Dr Simon Blakey MEng, PhD, PCHE, AMIMechE

Dr Simon Blakey

Department of Mechanical Engineering
Associate Professor

Contact details

Telephone
+44 (0) 121 414 4151
Email
s.g.blakey@bham.ac.uk
View my research portal
Address
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Dr Blakey is an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Birmingham, where he teaches the “Turbomachinery and Compressible Flows” and “Integrated Design 3” modules. He is also the School Postgraduate Research Lead. He has an interest in energy efficiency and combustion. Much of his research activity has focused on the technical suability of alternative fuels for aviation sector and the development of methods for the “fit for purpose” assessment of potential fuels and fuel compositions including combustion performance, with a particular focus on fuel system and fuel compatibility.

Qualifications

  • PhD (2004)
  • Post Graduate Certificate in Higher Education (2003)
  • MEng Mechanical Engineering with a Modern Language (German) (2000)

Biography

Simon studied at the University of Sheffield and the Technicshe Universität Dresden, Germany before completing his MEng in Mechanical Engineering in 1999. After periods working in the process industry and for Siemens KWU in Germany Simon went on to study for a PhD on Energy Utilisation within the hot dip galvanizing sector.

From 2004 until 2019, Simon worked at the University of Sheffield as a researcher and subsequently as a member of academic staff. He was heavily involved in the set up and running of the Low Carbon Combustion Centre in Sheffield, which includes the Rolls Royce Centre of Excellence in Fuels and Lubricants. Following his move to Birmingham University, Simon continues to work closely with Sheffield as a visiting academic.

He has been involved in the following European fuels research programmes: AERONET II, ECATS, ALFABIRD, SWAFEA, and JETSCREEN as well as engine development programmes such as TECC-AE, International fuels research programmes on the development of synthetic fuels in particular the QSTP international consortium and the US Federal Aviation Authority led CLEEN and PARTNER programmes, and the UK national alternative fuels programme: OMEGA.

Simon is PI of the EPSRC funded NewJET Network+, a project looking at the benefits and challenges to a new aviation fuel specification by 2040. Simon is the Vice Chair and Alternative Fuels Working Group Leader within ECATS, a European Network of Excellence on Aviation and the Environment.

Simon continues to work closely with the University of Sheffield on aviation fuels and had developed an industrial short course on the topic which runs (roughly) annually.

Teaching

Mechanical Engineering

  • Module lead in Turbomachinery and Compressible Flow (3rd year module, MEng)
  • Mech Module lead in Integrated Design Project 3 (3rd year module, BEng and MEng)

Aerospace Engineering

  • Contributing guest lectures to Aerospace Power Systems on Aviation Fuel (3rd year MEng)

Postgraduate supervision

Simon is the PGR lead for Engineering and is responsible for the development of around 350 PGR students in the School.

He has successfully supervised 11 Doctoral students and currently supervises 3 PhD students. He annually supervises around 10 Masters students completing their final year projects.

Simon is always interested in hearing from potential PhD students and advertises available projects on the Find A PhD web page.

Research

Research interests 

I maintain a portfolio of research in the areas of Energy Use and Efficiency with a specialisation in the performance of fuels for the Aviation sector. My work has a strong emphasis on the development of modelling and experimental methods which can then be used to develop robust empirical and fundamental models of fuel behaviour, linking chemistry to performance, in a way that permits a deeper understanding of the phenomena underlying these processes. This is critically important at the present time as the sector scales up its efforts to decarbonise and reduce its environmental impact. My vision is for my research to help accelerate this transition in a way that does not compromise the safety of flight. It is increasingly important for this research to include a social element, and I see interaction with the social sciences as a key area for development, including behavioural change.

Current projects

  • REFMAP: Reducing Environmental Footprint through transformative Multi-scale Aviation Planning
  • BeCOM: Better Contrails Mitigation
  • NewJET Network+

Other activities

  • Vice Chair and Working Group Leader of ECATS
  • Member of the Jet Zero Council Non-CO2 Task and Finish Group
  • Advisory Board member for the UK-SAF Clearinghouse
  • Associate Principal Editor for Fuel

Publications

  • Alborzi, E., Flyagina, I. S., Mielczarek, D. C., Blakey, S. G. & Pourkashanian, M. (2022) ‘A theoretical investigation into the comparative adsorption between dissolved oxygen and oxygenate species on zeolite 3.7 Å during aviation fuel treatment for thermal stability improvement’, Fuel. 317, 10 p., 123451.
  • Parks, C. M., Meijer, A. J. H. M., Blakey, S. G., Alborzi, E. & Pourkashanian, M. (2022) ‘Computational studies on the reactions of thiols, sulfides and disulfides with hydroperoxides. Relevance for jet fuel autoxidation’, Fuel. 316, 13 p., 123326.
  • Blakey, S., Rauch, B., Oldani, A. & Lee, T. (2022) ‘Advanced Fuel Property Data Platform: Overview and Potential Applications’, Frontiers in Energy Research. 10, 11 p., 771325.
  • Grewe, V., Gangoli Rao, A., Grönstedt, T., Xisto, C., Linke, F., Melkert, J., Middel, J., Ohlenforst, B., Blakey, S., Christie, S., Matthes, S. & Dahlmann, K. (2021), ‘Evaluating the climate impact of aviation emission scenarios towards the Paris agreement including COVID-19 effects’, Nature Communications, 12, 1, 10 p., 3841.
  • Anuar, A., Undavalli, V. K., Khandelwal, B. & Blakey, S. (2021) ‘Effect of fuels, aromatics and preparation methods on seal swell’, Aeronautical Journal 125, 1291, p. 1542-1565 24 p.
  • Alborzi, E., Dwyer, M. R., Parks, C. M., Sheikhansari, A., Mielczarek, D. C., Zanganeh, M., Meijer, A. J. H. M., Blakey, S. G. & Pourkashanian, M. (2021) ‘Construction of a reduced chemical kinetic mechanism for autoxidation of n-paraffinic solvent – A model for aviation fuel’ Fuel. 294, 9 p., 120170.
  • Sheikhansari, A., Alborzi, E., Parks, C., Siouris, S. & Blakey, S. (2021) ‘Investigation of aviation lubricant aging under engine representative conditions’ Tribology Transactions 64, 3, p. 501-512 12 p.
  • Parks, C. M., Alborzi, E., Blakey, S. G., Meijer, A. J. H. M. & Pourkashanian, M. (2020) ‘Density Functional Theory Calculations on Copper-Mediated Peroxide Decomposition Reactions: Implications for Jet Fuel Autoxidation’ Energy and Fuels. 34, 6, p. 7439-7447 9 p.
  • Alborzi, E., Parks, C. M., Gadsby, P., Sheikhansari, A., Blakey, S. G. & Pourkashanian, M. (2020) ‘Effect of Reactive Sulfur Removal by Activated Carbon on Aviation Fuel Thermal Stability’ Energy and Fuels. 34, 6, p. 6780-6790 11 p.
  • Sheikhansari, A., Knapton, J., Benito, D., Shaw, B., Alborzi, E. & Blakey, S. (2020) ‘Development of an Apparatus for Testing of High-Temperature Static Seals’ Tribology Transactions,  64:3, p. 381-391.
  • Nyong, O., Ebieto, C., Woolley, R. & Blakey, S. (2019) ‘A Single Stroke Cylinder Rapid Compression Machine for Chemical Kinetic Study at Elevated Pressure and Temperatures’ Journal of Physics: Conference Series. 1378, 3, 032013.
  • Alborzi, E., Gadsby, P., Ismail, M. S., Sheikhansari, A., Dwyer, M. R., Meijer, A. J. H. M., Blakey, S. G. & Pourkashanian, M. (2019) ‘Comparative study of the effect of fuel deoxygenation and polar species removal on jet fuel surface deposition’ Energy & Fuels. 33, 3, p. 1825-1836 12 p.
  • Siouris, S. & Blakey, S. (2019) ‘Fitness functions for evolutionary optimization of rate parameters in chemically reacting systems’ Chemical Engineering Science. 196, p. 354-365 12 p.
  • Alborzi, E., Blakey, S., Ghadbeigi, H. & Pinna, C. (2018) ‘Prediction of growth of jet fuel autoxidative deposits at inner surface of a replicated jet engine burner feed arm’ Fuel. 214, p. 528-537 10 p.
  • Nyong, O., Woolley, R., Blakey, S. & Alborzi, E. (2017) ‘Optimal piston crevice study in a rapid compression machine’ IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering. 243, 1, 012018.
  • Alborzi, E., Blakey, S., Ghadbeigi, H., Pinna, C. & Lewis, C. (2016) ‘Investigation of surface deposition in a simulated fuel injector feed arm with sudden expansion/contraction’. Fuel. 186, p. 534-543 10 p.
  • Leong, C. C., Blakey, S. & Wilson, C. W. (2016) ‘Genetic Algorithm optimised Chemical Reactors Network: a novel technique for alternative fuels emission prediction’ Swarm and Evolutionary Computation. 27, p. 180-187 8 p.
  • Akram, M., Ali, U., Best, T., Blakey, S., Finney, K. N. & Pourkashanian, M. (2016) ‘Performance evaluation of PACT pilot-plant for CO2 capture from gas turbines with exhaust gas recycle’ International Journal of Greenhouse Gas Control. 47, p. 137-150 14 p.
  • Lobo, P., Christie, S., Khandelwal, B., Blakey, S. G. & Raper, D. W. (2015) ‘Evaluation of Non-volatile Particulate Matter Emission Characteristics of an Aircraft Auxiliary Power Unit with Varying Alternative Jet Fuel Blend Ratios’.
  • Energy & Fuels. 29, 11, p. 7705-7711 7 p.
  • Akram, M., Blakey, S. & Pourkashanian, M., (2015) ‘Influence of gas turbine exhaust CO2 concentration on the performance of post combustion carbon capture plant’ Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo 2015: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition: Volume 3: Coal, Biomass and Alternative Fuels; Cycle Innovations; Electric Power; Industrial and Cogeneration. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Vol. 3. 9 p. V003T08A005. (Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea and Air).
  • Khandelwal, B., Roy, S., Lord, C. & Blakey, S. (2014) ‘Comparison of vibrations and emissions of conventional jet fuel with stressed 100% SPK and Fully Formulated Synthetic Jet Fuel’ Aerospace. 1, 2, p. 52-66 15 p.
  • Altaher, M. A., Li, H., Williams, P., Johnson, M. & Blakey, S. (2014) ‘Determination of particle penetration factors in a particle transfer line for aero gas turbine engine exhaust particle measurement’ Combustion, Fuels and Emissions. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), (Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo; vol. 4A).
  • Altaher, M. A., Li, H., Blakey, S. & Chung, W. (2014) ‘NMHC and VOC speciation of the exhaust gas from a gas turbine engine using alternative, renewable and conventional jet A-1 aviation fuels’ Coal, Biomass and Alternative Fuels; Cycle Innovations; Electric Power; Industrial and Cogeneration. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), (Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo; vol. 3A).
  • Akram, M., Khandelwal, B., Blakey, S. & Wilson, C. W. (2013) ‘Preliminary calculations on post combustion carbon capture from gas turbines with flue gas recycle’ Proceedings of the ASME Turbo Expo 2013: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition. : Volume 1B: Combustion, Fuels and Emissions. American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), Vol. 1B. 6 p. V01BT04A004. (Turbo Expo: Power for Land, Sea and Air).
  • Li, H., Altaher, M. A., Wilson, C. W., Blakey, S., Chung, W. & Rye, L. (2013) ‘Quantification of aldehydes emissions from alternative and renewable aviation fuels using a gas turbine engine’ Atmospheric Environment. 84, p. 373-379 7 p.
  • Siouris, S., Shepherd, T., Wilson, C. & Blakey, S. (2013) ‘Development of an apparatus for the degradation of aviation gas turbine lubricants’ Tribology and Lubrication Technology, 69, 4, p. 34-38+40-44.
  • Shati, A. K. A., Blakey, S. G. & Beck, S. B. M. (2013) ‘An empirical solution to turbulent natural convection and radiation heat transfer in square and rectangular enclosures’ Applied Thermal Engineering. 51, 1-2, p. 364-370 7 p.
  • Siouris, S., Shepherd, T., Wilson, C. & Blakey, S. (2013) ‘Development of an apparatus for the degradation of aviation gas turbine Lubricants’ Tribology Transactions. 56, 2, p. 215-223 9 p.
  • Siouris, S., Blakey, S. & Wilson, C. W. (2013) ‘Investigation of deposition in aviation gas turbine fuel nozzles by coupling of experimental data and heat transfer calculations’ Fuel. 106, p. 79-87 9 p.
  • Rye, L., Lobo, P., Williams, P. I., Uryga-Bugajska, I., Christie, S., Wilson, C., Hagen, D., Whitefield, P., Blakey, S., Coe, H., Raper, D. & Pourkashanian, M. (2012) ‘Inadequacy of optical smoke measurements for characterization of non-light absorbing particulate matter emissions from gas turbine engines’ Combustion Science and Technology. 184, 12, p. 2068-2083 16 p.
  • Lobo, P., Rye, L., Williams, P. I., Christie, S., Uryga-Bugajska, I., Wilson, C. W., Hagen, D. E., Whitefield, P. D., Blakey, S., Coe, H., Raper, D. & Pourkashanian, M. (2012) ‘Impact of alternative fuels on emissions characteristics of a gas turbine engine - Part 1: Gaseous and particulate matter emissions’ Environmental Science and Technology. 46, 19, p. 10805-10811 7 p.
  • Christie, S., Raper, D., Lee, D. S., Williams, P. I., Rye, L., Blakey, S., Wilson, C. W., Lobo, P., Hagen, D. & Whitefield, P. D. (2012) ‘Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon emissions from the combustion of alternative fuels in a gas turbine engine’ Environmental Science and Technology. 46, 11, p. 6393-6400 8 p.
  • Shati, A. K. A., Blakey, S. G. & Beck, S. B. M. (2012) ‘A dimensionless solution to radiation and turbulent natural convection in square and rectangular enclosures’ Journal of Engineering Science and Technology. 7, 2, p. 257-279 23 p.
  • Blakey, S., Wilson, C. W., Farmery, M. & Midgley, R. (2011) ‘Fuel effects on range versus payload for modern jet aircraft’ Aeronautical Journal. 115, 1172, p. 627-634 8 p.
  • Shati, A. K. A., Blakey, S. G. & Beck, S. B. M. (2011) ‘The effect of surface roughness and emissivity on radiator output’ Energy and Buildings. 43, 2-3, p. 400-406 7 p.
  • Blakey, S., Rye, L. & Wilson, C. W. (2011) ‘Aviation gas turbine alternative fuels: A review’ Proceedings of the Combustion Institute. 33, 2, p. 2863-2885 23 p.
  • Liu, Y., Wilson, C. W., Blakey, S. & Dolmansley, T. (2011) ‘Elastomer compatibility test of alternative fuels using stress-relaxation test and FTIR spectroscopy’ ASME 2011 Turbo Expo: Turbine Technical Conference and Exposition, GT2011. p. 637-647 11 p.
  • Rye, L., Blakey, S. & Wilson, C. W. (2010) ‘Sustainability of supply or the planet: A review of potential drop-in alternative aviation fuels’ Energy and Environmental Science. 3, 1, p. 17-27 11 p.
  • Leong, C. C., Rye, L. J., Blakey, S. & Wilson, C. W. (2010) ‘Reverse engineering gas turbine emission performance: Applied to an aircraft auxiliary power unit’ ASME Turbo Expo 2010: Power for Land, Sea, and Air, GT 2010. PARTS A AND B ed. p. 389-399 11 p.
  • Blakey, S., Rowson, J., Tomlinson, R. A., Sandham, A. & Yoxall, A. (2009) ‘Squeezability. Part 1: A pressing issue’ Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science. 223, 11, p. 2615-2625 11 p.
  • Mills, A., Blakey, S., Wilson, C., Thompson, H., Fleming, P., Tanner, G. & Jackson, K. (2009) ‘Time-frequency domain incipient fault detection with application to an aviation fuel system’ 6th International Conference on Condition Monitoring and Machinery Failure Prevention Technologies 2009. British Institute of Non-Destructive Testing, 2. p. 764-775 12 p. (6th)
  • Blakey, S. G. & Beck, S. B. M. (2004) ‘Energy consumption and capacity utilization of galvanizing furnaces’ Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering. 218, 4, p. 251-259 9 p.
  • Beck, S. M. B., Grinsted, S. C., Blakey, S. G. & Worden, K. (2004) ‘A novel design for panel radiators’ Applied Thermal Engineering. 24, 8-9, p. 1291-1300 10 p.Blakey, S. G. & Beck, S. B. M. (2004) ‘The effect of combined radiation and convection on hot dip galvanizing kettle wear’ Applied Thermal Engineering. 24, 8-9, p. 1301-1319 19 p.
  • Beck, S. B. M., Blakey, S. G. & Chung, M. C. (2001) ‘The effect of wall emissivity on radiator heat output’ Building Services Engineering Research and Technology. 22, 3, p. 185-194 10 p.

View all publications in research portal