Richard K. Padi (PhD)

Bio

Richard Kingsley Padi holds a BSc. Hons. (Chemical Engineering) degree from Kwame Nkrumah University of Sci. and Tech. (Ghana, 2012), and MEng. and PhD (Chemical Engineering) degrees from Stellenbosch University (South Africa, 2016 & 2021 respectively). For his masters, Richard investigated the feasibility and economic potentials of onsite waste-based bioenergy generation and integration into food processes as a driver for mechanization of the food processing sector in developing countries. His PhD thesis assessed the sustainability of incorporating into starch industries the recovery and conversion of process waste into energy and high-value products (integrated biorefinery systems), with a primary objective of enhancing sustainability through circular economy schemes. Richard’s research expertise lies in techno-economic modelling, life cycle sustainability assessments (LCSA), and energy forecasting and planning, which inspired his current research interests in biorefinery system design, sustainability assessments and circular economy developments in food and biorefinery industries. Richard further applied and enhanced this expertise through post-doctoral researcher roles at Stellenbosch University (Dept. of Process Engineering, 2021) and University College Dublin (School of Biosystems & Food Engineering, 2021-2022).

Research Areas

1. Sustainable food and bioprocess systems design
2. Bioprocess system modelling (waste valorisation and circular economy perspectives)
3. Techno-economic modelling
4. Environmental life cycle modelling
5. Life cycle sustainability assessments

Selected Publications

1. Padi RK, Chimphango A., 2020. Commercial viability of integrated waste treatment in cassava starch industries for targeted resource recoveries. Journal of Cleaner Production; 265: 121619 (Elsevier).
2. Padi RK, Chimphango A., 2020. Feasibility of commercial waste biorefineries for cassava starch industries: Techno-economic assessment. Bioresource Technology; 297: 122461 (Elsevier).
3. Padi RK, Chimphango A., 2021. Comparative sustainability assessments for integrated cassava starch wastes biorefineries. Journal of Cleaner Production; 290: 125171 (Elsevier).
4. Padi RK, Chimphango A. 2021. Assessing the potential of integrating cassava residues-based bioenergy into national energy mix using Long-range Energy Alternatives Planning Systems approach, Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, 145, 111071 (Elsevier).
5. Padi RK, Chimphango A., 2021. Postharvest technology for advancing sustainable bioenergy production for food processing and reduction of postharvest losses. In: Charis M. Galanakis, editor. Food losses, sustainable postharvest and food technology, 281-311, Elsevier.
6. Padi RK, Chimphango A., Roskilly A.P., 2022. Economic and environmental analysis of waste based bioenergy integration into industrial cassava starch processes in Africa. Sustainable Production and Consumption, 31, 67-81 (Elsevier).

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