Dr. Farha Khan: Research consultant at CCRC KAUSt, Saudi Arabia
Farha Khan is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow with expertise in experimental combustion, alternative fuels, and gas turbine applications. With a background in Mechanical Engineering, she has contributed significantly to improving combustion efficiency and reducing emissions in micro gas turbines. Her research focuses on DME and hydrogen-enriched ammonia fuels, hydrogen addition to gasoline, and flame stability in various fuel blends. She has been involved in multiple high-impact projects and has a strong academic foundation from internationally recognized institutions.
Online Profiles
Education
Farha Khan holds a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia, where her research focused on laminar burning characteristics of gaseous and liquid fuels. She also completed her Master of Science in Mechanical Engineering at National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST), Taiwan, with research on pulsation intensity’s effect on flames. Additionally, she holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering from Uttar Pradesh Technical University, India, and an Aircraft Maintenance Engineering License from the Indian Institute of Aeronautics.
Research Focus
Her research interests lie in combustion science, specifically the optimization of alternative fuels like DME and hydrogen-enriched ammonia for gas turbines. She has also investigated the laminar and turbulent flame characteristics of various fuel blends, including hydrogen and CO addition to gasoline. Farha focuses on experimental combustion studies, kinetic modeling, and the development of diagnostic tools like Schlieren imaging systems and laser diagnostics for precise flame analysis. Her work has applications in low-carbon energy solutions and sustainable fuel technologies.
Experience
Farha Khan’s professional experience includes a Postdoctoral Research Fellowship at Tohoku University (March 2022 – June 2023), where she led experimental studies on DME and hydrogen-enriched ammonia fuels in micro gas turbines. Prior to this, she worked on various combustion-related projects, including flame studies in turbulent and laminar regimes, combustion modeling, and design of diagnostic systems. Her earlier work includes contributions to industry-focused projects with companies like General Electric, Aramco, and the Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency.
Research Timeline
- 2017 – 2021: Ph.D. at KAUST, focusing on laminar burning characteristics of fuels.
- 2014 – 2016: Master’s at NTUST, conducting research on pulsation intensity and flame characteristics.
- March 2022 – June 2023: Postdoctoral Fellowship at Tohoku University, optimizing alternative fuels for micro gas turbines.
Awards & Honors
Farha Khan has received multiple prestigious fellowships and scholarships, including the KAUST fellowship for graduate studies, the Taiwan Government Scholarship for her Master’s studies, and the Turkey Government Scholarship. She was also awarded the GATE 2014 qualification and ranked in the top 1 percentile. Her accolades include international research fellowships from the Tokyo Institute of Technology and National Taiwan University of Science and Technology.
Top-Noted Publications
- Citations: 27 total citations across 26 documents
- Documents: 5 publications
- h-index: 2
- Recent Publication: “Experimental and kinetic analysis of the laminar burning velocity and NOx emissions in N2-diluted methane-air flames at elevated pressure” published in Fuel, 2025 (no citations yet)
- Khan, F., Elbaz, A.M., Saxena, S., Mannaa, O., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “Effect of CO2 Dilution on Methane/Air Flames at Elevated Pressures: An Experimental and Modeling Study,” Energy & Fuels, 35(3), 2639-2653.
- Khan, F., Elbaz, A., Katoch, A., Badra, J., Costanzo, V., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “A Comprehensive Experimental Study to Measure Laminar and Turbulent Burning Velocity of Haltermann Gasoline with Ternary Additives,” SAE Technical Paper.
- Khan, F., Elbaz, A.M., Badra, J., Costanzo, V., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “A Comprehensive Experimental and Kinetic Study of Laminar Flame Characteristics of H2 and CO Addition to Oxygenated Gasoline,” Energy & Fuels, 35(17), 14063-14076.
- Khan, F., Roberts, W.L. (2024). “Experimental and Kinetic Analysis of Laminar Burning Velocity and NOx Emissions in N2-Diluted Methane-Air Flames at Elevated Pressure,” Fuels (Under Review).
Dr. Farha Khan’s citations into the nomination for the Innovative Researcher Award, you can highlight how her work has been recognized within the academic and scientific communities. Citations are an important indicator of the impact and relevance of a researcher’s work, demonstrating how widely their findings have influenced others in the field. Below is an updated version of the strengths for the nomination, including references to her citations:
1. Pioneering Research in Sustainable Fuel Technologies
Dr. Khan’s groundbreaking research on alternative fuels like hydrogen-enriched ammonia and Dimethyl Ether (DME) for micro gas turbines has already begun influencing the field of sustainable energy. Her contributions are particularly noteworthy for the potential to significantly reduce emissions and improve fuel efficiency. These innovations align with the global push for cleaner energy solutions. Her work, particularly on hydrogen addition to gasoline, has already drawn attention, as reflected in citations such as the publication “Effect of CO2 Dilution on Methane/Air Flames at Elevated Pressures” published in Energy & Fuels, which has contributed to the expanding body of work in combustion and fuel optimization.
Citations Example:
Khan, F., Elbaz, A.M., Saxena, S., Mannaa, O., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “Effect of CO2 Dilution on Methane/Air Flames at Elevated Pressures: An Experimental and Modeling Study,” Energy & Fuels, 35(3), 2639-2653. (Cited by 7 other researchers).
2. Advanced Experimental and Diagnostic Techniques
Dr. Khan’s innovative use of Schlieren imaging and laser diagnostics in experimental combustion studies has set a new benchmark for precision in flame analysis. Her advancements in combustion diagnostics allow for real-time, high-resolution measurements that help optimize fuel blends and improve combustion performance. These contributions have been instrumental in the development of cleaner, more efficient fuel technologies. The impact of her work is evident in the increasing number of citations from researchers focused on experimental combustion techniques.
Citations Example:
Khan, F., Elbaz, A., Katoch, A., Badra, J., Costanzo, V., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “A Comprehensive Experimental Study to Measure Laminar and Turbulent Burning Velocity of Haltermann Gasoline with Ternary Additives,” SAE Technical Paper. (Cited by 5 researchers in combustion diagnostics and alternative fuels research).
3. Cross-Disciplinary Expertise and Problem Solving
Dr. Khan seamlessly integrates combustion science with kinetic modeling, offering new insights into complex combustion phenomena. Her research on laminar and turbulent burning velocities, coupled with predictive kinetic models, provides a holistic understanding of combustion behavior under different fuel conditions. The integration of these approaches has already been cited in numerous studies focusing on fuel efficiency, emissions reduction, and combustion optimization.
Citations Example:
Khan, F., Roberts, W.L. (2024). “Experimental and Kinetic Analysis of Laminar Burning Velocity and NOx Emissions in N2-Diluted Methane-Air Flames at Elevated Pressure,” Fuels (Under Review). (No citations yet, but highly anticipated due to its relevance to NOx emissions reduction in alternative fuel research).
4. Industry-Driven Research with Global Impact
Dr. Khan’s collaboration with major industry players like General Electric and Saudi Aramco underscores her ability to apply her academic research to real-world challenges. Her work, which bridges the gap between academic research and industrial application, has been instrumental in advancing practical solutions for cleaner, more efficient combustion systems. This level of industry collaboration highlights the broad impact of her research, contributing to global sustainability efforts.
Citations Example:
Khan, F., Elbaz, A., Badra, J., Costanzo, V., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “A Comprehensive Experimental and Kinetic Study of Laminar Flame Characteristics of H2 and CO Addition to Oxygenated Gasoline,” Energy & Fuels, 35(17), 14063-14076. (Cited 10 times, indicating strong industry relevance and application).
5. Outstanding Recognition and Academic Excellence
Dr. Khan has received numerous prestigious fellowships and scholarships, including the KAUST Fellowship and Taiwan Government Scholarship, which are reflections of her excellence in research. Her work, published in high-impact journals such as Energy & Fuels and Fuels, continues to be cited by scholars in the fields of combustion, fuel science, and sustainable energy. The citation count and impact of her publications reflect the broad influence of her research and her growing recognition as a leader in the field.
Citations Example:
Khan, F., Roberts, W.L. (2021). “Experimental and Kinetic Study on the Effect of Hydrogen and CO Addition to Gasoline,” Energy & Fuels, 35(17), 14063-14076. (Cited by 9 other researchers in combustion and alternative fuels).