Small But Strong Outstanding University

Professor’s Profile

Aya Diab

  • Major : Thermal Hydraulics and Nuclear Safety
  • Professor Associate Professor
  • Office : Room 302 Main Bldg.
  • Phone : +82-52-712-7315
  • Email : aya.diab@kings.ac.kr

Educational Background

• Ph.D., Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison (2007.12)
• M.S., Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison (2004.05)
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Ain Shams University (1999.05)

 

Professional Experience

• Assistant Professor, Mechanical Power Engineering, Ain Shams Univ. Egypt (2009-2016)
• Research Assistant/ Research Associate, Engineering Physics, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, USA (2004-2008)
• Research Assistant, Mechanical Engineering, Univ. of Wisconsin-Madison, USA (2002-2004)
• Teaching Assistant, Mechanical Power Engineering., Ain Shams Univ. Egypt (1999-2002)

Research

Dept. of Mechanical Eng., Ain Shams University (2009-2016)

• CFD Modeling of Multiphase Flow Characteristics of Biodiesel Sprays.
• Investigating the aeroelastic behavior (fluid-structure interaction) and design optimization of utility scale wind turbines.
• Investigating the performance degradation of wind turbines in a dusty environment (dust deposition & sand erosion).
• Investigating the flow characteristics for novel small-scale wind turbine designs: spiral, shrouded turbines.
• Modeling of the frost formation/condensation process on a cold surface. 

Multiphase Flow Laboratory, UW-Madison (2004-2008)

• Developed a database of out-of-pile vapor explosion experiments, STEX for OECD Nuclear Energy Agency.
• Investigated the effect of key parameters on the energetics of a vapor explosion using TEXAS-V, IFCI and ANSYS for Électricité de France.
• Developed a mathematical model to simulate fuel-moderator forced interactions.
• Designed an experimental setup to study Rayleigh-Taylor instability. Research involved high speed photography, image analysis. 

Computational Mechanics Center, UW-Madison (2004)

• Designed and built an experimental test setup to test filters & porous materials.
• Tested the flow characteristics of high efficiency filters and other porous materials relevant to pellicle purging strategies for 157-nm lithography for Sematech.

Lab Members

Collaborating Professor

Lab satisfaction and Testimonies

 

Radioactive Waste and Spent Fuel Management

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Introduction To the Courses

Study Plan and Courses

Students interested in joining the Thermal Hydraulics and Nuclear Safety Lab are expected to have a basic knowledge of Thermodynamics, Heat Transfer and Fluid Dynamics. During the first year at KINGS, students are introduced to thermal hydraulics and nuclear safety through a number of courses. Additionally, students are guided to learn how to use system codes such as RELAP/MARS-KS, MAAP or the multi-phase CFD code CUPID depending on their research needs. Moreover, the courses introduce the students to essential concepts in nuclear safety which is key for nuclear power plant design and operation; for example, safety criteria, defence in depth, thermal design margin, etc.

Along the way, the fundamental equations that govern the flow; specifically, mass, momentum and energy conservation equations are discussed. Students learn how to calculate the pressure drop as a result of coolant flow within the intricate core internal structures. Additionally they learn about heat transfer and how the heat generated in the nuclear core gets transmitted across the fuel rods through the gap and cladding material to the coolant. The students learn about the critical heat flux and boiling crisis, leading to the notion of departure from nucleate boiling (DNB) and how the DNB ratio is calculated to ensure the plant’s safety. In the course of their study, they learn how to deal with single-phase flow as well as multi-phase flow which is particularly important during transients and under accident conditions.

To ensure safety, design basis accidents have been identified and engineered safety features are designed to ensure the safety of the power plant under various transients and accident conditions. That’s why it is essential for first year students who intend to join the Thermal Hydraulics and Nuclear Safety Laboratory to thoroughly study the safety features in APR1400 which is achieved by conducting mini-projects on design basis accidents in the first year. During the course of the project, we continue to build on the knowledge and skill base we developed in the first year. Each year we focus on a problem related to nuclear safety and assess the plant response to a certain accident scenario.

Both the ‘Simulation of Thermal Hydraulic Systems’ and ‘Nuclear Safety’ courses are essential electives for students intending to join the Thermal Hydraulics and Nuclear Safety Lab during their second year for their team project as well as their individual research. It is essential for the students to develop a strong background in these two areas.

A student-centred approach is followed in the Thermal Hydraulics and Nuclear Safety Laboratory to provide the best education to the students in a project-based setting. To enrich the students learning experience, relevant professors and industry experts are invited to the class to share their experience and give insight to the students into the state-of-the-art technology. In addition a number of workshops and site visits are planned for students to get the exposure they need to develop their expertise in the area of nuclear safety.

Internship Opportunities

Internship opportunities with industry is available for excellent students to enhance their learning experience by engaging with renowned experts in an industrial setting.

2019: J. Ricardo Tavares de Sousa trained at F&C Company, Project: Uncertainty Quantification for Nuclear Safety.

2020: Muhammad Wazif conducted internship with EN2T Company, Project: Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear Safety.

2020: Osama Al-Atawneh conducted internship with EN2T Company, Project: Artificial Intelligence for Nuclear Safety.

2020: Salama Alketbi conducted internship at F&C Company, Project: Analysis of MSLB Using BEPU and Machine Learning.

2020: Alexandra-Maria Udrescu conducted internship with F&C Company: Verification of the In-Vessel Retention Strategy.

2020: Abd El Rahman Abu El Ela conducted internship with F&C Company, Project: Multi-Physics Simulation of Load Follow Operation.

Publications, Projects and Awards

- Selected Conference Presentations and Journal Publications

o Mohamed Mousa, Aya Diab, and Nabil Abdel Aziz, CFD modeling of wall steam condensation in the presence of non-condensable gas, ICFD14-EG-7034, Fourteenth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD14), 2-3 April, Fairmont Nile City Hotel, Cairo, EGYPT, 2021.
o Abd El Rahman Abu El Ela and Aya Diab, A Systems Engineering Approach to Multi-Physics Load Follow Simulation of the Korean APR1400 Nuclear Power Plant, Journal of KOSSE. (2020. 12) Vol. 16, No. 2 pp. 1-15.
o Alexandra-Maria Udrescu and Aya Diab, A Systems Engineering Approach to Assess the Success Window of In-Vessel Retention Strategy, Journal of KOSSE. (2020. 12) Vol. 16, No. 2 pp. 27-37.
o Muhammad Wazif and Aya Diab, A Systems Engineering Approach to Predict the Critical Heat Flux using Artificial Neural Network (ANN), Journal of KOSSE. (2020. 12) Vol. 16, No. 2 pp. 38-46.
o Osama Sharif Al-Atawneh and Aya Diab, A Systems Engineering Approach to Predict the Peak Cladding Temperature using Artificial Neural Network, Journal of KOSSE. (2020. 12) Vol. 16, No. 2 pp. 67-77.
o Salama Alketbi and Aya Diab, A Systems Engineering Approach to Predict the Success Window of FLEX Strategy under Extended SBO Using Artificial Intelligence, Journal of KOSSE. (2020. 12) Vol. 16, No. 2 pp. 97-109.
o Abd El Rahman Abu El Ela and Aya Diab, Analyzing APR1400 Under Load Follow Operation Using Multi-Physics Simulation, Proceedings of the ANS Virtual Winter Meeting, November 16-19, 2020.
o Abd El Rahman Abu El Ela and Aya Diab, Multi-Physics Simulation for Load Follow Operation, Transactions of the KNS Autumn Meeting, South Korea, 2020.
o Osama Sharif Al-Atawneh and Aya Diab, Peak Cladding Temperature Prediction using Deep Learning, Transactions of the KNS Autumn Meeting, South Korea, 2020.
o Salama Alketbi and Aya Diab, Identification of Flex Strategy Success Window for Extended SBO using BEPU and AI, Transactions of the KNS Autumn Meeting, South Korea, 2020.
o Muhammad Wazif, Salama AlKetbi, Osama AlAtawneh, and Aya Diab, Prediction of Critical Heat Flux (CHF) Using Artificial Neural Network, Transactions of the KNS Autumn Meeting, South Korea, 2020.
o Alexandra-Maria Udrescu, Abd El Rahman Abu El Ela and Aya Diab, Assessment of In-Vessel Retention Strategy for A Large Scale PWR, Transactions of the KNS Autumn Meeting, South Korea, 2020.
o Salama Alketbi, Abd El Rahman Abou El Ala, Osama AlAtawneh, Muhammad Wazif Bin Mohd Sallehhudin, and Aya Diab, BEPU Evaluation for APR1400 MSLB Accident using Artificial Intelligence, Transactions of the KNS Autumn Meeting, South Korea, 2020.
o J. Ricardo Tavares de Sousa and Aya Diab, Uncertainty Analysis for a Station Blackout Scenario, Journal of Computational Fluids Engineering, Vol. 24 No. 42019.12, 60 – 68, 2019.
o Joao Ricardo Tavares de Sousa and Aya Diab, A Systems Engineering Approach for Uncertainty Analysis of a Station Blackout Scenario, Journal of KOSSE. (2019. 6) Vol. 15, No. 1 pp. 51-59.
o Joao Ricardo Tavares de Sousa and Aya Diab, Best Estimate Plus Uncertainty Analysis for SBO, Proceedings of the ANS Winter Meeting, November 17-21, 2019, Washington DC, USA.
o Joao Ricardo Tavares de Sousa and Aya Diab, Assessment of Operator Action for SBO, Proceedings of the ANS Winter Meeting 2019, November 17-21, 2019, Washington DC, USA.
o Joao Ricardo Tavares de Sousa and Aya Diab, Station Blackout Scenario using MARS-KS V1.4, NuSTEP Summer Meeting July 19, Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea, 2019.
o Joao Ricardo Tavares de Sousa and Aya Diab, Uncertainty Quantification for Station Blackout Scenario, Transactions of the Korean Nuclear Society Spring Meeting May 23-24, Jeju, Korea.
o Daegwang Hong, Donghyun Cho, Sang-Yong Lee and Aya Diab, CFD Analysis of SETH-2 Test Series Using CUPID Code, Proceedings of the 18th International Topical Meeting on Nuclear Reactor Thermal Hydraulics (NUREH-18), August 18-22, 2019, Portland, Oregon, USA.
o Donghyun Cho, Sang Young Lee and Aya Diab, Development of a Hydrogen Dispersion Model Using CUPID Code, J. Comput. Fluids. Eng., Vol.24, No.2, pp. 50-57, 2019/6.
o Daegwang Hong, Sang-Yong Lee, and Aya Diab, A CFD Investigation of the Effect of a Passive Autocatalytic Recombiner on Hydrogen Behavior in LWR Containment, J. Comput. Fluids. Eng., Vol.24, No.1, pp. 105-112, 2019/3.
o Sung-Hyun Kang, Shin Eom, Aya Diab, Seung-Jong Oh, “Examination of the Coping Strategies (FLEX) of APR1400 for Extended Station Blackout Using MARS Code”, The Journal of Computational Fluids Engineering, Vol.22, No.4, pp.55-66, 2017.
o Shin Eom, Aya Diab, Seung-Jong Oh, “Sensitivity Analysis of MIDAS Tests using SPACE Code: Effect of Nodalization”, The Journal of Computational Fluids Engineering, Vol.23, No.1, p.1-11, 2018.
o Sung Min Cho, Seung-Jong Oh, Aya Diab, “Analysis of the In-Vessel Phase of SAM Strategy for a Korean 1000 Mwe PWR”, Journal of Nuclear Science and Technology, Vol.55, No.10, pp.1151-1162, 2018.
o Walid Ashraf, Sherif Khedr, Aya Diab and Hashim Elzaabalawy, “Effect of replacement of butterfly throttle body by barrel throttle body on mass flow rate using CFD”, SAE Technical Paper 2017-01-1078, 2017, doi:10.4271/2017-01-1078.
o Adamu Gadu, Patrick M. Muriithi, Aya Diab, Ihn Namgung, “Systems Engineering Approach in the Determination of PWR600 Steam Generator Major Design Parameters”, Seoul National University, Korea, KOSSE Spring Conference, 25-26/05/2017.
o Patrick M. Muriithi, Adamu Gadu, Aya Diab, Ihn Namgung, “Systems Engineering Approach in the Determination of PWR600 Steam Generator Heat Transfer Area”, Seoul National University, Korea, KOSSE Spring Conference, 25-26/05/2017.
o Krzysztof Zabrzycki and Aya Diab, “A Preliminary Three Dimensional CFD Model of the APR1400 Steam Generator Using ANSYS”, 11th International Conference on CANDU® Maintenance and Nuclear Components 01-04/10/2017, Toronto, Canada.
o Donghyun Cho, Daegwang Hong, Geun Young Park, Cigdam Gildaf, Jin Woo Kim, Frorencia Rentica, Lee Sang Yong, Aya Diab, “MARS-KS Application to APR-1400 NON-LOCA Analysis”, NuStep Winter Meeting, 14-15/12/2017, UNIST, Korea.
o Ahmed Hossam, and Aya Diab, “Airfoil Optimization for a Wind Turbine Operating in a Particle Laden Flow”, Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2019: Technical Conference and Exhibition, GT2019-91044, June 17-29, Phoenix Convention Center, Phoenix, Arizona, USA.
o Ahmed Hossam, and Aya Diab, “Multi-Objective Optimization of Wind Turbine Airfoils for Improved Sensitivity to Dust Deposition”, Thirteenth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD13), 21-22 December, 2018, Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, Cairo, EGYPT.
o Ahmed Hossam, and Aya Diab, “On the Optimization of Airfoils for for Enhanced Erosion Resistance in a Saharan Environment”, Thirteenth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD13), 21-22 December, 2018, Steigenberger Hotel El Tahrir, Cairo, EGYPT.
o Adamu Ibrahim Gadu, and Aya Diab, Extended Station Blackout Mitigation Strategy using MARS-KS, NuStep Winter Meeting, UNIST, Korea, 14-15 December, 2017.
o DongHyun Cho, Daegwang Hong, Geun Young Park, Cigdam Gildaf, Jin Woo Kim, Frorencia Rentica, Lee Sang Yongand Aya Diab, MARS-KS application to APR-1400 NON-LOCA analysis, NuStep Winter Meeting, UNIST, Korea, 14th-15th December, 2017.
o Khaled Yassin, Aya Diab, and Zakaria Ghoneim, "Aerodynamic Optimization of a Wind Turbine Blade Designed for Egypt's Saharan Environment Using a Genetic Algorithm", Journal of Renewable Energy and Sustainable Development (RESD) - ISSN 2356-8569, June 2015.
o Fady Emil, Aya Diab, Ahmed El-Baz, Nabil Abdel-Aziz, “Investigation of the Impact of Using Daylighting for Rationalization of Energy Consumption of an Office Building in Egypt”, Twelfth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD12), Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel, December 19-20, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
o Mohamed Maher, Ahmed Abu-Elhamyel, Omar Hassan, Alaa El-Din Ramadan, Aya Diab, Mostafa Abdelkhalek, Adham Mohamed, Mohamed Abdel-Hay, “CFD Modeling of Spray Formation in Diesel Engines”, Twelfth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD12), Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel, December 19-20, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
o Ahmed Hossam, Aya Diab, and Zakaria Ghoneim, “Assessment of Losses in Annual Energy Production of Wind Turbines Subjected to Sand Erosion”, Twelfth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD12), Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel, December 19th-20th, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
o Mohamed Moussa, Aya Diab, and Mohamed Abdel-Aziz, “Numerical Optimization of the Sidepod Design for a Formula Student Vehicle”, Twelfth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD12), Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel, December 19th-20th, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
o AbdelRahman Nabil, Mariam Ali, Menna Saber, Mohamed Ali, and Aya Diab, “Performance Enhancement of a Horizontal Axis Wind Turbine using Computational Fluid Dynamics”, Twelfth International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD12), Le Méridien Pyramids Hotel, December 19-20, Cairo, Egypt, 2016.
o Khaled Yassin, Aya Diab, and Zakaria Ghoneim “Design Optimization of a Utility Scale Wind Turbine Blades Using a Genetic Algorithm”, Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo 2016: Technical Conference and Exhibition, GT2016-57867, June 13-17, Seoul, South Korea.
o Ahmed Hossam, Aya Diab, “A Preliminary Study of the Blade Erosion for a Wind Turbine Operating in a Dusty Environment”, Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo: Technical Conference and Exhibition, GT2016-44012, June 13-17, Seoul, South Korea2016.
o Khaled Yassin, Aya Diab, and Zakaria Ghoneim, "Design Optimization of a Site-Specific Wind Turbine Blades Using a Genetic Algorithm: Structural Considerations", EWEA, November, 17th-20th, Paris, France, 2015.
o Khaled Yassin, Aya Diab, and Zakaria Ghoneim, "Aerodynamic Optimization of a Wind Turbine Blade Designed for Egypt's Saharan Environment", Industry Academia Collaboration: Technology for Development (IAC), April 6-8, Al-Azhar Conference Center, Cairo, Egypt, 2015.
o Aya Diab, Moataz Alaa Ahmed Hossam, Hassan Salem and Zakaria Ghoneim “Contamination-Driven Performance Degradation of Wind Turbine Airfoils: A Comparative Study”, Proceedings of ASME Turbo Expo: Technical Conference and Exhibition, GT2015-44012, June 15-19, Montréal, Canada, 2015.
o Assem Zaabalawy and Aya Diab, "Numerical Modeling of the Frosting Process on a Cold Finned Surface with Variable Fin Spacing." IMECE2014-37578, ASME International Mechanical Engineering Congress, November 14-20, Montréal Canada, 2014.
o Hassan Salem, Aya Diab and Zakaria Ghoneim, “CFD Simulation and Analysis of the Performance Degradation of Wind Turbine Blades in Dusty Environments”, International Conference on Renewable Energy Research and Applications (ICREA), October 20-23, Madrid, Spain, 2013.
o Ahmad Ali, Ahmad El-Gohary, Eslam Mahfouz and Aya Diab, "A Computational Investigation of the Aerodynamic Performance of a Spiral Wind Turbine", TWAS 9th Annual Meeting “Science and Technology Education for Sustainable Development in the Arab Region”, Bibliotheca Alexandrina Dec. 29-30, Alexandria, Egypt. (Selected as one of the best 10 posters.)
o Assem Zaabalawy, Aya Diaband Zakaria Ghoneim, "Mathematical Model of the Frost Formation Process on a Cold Finned Surface." Eleventh International Conference of Fluid Dynamics (ICFD11), December 19-21, Alexandria, Egypt, 2013.
o Hassan Salem and Aya Diab, “A Preliminary Study on the Performance Degradation of a Wind Turbine Blade in Dusty Environments”, 3rd Dii Desert Energy Conference, 7-9 November, Berlin, Germany, 2013.
o Aya Diab and Michael Corradini, "Transient Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamics Experiments", Nuclear Science and Engineering, v. 165, pp. 180-199, 2010.
o Aya Diab and Michael Corradini, "Modeling of Molten Fuel Moderator Interactions, "Nuclear Technology, v. 169, pp.97-113, 2010.
o Aya Diab, Michael Corradini and Carl Martin, "Long-Term Validation of the Molten-Fuel-Moderator Interactions Model," Nuclear Technology, v. 169, pp. 114-125, 2010.
o Abdo, Amr Y.; Nellis, Gregory F.; Diab, Aya K.; Cotte, Eric P.; Chalekian, Aaron J.; Engelstad, Roxann L.; Lovell, Edward G.; Van Peski, Chris, “Experimental Investigation of Hard Pellicle Purge Processes,” Proceedings of SPIE, The International Society of Optical Engineering, v. 5256, n. 2, p. 897-904, 2003.
o Aya Diab, Greg Nellis, Jim Maddock, “Development of a Rectifying Interface for a Hybrid Pulse Tube Reverse Brayton Cryocooler,” Adv. Cryo. Eng.: Transactions of the Cryogenic Engineering Conference –CEC, vol. 49, p. 1771, 2003.
 

Projects

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Galleries

1st place in project competition, Nov. 2020
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Nuclear Safety Class Project, Second Semester 2020
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Design Basis Accident in NPP Simulator, Oct. 2020
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MARS-KS Workshop During Nuclear Safety Class, 2019
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Committee Members and Internship Mentors, Dec. 2019
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During ANS Winter Meeting, Nov. 2019
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MARS-KS Workshop During Nuclear Safety Class, 2019
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Project Class Barbeque, June 2018
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Project Class Kickoff Dinner, March 2018
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KAERI Workshop, May 2018
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Lunch near KAERI, May 2018
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KAERI Field Trip, November 2017
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Coffee Time on the way to KAERI, November 2017
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TH Class Lunch, December 2017
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TH Class Dinner, November 2017
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Project Class Winter Outing, December 2017
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Project Class Spring Outing, May 2017
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JAD Session for DSA & PSA Teams, November 2017
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