Amadeu K. Sum

Professor, Chemical and Biological Engineering

Our research centers around WATER as a sustainable functional material, in particular  when combined with gases to form a crystalline phase, known as CLATHRATE HYDRATES. These phase change properties of water can be tuned depending on the gas(es), temperature, and pressure, making clathrate hydrates a versatile functional material relevant to numerous areas as shown below. Our study on clathrate hydrates ranges from the SCIENCE (fundamental) to the ENGINEERING (applied), so that we can further our understanding of their properties and develop solutions for their application. The research is based on experimental, theoretical, and computational approaches, bringing a unified approach to bridge the microscopic and macroscopic scales utilizing a variety of techniques for property measurement, characterization, and discovery.

In addition to clathrate hydrates, our research is also concerned with other broad areas ranging from soft condensed matter to structured materials to biological systems, with emphasis on molecular descriptions as the basis to understand macroscopic properties and behavior. Theoretical, computational, and experimental methods are employed as research tools to broaden our fundamental knowledge while applying those principles to tackle practical problems. Every topic of research emphasizes a multiscale and multidisciplinary approach that encompasses knowledge and skills covering the chemical, physical, and life sciences, computer science, and engineering.

Research Group

Sum Research Group Website

Education

• BS, MS – Colorado School of Mines
• PhD – University of Delaware
• Post-Doctoral Study – University of Wisconsin, Madison

Selected Publications

• C. L. Bassani, A. M. Melchuna, A. Cameirão, J.-M. Herri, R. E. M. Morales, A. K. Sum, “A Multiscale Approach for Gas Hydrates Considering Structure, Agglomeration, and Trans- portability under Multiphase Flow Conditions: I. Phenomenological Model,” Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, 58 (31) 14446-14461 (2019). [doi: 10.1021/acs.iecr.9b01841]
• J.-H. Sa, A. K. Sum, “Promoting Gas Hydrate Formation with Ice-Nucleating Additives for Hydrate-Based Applications,” Applied Energy, 251, 113352 (2019). [doi: 10.1016/j.apenergy. 2019.113352]
• Y. Hu, J.-H. Sa, B. R. Lee, and A. K. Sum, “Universal Correlation for Gas Hydrates Suppression Temperature of Inhibited Systems: III. Salts and Organic Inhibitors,” AIChE Journal, 64 (11), 4097-4109 (2018). Editor’s Choice article. [doi: 10.1002/aic.16369]
• K. J. Kinnari, K. M. Askvik, X. Li, X. Zhang, J.-H. Sa, B. R. Lee, and A. K. Sum, “Hydrate Management of Deadlegs in Oil and Gas Production Systems – Background and Development of Experimental System,” Energy & Fuels, 31 (11), 11783-11792 (2017). [doi: 10.1021/ acs.energyfuels.7b02051]
• P. G. Lafond, R. G. Grim, and A. K. Sum, “Clathrate Hydrate Equilibrium Modeling: Do Self-Consistent Cell Models Provide Unique Equilibrium Solutions?,” Canadian Journal of Chemistry, 93 (8), 826-830 (2015). Special Issue Honoring John Ripmeester. [doi: 10.1139/cjc-2014-0558]
• B. C. Barnes, B. C. Knott, G. T. Beckham, D. T. Wu, and A. K. Sum, “Reaction Coordinate of Incipient Methane Clathrate Hydrate Nucleation,” Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 118 (46), 13236-13243 (2014). [doi: 10.1021/jp507959q]

Google Scholar Citations Page

Honors and Awards

• ASME Best Mechanical Engineering Paper at OTC, Arthur Lubinski Award, 2017
• DuPont Young Professor Award, 2008-2011