Brunel University Profile

Dr Roohollah
Babaei-Mahani

Honorary Reader - Brunel University of London

Hello, and thank you for visiting!

I am currently an Honorary Reader at Brunel University, with a primary research focus on the environmental impacts of offshore and onshore pollution resulting from oil and gas drilling operations. 

university webpage

About Me

My story

My academic journey is rooted in environmental engineering and sustainability, and I am passionate about exploring innovative solutions to global environmental challenges.

Beyond academia, I have had the privilege of working across various multidisciplinary industries. My experiences include engineering, energy, safety systems, and drilling operations. These diverse roles have significantly shaped my perspective and broadened my interests.

One of the main motivations for creating this website is to share these diverse experiences with younger generations, students, early-career professionals, and anyone interested in unconventional career paths. I aim to provide insights, advice, and inspiration drawn from both academic and industrial worlds.

While I wouldn't call myself an entrepreneur, I've always had a strong drive to delve deeper into whatever I pursue. Whether it's simplifying complex systems or improving existing methods, I find joy in creating added value and solving problems thoughtfully.

Email: roohollah.babaei-mahani@brunel.ac.uk

Academic Research Interests

Research
Thermal Energy
Storage
Recycling and Waste Management
Risk and Safety Engineering
System Dynamics and Modelling

Experience

Working with
Present
Brunel University
of London

Honorary Reader​

2005-Present
Belmore Energy
Ltd

Managing Director

Education

Studied at
1978-1981
University of Manchester Institute of Science and Technology (UMIST)
Civil and Structural Engineering Department

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

2003-2004
University of
Hertfordshire

Executive MBA

Industry Expertise

Experience

 In addition to academia, I spent over a decade working in the oil and gas sector, primarily in offshore drilling, with a particular focus on jack-up rigs. My work has involved:

  • Supervision Lead for New-built and refurbishment of a few jack-up rigs
  • Safety and risk analysis
  • Engineering support and system design for offshore structures

I remain deeply interested in any field related to jack-up drilling rigs and offshore operations.

Personal Interest and Books

Hobbies

Research grants and projects

Project details
  • Risk Analysis and Management of Hydrogen Handling Facilities

     

    Hydrogen is expected to play a crucial role as a future energy source. However, its production, transport, and storage involve inherent risks. To effectively manage these risks, it is essential to establish appropriate prevention and protection measures.
    Since hydrogen handling constitutes a complex socio-technical system, traditional risk assessment methods are often inadequate, as they fail to capture the interconnected nature of risks within such systems.
    This research aims to develop a comprehensive and integrated framework that combines artificial intelligence and system dynamics to support risk assessment and management in hydrogen-handling facilities.

  • Thermal Energy

    Thermal energy arises from the motion of atoms and molecules and plays a vital role in industrial heating, energy storage, and climate control.

    Phase Change Materials (PCMs) enable high-density thermal energy storage by absorbing and releasing heat at near-constant temperatures, improving efficiency while reducing peak energy demand and carbon emissions.

    Our advanced PCM technology captures excess heat and releases it when needed, delivering reliable performance across industrial, renewable, and building energy applications.

    Thermal Storage Unit (TSU)
    Developed through years of research by Dr. R. B. Mahani and Dr. P. T. Sardari, the TSU integrates advanced PCMs into a scalable, efficient, and cost-effective thermal energy storage solution.

    For more information, please contact us.

  • Treatment of Drill Cuttings using an Advanced Thermal Processor

    This research investigates the use of an Advanced Thermal Processor (ATP) for the treatment of drill cuttings. The study focuses on the removal of oil contamination and compares the results for water-based and oil-based drilling waste samples collected in Qatar and Oman.

  • Corrosion in Ageing Jack-Up Drilling Rigs

    Corrosion represents a significant financial burden to the oil and gas industry, amounting to billions of pounds annually. This study examines the impact of cold-stacking on jack-up drilling rigs, highlighting how prolonged idling accelerates structural deterioration through corrossion. Furthermore, it outlines effective strategies for mitigating and managing the associated risks to ensure asset integrity and operational safety. 

Contact

Let's talk

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    Dr Roohollah Babaei-Mahani
    • E-mail: rbmahani@gmail.com
    Dr Roohollah Babaei-Mahani