Saeed M. Al-Zahrani, Ph.D.
Professor of Chemical Engineering.
Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University
Date of Birth: 1385 H (1965 )
Marital Status: Married with 3 children
Education:
- B Sc., Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University (1988)
- M.Sc., Engineering, College of Engineering, King Saud University (1990)
- Ph.D.: in Chemical Engineering, College of Higher Studies, University of Oklahoma, Norman, Oklahoma, USA (1994)
Employment History:
- Teaching Assistant
Chemical Engineering Department (1988 - 1990)
- Lecturer
Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, KSU (1990 - 1994)
- Assistant Professor
Chemical Engineering Department College of Engineering, KSU (1994 - 1999)
- Associate Professor
Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, KSU (1999 – 2003)
- Deputy Dean of College of Engineering for Academic Affairs (1999 - 2001)
- Professor Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, KSU (2003 - now )
Honors, Recognition and Achievement:
- Received King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Legion of Honor Medal of the Excellence degree for Scientific patent, based on the Royal Directive Decision Patronized by King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in 1427H (2006G)
- Received King Abdul Aziz Al-Saud Legion of Honor Medal for the first degree for Scientific patent, based on the Royal Directive Decision Patronized by H.R.H. Prince Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz in 1425H (2004G)
- Prize of His Excellency, Prince Bandar Bin Sultan : Ambassador of Saudi Arabia to U.S.A. for the excellent Academic Studies., 1994.
Academic Activities:
- The Chairman of the technical committee for SABIC Chair for Polymer at KSU. 2003- Now
- Chair man of Establishing a Diploma programs at KSU-College of Eng. 2000 - 2001
- Chairman of Academic College Committee 2001-2003
- Chairman of the Examination College Committee. 1999 –2001
- Chairman of the College of Eng. Students Affairs Committee. 1999 –2001
- Chairman of the public affairs in the Chemical Eng. Dept. 1997-1998
- Chairman of the Industrial Sciences Group- King Abdulaziz
- Chairman of SABIC best prize Graduation Projects committee for Saudi Universities. 2003-Now
- Chairman of SABIC Polymer Chair Technical Committee at KSU. 2003- Now
- Member for faculty members Evaluation At KSU. 2003- Now
- Member of University planning and Academic Permanent Committee. 1999- 2001
- Member for ABET Evaluation committee. 2003- now
- Member of the College of Eng. Students Affairs Committee. 1995-1999
- Member of the College s Budget Committee. 1995-1999
- Member of Chemical and Plastics Committee at Chamber of Commerce and Industry, in Riyadh 2001- now
- Member of Saudi Fire Code as a part of Saudi Building Code 2002- now
- Member of National Mesasurement and Evaluation at Minisitry of higher education 2001- now
- Member of Scientific Committee at College of Technologies 2000-2001
- Member of the Council of the College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 1997- now.
- Member of the Council of the Chemical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, KSU. 1994 – now.
Research and Publications:
- Published over 53 research studies and papers in different refereed Journals and in refereed conferences.
- The inventor and co inventor of 4 patents
4. M. Abdulwahed, S.M. Al-Zahrani,, Improved dehydrogenation process for olefin production under using of oxygen. USPatent 7,091,392
- Principal Investigator of 10 funded research projects
- Co author for 2 Books:
1- “Chemical Engineering Principals” in Arabic Language. Supported by Research Center at KSU.
2- “Catalytic Reaction Engineering” in Arabic Language. Supported by Research Center at KSU.
Membership of Professional Associations:
- American Institute of chemical Engineers
- American Chemical Society
- Saudi Chemical Society.
- Founder of Saudi Chemical Engineering Society
First Invention Summary
|
Patent Title |
Catalysts for Production of Olefins by Oxidative Dehydrogenation and Methods of Making and Using the Same |
|
Registration |
European Patent Office EP1166869 (Jan. 02, 2002) |
|
Inventors |
Al-Zahrani, Saeed M., Abasaeed; Ahmed E. , Elbashir; Nimir O. , Abdulwahed; Mazhar A. |
Abstract:
The present invention provides a new highly selective catalyst system for the production of olefins by oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons. The catalyst compositions of the present invention are particularly well suited for the catalytic preparation of light olefins from light hydrocarbons, e.g., the production of isobutene and propene from isobutane. Using the improved catalyst, isobutane is oxidatively dehydrogenated in the presence of molecular oxygen at relatively high levels of conversion, selectivity, and productivity, with minimal side products, at temperatures between 350 C. to 550 C. Further, the improved catalysts of the present invention can be used to produce isobutene and propene in combination at controllable ratios. Oxidative dehydrogenation using the improved catalysts can accommodate propane and isobutane as the feed stock, and product separation is less intensive because no partial oxidation product is formed. In addition, unreacted starting materials may be recycled after each separation step.
The catalyst compositions of the present invention include compositions of the formula:
XxYyWOz
wherein:
X is at least one element selected from Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, and Fr;
Y is at least one element selected from B, Al, Ga, In, Tl, Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb;
x is 0.5-2.5;
y is 0.05-5; and
z is the number of oxygen atoms required to satisfy the valancy of X, Y and W in the formula. The catalysts are preferably produced using the methods disclosed herein.
Second Invention Summary
|
Patent Title |
Catalyst systems for the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons |
|
Registration |
United States patent no. US 6,541,418 dated April 1, 2003 |
|
Inventors |
Al-Zahrani; Saeed M, Abasaeed; Ahmed E. , Elbashir; Nimir O. , Abdulwahed; Mazhar A. |
Abstract:
The present invention provides a new catalyst system comprising bismuth, nickel and alumina for the production of olefins by the oxidative dehydrogenation of hydrocarbons. The reaction can be carried out at low reaction temperature with no partial oxidation product formation. Such high selective catalyst may also find further application in the catalytic separation of hydrocarbons or in synergistic combinations with other reactions. The catalyst including a catalytic composition having the atomic ratios described by the empirical formula set forth below:
Where: a=0.001 to 0.5 b=the number of oxygen required to satisfy the valency requirements of the elements present.
The numerical values of a and b represent the relative gram-atom ratios of the elements, respectively, in the catalyst composition, where b is a number required to satisfy the valence requirements of the other elements. The elements are present in combination with oxygen, preferably in the form of various oxides. Other objects as well as aspects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from a study of the present specification, including the claims and specific examples.
Third Invention Summary
|
Patent Title |
Dehydrogenation process for olefins |
|
Registration |
United States patent no. US 7,091,392 dated August 15, 2006 |
|
Inventors |
Abdulwahed; Mazhar, Al-Zahrani; Saeed M. |
Abstract:
A process for the dehydrogenation of alkane hydrocarbons is disclosed. The process comprises contacting an alkane with a chromium-based dehydrogenation catalyst in the presence of molecular oxygen at a temperature of from about 400.degree. C. to about 700.degree. C., a pressure of from about 0.1 to about 10 atmospheres, wherein the alkane to oxygen molar ratio is between about 1:0.0001 to 1:0.04.