Dr. Walker's research focuses on modeling, simulation and analysis of industrial energy systems. His work includes the development of a novel coal-based power production process, which is estimated to achieve carbon capture and sequestration goals with higher efficiency and lower water consumption rates than conventional processes. He also investigated the economic viability of utilizing degraded wastewater to replace freshwater in the recirculating cooling loops of thermoelectric power plants. Dr. Walker's research also looks into energy and resource consumption in manufacturing facilities. He recently developed estimates for water consumption in industrial steam systems at a previously unavailable level of detail. In addition, his work on the development and comparison of energy intensity metrics for major food industries provided engineering guidance to the California Air Resources Board during the development of their statewide Carbon Cap-and-Trade Policies.
keywords
Gasification, carbon capture and sequestration, carbon cap-and-trade policy, industrial energy and resource consumption, energy efficiency, sustainability, energy-water nexus, water reuse, process modeling, process simulation, process design, process analysis, sustainability metrics
CVEN 4434 - Environmental Engineering Design
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
Examines the design of facilities for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater, hazardous industrial waste, contaminated environmental sites and sustainable sanitation in developing countries. Economic, societal and site specific criteria impacting designs are emphasized. Same as EVEN 4434.
ENEN 4600 - Interdisciplinary Energy Engineering Projects
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
Prepares students to analyze energy systems from technical, economic, and policy perspectives with project topics varying by semester. Provides historical and contemporary context of the energy landscape. Emphasizes application of engineering fundamentals for the design and evaluation of real world energy systems. Projects will be completed by working in interdisciplinary teams.
EVEN 3650 - Sustainable Energy Systems Analysis
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2022
This course introduces students to the fundamentals of technology utilized in sustainable energy systems. Students will learn performance modeling, environmental life cycle assessment, and economic viability evaluation with a focus on the following: sensitivity analysis of cost-performance models, uncertainty and risk assessment, multi-criteria decision making and sustainability assessment. This course highlights the limits and obstacles facing the integration.
EVEN 4434 - Environmental Engineering Design
Primary Instructor
-
Spring 2018 / Spring 2019 / Spring 2020 / Spring 2021 / Spring 2022
Examines the design of facilities for the treatment of municipal water and wastewater, hazardous industrial waste, contaminated environmental sites and sustainable sanitation in developing countries. Economic, societal and site specific criteria impacting designs are emphasized. Same as CVEN 4434.
EVEN 4830 - Special Topics
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2019 / Fall 2020 / Fall 2021
May be repeated up to 12 total credit hours.
MCEN 3012 - Thermodynamics
Secondary Instructor
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Fall 2019
Explores fundamental concepts and basic theory, including first and second laws of thermodynamics, properties, states, thermodynamic functions and cycles. Degree credit not granted for this course and GEEN 3852 or AREN 2110.
MCEN 3032 - Thermodynamics 2
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2018 / Fall 2018 / Spring 2019 / Fall 2019 / Spring 2020 / Fall 2020 / Spring 2021 / Fall 2021 / Spring 2022 / Fall 2022 / Spring 2023 / Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 / Fall 2024
Offers advanced topics and applications for thermal system design and analysis. Topics include thermodynamics of state, entropy, thermodynamic cycles and reacting and nonreacting mixtures. Provides application to power generation, refrigeration and HVAC with conventional and advanced technologies. Most assignments are design oriented.
MCEN 4032 - Sustainable Energy
Primary Instructor
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Fall 2018 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Examines sustainability of our current energy systems, including transportation, using environmental and economic indicators. Uses systems analysis that addresses energy supply and demand. Explores the science and technology as well as environmental and economic feasibility of efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies. Additional emphasis is given to the global nature of the challenges and the potential for locally optimal solutions. Same as MCEN 5032.
MCEN 5022 - Classical Thermodynamics
Primary Instructor
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Spring 2023 / Spring 2024
First and second laws of thermodynamics. Entropy and availability. Cycle analysis. Thermodynamic properties of pure substances and mixtures. Property relations. Chemical reactions and chemical availability. Energy systems analysis.
MCEN 5032 - Sustainable Energy
Primary Instructor
-
Fall 2018 / Fall 2023 / Fall 2024
Examines sustainability of our current energy systems, including transportation, using environmental and economic indicators. Uses systems analysis that addresses energy supply and demand. Explores the science and technology as well as environmental and economic feasibility of efficiency measures and renewable energy technologies. Additional emphasis is given to the global nature of the challenges and the potential for locally optimal solutions. Same as MCEN 4032.
