darpan kharas

Provided laboratory support for chemistry and biology courses. Prepared equipment and chemical solutions for student experiments and managed laboratory inventory in compliance with safety regulations.

Engineered, procured, and commissioned a high-pressure experimental plant up to 20 MPa for thermophysical property measurement of CO2 and organic-solvent systems as part of a DFG-funded research initiative. Developed all P&IDs and technical documentation, specified high-pressure components, performed line sizing and pressure drop calculations, and applied HAZOP principles throughout. Led the full build from concept to commissioning.

Worked on process simulation, reactor design, and techno-economic evaluation during my M.Sc. Key work: CFD modeling of a CO2 methanation reactor in ANSYS Fluent, methanol plant simulation in Aspen Plus, hydrothermal carbonization process design, and renewable energy feasibility study. Delivered CAPEX and OPEX evaluations across all projects.

Performed dissolved gas analysis (DGA) and infrared testing of transformer insulating oil samples in accordance with IEC 60599 and IEC 60567 to support transformer health monitoring and fault diagnostics. Conducted full oil quality assessments including moisture content, breakdown voltage, viscosity, and oxidation screening per DIN 60814, DIN 60156, and ASTM D445. Maintained laboratory test records in compliance with DIN EN ISO 17025 and Good Laboratory Practice (GLP).

Developed P&IDs and mass and energy balances for industrial tank storage projects per DIN EN ISO 10628-2. Performed pipe sizing, pressure drop, and NPSH calculations. Wrote pump data sheets per ANSI B73.1 and executed pressure drop calculations for complete plant piping networks.

Key modules: Process Simulation and Modeling, Process Control and Plant Safety, Efficient Heat Transfer, Energy Process Technology, Life Cycle Assessment, Chemical Technologies for the Energy Transition. Thesis: Homogeneous CFD Simulation of a Fixed-Bed CO2 Methanation Reactor validated against experimental plant data.