Kok Siew Ng MEng PhD FHEA AMIChemE

Dr Kok Siew Ng is the Co-Investigator and Coordinator of the Oxford Agile project (Sprint 2) – a university-wide initiative focusing on tackling various environmental challenges using an interdisciplinary approach, funded through the £10 million NERC Changing the Environment programme. The sprint project aims to develop strategies for determining the best regional combination of nutrient recovery and utilisation options for both economic viability and environmental benefits. Kok Siew is also currently a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Chemical Engineering at Brunel University London. Prior to joining Brunel, he was a UKRI/NERC Industrial Innovation (Rutherford) Research Fellow and Lecturer in Chemical Engineering at the Department of Engineering Science from 2018 to 2022. As the first Research Fellow in the Department to be offered a concurrent lectureship contract, he took on the role of delivering comprehensive full-module teaching. This includes conducting lectures, guiding tutorials, managing exams, and overseeing MEng project supervision.  He was the Principal Investigator of the project 'A systems approach to synergistic utilisation of secondary organic streams' (SYNERGORS). The project aims to explore novel approaches to addressing challenges in organic waste management and achieving circular economy. His research interests lie predominantly in the areas of (i) biorefinery system design; (ii) decarbonised polygeneration system design; and (iii) resource recovery from waste. These research areas are highly relevant to addressing global challenges in the 21st century and achieving the decarbonisation and sustainable development goals.

Kok Siew is a chemical engineer by training with extensive research and industrial consultancy experience in systems engineering, process integration, techno-economic analysis and environmental life cycle assessment (LCA). Kok Siew has substantial experience in leading international, multidisciplinary projects and consortium. He has been working closely with international academic and industrial organisations in the UK, Europe, China and South East Asia. Kok Siew has published more than 30 articles including journals, book chapters and magazine article, and have co-authored an advanced textbook “Biorefineries and Chemical Processes: Design, Integration and Sustainability Analysis”. His work related to decarbonisation of energy systems has been recognised by the IChemE Junior Moulton Medal award (best publication) in 2011. Furthermore, Kok Siew has been nominated for the University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor's Environmental Sustainability Staff Award in 2022 for his contribution in actively promoting environmental sustainability through his research vision, which develops sustainable solutions from a systems engineering perspective. He is an Editorial Board Member of Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances (RCR Advances) journal and also a reviewer for French ANR and UKRI/EPSRC proposals.

Kok Siew is the Founder and President of the Society of Circular, Regenerative and Sustainable Systems (CRES). The aims of CRES society (knowledge exchange) and SYNERGORS consortium (research) are to promote and strengthen cross-disciplinary and cross-sectoral collaboration between the UK and international organisations in systems thinking and circular economy. His ambition in international development together with the objectives of SYNERGORS and CRES are well aligned with the UK Industrial Strategy in enhancing resource efficiency and mitigating pollution and waste materials, while achieving a sustainable industrial growth and a more resilient economy at global level.

Prior to joining Oxford, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Centre for Environment and Sustainability (CES), University of Surrey, after working as an engineering consultant at Process Integration Limited (PIL). He completed his MEng Chemical Engineering with Chemistry (First Class Honours) at The University of Manchester in 2008, and later gained his PhD from the Centre for Process Integration (CPI), The University of Manchester in 2011.

• Nominated for the University of Oxford Vice-Chancellor's Environmental Sustainability Staff Award, 2022.
• Best Oral Presentation Award, Newton-Al-Farabi UK-Kazakhstan workshop “Low-carbon Future: Efficient Management of Resources and Energy”, 26-28 September 2016, Astana, Kazakhstan.
• IChemE Junior Moulton Medal for the best publication, 2011 - “Ng, K.S., Lopez, Y., Campbell, G.M., Sadhukhan, J., 2010. Heat integration and analysis of decarbonised IGCC sites. Chem Eng Res Des., 88 (2): 170-188.”
• PhD Scholarships (2008-2011): Overseas Research Scholarship (ORS), Manchester Alumni Funds, Process Integration Research Consortium (PIRC) Research Funds, School of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science Scholarship
• MEng Chemical Engineering with Chemistry Specialist Subject Course Prize, 2008, The University of Manchester.

My research vision is to develop systems thinking and circular economy approaches for sustainable industrial system design and resource management and develop novel strategies in response to the challenges arising during the transition from fossil to biorenewable economy. 

A chemical engineer by training with core research and industrial expertise in process systems engineering, process integration and sustainability assessment, I work extensively in the areas of:

1. Biorefinery system design
2. Decarbonised polygeneration system design
3. Resource recovery from waste

I have been actively involved in various research activities within the NERC Resource Recovery from Waste (RRfW) Programme, Innovate UK, Royal Academy of Engineering and EU projects. I have published more than 30 peer-reviewed journals and book chapters, and have co-authored an advanced textbook “Biorefineries and Chemical Processes: Design, Integration and Sustainability Analysis”. My work related to decarbonisation of energy systems has been recognised by the IChemE Junior Moulton Medal award (best publication) in 2011.

I am enthusiastic in establishing national and international collaboration with researchers from multidisciplinary background. I have organised and participated in a number of British Council/Newton Fund workshops in Malaysia, Mexico, Brazil, Kazakhstan and China, with the ambition of influencing industrial, resource and waste management practices in the developing countries towards sustainable development.

Formulating the Environmental and Social Business Case for a Resource Recovery from Waste Process

• Oct 2017 -Dec 2017
• Funding body: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC)
• Collaborators: University of Leeds (UK); University of Surrey (UK); Wilson Bio-chemical Biorenewables Development Centre (UK)

eCook - a transformational household solar battery-electric cooker for poverty alleviation

• May 2017 – Dec 2017
• Funding body: Innovate UK
• Collaborators: University of Surrey (UK); Loughborough University (UK); Gamos (UK)

Multi-parametric Assessment of Policies for Resource Recovery from Waste (MAPeRR)

• July 2016 – Jan 2017 
• Funding body: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); Resource Recovery from Waste (RRfW) programme
• Collaborators: University of Surrey (UK); University of Leeds (UK); University of Hull (UK); Stopford Energy & Environment (UK)

Economic Value Generation and Social Welfare by Waste Biorefining

• July 2016 – Feb 2017
• Funding body: Newton Research Collaboration Programme of the Royal Academy of Engineering
• Collaborators: University of Surrey (UK); Imperial College London (UK); National Research Institute of Forestry, Agriculture and Livestock (INIFAP) (Mexico); Instituto Mexicano del Petroleo (IMP) (Mexico)

Resource Recovery from Wastewater with Bioelectrochemical Systems

• May 2015 – March 2017 
• Funding body: Natural Environment Research Council (NERC); Resource Recovery from Waste (RRfW) programme
• Collaborators: University of Surrey (UK); Newcastle University (UK); The University of Manchester (UK); University of South Wales (UK); Tata Steel (UK); Chivas Brothers (UK)

Efficient Use of Resources in Steel Plants through Process Integration (REFFIPLANT)

• July 2012 – Aug 2013 
• Funding body: European Commission Research Fund for Coal and Steel (FP 7)
• Collaborators: Process Integration Limited (UK); Tata Steel (UK); Scuola Superiore Sant’Anna (Italy); ILVA S.P.A. (Italy); Swerea MEFOS, A.B. (Sweden); SSAB Emea A.B. (Sweden); SSAB Merox A.B. (Sweden)

• 2013 - Refinery Water Network Study - Sponsor: PetroChina (UK)
• 2012 Mild Hydrocracking process development - Sponsor: Sabic (Europe)
• 2011 LNG process cycle selection; design & optimisation (Bolivia) - Sponsor: confidential

Special Issue Journal Guest Editorship

• Chemical Engineering Research and Design (“Biorefinery Value Chain Creation”), 2016
• Sustainable Production and Consumption (“Sustainable Availability and Utilisation of Wastes”), 2017
• Food and Bioproducts Processing (“Towards a sustainable bioeconomy: Working in harmony with the environment-food-energy-water nexus”), 2019

Journal Peer-Reviewing

• Journal of Cleaner Production
• Greenhouse Gases: Science and Technology
• Chemical Engineering Research and Design
• Biochemical Engineering Journal
• Energy

Proposal reviewing

• French National Research Agency (ANR)

1. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Martinez Hernandez, E., 2014. Biorefineries and chemical processes: design, integration and sustainability analysis, Wiley. ISBN: 9781119990864.
2. Ng, K.S., Hatton, L., Martinez-Hernandez, E., 2021. SYNERGORS - A Systems Approach to Synergistic
   Utilisation of Secondary Organic Streams. Final Project Report. University of Oxford. Funded by the
   UK Natural Environment Research Council (NE/R012938/1). ISBN: 978-1-7397541-0-5.

1. Martinez-Hernandez, E., Ng, K.S, 2020. Life cycle analysis of renewable energy, in Reference Module in Earth Systems and Environmental Sciences, Elsevier.
2. Ng, K.S. and Martinez-Hernandez, E., 2020. Techno-economic assessment of an integrated bio-oil steam reforming and hydrodeoxygenation system for polygeneration of hydrogen, chemicals, and combined heat and power production, in Towards Sustainable Chemical Processes, J. Ren, Y. Wang, and C. He, (Ed.), p. 69-98, Elsevier.
3. Ng, D.K.S., Ng, K.S., Ng, R.T.L., 2017. Integrated Biorefineries in Encyclopedia of Sustainable Technologies, Abraham, M.A. (Ed.), p. 299–314, Elsevier
4. Shemfe, M., Ng, K.S., Sadhukhan, J., 2017. Bioelectrochemical systems for biofuel (electricity, hydrogen, and methane) and valuable chemical production in Green Chemistry for Sustainable Biofuel Production, Gude, V.G. (Eds.), Apple Academic Press
5. Martinez-Hernandez, E., Ng, K.S., Amezcua Allieri, M.A., Aburto Anell, J.A., Sadhukhan, J., 2016. Biorefineries and extracting value added products from solid wastes, and the modelling, simulation and optimization of the processes. Extremophilic Bioprocessing, Springer, International Publishing AG, Gewerbestrasse 11, 6330 Cham, Switzerland
6. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Martinez Hernandez, E., 2016. Process systems engineering tools for biomass polygeneration systems with carbon capture and reuse in Process Design Strategies for Biomass Conversion Systems, Ng, D.K.S., Tan, R.R., Foo, D.C.Y., El-Halwagi, M.M.(Eds.), p. 217-246, Wiley.

1. Ng, K.S., Iacovidou, E., 2020. Malaysia versus Waste. The Chemical Engineer, July/August 2020 (949/50), p.30-33. IChemE. (Featured article)

1. Samsatli, S., Martinez Hernandez, E., Ng, K.S., 2020. Towards a sustainable bioeconomy: Working in harmony with the environment-food-energy-water nexus. Food and Bioproducts Processing, 119.
2. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., 2017. Sustainable availability and utilisation of wastes. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 9
3. Sadhukhan, J., Martinez Hernandez, E., Ng, K.S., 2016. Biorefinery Value Chain Creation. Chemical Engineering Research & Design, 107

1. Ng, K.S., Yang, A., 2023. Development of a system model to predict flows and performance of regional waste management planning: A case study of England. J. Environ. Manage. 325, Part B: 116585.
2. Yeoh, L., Ng, K.S., 2022. Future prospects of spent coffee ground valorisation using a biorefinery approach. Resour Conserv Recycl. 179: 106123.
3. Kargbo, H., Ng, K.S., Phan, A.N., 2022. Evaluation of the economic feasibility of a two-stage gasification system for hydrogen, liquid fuels and energy production from residues. Energy Convers Manag. 253: 115126.
4. Ng, K.S., Farooq, D., Yang, A., 2021. Global biorenewable development strategies for sustainable aviation fuel production. Renew Sustain Energy Rev. 150: 111502.
5. Ng, K.S., Phan, A.N., Iacovidou, E., Wan Ab Karim Ghani, W.A. 2021. Techno-economic assessment of a novel integrated system of mechanical-biological treatment and valorisation of residual municipal solid waste into hydrogen: A case study in the UK. J Clean Prod. 298: 126706.
6. Ng, K.S., Phan, A.N., 2021. Evaluating the techno-economic potential of an integrated material recovery and waste-to-hydrogen system. Resour Conserv Recycl. 167: 105392.
7. Farooq, D., Thompson, I., Ng, K.S., 2020. Exploring the feasibility of producing sustainable aviation fuel in the UK using hydrothermal liquefaction technology: A comprehensive techno-economic and environmental assessment. Cleaner Engineering and Technology. 1: 100010.
8. Ng, K.S., To, L.S., 2020. A systems thinking approach to stimulating and enhancing resource efficiency and circularity in households. J Clean Prod. 275: 123038.
9. Ng, K.S., Yang, A., Yakovleva, N., 2019. Sustainable waste management through synergistic utilisation of commercial and domestic organic waste for efficient resource recovery and valorisation in the UK.J Clean Prod. 227: 248-262.
10. Sadhukhan, J., Gadkari, S., Martinez-Hernandez, E., Ng, K.S., Shemfe, M., Torres-Garcia, E., Lynch, J., 2019. Novel macroalgae (seaweed) biorefinery systems for integrated chemical, protein, salt, nutrient and mineral extractions and environmental protection by green synthesis and life cycle sustainability assessments. Green Chem.
11. Martinez Hernandez, E., Ng, K.S., 2018. Design of biorefinery systems for conversion of corn stover into biofuels using a biorefinery engineering framework. Clean Technol Envir. 20(7): 1501-1514
12. Sadhukhan, J., Martinez-Hernandez, E., Murphy, R.J., Ng, D.K.S., Hassim, M.H., Ng, K.S., Wan, Y.K., Fahani, I.M.J., Leung, M.Y.P.H., Andiappan, V., 2018. Role of bioenergy, biorefinery and bioeconomy in sustainable development: Strategic pathways for Malaysia. Renew. Sust. Energ. Rev. 81(2): 1966-1987
13. Iacovidou, E., Busch, J., Hahladakis, J., Baxter, H., Ng, K.S., Herbert, B., 2017. A parameter selection framework for sustainability assessment. Sustainability 9(9): 1497
14. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Martinez Hernandez, E., 2016. Novel integrated mechanical biological chemical treatment (MBCT) systems for the production of levulinic acid from fraction of municipal solid waste: A comprehensive techno-economic analysis. Bioresource Technol, 215: 131-143 (This article has been selected as the best paper in the special issue) 
15. Ng, K.S., Martinez Hernandez, E., 2016. A systematic framework for energetic, environmental and economic (3E) assessment and design of polygeneration systems, Chem Eng Res Des, 106: 1-25
16. Wan, Y.K., Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Ng, D.K.S., 2016. Techno-economic evaluations for feasibility of sago-based biorefinery, Part 1: Alternative energy systems, Chem Eng Res Des., 107:263-279 (Special issue)
17. Ng, K.S., Head, I., Premier, G.C., Scott, K., Yu, E., Lloyd, J., Sadhukhan, J., 2016. A multilevel sustainability analysis of zinc recovery from wastes. Resources Conserv Recy. 113: 88 – 105
18. Ng, K.S., Zhang, N., Sadhukhan, J., 2013. Techno-economic analysis of polygeneration systems with carbon capture and storage and CO2 reuse. Chem Eng J. 219: 96-108
19. Ng, K.S., Zhang, N., Sadhukhan, J., 2012. A graphical CO2 emission treatment intensity assessment for energy and economic analyses of integrated decarbonised production systems. Comput Chem Eng, 45: 1-14
20. Ng, K.S., Zhang, N., Sadhukhan, J., 2012. Decarbonised coal energy system advancement through CO2 utilisation and polygeneration. Clean Technol. Environ Policy, 14(3): 443-451. (Special issue)
21. Ng, K.S., Sadhukhan, J., 2011. Techno-economic performance analysis of bio-oil based Fischer-Tropsch and CHP synthesis platform. Biomass Bioenergy, 35 (7): 3218-3234.
22. Ng, K.S., Sadhukhan, J., 2011. Process integration and economic analysis of bio-oil platform for the production of methanol and combined heat and power. Biomass Bioenergy, 35 (3): 1153-1169
23. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., 2011. Economic and European Union environmental sustainability criteria assessment of bio-oil based biofuel systems: Refinery integration cases. Ind Eng Chem Res, 50 (11): 6794-6808
24. Ng, K.S., Lopez, Y., Campbell, G.M., Sadhukhan, J., 2010. Heat integration and analysis of decarbonised IGCC sites. Chem Eng Res Des, 88 (2): 170-188 (Awarded the IChemE Junior Moulton Medal for the best publication in 2011)
25. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Shah, N., Simons, H.J., 2009. Heat integration strategy for economic production of combined heat and power from biomass waste. Energy Fuels, 23 (10): 5106-5120

1. Ng, K.S., Organic waste valorisation through polygeneration strategies. 27th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition, Lisbon, Portugal, 27-30 May 2019. (Oral)
2. Ng, K.S., Sustainable resource management and energy systems design through decarbonised polygeneration strategy. UK-China Workshop on “Renewable Energy Systems in Zero Carbon Villages”, Lhasa, Tibet, China, 6-9 August 2018. (Oral)
3. Ng, K.S., Sustainable industrial system design through carbon dioxide utilisation and polygeneration strategies. UK-China workshop on “Sustainable Systems for CO2 Utilization: From Innovation to Practical Implementation”, Beijing, China, 23-26 July 2018. (Oral)
4. Ng, K.S., Resource efficiency and waste management: Learning through international collaboration and multidisciplinary research. UK-Brazil Newton Fund workshop on “Indicators and Metrics for Socially Inclusive Waste Management and Resource Efficiency in Supply Chains: Measuring and Reporting to Embed Sustainability in Policy and Practice”, Florianópolis, Brazil, 23-25 May 2017. (Oral)
5. Ng, K.S., Sadhukhan, J., From fossils to bio-based economy: A revolutionary transformation in process industries. AIChE Annual Meeting, San Francisco, United States, 13-18 November 2016. (Oral)
6. Ng, K.S., Sustainable industrial systems design through decarbonised polygeneration strategy. Newton-Al-Farabi UK-Kazakhstan workshop on “Low-carbon Future: Efficient Management of Resources and Energy”, Astana, Kazakhstan, 26-28 September 2016. (Awarded the best oral presentation)
7. Martinez Hernandez, E., Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Technological approach for strategic bioeconomy development between Malaysia and the UK. British Council Researcher Links Workshop on “Bioenergy, Biorefinery and Bioeconomy: Promoting innovation, multidisciplinary collaboration and sustainability”, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 30 May – 3 June, 2016. (Keynote)
8. Ng, K.S., Sadhukhan, J., Sustainability analysis of municipal solid waste management and resource recovery strategies. European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE), Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 6-9 June 2016. (Poster)
9. Sadhukhan, J., Ng, K.S., Martinez Hernandez, E., Process systems engineering and sustainability analysis approach for competitive biorefinery designs. Renewable chemicals from wastes – securing the molecular value from waste streams. Royal Society of Chemistry, London, U.K., 20 November, 2015. (Poster)
10. Ng, K.S., From fossils to bio-based economy: A revolutionary transformation in process industries. British Council / CONACyT funded Researcher Links Workshop “Biorefinery research - promoting international collaboration for innovative and sustainable solutions”. Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Mexico City, Mexico, 18-22 May, 2015 (Keynote)
11. Ng, K.S., Sadhukhan, J., Resource recovery from wastes using bioelectrochemical systems. British Council / CONACyT funded Researcher Links Workshop on “Biorefinery research - promoting international collaboration for innovative and sustainable solutions”. Instituto Mexicano del Petróleo, Mexico City, Mexico, 18-22 May 2015 (Poster)
12. Ng, K.S., Process synthesis and integration strategies for sustainable systems. The University of Nottingham, U.K. 11 October, 2013. (Invited Seminar)
13. Hall, S, Ng, K.S., Identifying opportunities for effective utilisation of waste heat. Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) Technical Meet “Industrial Waste Heat Recovery”. New Delhi, India. 21-22 January, 2013. (Oral)
14. Ng, K.S., Zhang, N., Sadhukhan, J., 2011. Decarbonised polygeneration from fossil and biomass resources. Process Integration Research Consortium Meeting. Manchester, U.K. 17 October, 2011. (Oral)
15. Ng, K.S., Zhang, N., Sadhukhan, J., Process synthesis with heat integration of decarbonised coal energy systems. 14th International Conference on Process Integration, Modelling and Optimisation for Energy Saving and Pollution Reduction (PRES). Florence, Italy. 8-11 May, 2011. (Oral)

B7 Fluid Flow, Heat and Mass Transfer: Separation Processes

• 2021
• Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
• Level: 3rd year undergraduate (MEng)

C11 Chemical Engineering I: Advanced Distillation

• 2019 - Present
• Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
• Level: 4th year undergraduate (MEng)

4th year research project (4YP) Supervision

• 2018 - Present
• Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
• Level: 4th year undergraduate (MEng)

3rd year design project (3YP): Introduction to Life Cycle Assessment

• 2019 - Present
• Department of Engineering Science, University of Oxford
• Level: 3rd year undergraduate (MEng)

Conceptual Design Group Activity

• 2018
• Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Bath
• MSc

The Society of Circular, Regenerative and Sustainable Systems (CRES) Launch Event and Workshop on “Sustainable Development – Rethinking the Systems”

• 3 Feb 2020
• Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, UK (Chair)

Royal Academy of Engineering/GCRF Frontiers of Engineering for Development Symposium on “From Feeding People to Nourishing People”

• 27-29 November 2019
• Antananarivo, Madagascar (Participant)

UK-China Workshop on “Renewable Energy Systems in Zero Carbon Villages”

• 6-9 August 2018
• Lhasa Tibet, China (Participant)

UK-China workshop on “Sustainable Systems for CO2 Utilization: From Innovation to Practical Implementation”

• 23-26 July 2018
• Beijing, China (Participant)

NERC Expert Meeting

• 22-23 May 2018
• University of Oxford (Chair/Organiser)

UK-Brazil Newton Fund workshop on “Indicators and Metrics for Socially Inclusive Waste Management and Resource Efficiency in Supply Chains: Measuring and Reporting to Embed Sustainability in Policy and Practice”

• 23-25 May 2017
• Florianópolis, Brazil (Participant)

Biorefinery training workshop at 24th European Biomass Conference and Exhibition (EUBCE), “Advanced Biorefineries: Simulation, Process Integration, Value Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment"

• 8 June 2016
• Amsterdam, The Netherlands (Speaker/Instructor)

British Council / Newton Fund Researcher Links UK-Malaysia Workshop “Bioenergy, Biorefinery and Bioeconomy: Promoting Innovation, Multidisciplinary Collaboration and Sustainability”

• 30 May-3 June 2016
• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Secretary and Programme Leader)

IChemE Workshop “Application of Chemical Engineering to Sustainable Biorefineries”

• 29 April 2016
• University of Surrey, UK (Speaker/Instructor)

British Council / CONACyT Researcher Links UK-Mexico Workshop “Biorefinery research – promoting international collaboration for innovative and sustainable solutions”

• 18-22 May 2015
• Mexico City, Mexico (Session Chair / Keynote Speaker)