Background

Dr. Riahi-Nezhad’s broad areas of specialization are based on innovative combinations of fluid mechanics, separation science, and heterogeneous catalysis.  These include: 1) Separations enhanced by electric fields including electro-mixing, drop electro coalescence with applications in biofuel production, radioactive waste treatment, and tannery waste water treatment, 2) High liquid flow in packed towers for optimal gas-liquid phase interaction, 3) Synthesis and characterization of mesoporous heterogeneous catalysts for oxidative destruction of volatile organic compounds with applications in automotive exhaust emission control, 4)  Application of nano-catalysts for hydrogen production using water-gas shift reaction, 5) Gas-engine driven air conditioning (GEDAC) for heating and cooling, 6)  Hydraulic and fluid mechanics utilizing experimental and numerical analyses with applications that include flow through a breached levee and during levee closure.

Education

• Ph.D., Civil Engineering, University of South Carolina, 2013
• M.S., Environmental Engineering, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, 2004
• M.S., Chemical Engineering, University of Tennessee-Knoxville, 2002
• B.S., Chemical Engineering, Tennessee Technological University, 1990