Philip Donnellan

Dr. Philip Donnellan is an Assistant Professor at the School of Chemical and Bioprocess Engineering, University College Dublin. He holds a BE from University College Cork, a PhD in Engineering from UCC, and a Professional Diploma in University Teaching and Learning from UCD. His research focuses on chemical process engineering, with a particular emphasis on computational fluid dynamics (CFD), heat and mass transfer, pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, and energy systems. Key areas of investigation include bubble column evaporators for solvent swap applications, crystallization optimization, microbial fuel cells, and liquid air energy storage. He coordinates modules such as Heat Transfer & Fluid Mechanics and Transport Phenomena, and oversees work placement programs for students. His research outputs span over 30 peer-reviewed articles, with recent work addressing low-temperature evaporation systems and energy security through gas diversification. Collaborations emphasize interdisciplinary approaches to sustainable energy and pharmaceutical process innovation.

Education:

• BE, University College Cork
• PhD in Engineering, University College Cork
• Professional Diploma in University Teaching and Learning, University College Dublin

Research Themes:

Dr. Donnellan’s work integrates experimental and computational methods to solve challenges in chemical processing and energy systems. His CFD-driven studies on bubble column evaporators advance solvent swap efficiency in pharmaceuticals, while his microbial fuel cell research explores algae-bacteria synergies for wastewater treatment and bioelectricity. He also examines synthetic natural gas production economics and low-temperature evaporation technologies. Recent contributions include optimizing crystallization processes and analyzing energy storage systems like liquid air storage.

Teaching & Mentoring:

He leads teaching in core chemical engineering modules such as heat transfer, fluid mechanics, and transport phenomena. His coordination of work placement programs ensures students gain industry-relevant experience.

Collaborations & Impact:

His interdisciplinary research bridges academia and industry, addressing energy sustainability, pharmaceutical process intensification, and scalable bioenergy solutions. Partnerships focus on translating computational models into practical engineering solutions for energy and chemical sectors.