Kyriacos Zygourakis
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Kyriacos Zygourakis
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
EDUCATION
Ph.D., University of Minnesota
Dipl. Eng., National Technical University of Athens, Greece
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Chemical reaction engineering
Cellular and tissue engineering
“Everything should be made
as simple as possible,
but not simpler”
Albert Einstein
Teaching (2023-24)
CHBE 302: Applied Mathematics and Numerical Methods for
Chemical Engineers I
Computational Thinking and Mathematical Modeling: Solving engineering problems with computers; what is a mathematical model; transient and steady-state mass balances for chemical reactors. Introduction to MATLAB: Variables and assignment statements; numerical and relational expressions; built-in numerical functions; scripts; input and output functions; vectors and matrices; scalar and array operations; plotting. Programming with MATLAB: Transient mass balances revisited; loop statements; steady-state mass balances revisited; selection or branching statements; functions; program organization; modular programming. Coding exercises: Games, random walks, kinematics of motion, time-marching dynamics, fractals, animation. Linear algebraic equations: Review of vectors and matrices; solution of systems of linear equations by Gauss elimination; LU decomposition and inversion of matrices; error analysis and system condition; iterative methods.
(Core Undergraduate Course - Fall Semester - 3 credits).
Programming with MATLAB: A Primer for Chemical Engineering Students
CHBE 305: Applied Mathematics and Numerical Methods for
Chemical Engineers II
Curve Fitting and Least Squares: Linear regression, Polynomial regression, Multiple linear regression, General linear least squares, Nonlinear regression with MATLAB. Nonlinear Algebraic Equations: Bracketing methods; Fixed-point methods for a single equation, Picard’s method, Newton’s method; Convergence; Systems of Nonlinear Algebraic Equations; Picard’s method, Newton-Raphson; Continuation methods; Initial Value Problems: Euler methods (explicit and implicit); Higher-order Runge-Kutta methods; Adaptive Runge-Kutta methods; Systems of ordinary differential equations; Numerical stability; Stiff systems; Multistep methods. Dynamical Systems: Equilibrium points and their stability; Linear and nonlinear systems on the plane. Boundary Value Problems: Finite difference approximations; Dirichlet, Neumann and Mixed boundary conditions; Diffusion and Reaction is Catalyst Pellets; Two-dimensional boundary value problems; Poisson’s equation, heat transfer and 2D reaction-diffusion; Coupled BVPs; Coupled heat and mass transfer.
(Core Undergraduate Course - Spring Semester - 3 credits).
OTHER COURSES TAUGHT IN PREVIOUS YEARS
CHBE 590: Chemical Reactor Analysis and Design
Stoichiometry: Independent reactions, reaction and production rates, computational aspects. Material Balances: Batch, semi-batch, continuous stirred tank (CSTR) and continuous flow reactors. Energy Balances: Steady-state multiplicity, limit cycles; hot spots and runaways. Chemical Kinetics: Fast and slow time scales, equilibrium assumption, quasi-steady-state assumption. Fixed bed catalytic reactors: Reaction and diffusion in isothermal and non-isothermal catalyst pellets, effectiveness factor, external mass transfer, dispersion, design of fixed-bed reactors, convection, diffusion, reaction models. Mixing in chemical reactors: Residence time distribution, reactor mixing limits.
(Graduate course - Spring Semester - 3 credits).
CHBE 305: Computational Methods in Chemical Engineering
Introduction to modern practice and chemical engineering applications of scientific computing: approximations and round-off errors; solution of systems of linear equations; least squares regression; interpolation; solution of nonlinear algebraic equations; integration and differentiation; numerical solution of ordinary differential equations; boundary value problems. Principles illustrated through chemical engineering examples.
(Core Undergraduate Course - Spring Semester - 3 credits).
CHBE/ENST 281: Engineering Solutions for Sustainable Communities
Students work in teams to develop sustainable solutions for energy or environmental problems affecting our Houston and Rice communities. Emphasis is placed on the integration of engineering fundamentals with societal issues, environmental and safety considerations, sustainability and professional communications (Spring Semester - 3 credits).
- Course Overview - Spring 2014
- News article: "Schools see the importance of a greener vision”
- Rice sets plan to be climate-neutral by 2038