Mohammed Babkoor

Email: mohammed.babkoor.22@ucl.ac.uk

Research:

My Ph.D. research falls under the umbrella of circular carbon economy and carbon neutrality. Specifically, I am working on the direct single-step conversion of synthesis gas to light olefins. Light olefins, particularly ethylene and propylene, are of critical importance in the chemical industry as they constitute the building blocks for commodity polymers and chemicals. The current commercial production of light olefins from synthesis gas includes two steps: the synthesis of methanol from synthesis gas, and the conversion of methanol to light olefins. Combining these two steps into one could reduce the number of unit operations needed and in turn the overall energy requirements. This can be achieved by employing a bi-functional catalyst that contains an oxide element and a zeolite. The first converts synthesis gas to methanol and the second catalyzes the conversion of methanol to ethylene and propylene. To this end, my research will be focused on the synthesis and testing of different bifunctional catalysts for the direct conversion of synthesis gas to light olefins.

Education

• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), 2016.
• Master of Science in Chemical Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), 2021

Awards

• Recipient of SABIC Scholarship Program (SSP), 2010
• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering with High Distinction, 2016
• Recipient of SABIC Fellowship for Higher Education, 2022