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Dan F. Smith Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering

College of Engineering

Research Group

Helen Lou, Ph.D.
Professor and Advisor

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Software Packages Available

  • Big Data Analytics and decision-making: Python, R, Matlab
  • Downstream process simulation
  • Steady-State Simulation: Aspen Plus, HYSYS, Promax
  • Dynamic Simulation: Aspen Plus Dynamics, HYSYS Dynamics
  • Midstream and upstream process simulation: Promax
  • Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Simulation: Ansys
  • Model Predictive Control: Aspen DMC plus

Current Projects

  • Data Analytics and Cybersecurity for Energy Supply Chain Resilience

  • Midstream Cybersecurity

  • Industrial Cybersecurity Education

Position Available

The position is available for a Ph.D. Student with research and teaching assistantship. The candidate must have a solid background in programming skills and chemical engineering. (GPA ≥ 3.0, Verbal + Quantitative ≥ 308)is required.

To apply, Email Dr. Helen Lou directly at helen.lou@lamar.edu

Research Group

Please visit the website of Center for Data, AI and Cybersecurity

/center-data-ai-cybersecurity/

Doctoral Dissertations

  • Daida, S. (2026). Integrating Cybersecurity Risk Assessment with Process Safety in Chemical Process Industries (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Fang, J. (2022). Data Analytics and Machine Algorithms for Flaring and Corrosion Prediction in Midstream Industry (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Wang, A. (2019). Combustion Kinetics Study and Machine Learning for the Simulation and Control of Industrial Flares (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Gai, H. (2019). Hybrid Modeling and Machine Learning for Operation Improvement of Selected Chemical Processes (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Gangadharan, P. (2013). Sustainability Based Decision Making Tools for Design and Assessment of Alternative Fuel Technologies (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Zheng, K. (2013). Sustainable Process Design: Flexible Heat Exchange Network Design under Severe Uncertainty, Reaction Pathway Selection, and Design of a Gas-To-Liquids Process (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Li, X. (2011). Assessment, Simulation and Decision-making under Severe Uncertainty in Industrial Sustainability (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Vaid, H. (2011). Reduction of Light Hydrocarbon Combustion Mechanisms and Speciation Study of Industrial Flares through Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) Methods (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Singh, A. (2007). Multi-Objective Decision-Making in Design for Sustainability (PhD dissertation). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.

 M.S. Theses

  • Paran, M. S. (2026). Control and Data Acquisition in a Cyber-Physical Midstream Testbed (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Chachad, A. M. (2019). Diagnosis of Linear Alpha Olefins Process Upsets via Dynamic Simulation (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Saxena, P. (2015). Simulation of Selected Vapor Recovery Processes (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Zanwar, A. (2011). Simulation and Assessment of Natural Gas Processing Technologies and Polygeneration Processes (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Jayswal, A. (2011). Sustainability Root Cause Analysis and Simulation of a GTL Process (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Kanchi, K. R. (2011). Simulation and Analysis of Natural Gas Reforming Processes (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Kumar, A. T. (2010). CFD Model for Validation of a Combustion Mechanism for Light Hydrocarbons (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Gottimukkala, B. C. V. (2008). CFD Simulation of Industrial Flares with Reduced Mechanisms and NOx Dispersion from Vehicular Exhaust Pipe (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Roy, B. (2006). Process Security Analysis of Ethylene Oxide Production Plant (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Mehrotra, K. (2005). Application of Neural Networks for Control System Development (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Smith, B. (2005). Analysis of a Petrochemical and Chemical Industrial Zone for the Improvement of Sustainability (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Singh, A. (2004). Hierarchical Pareto Optimization and Life Cycle Analysis for Sustainable Development of Large Scale Industrial Ecosystems (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Chandrasekaran, J. (2004). Assessment and Analysis of a Large Scale Chemical Process for Secured Design and Operation using Dynamic Simulation (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Dusija, S. S. (2004). Multiscale Modeling and Simulation for Analyzing Thermal Runaway Reaction Systems (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.
  • Zhou, L. (2003). Regional Air Quality Management Strategy: Real-time Emission Inventory Development (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô (Co-Advisor, with K. Y. Li as the Advisor).
  • Kulkarni, M. A. (2003). Analysis of the Sustainable Development of Industrial Ecological System (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô (Co-Advisor, with J. R. Hopper as the Advisor).
  • Muthusamy, R. (2003). Chemical Process Security Assessment and the Application of Parallel Computing Technology (Master's thesis). Â鶹ӳ»­Ó°Òô.

Additional Information

  • The following research projects are either in process or completed in the Sustainable Engineering Technology Lab:

    • Enhance the Resilience of Water Infrastructure in Mid-sized Cities Adjacent to the Energy Industry

    • Clean Combustion Technologies

    • Profitable Pollution Prevention Technologies for Petrochemical and Surface Finishing Industries

    • Process Safety, Operability, and Sustainability Enhancement via Modeling, Control, and Decision-Making

    The lab is located at the Cherry Engineering Building, first floor room 3109.

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