Muhammad Tahir Ashraf

Muhammad Tahir Ashraf is an Associate Professor in the Department of Green Technology at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) and the head of the Biomass Lab. He integrates classical chemical engineering with modern industrial biotechnology to advance sustainable biomass utilisation, biorefineries and Power-to-X systems.

Research Interests

• Biomass valorisation and biorefinery development
• Power-to-X integration with biological and chemical conversion
• Carbon capture and utilisation (CCU)
• Reactor design and computational fluid dynamics
• Techno-economic optimisation of bio-based processes

His recent publications (2018–2025) demonstrate a strong focus on pilot- and lab-scale biomethanation using trickle-bed and biotrickling filter reactors, hydrothermal pretreatment of lignocellulosic feedstocks, and techno-economic assessment of integrated biorefinery concepts. The work spans from fundamental microbiome studies to full-scale biogas plant validation, evidencing a clear trajectory toward industrial implementation.

Scientific Awards

• SDU Innovation Prize (2022)
• TEK Innovation Prize (2022)

Teaching & Supervision

• Course instructor: Transport Phenomena (2023–)
• Course instructor: Risk Management in Chemical and Biochemical Engineering (2025–)
• Supervision topics: low-temperature thermal hydrolysis, PHB production from biomethane, wastewater sludge pyrolysis

He currently supervises multiple MSc projects and has participated in five major research projects, including BioTechCCU and eFuel, collaborating with industry and international partners to scale CO₂-to-chemicals technologies.