August 2003
Ph.D. Chemical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron OH.
Dissertation:Palladium and Copper: Environmentally Benign Catalysts for Oxidative Carbonylation and Photo Catalysis.

December 1999
M.S. Chemical Engineering, The University of Akron, Akron OH.
Thesis: Carbamate Syntheses from the Oxidative Carbonylation reactions over Palladium on Carbon.

June 1995
B.S. Chemistry, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Project: Interface behavior of natural latex and microencapsulation of fertilizer.

• 2008 Best Teaching Award, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology.
• 2004 Best Teaching Award, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology.
• Recipient of Travel Award for 19^th Conference on Catalysis of Organic Reaction, 2002.
• Recipient of Kokes Travel Award for 2001.

Hydrogen production from alcohol reforming, Photo-catalytic synthesis of hydrocarbons from CO₂/H₂O, Photochemical solar cells, Gas-solid reactor design, Heterogeneous catalysis, Nano-material / zeolite syntheses, Bio-molecular imprinted materials.

The Development of a Novel Catalyst for Hydrogen Production from Methanol Steam Reforming

The shortage of energy is becoming an important problem for mankind and the research of renewable energy has emerged rapidly to solve this problem. One interesting renewable energy is the energy from hydrogen fuel cells. Therefore, one of the most important issues to be considered for the hydrogen fuel cell is effective hydrogen production. Hydrogen could be produced from reforming reactions of hydrocarbons such as methane, methanol, ethanol, dimethyl ether, etc. This research focuses on methanol reforming to produce hydrogen for fuel cells from the steam reforming reaction. Unfortunately, the process still requires a huge amount of energy in order to produce a high yield of hydrogen. This is a major drawback of hydrogen production from the reforming reaction. The objective of this research is to study the performance of various catalysts from different preparation methods to identify the proper catalyst for methanol reforming. The optimization of the catalytic reactor design and reaction conditions are also investigated to enhance the reaction system for effective hydrogen production from methanol reforming.

Carbon Dioxide Capture by Immobilized Amine over Solid Sorbents

The high performance of amine solid sorbents could provide the alternative for CO₂ capture from power plant flue gases. The concept is to capture carbon dioxide (CO₂) from a simulated flue gas system by a tubular reactor using immobilized amine species on different solid sorbent support (activated carbon, zeolites, agriculture product waste) at ambient conditions. The concepts of the material preparation are high performance of CO₂ capture, cost effectiveness, and easy handling for various applications. The preliminary design of a scaled up plant for the CO₂ capture from solid sorbents is also considered in the study.

Photocatalysis

CO₂ emission has become a worldwide problem due to its potential impact on global warming. Photocatalytic reactions, which involve the combined use of photo energy and catalysts to convert reactants to products, provide a promising alternative to reduce CO₂ and convert it into useful hydrocarbon products (e.g., methane and methanol).

AFFILIATIONS

• Member of North American Catalysis Society.
• Member of Pittsburgh-Cleveland Catalysis Society.
• Member of Organic Reaction Catalysis Society.

SKILLS

• Expertise in the use and maintenance of FTIR, FT-Raman, UV-visible, MS, GC, HPLC, SEM, TEM, AA and NMR.
• Operation of computer-based data acquisition systems.
• Operation of computer graphic illustration and photo editing programs.

EXPERIENCE

Jan. 1998-2003 Research Assistant, The University of Akron.

• Well versed in the formulation, preparation, characterization, and testing a wide range of catalysts, including Group VIII metal-oxide, metal nanoparticle, sol-gel, carbon and mesoporous based catalysts.
• Designed a novel technique involving the use of FTIR, GC, and MS for in situ studies during catalytic reaction of carbamate and dicarbamate from oxidative carbonylation reactions.
• Worked extensively with in situ transmission IR, GC, and compartment modeling for determination of catalyst activities and selectivities, reaction kinetics, adsorbates, and reaction mechanisms.
• Worked extensively with SEM and TEM for the surface characterization of catalysts.
• Designed and developed a novel gas-solid oxidative carbonylation in batch and continuous reaction systems for carbamate and carbonate syntheses.
• Investigated reactivity and selectivity of Group VIII metal and zeolite-based catalysts for oxidative carbonylation reactions and photocatalytic reduction of CO₂ and H₂O.
• CO₂ adsorption study on carbon-supported sorbents.
• Experienced in design, development, and optimization of industrial process and reactor scale up to pilot scale.
• Collaborated in the composition of EPA-, DOE-, and NSF-funded proposals and reports.

Jan.-May 2000 Teaching Assistant, The University of Akron.

• Assisted instructor of class in undergraduate Chemical Engineering Laboratory (Zeolite synthesis).

Jan.-May 2001 Teaching Assistant, The University of Akron.

• Assisted instructor of class in undergraduate Chemical Engineering Laboratory (Distillation column).

Jan.-May 2002 Teaching Assistant, The University of Akron.

• Assisted instructor of classes in undergraduate Chemical Engineering Laboratory (Distillation column) and Material Science.

Nov. 2003 - Present Lecturer, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University.

• Instruct classes in undergraduate Chemistry for Engineers , General Sciene I and II, Pre-Mathematics, and Material & Energy Balance.

• Development of low-cost amine-enriched solid sorbent for CO₂ capture, with Thuy Thi Nguyen, Environmental Technology 33, 23 (2012), 2645-2651.
• Molecular dynamics simulations of UC781-cyclodextrins inclusion complexes in aqueous solution, with Kanokthip Boonyarattanakalin; Wolschann, Peter; and Luckhana Lawtrakul, European Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences 47, 4(2012), 752-758.
• Development of Ni/Al2O3 with urea catalysts for ethanol-steam reforming, with P. Vacharapong; N. Umaree; R. Rojanasom; and D. Kamkoong, Proceedings of the Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference 2011 (PACCON2011) [CD-ROM], 5-7 January 2011, Bangkok, Thailand, pp. 192-195.
• The Role of Urea in Cu–Zn–Al Catalysts for Methanol Steam Reforming, with Suparoek Henpraserttae and Pimpa Limthongkul, Monatshefte für Chemie, 141, 3 (2010) 269-277.
• Development of Low cost Solid Sorbent Using Agriculture Wastes for CO₂ Sequestration: A Study on the Effect of Mixing Amines and Glycerol, with Thawatchai Jarunchart, Phongkrit Mangosol, M. Krikrabkreaw, and Maruay Kittiyawat, Proceedings of Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference (PACCON 2010), 21-23 January 2010, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. pp. 247-250.
• Roles of Urea and Zirconia in Cu-Zn/Al2O3 for Methanol-steam Reforming, with Chaichan Siriruang, Pumiwat Vacharapong, Sakdipong Ajavakom, and Thanawan Sumonsart, Proceedings of Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference (PACCON 2010), 21-23 January 2010, Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand. pp. 251-254.
• Assessment of Mixed Basis Set and ONIOM Methods on the Activation Energy of Ring Opening Reactions of Substituted Cyclobutenes with Y. Tantirungrotechai, S. Roddecha and K. Punyain, Journal of Molecular Structure: THEOCHEM, 893, 1-3(2009) 98-105.
• Effects of Preparation of Cu/Zn Over Al₂O₃ Catalysts for Hydrogen Production from Methanol Reforming, with Suparoek Henpraserttae, Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology, 16, 2 (2009) 103-112.
• Development of Low Cost Amine-Enriched Solid Sorbent for CO2 Capture, with Chaichan Siriuang, Proceedings of the Pure and Applied Chemistry International Conference (PACCON 2009), 14-16 January 2009, Phitsanulok, Thailand. pp. 108-111.
• Development of Low Cost Solid Sorbent using Agriculture Wastes for CO₂ Sequestration with Thawatchai Jarunchart, Proceedings of the 2^nd Thammasat University International Conference on Chemical, Environmental and Energy Engineering (TU ChEEE 2009) [CD-ROM], 3-4 March 2009, Bangkok, Thailand. pp. 108-113.
• Modeling of Methanol Steam Reformer to Produce Hydrogen for Fuel Cell Application, with Rapeepong Suwanwarangkul; Sumittra Charojrochkul; Nawat Kujareevanich; Opart Sanmontrikul; and Sakchai Kanchananiyom, Proceedings of the 1^st Thammasat University International Conference on Chemical, Environmental and Energy Engineering (TU ChEEE 2008) [CD-ROM], 4 March 2008, Bangkok, Thailand. 6 p.
• Photocatalytic Synthesis of Hydrocarbon from CO₂ and H₂O over Pt/TiO₂. Proceedings of International Conference on Engineering Applied Sciences, and Technology (ICEAST 2007) [CD-ROM] 21-23 November 2007, Bangkok, Thailand. Paper No. 54, pp. 838-841.
• Environmentally Benign Carbamate Synthesis,with Steven Chuang, Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research 43 (2004) 1192-1199.
• CO₂ Capture by Amine-Enriched Fly Ash Carbon Sorbents with M. Gray, K. Champagne,Y.Soong, R.Stevens,and S.Chuang,Separation and Purification Technology 35,1(2004)31-36.
• Carbamate and Dicarbamate syntheses from CO/O₂/Methanol/Amines, with Steven S. C. Chuang and Yawu Chi, in Catalysis of Organic Reactions, Morrell,D.G.ed.2003, pp.369-378.
• Synthesis of Carbamate through Low Pressure Heterogeneous Oxidative Carbonylation of Amines, with Steven S. C. Chuang, Yawu Chi, and Bei Chen, WO 0288050,2002.
• Low-Pressure Oxidative Carbonylation of Aniline with Pd/C and Ag-Pd/C, with Steven S.C.Chuang and Mahesh Konduru, Green Chemistry: Recent Advances in Chemical Processing, ACS Publications, 2001.
• Novel amine enriched solid sorbents for carbon dioxide capture, with Y.Soong, M.Gray, R.Siriwardane, K. Champagne, R. Stevens,and S. Chuang in Environmental Challenges for Fossil Fuel Combustion and Greenhouse Gas Control and Utilization; edited by M.Mercedes Maroto-Valer, Chunshan Song,and Yee Soong; KluwerAcademic/Plenum Publishers, 2001.
• Environmentally Benign Carbonylation of Aniline and Nitrobenzene,with Steven S.C.Chuang, Y.Chi, and M.Konduru, Stud.Surf.Catal., Proceedings of the 12^th International Congress on Catalysis, Elsevier Publishers, 2000.

SELECTED PRESENTATIONS

• Environmentally Benign Isocyanate Synthesis,with Steven S.C.Chuang and Mahesh Konduru, presented at 16^th North American Meeting of the Catalysis Society, Boston, May 30- June 04 1999.
• Carbamate synthesis from gas-solid oxidative carbonylation reaction over Pd/C,with Steven S. C. Chuang,presented at 38^th Spring Symposium of the Pittsburgh-Cleveland Catalysis Society, Pittsburgh, PA, May 3-4 2000.
• Novel Chemical processes for Carbamate and Dicarbamate Synthesis from the Gas-Liquid-Solid Oxidative Carbonylation, with Steven S. C. Chuang, presented at 17^th North American Meeting of the Catalysis Society, Toronto, June 03-08 2001.
• Carbamate and Dicarbamate Syntheses from CO/O₂/Methanol/Amines 19th Organic Reaction Catalysis Society,San Antonio, TX, April 2002.
• Photo-Catalytic Synthesis of Hydrocarbons from CO₂/H₂O over Cu-Based Catalysts with Steven S. C. Chuang, presented at 18th North American Meeting of the Catalysis Society, Cancun, Mexico, June 1-6 2003.

REFERENCES
Provided upon request