Tarek Rashwan

Contact

• workRoom B14 Coates Building
  University Park
  Nottingham
  NG7 2RD
  UK
• Tarek.Rashwan@nottingham.ac.uk

Biography

I completed my PhD in Civil and Environmental Engineering with a specialization in Environment & Sustainability from the University of Western Ontario in London, Canada under the supervision of Dr. Jason Ian Gerhard. I am concurrently an Honorary Lecturer at University College London and Visiting Academic at the Open University and I am a registered professional engineer in Ontario, Canada.

Expertise Summary

My key expertise is in

• Environmental engineering - primarily in fate and transport of pollutants in the environment
• Waste management - primarily in thermal treatment processes, with a focus on contaminant destruction alongside energy and resource recovery
• Heat and mass transfer analyses - including scalability analyses, local thermal non-equilibrium analyses, and analytical and numerical modelling

Research Summary

Alongside students and collaborators, I'm currently researching a range of environmental engineering topics that support a low-carbon, clean, and circular economy - such as assessing hydrogeological… read more

Recent Publications

• WANG, JIAHAO, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2026. Approximating local thermal non-equilibrium in water-sand-gas phases within wet smoldering processes via a two-energy equation model: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 255, 127723
• XAVIER, ANDRÉ V., RASHWAN, TAREK L., BITTENCOURT, FLÁVIO L. F. and MARTINS, MARCIO FERREIRA, 2026. Heat penetration in reactive porous beds: Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science Experimental thermal and fluid science. 171, 111631
• KHODAPARASTAN, FATEMEH, BOWEN, JAMES, SWITZER, CHRISTINE, GRANT, GAVIN P., BROWN, JOSHUA K., ZANONI, MARCO A. B. and RASHWAN, TAREK L., 2025. Oxygen dynamics in smouldering combustion: Impacts on reaction zones and biochar production: Proceedings of the Combustion Institute Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 41, 105850
• KLIPPEL, MIRIAM S., XAVIER, ANDRE V., BITTENCOURT, FLÁVIO L. F., RASHWAN, TAREK L. and MARTINS, MARCIO F., 2025. On the design of smoldering reactors for out-of-bed heat recovery Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 220, 438-449

• View all publications

My team and I engage frequently in external events.

See an example event below with myself and colleagues alongside OU PhD students Harri Williams and Marc Cochrane. This panel discussion was on hydrogen in the UK and a part of Energy Security & Green Infrastructure Week 2023.

This online case study highlights a successful project alongside local leader on electric vehicle component design, Saietta.

This is a photo of team members supporting a local science outreach programme that promotes women leadership in STEM, Soapbox Science. My PhD student Fatemeh Khodaparastan participated in Soapboxscience 2024. Wonderful event for a terrific initiative!

Current Research

Alongside students and collaborators, I'm currently researching a range of environmental engineering topics that support a low-carbon, clean, and circular economy - such as assessing hydrogeological conditions for safe used nuclear fuel storage, large-scale hydrogen storage and transport systems, and furthering the scientific understanding of a novel thermochemical waste-to-energy technique based on smouldering combustion. These projects primarily focus on understanding mass and energy balance dynamics - often in porous media systems - via experimental, analytical, and numerical methods.

• WANG, JIAHAO, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2026. Approximating local thermal non-equilibrium in water-sand-gas phases within wet smoldering processes via a two-energy equation model: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 255, 127723
• XAVIER, ANDRÉ V., RASHWAN, TAREK L., BITTENCOURT, FLÁVIO L. F. and MARTINS, MARCIO FERREIRA, 2026. Heat penetration in reactive porous beds: Experimental Thermal and Fluid Science Experimental thermal and fluid science. 171, 111631
• KHODAPARASTAN, FATEMEH, BOWEN, JAMES, SWITZER, CHRISTINE, GRANT, GAVIN P., BROWN, JOSHUA K., ZANONI, MARCO A. B. and RASHWAN, TAREK L., 2025. Oxygen dynamics in smouldering combustion: Impacts on reaction zones and biochar production: Proceedings of the Combustion Institute Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 41, 105850
• KLIPPEL, MIRIAM S., XAVIER, ANDRE V., BITTENCOURT, FLÁVIO L. F., RASHWAN, TAREK L. and MARTINS, MARCIO F., 2025. On the design of smoldering reactors for out-of-bed heat recovery Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 220, 438-449
• MORALES, RYAN B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., ZANONI, MARCO A. B., DEGROOT, CHRISTOPHER T. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2025. Exploring waste heat recovery from applied smouldering systems: Energy Energy. 338, 138527
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., FOURNIE, TARYN and SWITZER, CHRISTINE, 2025. Applied Smouldering Combustion for Supporting a Circular Economy. In: TUDOR, TERRY, ed., Resources Management: Global Perspectives and Initiatives 52. Royal Society of Chemistry. 176-219
• WILLIAMS, HARRI A., HEINEMANN, NIKLAS, MOLNAR, IAN L., DE MESQUITA L VELOSO, FERNANDA, GLADDING, TONI and RASHWAN, TAREK L., 2025. Hydrogen storage in depleted gas reservoirs with carbon dioxide as a cushion gas: Exploring a lateral gas separation strategy to reduce gas mixing: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 102, 1116-1129
• ASAD, MD ABDULLAH, RASHWAN, TAREK L., MOLNAR, IAN L., BEHAZIN, MEHRAN, KEECH, PETER G. and KROL, MAGDALENA M., 2025. Exploring the cycle of H2 gas using numerical modelling in the context of a deep geological repository: Results in Engineering Results in Engineering. 27, 106008
• ASAD, MD ABDULLAH, RASHWAN, TAREK L., MOLNAR, IAN L., BEHAZIN, MEHRAN, KEECH, PETER G. and KROL, MAGDALENA M., 2024. Modelling key reactive processes relevant to bisulfide transport through highly compacted bentonite: Results in Engineering Results in Engineering. 24, 103486
• BROWN, JOSHUA K., RASHWAN, TAREK L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2024. Hydrogen-rich syngas derived from smouldering biomass and hydrocarbon wastes: International Journal of Hydrogen Energy International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 72, 839-849
• CHOWDHURY, F., RASHWAN, T. L., MONDAL, P., BEHAZIN, M., KEECH, P. G., SHARMA, J. S. and KROL, M., 2024. Effect of compaction on bisulfide diffusive transport through MX-80 bentonite: Journal of Contaminant Hydrology Journal of Contaminant Hydrology. 264, 104341
• HOU, FEI, ZHONG, XIAOXING, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L. and TORERO, JOSÉ L., 2024. Multi-step scheme and thermal effects of coal smouldering under various oxygen-limited conditions: Energy Energy. 299, 131421
• HOU, FEI, ZHONG, XIAOXING, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L. and TORERO, JOSÉ L., 2024. Quantifying oxygen diffusion during thermal degradation of combustible porous media: Applied Thermal Engineering 257, 124219
• MIRY, SEYED ZIAEDIN, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., KINSMAN, LAURA, TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2024. Fuel mobility dynamics and their influence on applied smouldering systems: Combustion and Flame Combustion and Flame. 270, 113789
• PAPRY, SIFAT AZAD, RASHWAN, TAREK L., MONDAL, PULIN, BEHAZIN, MEHRAN, KEECH, PETER G. and KROL, MAGDALENA, 2024. Investigating Bisulphide Sorption onto Bentonite: Methodology Development and Design of Batch Experiments At: Cham
• WANG, JIAHAO, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2024. Smoldering ignition of wet combustible materials: Proceedings of the Combustion Institute Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 40(1), 105448
• WANG, JIAHAO, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2024. Downward water mobility in applied smoldering: Proceedings of the Combustion Institute Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 40(1), 105234
• CHOWDHURY, F., RASHWAN, T. L., PAPRY, S. A., BEHAZIN, M., KEECH, P. G., MONDAL, P., SHARMA, J. and KROL, M., 2023. Measuring Key Parameters Governing Anion Transport Through Mx-80 Bentonite At: Singapore
• FOURNIE, T., RASHWAN, T. L., SWITZER, C. and GERHARD, J. I., 2023. Smouldering to treat PFAS in sewage sludge: Waste Management Waste Management. 164, 219-227
• MIRY, SEYED ZIAEDIN, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2023. Investigation of applied smouldering in different conditions: The effect of oxygen mass flux: Fuel Processing Technology Fuel Processing Technology. 250, 107849
• PAPRY, SIFAT AZAD, RASHWAN, TAREK L., MONDAL, PULIN K., BEHAZIN, MEHRAN, KEECH, PETER G. and KROL, MAGDALENA M., 2023. Investigating bisulfide sorption onto bentonite through laboratory batch experiments: Applied Geochemistry 152, 105626
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., FOURNIE, TARYN, GREEN, MEGAN, DUCHESNE, ALEXANDRA L., BROWN, JOSHUA K., GRANT, GAVIN P., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2023. Applied smouldering for co-waste management: Benefits and trade-offs: Fuel Processing Technology Fuel Processing Technology. 240, 107542
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., ZANONI, MARCO A. B., WANG, JIAHAO, TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2023. Elucidating the characteristic energy balance evolution in applied smouldering systems: Energy Energy. 273, 127245
• SONG, ZEYANG, ZANONI, MARCO A. B. and RASHWAN, TAREK L., 2023. Modelling oxygen-limited and self-sustained smoldering propagation: Thermochemical treatment of food waste in an inert porous medium: Chemical Engineering Journal Chemical Engineering Journal. 468, 143539
• ASAD, MD ABDULLAH, RASHWAN, TAREK, MOLNAR, IAN and KROL, MAGDALENA, 2022. Modelling bisulfide transport through the engineered barrier system under repository conditions: Coupling unsaturated flow and refining boundary conditions
• FOURNIE, T., RASHWAN, T. L., SWITZER, C. and GERHARD, J. I., 2022. Phosphorus recovery and reuse potential from smouldered sewage sludge ash: Waste Management Waste Management. 137, 241-252
• FOURNIE, T., RASHWAN, T. L., SWITZER, C., GRANT, G. P. and GERHARD, J. I., 2022. Exploring PCDD/Fs and potentially toxic elements in sewage sludge during smouldering treatment: Journal of Environmental Management Journal of Environmental Management. 317, 115384
• MIRY, SEYED ZIAEDIN, ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2022. Investigation of multi-dimensional transfer effects in applied smouldering systems: A 2D numerical modelling approach: Combustion and Flame Combustion and Flame. 246, 112385
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., ASAD, MD ABDULLAH, MOLNAR, IAN L., BEHAZIN, MEHRAN, KEECH, PETER G. and KROL, MAGDALENA M., 2022. Exploring the governing transport mechanisms of corrosive agents in a Canadian deep geological repository: Science of The Total Environment Science of the Total Environment. 828, 153944
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., FOURNIE, TARYN, TORERO, JOSÉ L., GRANT, GAVIN P. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2021. Scaling up self-sustained smouldering of sewage sludge for waste-to-energy: Waste Management Waste Management. 135, 298-308
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2021. The improved energy efficiency of applied smouldering systems with increasing scale: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 177, 121548
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2021. Heat losses in applied smouldering systems: Sensitivity analysis via analytical modelling: International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer. 172, 121150
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., TORERO, JOSÉ L. and GERHARD, JASON I., 2021. Heat losses in a smouldering system: The key role of non-uniform air flux: Combustion and Flame Combustion and Flame. 227, 309-321
• GRANT, GAVIN, MAJOR, DAVID, SCHOLES, GRANT, GERHARD, JASON, BROWN, JOSHUA, TORERO, JOSE and RASHWAN, TAREK, 2020. Method for generating or recovering materials through smoldering combustion 01/01/2020 00:00:00
• TORERO, JOSÉ L., GERHARD, JASON I., MARTINS, MARCIO F., ZANONI, MARCO A. B., RASHWAN, TAREK L. and BROWN, JOSHUA K., 2020. Processes defining smouldering combustion: Integrated review and synthesis: Progress in Energy and Combustion Science Progress in Energy and Combustion Science. 81, 100869
• RASHWAN, TAREK L., GERHARD, JASON I. and GRANT, GAVIN P., 2016. Application of self-sustaining smouldering combustion for the destruction of wastewater biosolids: Waste Management Waste Management. 50, 201-212