Optimisation of a vapor adsorption refrigeration system as part of trigeneration scheme for supermarkets

Career overview

Dr Raya AL-Dadah is a Reader in Sustainable Energy Technologies and Head of the Sustainable Energy Technology Laboratory at the University of Birmingham. She graduated with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Bir Zeit University, Palestine, in 1985, and later obtained a PhD in Electrohydrodynamic Enhancement of Boiling Heat Transfer from London South Bank University in 1994. Dr AL-Dadah''s career began with a position at the Engineering Consulting & Equipment Office, focusing on air conditioning and refrigeration design. She then managed an ice factory and cold storage rooms for a fishermen''s cooperative in the Gaza Strip. In 1989, she studied at Grimsby College for a Higher National Diploma in refrigeration, supported by a British Council scholarship. From 1990 to 1994, she pursued her PhD while working part-time as a researcher and lecturer at London South Bank University, contributing to research on environmentally friendly refrigerants. After completing her PhD, she worked as a lecturer in thermofluids at London South Bank from 1994 to 1996. Dr AL-Dadah joined the University of Birmingham in February 1996 as a lecturer in thermofluids and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2014 and Reader in 2019. Her research focuses on sustainable energy technologies, particularly in areas such as adsorption heat pumps, organic Rankine cycles, and solar energy harnessing. She has co-authored four book chapters and published approximately 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings. Dr AL-Dadah has also served on scientific committees, chaired sessions at international conferences, and acted as an associate editor for the IMechE Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science and Cognet Engineering Journal. Her research has received funding from various organisations, including the British Council, the Department of Energy and Climate Change, Innovate UK, and the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC). Dr AL-Dadah has built a team of researchers and established international collaborations with institutions in Egypt, Qatar, Nigeria, and Palestine. She is also a Fellow of the Institute of Refrigeration and the Institute of Mechanical Engineers, and a member of the Higher Education Academy and the Institute of Energy.

Research interests

Dr. Raya AL-Dadah''s research focuses on sustainable energy technologies, particularly in the areas of adsorption heat pumps, organic Rankine cycles, and solar energy harnessing. Her work involves the development of advanced metal organic framework adsorbent materials for applications in cooling, heating, energy storage, and water desalination. She has conducted research on heat-powered adsorption technology, enhancing energy efficiency through the recovery of energy within adsorption systems, and developing compact adsorber beds using advanced manufacturing techniques such as 3D printing. Additionally, she is involved in creating small-scale expanders for organic Rankine cycles driven by low-temperature heat sources, as well as exploring cryogenic energy storage systems. Dr. AL-Dadah''s research also includes solar thermal and electrical energy systems, focusing on the optimisation of concentrating devices and the performance of various photovoltaic solar cells. Her interests extend to medical applications, where she develops cooling systems for medical devices, and automotive applications, specifically cooling systems for electric vehicle batteries. Dr. AL-Dadah has published around 200 papers in peer-reviewed journals and conference proceedings, co-authored book chapters, and served on scientific committees and as an associate editor for various journals. Her research has been funded by multiple organisations, including the British Council, EPSRC, and Innovate UK.

Dr M Ward's profile is coming soon