Prof. Dawid Hanak is Professor in Decarbonisation of Industrial Clusters at the Net Zero Industry Innovation Centre, Teesside University. He leads transformational research to develop breakthrough technologies including direct air capture, carbon capture, utilisation and storage, hydrogen production, and high-value chemicals and fuels synthesis. His expertise encompasses process design and development, third-party validation, techno-economic feasibility assessment, environmental impact assessment, and business model development.

With professional qualifications as a Chartered Engineer (CEng MIMechE), Executive MBA, and Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), Prof. Hanak has helped multiple organisations demonstrate the feasibility of innovative net-zero processes, develop market strategies, and quantify business emissions across all scopes. He advises the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), UK Government, on CO₂ capture, utilisation and storage, and carbon removal technologies as part of the Energy and Net Zero Professional Services Framework.

Prof. Hanak actively contributes towards developing harmonised guidelines for carbon capture, utilisation and storage assessment and holds a leadership position as UK representative member of the management committee and leader of the working group on training, dissemination and engagement for the EU COST Action on Techno-Economic Assessment of Carbon Mitigation Technologies. He has led the successful delivery of multiple projects in clean energy and industrial decarbonisation funded via EPSRC, Innovate UK, BEIS, industry, and the EU.

Prof. Hanak works with organisations across the energy and industrial sectors to address decarbonisation challenges through rigorous technical and economic analysis. His enterprise activities are organised around several complementary service areas that support decision-making from early technology development through to deployment and investment.

Technology Validation and Verification

For technology developers and start-ups, Prof. Hanak provides independent third-party validation of performance claims through first-principles mathematical modelling. This work helps strengthen investor propositions and supports funding applications by providing credible technical assessment. Recent examples include verification of  direct air capture technology integrated with sustainable fuel production, and performance assessment for various novel CO₂ capture and utilisation processes. This service is particularly valuable where emerging technologies require independent scrutiny before significant capital commitment.

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Feasibility Studies and Technology Choice Assessment

Prof. Hanak conducts comprehensive feasibility studies that combine process design, techno-economic assessment, and life-cycle analysis to evaluate decarbonisation options for industrial sites. For manufacturers such as Quorn, this involved developing detailed process models for different CO₂ capture technologies and utilisation pathways, then facilitating workshops to support decision-making. Similar work for waste-to-energy operators has compared retrofit versus new-build configurations, helping clients understand the trade-offs between technical performance, capital requirements, and operational costs.

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Market Assessment and Business Model Development

Working with energy companies exploring new business opportunities, Prof. Hanak delivers market intelligence that combines technology landscape analysis with assessment of deployment opportunities and business model design. His past commercial engagement included reviewing engineered greenhouse gas removal technologies, screening potential geographic markets against political, social, technical and economic criteria, and developing business models to support strategic entry decisions. This service helps organisations understand emerging technology markets and identify credible entry strategies.

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Strategic Decarbonisation Planning

Prof. Hanak supports industrial facilities, ports, and local authorities in developing site-wide or regional decarbonisation strategies. This includes mapping energy needs, identifying possible decarbonisation approaches (electrification, fuel switching, energy storage), conducting techno-economic and environmental analysis, and developing phased implementation roadmaps. ​

Process Design and Integration Support

For organisations implementing specific decarbonisation technologies, Prof. Hanak provides expert advice on process design, optimal operating conditions, and integration with existing facilities. This includes guidance on emerging technologies such as carbonate looping for carbon capture, particularly where biogenic carbon or challenging flue gas compositions are involved. This service helps de-risk technology deployment by ensuring design choices reflect both theoretical understanding and practical operational constraints.

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Prof. Hanak's enterprise activities are supported by his track record of securing and delivering over £5m in research and commercial funding, ensuring his analysis reflects both current academic understanding and practical implementation experience. His work consistently involves collaboration with industrial partners, translating technical analysis into insights that support board-level decision-making, investment appraisal, and regulatory engagement.

• Senior Member of the International Association for Carbon Capture, 2023
• Member of the Society of Chemical Industry, 2021
• Member of the EPSRC Full Peer-Review College, 2020
• Chartered Manager and Chartered Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute (CMgr FCMI), 2020
• Chartered Engineer and Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (CEng MIMechE), 2019
• Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), 2018

Prospective PhD researchers

Prof. Hanak is currently accepting PhD applications in the field of net zero transition, with a particular focus on: 

• next-generation carbon capture and utilisation technologies 
• direct air capture and utilisation 
• low-carbon hydrogen production and utilisation 
• advanced waste-to-X technologies
• small and micro nuclear reactors
• AI and machine learning for process design and feasibility assessment

Funding options
Bursaries and Scholarships at Teesside University

PhD Funding Guide

Current PhD researchers

Completed 10 PhDs & 2 MSc by Research at CU prior to joining TU.  

1/ Ameer Al-Dafaie

Primary supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Project title: Improving the Operational Flexibility of the Allam Cycle

Programme year 3

7/05/24 →

2/ Mary Blackwell

Second supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Project title: What are the multiple values of local authoritie’s land now and under future climate change projections: The case of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

Programme year 2

7/10/24 →

3/ Rachael Butler

Second supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Project title: How can land provide multiple benefits for current and future generations? The case of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.

Programme year 2

7/10/24 →

4/ Ahmed Ghozy

Second supervisor

Doctor of Philosophy

Project title: Valorisation of waste biomass via hydrothermal carbonisation into sustainable biomaterials

Programme year 1

5/05/26 →

Completed PhD & MSc by Research projects at Cranfield University

1. Operational and maintenance planning of production and utility systems in process industries, Doctor of Philosophy, Principal supervisor, Ministry of HE Malaysia, 2015–18
2. Modelling and evaluation of AMP-based process for CO2 capture from natural gas-fired power plant, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate supervisor, Tetfund Scholarship Commission, 2015–18
3. Design and planning of energy supply chain networks, Doctor of Philosophy, Principal supervisor, PTDF, 2016–19
4. Development of natural gas-fired oxy-combustion power cycles with 100% CO2 capture and no NOx emission, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate supervisor, Self-funded, 2016–19
5. Performance of oxy-fuel combustion power plants using different thermodynamic cycles, Doctor of Philosophy, Principal supervisor, Self-funded, 2017–20
6. Optimisation of ageing oil and gas processing facilities in Nigeria, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate supervisor, PTDF, 2018–22
7. Machine learning in the assessment of carbon capture from LNG combustion, Master by Research, Principal supervisor, Self-funded, 2020–21
8. Clean heat, power, and hydrogen from biomass and waste, Doctor of Philosophy, Principal supervisor, EPSRC DTP, 2019–22
9. Energy management process for reduction of business carbon intensity, Doctor of Philosophy, Principal supervisor, Self-funded, 2021–25
10. Engineering multi-energy systems in micro-grid for future electrified airports, Master of Philosophy by Research, Associate supervisor, Self-funded, 2021–22
11. Solar energy system integration and management systems, Doctor of Philosophy, Associate supervisor, PTDF, 2021–25

 Professor Hanak's research sits at the intersection of process engineering, energy systems analysis, and industrial decarbonisation, with a unifying focus on the techno-economic assessment of low-carbon technologies for energy-intensive industries and clusters. His work spans the full carbon management chain, from CO₂ capture and utilisation through to hydrogen production, synthetic fuel generation, and negative emissions technologies, and is consistently oriented toward real-world deployment rather than theoretical modelling alone.

A defining characteristic of his research programme is its grounding in the Tees Valley industrial cluster, one of the UK's most carbon-intensive and strategically significant industrial regions. Projects addressing hydrogen supply chain pathways, waste-to-energy with carbon capture, sustainable cooling and heating for industrial clusters, and fuel choice for the Teesside transport sector collectively position his work as a systematic, evidence-based contribution to the decarbonisation of a real industrial economy. This regional embeddedness is complemented by significant international reach: as WG4 Leader and Core Group member of the EU COST Action TrANsMIT, he coordinates pan-European knowledge exchange on CCUS techno-economic analysis across multiple countries, while pump-priming projects have built consortia spanning Mission Innovation partners in India, Canada and Brazil alongside European academic and industry collaborators.

His research methodology comprises a unique blend of integrated techno-economic and environmental assessment, combining process simulation, life-cycle thinking, and economic modelling to evaluate the viability and scalability of emerging low-carbon technologies. This approach has been applied across carbon capture from industrial and biogenic sources, direct air capture, integrated carbon capture and utilisation for synthetic fuel and chemical production, advanced waste-to-energy systems, and hydrogen production and purification. Across these themes, his work consistently addresses the gap between laboratory-scale promise and industrial-scale feasibility. His work, therefore, answers the question not just of whether a technology works, but whether it can be deployed cost-effectively at scale.

Core research areas

Advanced Process Design, Modelling, and Optimisation: Expertise in first-principle modelling, simulation, and optimisation of complex industrial processes to maximise efficiency, minimise cost, and enhance operational performance. Core focus areas

• Advanced carbon capture processes such as calcium looping, amine scrubbing, and direct air capture (e.g., Airhive DAC technology).
• Hydrogen production pathways including sorption-enhanced reforming and biomass gasification integrated with CO₂ capture.
• CO₂ utilisation processes such as methanation of CO₂ for synthetic methane production and electrochemical reduction of CO₂ to value-added chemicals.

Techno-economic and Life-Cycle Assessment (TEA/LCA): World-leading capability in detailed TEA feasibility analyses and comprehensive LCA assessment. Actively contribute to developing harmonised guidelines for CCUS assessment via leadership position the TRANSMIT EU COST Action.

Sustainable Business Modelling: Development of robust, commercially viable business models tailored to the specific needs of industries adopting net-zero technologies, ensuring market competitiveness and sustainability. Performed market assessment and business strategy development for Harbour Energy on engineered greenhouse gas removal solutions. Developed business model for integrated hydrogen and CO₂ utilisation hubs (e.g., Freeport East Clean Energy Hub). Advising DESNZ on CCUS and GGRs as a part of the Energy and Net Zero Professional Services Framework.

Uncertainty modelling: Development of stochastic models using and machine learning techniques to deliver high-quality, quantitative risk assessments to provide informed recommendations under deep uncertainty. Performed probabilistic performance assessments of CCUS and GGRs under variable market and policy scenarios to estimate the likelihood of project failure.

Technology Focus Areas

• CO₂ capture: Novel processes and reactors for calcium looping for power, industrial, and waste-to-X processes. Direct air capture technologies using low-cost sorbent materials and process intensification strategies. Chemical looping for novel industrial processes.
• CO₂ utilisation: Methanation and reversed water-gas-shift processes for CO₂ conversion into syngas for grid injection and industrial use. Electrochemical CO₂ reduction to produce high-value chemicals (i.e. formic acid and methanol). Integration of CO₂ utilisation with hydrogen production to enable sustainable fuel synthesis. Process intensification via novel processes and materials for integrated CO₂ capture and utilisation.
• Hydrogen production: Sorption-enhanced hydrogen production with CO₂ capture. Biomass gasification with in-situ CO₂ capture for negative emission hydrogen production.