Luis A. Ricardez-Sandoval, PhD

Email: laricard@uwaterloo.ca
Location: E6 3014
Phone: 519-888-4567 x38667
Chemical Process Optimization, Multiscale Modelling and Process Systems Research Group

Biography

Luis Ricardez-Sandoval is a Tier II Canada Research Chair in Multiscale Modelling and Process Systems and an Associate Professor in the Department of Chemical Engineering at the University of Waterloo.
His Chemical Process Optimization, Multiscale Modelling and Process Systems research group develops and implements theoretical and computational tools that analyze, describe and predict the behaviour of complex chemical materials, processes and systems to support optimal design, performance and operations management. The group has specific expertise in advanced CO2 capture technologies and energy systems as well as computer-aided designs for heterogeneous catalysis.
They use the multiscale modelling approach, which accounts for all phenomena, to gain a comprehensive perspective of processes. The group focusses on phenomena that evolve at multiple temporal and spatial scales, with particular focus on phenomena that take place at the fine (nano) scale.
Their computerized tools, which utilize advanced mathematics, machine learning algorithms and uncertainty analyses, can simulate how chemical systems are likely to behave in real life. These simulations can be analyzed and used to maximize economic investment and process efficiency, often before any resources are used. They provide a fast, efficient and safe way to, for example, effectively and efficiently design new chemical materials and improve chemical process operations.
Much of their work involves collaboration with government and industry to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions and enhance emerging energy options.
Current research includes the development of:
• New methodologies for optimal process design and operations management of dynamic systems under uncertainty
• Computer-aided design of materials and systems that evolve at different spatial and time scales
• Modelling, advanced model-based control and optimization of conventional and emerging energy systems, CO2 capture and conversion technologies, and novel process intensification systems for clean power production
• Multiscale models for manufacturing processes, such as thin film deposition, methane cracking reactions for the production of hydrogen and carbon nano-materials, and novel CO2 conversion technologies
• Novel and efficient mathematical formulations for optimal planning and scheduling of industrial-scale facilities to improve operations management in the manufacturing and analytical service sectors.
Professor Ricardez-Sandoval’s research has been supported by the Government of Canada through its collaborative agencies (Canada Foundation for Innovation, Ontario Research Fund, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, Mitacs, and CanmetENERGY); industrial partners (Activation Laboratories and Angstrom Engineering); and the Government of Ontario, through the Early Researchers Award granted by the Ministry of Research and Innovation. In addition, Ricardez-Sandoval has received graduate students and visiting scholars that have been financially supported by international agencies and institutions, such as Consejo Nacional de Ciencia y Tecnologia (CONACyT-Mexico), China Scholarship Council (CSC-China), Tampere University (Finland), and Universidad de Los Andes (Colombia).
Professor Ricardez-Sandoval is also an Associate Editor of the Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering.

Research Interests

• Process Systems Engineering
• Multiscale Modelling
• Computer-aided Catalyst and Materials Design
• Chemical Process Optimization
• Optimal Integration of Process Design, Control and Scheduling
• Process Intensification
• Modelling and Simulation of Conventional and Emerging Energy and CO2 Capture Technologies
• Modelling and Simulation of Micro and Nanotechnology Systems
• Optimal Process Scheduling

Scholarly Research

Research Interests:

Integration of Design and Control
Application of process control technology to macro, micro and nano systems.
Multiscale modelling and simulation.

Industrial Research

Process Systems Engineer/Ris Analysis Engineer: Jun-2001 to July-2004.
Operation Administrator: Sept-2000 to May-2001.
Jr. Balance Supervisor: Jan-2000 to Aug-2000
Engineering Assistant: Jan-1996 to March-1997.

Education

• 2008, Doctorate Chemical Engineering, University of Waterloo, Canada
• 2000, Master of Science Chemical Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico de Celaya, Mexico
• 1997, Bachelor of Science Chemical Engineering, Instituto Tecnologico de Orizaba, Mexico

Awards

• 1997 First Place: 'XII National Creativity Contest'
• 1998 Bachelor in Chemical Engineering's best student award, class: 1993-1997.
• 1999 Third Place: 'XIV National Creativity Contest in Engineering'
• 2000 J.M. Smith award for the best MaSc student, class: 1998-2000

Teaching*

• CHE 341 - Introduction to Process Control
  • Taught in 2023
• CHE 420 - Introduction to Process Control
  • Taught in 2019
• CHE 500 - Special Topics in Chemical Engineering
  • Taught in 2020, 2021
• CHE 521 - Process Optimization
  • Taught in 2024
• CHE 522 - Advanced Process Dynamics and Control
  • Taught in 2022
• CHE 524 - Process Control Laboratory
  • Taught in 2022
• NE 336 - Micro and Nanosystem Computer-aided Design
  • Taught in 2019

* Only courses taught in the past 5 years are displayed.

Selected/Recent Publications

• Zheng H, Ricardez-Sandoval L, Budman H, Robust estimation and economic predictive control for dynamic flux systems under probabilistic uncertainty, Computers and Chemical Engineering, , 2020
• Koller, Robert W and Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis A, A dynamic optimization framework for integration of design, control and scheduling of multi-product chemical processes under disturbance and uncertainty, Computers & Chemical Engineering, 147, 2017
• Kimaev, Grigoriy and Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis A, A comparison of efficient uncertainty quantification techniques for stochastic multiscale systems, AIChE Journal, 3361, 2017
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• Chansomwong, Atchariya and Douglas, Peter L and Croiset, Eric and Zanganeh, Kourosh and Shafeen, Ahmed and Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis, Control of An Oxy-fuel Capture and Purification Unit For Coal-Based Power Plants, Energy Procedia, 476, 2014
• Harun, Noorlisa and Nittaya, Thanita and Douglas, Peter L and Croiset, Eric and Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis A, Dynamic simulation of MEA absorption process for CO2 capture from power plants, International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control, 295, 2012
• Harun, Noorlisa and Douglas, Peter L and Ricardez-Sandoval, Luis and Croiset, Eric, Dynamic simulation of MEA absorption processes for CO2 capture from fossil fuel power plant, Energy Procedia, 1478, 2011

In The News

• Profs awarded chairs and funds from Canadian govt.
• Research team transforms CO2 into valuable chemicals

Graduate Studies

• Not currently accepting applications for graduate students