Dr. Ahmed Alkaabi is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Nuclear Engineering at Khalifa University of Science and Technology. He joined Khalifa University in 2016 after gaining over seven years of industrial experience as a research engineer at the Alternative and Renewable Energy Research and Development (R&D) Department of the Abu Dhabi Water and Electricity Authority (ADWEA). During his tenure at ADWEA, Dr. Alkaabi played a pivotal role in enhancing the integration of solar energy-produced electricity into Abu Dhabi’s main grid and led a nuclear task force, coordinating nuclear-related agreements and contracts to prepare the UAE for nuclear power generation.
Dr. Alkaabi's research focuses on Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD), Monte Carlo-based reactor physics, and deterministic lattice transport codes in thermal hydraulics systems, nuclear reactor safety, and nuclear reactor/thermal-storage coupling strategies. His extensive research includes various projects aimed at improving the safety and efficiency of nuclear reactors and thermal energy storage systems.
He has contributed significantly to the field through numerous publications, including book chapters and articles in high-impact journals. His notable works include studies on electrohydrodynamic acceleration of charging processes in thermal energy storage, the role of dielectric force in electrohydrodynamic flow, and the assessment of nanoparticles enhanced phase change materials for latent heat energy storage applications.
Dr. Alkaabi holds a Ph.D. in Nuclear Engineering and has been actively involved in advancing nuclear engineering education and research at Khalifa University. His work continues to influence the development and utilization of nuclear technology and renewable energy integration, making substantial contributions to the scientific community and industry practices.
Towards flexible and efficient APR1400 nuclear power plant operations through integration of energy storage
To help UAE address its challenge of reducing power production cost and carbon emissions as part of its 2050 Energy Strategy, the proposed research aims to demonstrate the techno-economic feasibility of coupling an APR1400 nuclear power plant (NPP) with phase change material-based thermal energy storage (TES). The overall approach involves optimizing NPP electrical energy utilization at variable load profiles, while utilizing unused NPP heat rejection for seawater desalination. The main work packages consist of: (i) system configuration and technical evaluation of TES integration into the operating NPP, (ii) optimization/integration of the TES unit design and operating parameters based on APR1400 NPP requirements, (iii) feasibility assessment of seawater desalination during off-peak electrical demand periods, and (iv) economic evaluation of coupled NPP-TES operating configurations. The proposed research will be undertaken in collaboration with UAE nuclear energy Stakeholders and the University of Birmingham, who has strong expertise in NPP design/operation and energy storage.
Radionuclides Transport in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) environment – RadTrans
Developing a sustainable nuclear energy program requires a critical understanding of the environmental impact of radionuclides produced by fission and neutron capture reactions occurring in nuclear reactors. The environmental impact, an important aspect of the safety case demonstration, involves the radionuclides transfer (surface, underground) in the near- and the far-field and their attempt of the human being via the food chain and drinking water. In addition, understanding radionuclides fate in the environment is valuable to the field of radioactive waste management, another critical matter of the success of a nuclear energy program. The radioactive waste disposal implies the interactions of radionuclides and geosphere under surface (mid- and low-level short life waste disposal) and deep geological conditions (e.g. high-level long life waste disposal). The objectives of the proposal are to obtain experimental parameters describing the retention/migration of radionuclides in the UAE environment that ultimately will be used for modelling. The involved team members, have strong expertise in experimental methodologies for rock and groundwater characterization and radionuclides sorption and migration in the environment as well as their transfer to the biosphere.
Prediction of Degradation in Concrete Structures by Sulphate Attack and Development of Remedial Measures
Concrete structures in nuclear power plants (NPPs) are degraded by chemical attack (efflorescence and leaching, sulphate attack, acid attack, etc.) and by physical attack (freeze–thaw, salt crystallization, etc.). Among the aforementioned attacks, sulphate attack is one of the main causes of strength loss and volume expansion/cracking of concrete structures that are exposed to marine environments. This project aims to investigate the ageing/degradation of concrete structures by sulphate attack and develop remedial measures for damaged concrete structures.
For this purpose, the diffusion of sulphate and chloride ions through concrete structures is investigated taking into consideration the effects of harsh environmental conditions in the UAE. Concrete samples will be exposed to the sea water at the Barakah NPP site for 1 year to 10 years and the degrees of concrete degradation will be analyzed. Ultimately, a prediction model for the degradation of concrete structures in marine environments will be developed. Additionally, the feasibility of non-destructive evaluation of damaged concrete via the surface electric resistivity (SER) method will be studied. Using concrete samples that have been exposed to solutions at laboratories and on-site, the relationship between measured SER and concrete characteristics (microstructures and microchemistry) will be determined. Therefore, the applicability of the SER method to concrete structures on shore will be examined. Finally, remedial measures for damaged concrete structures by sulphate attack will be proposed. Conventional repair techniques for damaged concrete will be reviewed and guidelines for concrete durability and performance evaluation with proposed repairing techniques will be developed and provided.
All the activities in this research are devoted to the integrity of safety-related concrete structures in Barakah NPPs. The outcomes from this project are expected to support the inspection, maintenance, and preventive measures of those structures. This, in turn, contributes to the safe and economic operation of Barakah NPPs. Lastly, since this research focuses on the concrete degradation especially in the UAE environmental conditions, the results may also be beneficial to understand better the material degradation of other concrete structures in general.
There is a vacancy for one postdoctoral Fellow position under a research project entitled "Prediction of Degradation in Concrete Structures by Sulphate Attack and Development of Remedial Measures". The role involves performing laboratory and field experiments on the diffusion of sulphate and chloride ions, analyzing physical and chemical attacks on concrete, and studying the formation of gypsum and ettringite. The candidate will investigate the impact of temperature on sulphate attacks in nuclear power plants (NPPs) and analyze concrete samples from UAE's NPPs. Responsibilities include developing concrete ageing models, evaluating sulphate attack detection methods, and creating optimized non-destructive techniques for damaged concrete structures. The fellow will also investigate concrete aging and remedial measures in NPPs globally, develop science-based recommendations, produce research reports, collaborate with colleagues, develop external networks, and contribute to KU's academic and research mission through high-quality research and publications.
