Ralph T. Yang

Biography

Education: Yale University PhD CHE ’71 MA CHE ’68 National Taiwan University BS CHE ’64 Society Memberships: American Institute of Chemical Engineers, (2002–present) American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Awards Committee Member, (1996-2001) American Institute of Chemical Engineers, Director, Separations Division, (1992-1995) American Carbon Society, Advisory Board Member, (1985-1991) International Adsorption Society, Director, (1998-2004) Adsorption – Journal of IAS, Advisory Board Member, (1993-present) Adsorption Science and Technology, Adv. Bd. Member, (1986-present) Industrial & Engineering Chemistry Research, Adv. Bd., (1991-1993) Separation & Purification Reviews, Adv. Bd. Member, (1997-present) Applied Catalysis B – Environmental, Editorial Board, (2000-2004) Applied Catalysis A – General, Editorial Board, (2004-2007) Carbon, Honorary Editorial Advisory Board, (2001-present) Frontiers of Environmental Science & Engineering, Editorial Advisory Board (2008-present) Chemical Engineering Science, International Advisory Panel, (2012- present) Journal of Environmental Sciences, Editorial Advisory Board (2013-present) Positions Held at U-M: John B. Fenn Distinguished University Professor of Engineering, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, (2017-present) Dwight F. Benton Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, (2002-present) Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, (1995-present) Chairman, Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Michigan, (1995-2000) Positions Held Elsewhere: Praxair Professor of Chemical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, (1993-1995) Chairman, Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, (1989-1995) National Science Foundation, Program Director, Separation and Purification Processes, CTS Division, (1987-1988) Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, (1982-1995) Associate Professor, Department of Chemical Engineering, State University of New York at Buffalo, (1978-1982) Chemical Engineer and Group Leader, Fossil Energy Science Group, Brookhaven National Laboratory, Upton, NY, (1974-1978) Scientist, Phys. Chem. Div., Aluminum Company of America, Alcoa Center, PA, (1973-1974) Research Fellow, Argonne National Laboratory, Argonne IL, (1972-1973) Research Associate, Department of Chemistry, New York University, (1971-1972) Courses Taught at U-M: ChE 343 – Separation Processes ChE 360 – Chemical Engineering Laboratory I ChE 490 – Advanced Directed Study ChE 543 – Advanced Separation Processes ChE 697 – Adsorption Engineering Courses Taught at SUNY Buffalo:   Undergraduate: Fluid Mechanics, Chemical Reaction Engineering, Chemical Engineering Lab, Plant Design Graduate: Chemical Reaction Engineering, Environmental Engineering

Research Interest

Adsorption. This research is focused on gas adsorption for the purpose of separation and purification. All fundamental aspects of adsorption are being studied: 1) Gas-solid equilibria, 2) Diffusion (pore diffusion, surface diffusion, diffusion in zeolites), 3) Dynamics in fixed-bed adsorbers, 4) Cyclic adsorption/desorption processes with particular interest in pressure swing adsorption, and 5) the hysteresis phenomena. We are also exploring field-assisted adsorption and desorption. We have had success in ultrasound assisted desorption of strongly adsorbed molecules, such as phenols, on activated carbon and resins. We have found that ultrasound could replace chemical regeneration.