Engineering Professor on Contract for Power Plant Software
JONESBORO – One of Arkansas State University's engineering professors has begun research for a South Korean company on projects to help reduce air pollution from power plants.
Dr. Kwangkook (David) Jeong, associate professor of mechanical engineering, is leading the research group that is starting work on two projects under a $1.22 million contract with Doosan Heavy Industries & Construction Co., Ltd.
"The project goal is to develop software utilities that will help Doosan reduce pollution from fossil-fuel power plants and enhance plant performance," Jeong explained. "Working over the next four years, our research group will develop computer modeling programs that will be used to predict and manage how fly ash behaves in power plants that burn pulverized coal to generate electricity."
The group, including two post-doctoral researchers and eight graduate students, will be recruited during the project period to accomplish deliverables and objectives. They expect their research data to help Doosan analyze combustion systems and develop management software for use by power plant engineers and operators.
Doosan Heavy Industries is one of the largest global heavy industrial companies that produces power utility and water desalination facilities.
“The College of Engineering is pleased to announce the finalization of the agreement between Doosan Heavy Industries and Construction Co., LTD., a major Korean corporation, and Arkansas State University," said Dr. Paul Mixon, dean. "The approximately $1.2 million research contract is the largest single research award in the history of the college.”
Dr. Andrew T. Sustich, vice provost for research and graduate studies, added, "Doosan Heavy Industries is highly regarded for its advances in technology that improve power plant performance by decreasing air pollutants and extending the life of power generating facilities. Dr. Jeong’s research on optimizing the operations of power plant soot blowers is directly applicable to these areas of expertise and we are very excited that Doosan is making this major investment in developing it further."
Jeong, who joined the A-State faculty in 2010, completed his bachelor's and master's degrees in Korea and his doctoral degree in mechanical engineering at Lehigh University. He is registered professional engineer in Arkansas.
His professional interests include engineering design and development for full-scale fuel and energy systems using computational and experimental techniques on thermal transport, turbulence, multiphase flow, and reaction kinetics. For 15 years before coming to A-State, he was a senior member of technical staff in the power industry.
In addition to teaching courses in advanced fluid mechanics, advanced heat and mass transfer, fluid and thermal energy systems, HVAC, and engineering thermodynamics, he has completed numerous research and industrial projects for various clients, including the U.S. Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation.
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