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Geert-Jan Witkamp

Professor, Environmental Science and Engineering

Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division 
Center membership :
Water Desalination and Reuse

geertjan.witkamp@kaust.edu.sa


Affiliations

Education Profile

  • Ph.D., Applied Sciences, Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands, 1989
  • M.Sc., Chemistry, Leiden University, The Netherlands, 1985
  • B.Sc., Chemistry & Physics, Leiden University, The Netherlands, 1982

Research Interests

The research of Prof. Witkamp is aimed at generating knowledge necessary for the development of technologies allowing atom- and energy efficient recovery of materials in pure form (water, salts, metals) from a wide variety of sources, and to realise such technologies in practice at appropriate scales through translational research. Concepts include the Water Refinery, Eutectic Freeze Crystallization, (ultra)trace compound detection and recovery, Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents (NADES's) and supercritical carbon dioxide based processes.

Selected Publications

  • Effect of pore size distribution and particle size of porous metal oxides on phosphate adsorption capacity and kinetics P. Suresh Kumar, L. Korving, K.J. Keesman, M.C.M. van Loosdrecht, G.J. Witkamp Chemical Engineering Journal, 358, 160-169, (2019)
  • Towards zero liquid discharge in the presence of silicate: Stable 98% recovery in nanofiltration and reverse osmosis S. Cob, C. Yeme, B. Hofs, E.R. Cornelissen, D. Vries, F.E. Genceli Guner, G.J. Witkamp Separation and Purification Technology, 140, 23-31, (2015)
  • Visualization of acoustic cavitation effects of suspended calcite crystals R.M. Wagterveld, L. Boels, M.J. Mayer, G.J. Witkamp Ultrasonics sonochemistry 18, 216-225, (2011)
  • Are natural deep eutectic solvents the missing link in understanding cellular metabolism and physiology? Y.H. Choi, J. van Spronsen, Y. Dai, M. Verberne, F. Hollmann, I.W.C. Arends, G.J. Witkamp, R. Verpoorte Plant physiology 156, 1702-1705, (2011).
  • Quantum chemical aided prediction of the thermal decomposition mechanisms and temperatures of ionic liquids M.C. Kroon, W. Buijs, C.J. Peters, G.J. Witkamp Thermochimica Acta 465, 40-47, (2007)
  • Recovery of pure products from ionic liquids using supercritical carbon dioxide as a co-solvent in extractions or as an anti-solvent in precipitations M.C. Kroon, J. van Spronsen, C.J. Peters, R.A. Sheldon, G.J. Witkamp Green Chemistry 8, 246-249, (2006)
  • Extraction of Lanthanides from the phosphoric acid process to gain a purified gypsum and a valuable lanthanide by-product C. Koopman, G.J. Witkamp Hydrometallurgy 58, 51-60, (2000)