and Analysis of Wormhole Formation in Reactive Dissolution of Carbonate Rocks”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 62, pp. 919-928, 2007
- R. Agrawal, D. H. West and V. Balakotaiah, “Modeling and Analysis of Local Hot Spot Formation in Down-flow Adiabatic Packed-Bed Reactors”, Chem. Engng. Sci., 62, 4926-4943, 2007
- S. Chakraborty, V. Balakotaiah and A. Bidani, “Multiscale Model for Pulmonary Oxygen Uptake and its Application to Hypoxemia in Hepatopulmonary Syndrome”, Journal of Theoretical Biology, 244, pp. 190-207, 2007
- V. Medhekar, V. Balakotaiah and M. P. Harold, “TAP Study of NOx Storage and Reduction on Pt/Al2O3 and Pt/BaO/Al2O3”, Catalysis Today, 121, pp. 226-236, 2007
- K. Ramanathan, D. H. West and V. Balakotaiah, “Ignition Criterion for General Kinetics in a Catalytic Monolith”, AIChE Journal, 52, pp. 1623-1629, 2006
- R. Mudunuri and V. Balakotaiah, "Solitary Waves on Thin Falling Films in the Very Low Forcing Frequency Limit”, AIChE Journal, 52, 12, pp. 3995-4003, 2006
- M. Panga, M. Ziauddin and V. Balakotaiah, “Two-scale Continuum Model for Simulation of Wormhole Formation in Carbonate Acidization”, AIChE Journal, 51, pp. 3231-3248, 2005
- M. Panga, R. Mudunuri and V. Balakotaiah, “Long Wavelength Equation for Vertically Falling Films”, Physical Review E, 71, pp. 36310-1 to 36310-18, 2005
- M. Sharma, M. P. Harold and V. Balakotaiah, “Analysis of Periodic Storage and Reduction of NOx in Catalytic Monoliths”, Ind. Engng. Chem. Res., 44, pp. 6264-6277, 2005
- M.K.R. Panga, R. R. Mudunuri and V. Balakotaiah, “Long-wavelength Equation for Vertically Falling Films”, Physical Review E, 71,36310-1, 2005
- S. Chakraborty and V. Balakotaiah, “Spatially Averaged Multiscale Models for Chemical Reactors”, Advances in Chemical Engineering, Vol. 30, 2005