Mr. Koguleshun Subramaniam

Biography

I am Koguleshun Subramaniam, a postgraduate research student within Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Southampton. I graduated with a Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering (Hons.) in 2015 from University Tenaga Nasional and a Mechanical Engineering master’s degree from the same university in 2019. After working as an engineer for some time, I started my PhD research here at the University of Southampton in 2022, on microwave assisted microfluidic transesterification studies for biodiesel production. My undergraduate degree equipped me with a strong foundation in mechanical engineering, with elective subjects related to renewable energy. My master’s degree further developed my interest for liquid biofuel, predominantly biodiesel. The thesis of my master’s degree discussed on heterogeneous catalyst related research for biodiesel production involving biomass. Waste oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) fibres and Kenaf fibres are two biomass materials that are widely available in the Southeast Asian region, that I used as a precursor to develop heterogeneous catalysts for biodiesel production. Skills and experience from my master’s degree led me to pursue my current PhD project under the supervision of Associate Professor Dr Ng Jo Han.

Research Interest

  1. Renewable energy
  2. Liquid biofuel
  3. Biodiesel
  4. Microwave assisted transesterification
  5. Microfluidics

 

Contact

Mr. Koguleshun Subramaniam

University of Southampton Malaysia

C0301, C0302, C0401, Blok C Eko Galleria, 3, Jalan Eko Botani 3/2, Taman Eko Botani, 79100 Nusajaya, Johor, Malaysia

Email: k.subramaniam@soton.ac.uk

Current Research Project

My current PhD research work is targeted to tackle the global issue of poor biodiesel utilisation. The current biodiesel production method is mature, however not cost & energy efficient. This relates to poor biodiesel usage as an alternative source of fuel. My PhD research aims to increase the global usage of biodiesel, by improving its production efficiency by altering the traditional energy profile of biodiesel production (transesterification reaction) in a novel way that the physical & chemical limitations of the reaction are eliminated. Key to achieving this are the in-depth understanding of its reaction kinetics, achieving micro level mixing and managing a precise heat delivery system throughout the reaction.