About

Dr. Frank Nsaful is a Chemical Engineer with a deep expertise in biomass valorization and thermochemical processing for sustainable energy and chemical recovery. He holds both a PhD and MScEng in Chemical Engineering from Stellenbosch University, South Africa, and a First Class Honours BSc in Chemical Engineering from KNUST, Ghana. His research spans process modelling, technoeconomic analysis, kinetic modelling, energy efficiency analysis, and bioprocessing. Dr. Nsaful has published widely in high-impact journals, focusing on topics such as pyrolysis, gasification, and the thermal behavior of advanced polymer composites. His work integrates experimental and analytical techniques to optimize renewable energy systems, making significant contributions to sustainable energy research in Africa and beyond.

Education

PhD Chemical Engineering – Stellenbosch University, South Africa

MScEng Chemical Engineering – Stellenbosch University, South Africa

BSc Chemical Engineering (First class honours) – KNUST, Ghana

Research Interest

• Volarisation of biomass for energy and chemical recovery
• Thermochemical processing
• Process modelling and technoeconomic analysis
• Kinetic modelling
• Energy efficiency analysis
• Bioprocessing

Publications

• B Mensah, B Onwona-Agyeman, F Nsaful, IA Aboagye, NL Sowah, PN Angnunavuri, VA Apalangya (2024). ‘Vulcanization kinetics and reinforcement behaviour of natural rubber-carbon black composites: Addition of Shea-butter versus aromatic oil as plasticizers’. Haliyon, 10:e25592.
• B Mensah, B Onwona-Agyeman, JK Efavi, RA Ofor, M Zigah, J Koranteng, M Karikari, F Nsaful, DA Addo (2023). ‘Investigating the Effect of Curing Activators on the Cure Kinetics of Acrylonitrile–Butadiene Rubber Filled with Graphene Oxide and Reduced Graphene Oxides Nanocomposites’. International Journal of polymer Science, https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6387898
• B Mensah, DS Konadu, F Nsaful, PN Angnunavuri, S Kwofie (2023). ‘A systematic study of the effect of graphene oxide and re duce d graphene oxide on the thermal degradation behavior of acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber in air and nitrogen media’ . Scientific African, 19:e01501.
• F Nsaful, F-X Collard, JF Görgens (2018). 'Lignocellulose thermal pretreatment and its effect on fuel properties and composition of the condensable products (tar precursors) from char devolatilization for coal substitution in gasification application'. Journal of Fuel Processing Technology, 179:334-343.
• F Nsaful, F-X Collard, JF Görgens (2017). 'Influence of lignocellulose thermal pretreatment on the composition of condensable products obtained from char devolatilization by means of thermogravimetric analysis–thermal desorption/gas chromatography–mass spectrometry'. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 127:99–108.
• F Nsaful, F-X Collard, M Carrier, JF. Görgens, JH Knoetze (2015). 'Lignocellulose pyrolysis with condensable volatiles quantification by thermogravimetric analysis - thermal desorption/gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method'. Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis, 116:86–95.
• F Nsaful, JF Görgens, JH Knoetze (2013). ‘Comparison of combustion and pyrolysis for energy generation in a sugarcane mill'. Energy Conversion and Management, 74:524 – 534.
• Conference Presentations 
• JF Görgens, F Nsaful, F-X Collard. ‘Lignocellulose Pre-treatment for Co-gasification with Coal.’ 9th International Freiberg Conference on IGCC & XtL Technologies: Closing the Carbon Cycle, Berlin, Germany (3 – 8 June, 2018).
• F Nsaful, M Carrier, JF Görgens, J van Dyk, JH Knoetze. ‘Biomass Upgrading for Co-gasification with Coal.’ 18th Southern African Coal Science and Technology Indaba: Latest Research and Development at Universities and Industry, Parys, South Africa (November, 2013).
• F Nsaful, JF Görgens, JH Knoetze. ‘Process Modelling of Sugar Mill Biomass to Energy Conversion Processes and Energy Integration of Pyrolysis.’ From Biomass to Bioenergy via Thermochemical Processes Conference, Stellenbosch, South Africa (October, 2012).