Biography

Prof J J Leahy is currently an associate professor in the Dept of Chemical Sciences at the University of Limerick where he is involved in teaching, curriculum development and research in the area of waste management and renewable energy. He currently heads a research group consisting of chemists and chemical engineers that is focused on chemical technologies for biofuels and biorefining from wastes with particular interests in :
  • Identifying the optimum thermochemical route (gasification, pyrolysis), & chemical hydrolysis route for the production of chemicals and second generation transport fuel from bio-waste.
  • Using laboratory & pilot scale processing facilities to test & optimise the yield of selected product from characterised feedstocks. The goal will be to develop novelty through optimising the process variables for particular feedstocks or products.
  • Develop and test catalysts/chemical processes for the production of and upgrading bio-oil.
  • Develop state of the art pre-treatment processes, that will enable rapid and environmentally benign procedures for hydrolysis of the carbohydrate components in lignocellulosic materials.
  • Demonstrate the feasibility of producing bio syngas and develop and test catalysts/chemical processes for production of alcohol or diesel fuels
He has a strong research background in applied biofuels research and has forged strong links with major and small stakeholders with the biofuels industry nationally. This collaboration with industry has led to two start-up biofuels companies in themed-west region. This research record is reflected in both a publication record in international journals and a demonstrated ability to attract funding from industry as well as national and international funding agencies. He plays a key role in several major EC funded and National projects bioenergy, biofuels and biorefineries. A major strength of the candidate is his ability to foster and develop collaborations with Universities and Research Institutes engaged in research in renewable energy both at national and EU level. This will be important both in providing a strong platform for the University of Limerick to increase it's profile nationally in the energy space and to create a profile with significant international impact.

Research Interests

  • Identifying the optimum thermochemical route (gasification, pyrolysis), & chemical hydrolysis route for the production of chemicals and second generation transport fuel from biomass & waste.
  • Using laboratory & pilot scale processing facilities to test & optimise the yield of selected product from characterised feedstocks. The goal will be to develop novelty through optimising the process variables for particular feedstocks or products.
  • Develop and test catalysts/chemical processes for the production of and upgrading bio-oil.
  • Develop state of the art pre-treatment processes, that will enable rapid and environmentally benign procedures for hydrolysis of the carbohydrate components in lignocellulosic materials.
  • Demonstrate the feasibility of producing bio syngas and develop and test catalysts/chemical processes for production of alcohol or diesel fuels

Publications

Peer Reviewed Journals

2013

Bioenergy Production

Ward, AJ,Leahy, JJ,Sommer, SG,Christensen, ML,Schmidt, T,Jensen, LS (2013) Bioenergy Production. Animal Manure Recycling: Treatment And Management :237-269

2012

An integrated process for the production of platform chemicals and diesel miscible fuels by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and downstream upgrading of the acid hydrolysis residues with thermal and catalytic pyrolysis

Girisuta, B,Kalogiannis, KG,Dussan, K,Leahy, JJ,Hayes, MHB,Stefanidis, SD,Michailof, CM,Lappas, AA (2012) An integrated process for the production of platform chemicals and diesel miscible fuels by acid-catalyzed hydrolysis and downstream upgrading of the acid hydrolysis residues with thermal and catalytic pyrolysis. Bioresource Technology :92-100

2012

Autothermal, single-stage, performic acid pretreatment of Miscanthus x giganteus for the rapid fractionation of its biomass components into a lignin/hemicellulose-rich liquor and a cellulase-digestible pulp

Haverty, D,Dussan, K,Piterina, AV,Leahy, JJ,Hayes, MHB (2012) Autothermal, single-stage, performic acid pretreatment of Miscanthus x giganteus for the rapid fractionation of its biomass components into a lignin/hemicellulose-rich liquor and a cellulase-digestible pulp. Bioresource Technology :173-177

2010

Biochar from Biomass and Waste

Kwapinski, W,Byrne, CMP,Kryachko, E,Wolfram, P,Adley, C,Leahy, JJ,Novotny, EH,Hayes, MHB (2010) Biochar from Biomass and Waste. Waste And Biomass Valorization :177-189

2010

Biochar from biomass and waste

Kwapinski W., Byrne C.M.P., Kryachko E., Wolfram P., Adley C., Leahy J.J., Novotny E.H., Hayes M.H.B. (2010) Biochar from biomass and waste. Waste And Biomass Valorization :177-189

Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Chapters

2013

Bioenergy Production

Sommer S.;Ward A.;Leahy J. (2013) Bioenergy Production. Animal Manure Recycling: Treatment And Management :237-269

2013

Bioenergy Production

Sommer, SG; Ward, AJ; Leahy, JJ (2013) Bioenergy Production. USA : Wiley Animal Manure Recycling: Treatment and Management :237-269

2003

Energy from Biomass

P Zappelli J J leahy (2003) Energy from Biomass. Dordrecht ; Boston : Kluwer Academic Publishers Carbon Dioxide Recovery & Utilisation :372-

Edited Books

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Journals

Conference Publications

2012

UBIOCHEM

Melligan F., Leahy J.J., Hayes M.H.B., Kwapinski W. (2012) UBIOCHEM.

2010

15th IHSS Conference, Tenerife

Kwapinski W., Wolfram P., Byrne C., Melligan F., Novotny E.H., Leahy J.J., Hayes M.H.B. (2010) 15th IHSS Conference, Tenerife.

2010

Bioten conference

Kwapinski W., Melligan F., Byrne B., Wolfram P., Nowotny E., Haverty D., Leahy J.J., Hayes M.H.B. (2010) Bioten conference.

2010

Bioten conference

Kwapinski W., Wnetrzak R., Melligan F., Leahy J.J., Hayes M.H.B. (2010) Bioten conference.

2009

IRCSET Symposium

Melligan F., Kwapinski W., Leahy J.J., Hayes M.H. (2009) IRCSET Symposium.

2002

Ecotopia 2002

O¿Connell, A., Mercier, E., (INSA Toulouse), Howard-Hildige, R., Leahy, J.J. (2002) Ecotopia 2002. :*-*

2000

Environmental Monitoring and Assessment

Gonzalez Gomez M.E., Howard-Hildige R., Leahy J.J., O'Reilly T., Supple B., Malone M. (2000) Environmental Monitoring and Assessment. Environmental Monitoring And Assessment :13-20

Conference Contributions

Published Reports

Editorials

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Book Reviews

This author has not written any publications of this type yet.

Other Publications