Senior Technologist
Dr. Lukas Buelens is a Senior Technologist at PCRC. He holds a Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering from Ghent University and specializes in heterogeneous catalysis, chemical looping, and sustainable energy conversion processes. His research focuses on the development of advanced catalytic materials and innovative processes for CO₂ capture, utilization, and conversion into valuable chemicals and fuels.
Dr. Buelens combines fundamental chemical engineering principles with cutting-edge experimental and data-driven approaches to address challenges in carbon-neutral fuel production and industrial decarbonization. He has authored numerous high-impact publications and actively contributes to international scientific collaborations in catalysis and energy research.
Education
Ph.D. in Chemical Engineering
Ghent University, Belgium (2014–2018)M.Sc. in Chemical Engineering
Ghent University, Belgium (2012–2014)M.Sc. in Industrial Engineering
Katholieke Hogeschool 'Sint-Lieven', Ghent, Belgium (2008–2012)Secondary Education: Latin, Science, Mathematics
Sint-Leocollege, Brugge, Belgium (2002–2008)
Experience
Senior Postdoctoral Fellow
Ghent University – Laboratory for Chemical Technology
Nov 2022 – Present | Ghent, Belgium
- Leading the CLIMAT project funded by the Flemish Research Foundation (FWO), focused on chemical looping CO₂ conversion to carbon monoxide.
- Working on both the upscaling of chemical looping from lab to pilot scale and gaining fundamental material insights.
- Supervising multiple Master's and Ph.D. researchers in catalysis and chemical looping.
Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Ghent University – Laboratory for Chemical Technology
Mar 2020 – Oct 2022 | Ghent, Belgium
- Led the design and procurement of a chemical looping pilot plant for CO₂ utilization.
- Coached 6 Master's and 5 Doctoral students in catalyst development and process scale-up.
Innovation Performance Consultant
Ayming
Mar 2019 – Feb 2020 | Brussels Area, Belgium
- Advised companies on R&D tax incentives, grants, and funding strategies.
- Specialized in chemicals, materials, environmental, and pharmaceuticals sectors.
Postdoctoral Researcher
Ghent University – Laboratory for Chemical Technology
Oct 2018 – Feb 2019 | Ghent, Belgium
- Focused on completing and publishing four manuscripts from Ph.D. work.
- Contributed to research dissemination and article finalization in catalysis and chemical looping.
Publications
- Buelens, L.C., Van de Voorde, L., Galvita, V.V., Data-driven analysis of property-performance correlations in dual functional materials for CO2 capture and utilization, Chemical Engineering Journal, 2025.
- Deivendran, B., De Somer, C., Heynderickx, G.J., Gas-solid magnetically fluidized beds – A review, Powder Technology, 2025.
- D’ooghe, L.A., Srinath, N.V., Galvita, V.V., Detailing the redox ability of supported Pt-Sn and Pt-In catalysts for CO2-assisted PDH, Journal of Catalysis, 2025.
- Buelens, L., Poelman, H., Galvita, V.V., Chemical Looping: At the Forefront of Green Transformation, Encyclopedia of Green Chemistry, 2025.
- Van Cauwelaert, M.W.F., Buelens, L.C., Van Geem, K.M., Impact of reduction degree on stability of Fe2O3-MgAl2O4 oxygen storage materials during chemical looping reverse water-gas shift reaction, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2024.
- Xu, W., Buelens, L.C., Meynen, V., Improving the performance of gliding arc plasma-catalytic dry reforming via a new post-plasma tubular catalyst bed, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2024.
- Xie, Y., De Coster, V., Galvita, V., Tuning CO2 methanation selectivity via MgO/Ni interfacial sites, Journal of Catalysis, 2023.
- Singh, V., Buelens, L.C., Galvita, V.V., Carbon monoxide production using a steel mill gas in a combined chemical looping process, Journal of Energy Chemistry, 2022.
- Singh, V., Buelens, L.C., Galvita, V.V., Upcycling the carbon emissions from the steel industry into chemicals using three metal oxide loops, Energy Advances, 2022.
- Singh, V., Buelens, L.C., Galvita, V.V., Intensifying blue hydrogen production by in situ CO2 utilisation, Journal of CO2 Utilization, 2022.
- Srinath, N.V., Poelman, H., Galvita, V.V., Behaviour of Platinum-Tin during CO2-assisted propane dehydrogenation: Insights from quick X-ray absorption spectroscopy, Journal of Catalysis, 2022.
- Theofanidis, S.A., Galvita, V.V., Marin, G.B., Mechanism of carbon deposits removal from supported Ni catalysts, Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 2018.
