Magne Hillestad

Magne Hillestad serves as a Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering within the Faculty of Natural Sciences at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU). His academic profile centers on systematic process design methodologies, advanced process modeling and simulation, and model predictive control applications for chemical systems. He actively teaches core chemical engineering courses including TKP4165 Process Design, TKP4170 Process Design Project, and specialized sustainable process design modules.

His research spans chemical process design, CO2 capture technologies, biomass conversion pathways, Fischer-Tropsch synthesis optimization, membrane separation systems, and sustainable chemical process development. Specific interests include synthesis gas production from diverse feedstocks (natural gas, coal, biomass), methanol/DME synthesis, polymer production, and carbon-efficient reactor design. His work integrates mathematical modeling with practical process optimization to address industrial-scale challenges in energy transition.

Analysis of his 2021-2025 publications reveals dominant research trends in sustainable fuel production, particularly biomass-to-liquid and power-to-liquid processes, CO2 utilization pathways, and techno-economic optimization of integrated energy systems. His work consistently emphasizes carbon efficiency improvements through reactor staging, hybrid energy integration, and advanced separation technologies, with strong focus on economic viability alongside environmental performance.

No scientific awards were documented in the provided source material.

While specific student advising details remain unreported, Professor Hillestad's extensive publication record indicates active mentorship of graduate researchers through collaborative projects. His teaching portfolio demonstrates direct involvement in training next-generation chemical engineers in process design fundamentals. Research activities appear integrated within NTNU's Department of Chemical Engineering infrastructure, leveraging competencies in conceptual process design, chemical process modeling, and systematic reactor optimization for sustainable industrial applications.