![Sivachidambaram Sadasivam](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/6441?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Dr Sivachidambaram Sadasivam
Teams and roles for Sivachidambaram Sadasivam
Research Fellow
Overview
I help develop and demonstrate practical solutions to complex energy and environmental challenges by integrating chemical sciences, engineering, materials research and energy policy. As a Research Fellow at Cardiff University, I have over 13 years of post-PhD research and pilot-scale demonstration experience, with a strong focus on progressing emerging technologies from fundamental research towards industrial application.
My current research focuses on ammonia-hydrogen integrated energy systems, including industrial-scale ammonia cracking for hydrogen production, low-carbon heat and power technologies, hydrogen transport, and hydrogen/ammonia-compatible materials. I also have extensive research experience in carbon capture and geological CO₂ storage, enhanced methane recovery, mine-water heating, underground coal gasification and nuclear waste management.
My research philosophy centres on advancing technology readiness through experimental validation, multidisciplinary collaboration and real-world demonstration. I aim to translate research ideas and experimental outcomes into technically robust, commercially credible and policy-relevant solutions that can contribute to the transition to net zero.
Specific research interests:
- Demonstration of ammonia-hydrogen integrated energy systems, including boilers, combined heat and power systems and heat pumps.
- Development of catalytic converters for efficient in-situ ammonia cracking and hydrogen-ammonia low-carbon fuel systems.
- Efficient hydrogen transport and utilisation, including hydrogen/ammonia-compatible materials.
- Carbon capture, geological CO₂ storage and enhanced methane recovery.
Publication
2026
- Thomas, H. R. , Sadasivam, S. and Almolliyeh, M. 2026. CO2 storage in coal seams: a case study-based review of the opportunities and challenges. Environmental, Geological and Geotechnical Engineering 1 (1) 100005. (10.1016/j.egge.2026.100005)
- Mehdipour, R. et al., 2026. Utilizing aqua-ammonia as a clean and scalable fuel in steam power plants. Applied Thermal Engineering 290 130132. (10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2026.130132)
2025
- Balakrishnan, A. et al. 2025. Experimental demonstration of in-situ cracked premixed swirl NH3-air flames. Applied Energy 401 (Part B) 126754. (10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126754)
2024
- Wiatowski, M. et al., 2024. Experimental study on tar formation during underground coal gasification: Effect of coal rank and gasification pressure on tar yield and chemical composition. Fuel 357 130034. (10.1016/j.fuel.2023.130034)
2023
- Almolliyeh, M. et al. 2023. Experimental investigation of CO2-CH4 core flooding in large intact bituminous coal cores using bespoke hydrostatic core holder. International Journal of Coal Geology 279 104376. (10.1016/j.coal.2023.104376)
- Stańczyk, K. et al., 2023. CO 2 injection via a horizontal well into the coal seam at the Experimental Mine Barbara in Poland. Energies 16 (20) 7217. (10.3390/en16207217)
- Almolliyeh, M. et al. 2023. Subcritical CO2 adsorption on geomaterials of coal-bearing strata in the context of geological carbon sequestration. International Journal of Coal Geology 277 104340. (10.1016/j.coal.2023.104340)
- Wiatowski, M. et al., 2023. Large-scale ex situ tests for CO 2 storage in coal beds. Energies 16 (17) 6326. (10.3390/en16176326)
- Almolliyeh, M. et al. 2023. Effect of physical nature (intact and powder) of coal on CO2 adsorption at the subcritical pressure range (up to 6.4 MPa at 298.15 K). ACS Omega 8 (7), pp.7070-7084. (10.1021/acsomega.2c07940)
- Chen, M. et al. 2023. Modeling gas adsorption-desorption hysteresis in energetically heterogeneous coal and shale. Energy and Fuels 37 (3), pp.2149-2163. (10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c03441)
- Masum, S. A. et al. 2023. Low subcritical co2 adsorption-desorption behavior of intact bituminous coal cores extracted from a shallow coal seam. Langmuir 39 (4), pp.1548-1561. (10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02971)
2022
- Kapusta, K. et al., 2022. Experimental simulations of methane-oriented underground coal gasification using hydrogen - The effect of coal rank and gasification pressure on the hydrogasification process. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.012)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2022. Kinetics of gas phase CO2 adsorption on bituminous coal from a shallow coal seam. Energy and Fuels 36 (15), pp.8360–8370. (10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c01426)
- Chen, M. et al. 2022. Modelling anisotropic adsorption-induced coal swelling and stress dependent anisotropic permeability. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 153 105107. (10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105107)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2022. Characterisation of inorganic constitutions of condensate and solid residue generated from small-scale ex situ experiments in the context of underground coal gasification. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29 , pp.2203-2213. (10.1007/s11356-021-15780-8)
2020
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2020. Characterisation of the contaminants generated from a large-scale ex-situ underground coal gasification study using high-rank coal from the South Wales coalfield. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 231 519. (10.1007/s11270-020-04888-1)
- Zagorščak, R. et al. 2020. Experimental study of underground coal gasification (UCG) of a high-rank coal using atmospheric and high-pressure conditions in an ex-situ reactor. Fuel 270 117490. (10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117490)
- Brabham, P. et al. 2020. The potential use of mine water for a district heating scheme: A case study, Caerau, Upper Llynfi valley, South Wales, UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 53 (1) 145. (10.1144/qjegh2018-213)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2020. Experimental study of methane-oriented gasification of semi-anthracite and bituminous coals using oxygen and steam in the context of underground coal gasification (UCG): Effects of pressure, temperature, gasification reactant supply rates and coal rank. Fuel 268 117330. (10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117330)
2019
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2019. Baseline geochemical study of the Aberpergwm mining site in the South Wales Coalfield. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 202 , pp.100-112. (10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.03.006)
2016
- Farr, G. et al., 2016. Low enthalpy heat recovery potential from coal mine discharges in the South Wales coalfield. International Journal of Coal Geology 164 , pp.92-103. (10.1016/j.coal.2016.05.008)
- Farr, G. et al., 2016. The hydrology of an ephemerally flooded doline: Pwll-y-Felin, South Wales, UK. Cave and Karst Science 43 (1), pp.41-47.
- Sadasivam, S. and Rao, S. M. 2016. Characterization of silver-kaolinite (AgK): an adsorbent for long-lived 129I species. SpringerPlus 5 142. (10.1186/s40064-016-1855-8)
- Sadasivam, S. and Thomas, H. R. 2016. Colour and toxic characteristics of metakaolinite-hematite pigment for integrally coloured concrete, prepared from iron oxide recovered from a water treatment plant of an abandoned coal mine. Journal of Solid State Chemistry 239 , pp.246-250. (10.1016/j.jssc.2016.05.003)
2013
- Pal, R. , Rao, S. M. and Sadasivam, S. 2013. Mitigation of cromium contamination by copper-ZVI bimetallic particles. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste 17 (3), pp.181-186. 121109182659002. (10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000169)
- Rao, S. M. , Asha, K. and Sadasivam, S. 2013. Influence of anthropogenic contamination on groundwater chemistry in Mulbagal town, Kolar District, India. Geosciences Journal 17 (1), pp.97-106. (10.1007/s12303-013-0007-1)
- Rao, S. M. and Sadasivam, S. 2013. Characterization and iodide adsorption behaviour of HDPY+ modified bentonite. Environmental Earth Sciences 68 (2), pp.559-566. (10.1007/s12665-012-1759-z)
2012
- Sadasivam, S. and Rao, S. M. 2012. Iodide retention by modified kaolinite in the context of safe disposal of high level nuclear waste. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste 16 (3), pp.192-200. (10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000121)
Articles
- Thomas, H. R. , Sadasivam, S. and Almolliyeh, M. 2026. CO2 storage in coal seams: a case study-based review of the opportunities and challenges. Environmental, Geological and Geotechnical Engineering 1 (1) 100005. (10.1016/j.egge.2026.100005)
- Mehdipour, R. et al., 2026. Utilizing aqua-ammonia as a clean and scalable fuel in steam power plants. Applied Thermal Engineering 290 130132. (10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2026.130132)
- Balakrishnan, A. et al. 2025. Experimental demonstration of in-situ cracked premixed swirl NH3-air flames. Applied Energy 401 (Part B) 126754. (10.1016/j.apenergy.2025.126754)
- Wiatowski, M. et al., 2024. Experimental study on tar formation during underground coal gasification: Effect of coal rank and gasification pressure on tar yield and chemical composition. Fuel 357 130034. (10.1016/j.fuel.2023.130034)
- Almolliyeh, M. et al. 2023. Experimental investigation of CO2-CH4 core flooding in large intact bituminous coal cores using bespoke hydrostatic core holder. International Journal of Coal Geology 279 104376. (10.1016/j.coal.2023.104376)
- Stańczyk, K. et al., 2023. CO 2 injection via a horizontal well into the coal seam at the Experimental Mine Barbara in Poland. Energies 16 (20) 7217. (10.3390/en16207217)
- Almolliyeh, M. et al. 2023. Subcritical CO2 adsorption on geomaterials of coal-bearing strata in the context of geological carbon sequestration. International Journal of Coal Geology 277 104340. (10.1016/j.coal.2023.104340)
- Wiatowski, M. et al., 2023. Large-scale ex situ tests for CO 2 storage in coal beds. Energies 16 (17) 6326. (10.3390/en16176326)
- Almolliyeh, M. et al. 2023. Effect of physical nature (intact and powder) of coal on CO2 adsorption at the subcritical pressure range (up to 6.4 MPa at 298.15 K). ACS Omega 8 (7), pp.7070-7084. (10.1021/acsomega.2c07940)
- Chen, M. et al. 2023. Modeling gas adsorption-desorption hysteresis in energetically heterogeneous coal and shale. Energy and Fuels 37 (3), pp.2149-2163. (10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c03441)
- Masum, S. A. et al. 2023. Low subcritical co2 adsorption-desorption behavior of intact bituminous coal cores extracted from a shallow coal seam. Langmuir 39 (4), pp.1548-1561. (10.1021/acs.langmuir.2c02971)
- Kapusta, K. et al., 2022. Experimental simulations of methane-oriented underground coal gasification using hydrogen - The effect of coal rank and gasification pressure on the hydrogasification process. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy (10.1016/j.ijhydene.2022.10.012)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2022. Kinetics of gas phase CO2 adsorption on bituminous coal from a shallow coal seam. Energy and Fuels 36 (15), pp.8360–8370. (10.1021/acs.energyfuels.2c01426)
- Chen, M. et al. 2022. Modelling anisotropic adsorption-induced coal swelling and stress dependent anisotropic permeability. International Journal of Rock Mechanics and Mining Sciences 153 105107. (10.1016/j.ijrmms.2022.105107)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2022. Characterisation of inorganic constitutions of condensate and solid residue generated from small-scale ex situ experiments in the context of underground coal gasification. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 29 , pp.2203-2213. (10.1007/s11356-021-15780-8)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2020. Characterisation of the contaminants generated from a large-scale ex-situ underground coal gasification study using high-rank coal from the South Wales coalfield. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution 231 519. (10.1007/s11270-020-04888-1)
- Zagorščak, R. et al. 2020. Experimental study of underground coal gasification (UCG) of a high-rank coal using atmospheric and high-pressure conditions in an ex-situ reactor. Fuel 270 117490. (10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117490)
- Brabham, P. et al. 2020. The potential use of mine water for a district heating scheme: A case study, Caerau, Upper Llynfi valley, South Wales, UK. Quarterly Journal of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology 53 (1) 145. (10.1144/qjegh2018-213)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2020. Experimental study of methane-oriented gasification of semi-anthracite and bituminous coals using oxygen and steam in the context of underground coal gasification (UCG): Effects of pressure, temperature, gasification reactant supply rates and coal rank. Fuel 268 117330. (10.1016/j.fuel.2020.117330)
- Sadasivam, S. et al. 2019. Baseline geochemical study of the Aberpergwm mining site in the South Wales Coalfield. Journal of Geochemical Exploration 202 , pp.100-112. (10.1016/j.gexplo.2019.03.006)
- Farr, G. et al., 2016. Low enthalpy heat recovery potential from coal mine discharges in the South Wales coalfield. International Journal of Coal Geology 164 , pp.92-103. (10.1016/j.coal.2016.05.008)
- Farr, G. et al., 2016. The hydrology of an ephemerally flooded doline: Pwll-y-Felin, South Wales, UK. Cave and Karst Science 43 (1), pp.41-47.
- Sadasivam, S. and Rao, S. M. 2016. Characterization of silver-kaolinite (AgK): an adsorbent for long-lived 129I species. SpringerPlus 5 142. (10.1186/s40064-016-1855-8)
- Sadasivam, S. and Thomas, H. R. 2016. Colour and toxic characteristics of metakaolinite-hematite pigment for integrally coloured concrete, prepared from iron oxide recovered from a water treatment plant of an abandoned coal mine. Journal of Solid State Chemistry 239 , pp.246-250. (10.1016/j.jssc.2016.05.003)
- Pal, R. , Rao, S. M. and Sadasivam, S. 2013. Mitigation of cromium contamination by copper-ZVI bimetallic particles. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste 17 (3), pp.181-186. 121109182659002. (10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000169)
- Rao, S. M. , Asha, K. and Sadasivam, S. 2013. Influence of anthropogenic contamination on groundwater chemistry in Mulbagal town, Kolar District, India. Geosciences Journal 17 (1), pp.97-106. (10.1007/s12303-013-0007-1)
- Rao, S. M. and Sadasivam, S. 2013. Characterization and iodide adsorption behaviour of HDPY+ modified bentonite. Environmental Earth Sciences 68 (2), pp.559-566. (10.1007/s12665-012-1759-z)
- Sadasivam, S. and Rao, S. M. 2012. Iodide retention by modified kaolinite in the context of safe disposal of high level nuclear waste. Journal of Hazardous, Toxic, and Radioactive Waste 16 (3), pp.192-200. (10.1061/(ASCE)HZ.2153-5515.0000121)
Research
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Biography
I am an interdisciplinary researcher who expertly tackles complex energy, environmental, and decarbonisation challenges by combining chemical sciences and engineering principles. As an inspirational leader, my research philosophy revolves around the strategic development of technology readiness levels that can be effectively demonstrated in real-world scenarios. My utmost priority lies in cultivating tangible research ideas and harnessing experimental outcomes to showcase the technical prowess and commercial feasibility of unconventional energy operations to achieve net zero goals.
After a successful stint as the coordinator contact and research fellow for the ROCCS project, a
€2 M European Commission Research Fund for Coal Steel (EC/RFCS)-funded project to demonstrate pilot scale CO2 storage in coal seams, and I valunteered as an external consultant for project delivery and management . Prior to joining the project, I contributed my knowledge and skills to the co-delivery of the following high-value European Commission-funded research, development, and innovation (RD&I) projects at Cardiff University:
1. MEGA+, EC/RFCS-funded €2.8 million project (2018–2019): I managed and delivered the experimental program of preliminary underground coal gasification tests for the MEGA+ project, as well as supported the large-scale ex-situ experimental program at Poland's Central Mining Institute.
2. SEREN is a £10.4 million EC/ERDF (European Regional Development Fund) research and development project focused on developing innovative engineering technologies for commercial applications in the geo-energy sector. My contribution was to quantify and assess the energy potential of mine water for district heating, and this work was recognised in the Welsh Assembly Research Briefing. This experience also included acquiring data sets for first-of-its-kind mine water heating demonstration projects in Wales (1. District heating scheme at Caerau, Upper Llynfi Valley, South Wales, UK, and 2. Pilot scale mine water-based heating a farmhouse at Crynant, Wales).
3. FLEXIS is a £30 million European Commission/ERDF R&DI program aimed at developing flexible and integrated energy systems. My task was to investigate the South Wales coal field's geo- energy potential. My major achievement was to manage the drilling of three 500- to 600-metre-long bore holes in the South Wales Coalfield to collect baseline (geophysical-chemical) data for future unconventional energy operations. During my time at FLEXIS, I helped launch the Llynfi Vally mine water-based heating project.
Currently, I am working for the Centre of Excellence for Ammonia Technology (CEAT) to craft catalytic converters for efficient in-situ ammonia cracking. I serve as a Co-Investigator on EPSRC funded Winter Ammonia (£3M), GW-Shift funded projets Impact Accelartor fund (£20K), and Secondment Fund (£15K) projects spanning aquoes ammonia, hydrogen/ammonia-compatible materials, and hydrogen transport for H2-fuel-cell rail network.
Cardiff University has awarded me the Outstanding Contribution Award for my research contributions to the aforementioned projects from 2018 to 2019. Prior to starting at Cardiff University, I worked on geological nuclear waste containment for my PhD. My PhD was funded by the Ministry of Human Resources of India, and it focused on developing clay materials to retain the fugitive radioactive element Iodine-129.