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Devin Sapsford

Professor Devin Sapsford

Professor

School of Engineering

Users
Available for postgraduate supervision

Overview

I am a Professor in Geoenvironmental Engineering and lead Geoenvironmental Research within the School of Engineering, Cardiff University.

Recent project that I lead/or have led include large multi-institution/multi-partner research projects: the EPSRC funded ASPIRE project (Accelerated Supergene Processes in Repository Engineering, £1.5M, EP/T031018/1); and the WEFO funded METAL-SoLVER (Mine Effluent Treatment At Low-cost using Sustainable Vertical Flow Reactors, £2M). I previously led the INSPIRE consortium grant (NERC, NE/L013908/1, £1.3M, 2014-2018) as part of NERC’s flagship “Resource Recovery from Waste Programme”.

I am interested in industry-focussed interdisciplinary research in geoenvironmental engineering that draws on, and coordinates research across engineering, earth sciences, biosciences and chemistry to tackle grand-challenges in geoenvironmental engineering, particularly in relation to:

  • Mine water and mine waste management
  • Resource recovery from industrial wastes
  • Geoenvironmental  Engineering in the Circular Economy
  • Engineering applications of iron biogeochemistry
  • Engineering of nature-based treatment technologies

 

Publication

2023

2022

2020

2019

2018

2017

2016

2015

2013

2012

2011

2010

  • Jaafar, I., Griffiths, A. J., Hopkins, A., Hutton-Ashkenny, M., Steer, J. M., Griffiths, M. H. and Sapsford, D. J. 2010. Chloride roasting for the removal of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Presented at: Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates: 2nd International Symposium (Zinc Processing '10), Cape Town, South Africa, 10-13 November 2010.
  • Suvio, P., Sapsford, D. J., Griffiths, A. J., Williams, K. P., Davies, J. D. and Maynard, S. 2010. High-density sludge process applied to metal-containing effluent. Presented at: Tenth International Conference on Modelling, Monitoring and Management of Water Pollution, Bucharest, Romania, 9-11 June 2010 Presented at Brebbia, C. A. and Marinov, A. M. eds.Water Pollution X. WIT Transactions on Ecology and the Environment Vol. 135. Southampton: WIT Press pp. 289-299.
  • Jaafar, I. et al. 2010. Chloride roasting for the recovery of zinc from steelmaking dusts. Presented at: 2nd International Symposium on the Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates 2010 (Zinc Processing '10), Cape Town, South Africa, 13 November 2010Proceedings of the 2nd International Symposium on the Processing of Zinc Ores and Concentrates 2010. Red Hook, NY: Curran Associates pp. 47-63.

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

Adrannau llyfrau

Cynadleddau

Erthyglau

Gwefannau

Monograffau

Research

Title

People

Sponsor

Value

Duration

ASPIRE - Accelerated Supergene Processes in Repository Engineering

Sapsford, D

Cleall, P

Harbottle M

Owen N

Weightman A

EPSRC

592,345

01/03/21 - 29/02/24

Mine water treatment test bed and Mine Water Analysis Hub

Sapsford, D

Welsh Government

486,000

10/02/21 -31/03/21

METAL-SoLVER (Mine Effluent Treatment At Low-cost using Sustainable Low-footprint VERtical flow reactors)

Sapsford D

Welsh European Funding Office

578,791

01/09/20 - 31/08/22

In situ recovery of resources from waste repositories

Sapsford D, Harbottle M, Cleall P, Mahdi T, Weightman A (BIOSI)

NERC

671,454

02/06/2014 - 01/06/2017

In Situ Recovery of Resources from Waste Repositories

Sapsford D, Griffiths A, Harbottle M, Mahdi T, Cleall P

NERC

56,803

01/04/2013 - 30/09/2013

Vertical flow reactors for mine water treatment

Sapsford D

EPSRC

20,000

01/11/20 - 31/03/21

Ynysarwed mine water treatability assessment

Sapsford D

Coal Authority

15,655

01/11/18 - 30/06/20

Utilising Welsh mining legacy for predicting the environmental impacts of future global mining

Sapsford D, Harbottle M

Welsh European Funding Office, Geochemic Ltd

60,373

01/10/18  - 01/10/21

Comparative microbial community analysis of anaerobic digestion (AD) plants

Weightman A (BIOSCI), Sapsford D

Qila Energy

12,000

07/5/18 - 06/11/18

Complex value optimisation for resource recovery from waste

Sapsford D

NERC (via University of Leeds)

4,995

01/01/15 - 30/09/19

Resource recovery from Parys Mountain, past, present and future: Communicating the multifaceted value of mine sites

Crane R, Sapsford D

NERC (via University of Leeds)

5,850

01/02/17 - 30/11/17

Development of a passive mine water treatment tool

Sapsford D

Coal Authority

8,333

01/07/17 - 30/11/17

Remediation feasibility study for the treatment of Coombe discharge Gwindra

Sapsford D

Mahdi T

Mouchel

13,853

02/11/16 - 31/07/17

New technologies for the removal of phosphates form wastewater

Sapsford D

Mahdi T

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water, ARM Ltd

46,500

01/10/15 -  31/03/19

Manipulation of iron geochemistry for the remediation of metal mine drainage

Sapsford D

Natural Resources Wales

20,786

26/01/15 - 31/07/15

Manganese mitigation strategy for Bangladesh

Sapsford D

Royal Academy of Engineering

20,000

30/03/17 - 30/11/17

New technology for mine water treatment

Sapsford D

Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council

39,229

01/10/14 -  30/09/15

Investigation into the feasibility of using seawater to treat acid mine drainage

Sapsford D

Natural Resources Wales

4,220

01/06/14 - 31/10/14

Characterisation of ARDML potential of mine wastes

Sapsford D

SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd

47,466

SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd

Accelerated weathering of mine wastes

Sapsford D

Mahdi T

SRK Consulting

10,500

01/02/15 - 30/09/15

Field testing of a novel phosphate removal technology

Sapsford D

Mahdi T

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

20,000

24/08/12 -  23/09/13

Piloting of a novel chemical-based sulphate removal process

Sapsford D

Siltbuster Ltd

6,330

01/06/13 -30/11/13

Investigation into tar contamination in the Blaenavon mine water treatment scheme

Sapsford D

Harbottle M

Coal Authority

2,090

01/03/11 -31/12/11

Characterisation of potentially problematic soil samples

Sapsford D

Arup

754

01/08/10

31/08/10

To develop Ford's capacity in resource efficiency and environmental performance through improvements in waste management and effluent treatment

Sapsford D

Harbottle M

KTP, Ford Motor Company Ltd

125,710

01/09/10 -  31/08/12

Passive treatment of mine water

Sapsford D

Coal Authority

30,000

01/09/08 - 30/11/11

Corrosion scales in water distribution network

Sapsford D Mahdi T Wilson, C

Dwr Cymru Welsh Water

4,994

12/04/13 -  11/04/14

Research into parameters that influence the performance of passive mine water treatment schemes

Sapsford D

Coal Authority

8,500

24/07/09 -31/12/09

Sulphide Sulphur in Fluorpar

Sapsford D

Mahdi T

British Fluorspar Ltd

16,655

21/02/14 - 31/05/16

Pollution prevention guide for land owners and users of metal mines

Sapsford D

Brabham P

Jones,T

Environment Agency Wales

3,260

07/02/11 -

06/08/11

SEREN

Thomas HR, Williams KP, Sapsford D, Tripathy S, Griffiths AJ

Welsh European Funding Office, British Geological Survey

5,576,619

01/03/10 - 30/06/15

Optimisation of hydrometallurgical extraction of uranium from low grade ores

Sapsford D

SRK (UK) Consulting Ltd

10,000

01/07/09 - 31/12/10

Laboratory simulation and optimisation of underground uranium bioleaching

Sapsford D

SRK (UK) Consulting Ltd

10,000

01/02/10 -

31/01/11

Potentially problematic element (PPE) release from gold mine tailings in a tropical environment

Sapsford D

SRK (UK) Consulting Ltd

20,000

01/08/09 - 31/07/10

Hydroventuri Device: Assessment, development and demonstration of its gas exchange and hydropower technology and development of associated know-how and commercialisation support tools.

O'Doherty DM, O'Doherty T, Sapsford D

Hydroventuri Ltd

60,000

01/10/10 - 30/09/13

Biological reactors as replacement to activated carbon filters for the treatment of contaminated groundwater

Harbottle M, Sapsford D, Mahdi T

Celtic Technologies

25,000

01/11/10 - 31/10/11

Modelling the occurrence of scale precipitation in waste water treatment works

Sapsford D

Imtech Process Ltd

5,377

01/08/09 - 31/07/10

Supervised Postgraduate Research Students

Title

Student

Status

Degree

Carbonation of Mine Waste: Practical Laboratory Testing Methods To Assess The Dual Opportunity For Carbon Capture And AMD Mitigation

Rhys Savage

Current

PhD

Passive Mine Water Treatment

Nik Azhar

Current

PhD

In Situ Processes in Resource Extraction from Waste Repositories

PEPPICELLI Claudia

Current

PhD

Assessment of performance of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in improving water quality

Nailah Altuwairgi

Current

PhD

Methodologies for the prediction and evaluation of potential resources within landfills

WARWICK Steven John

Current

PhD

Precipitation of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides with Calcium Carbonate in Aqueous Solutions and Particulate Media

MUGWAR Ahmed

Graduate

PhD

Development of a Methodology for the physiochemical characterisation of a cutting fluid based sludge

SUTTON Alex

Graduate

MPhil

Development of Bespoke Design Criteria for Mine Water Treatment

SUTTON Alex

Graduate

PhD

New Technologies for the Removal of Phosphates from Wastewater

ALKHAZRAJI Ban

Graduate

PhD

The Transport Behaviour of Coal Tar & Creosote in Severn Estuary Alluvium

EMANUEL David

Graduate

MPhil

An Investigation into Parameters Affecting the Production Of UCG Gas

KONSTANTINOU Eleni

Graduate

PhD

Rates And Mechanisms Of Chemical Processes Affecting The Treatment Of Ferruginous Mine Water

GERONI Jennifer

Graduate

PhD

Mechanisms of the Removal of Metals from Acid and Neutral Mine Water under varying Redox Systems

FLORENCE Kay

Graduate

PhD

The Optimisation of Stope Leaching: A Laboratory Investigation Into The Extraction Of Uranium From A Low-Grade Ore

PENMAN Kristina

Graduate

MPhil

In-Situ Microbial Dissolution of Iron Mineral-Bearing Wastes for Metal Recovery

ROBERTS Mark Thomas

Graduate

PhD

Structural and Geoenvironmental Applications of Waste Quarry Dust

PILEGIS Martins

Graduate

PhD

From Threat to Asset: Water In Sdteelworks How Modern Steelworks Can Improve Water Related Performance Via Benchmarking And development Of High Density Sludge (HDS) Process

SUVIO VIRTANEN Piia Katariina

Graduate

EngD

Bioremediation of wastewaters utilising iron oxide-bearing wastes

AL OBAIDI Safaa Abdalrasool Ali

Graduate

PhD

Teaching

I currently teach Environmental Engineering (2nd Year), Waste Management and Recycling (MSc), Soil and Groundwater Chemistry (MSc) and major projects (3rd year) and MSc dissertation projects

Biography

Career Overview:

  • Professor in the School of Engineering, Cardiff University (2022 - present)
  • Reader in the School of Engineering, Cardiff University (2017 - 2022)
  • Senior Lecturer in the School of Engineering, Cardiff University (2013 - 2017)
  • Lecturer in the School of Engineering, Cardiff University (2009 - 2013)
  • Research Associate in Environmental Engineering, Cardiff University (2008 – 2009)
  • Technology Translator in the School of Engineering, Cardiff University (2007 - 2008)
  • Research Associate in Environmental Engineering, Cardiff University (2004 – 2007)

Research Team @2024

Postdoc Research Associates:

Dr. Pallavee Srivastrava

 

PhD students:

Rachel Seddon

Zongqiang Ren (co-supervisor)

Yao Fu (co-supervisor)

Khaled Alshehri (co-supervisor)

Zhenghui Gao (co-supervisor)

Holly-Anne Smith (co-supervisor)

Nailah Altuwairgi (co-supervisor)

Supervisions

Title

Student

Status

Degree

Carbonation of Mine Waste: Practical Laboratory Testing Methods To Assess The Dual Opportunity For Carbon Capture And AMD Mitigation

Rhys Savage

Current

PhD

Passive Mine Water Treatment

Nik Azhar

Current

PhD

In Situ Processes in Resource Extraction from Waste Repositories

PEPPICELLI Claudia

Current

PhD

Assessment of performance of Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) in improving water quality

Nailah Altuwairgi

Current

PhD

Methodologies for the prediction and evaluation of potential resources within landfills

WARWICK Steven John

Current

PhD

Precipitation of Heavy Metals and Radionuclides with Calcium Carbonate in Aqueous Solutions and Particulate Media

MUGWAR Ahmed

Graduate

PhD

Development of a Methodology for the physiochemical characterisation of a cutting fluid based sludge

SUTTON Alex

Graduate

MPhil

Development of Bespoke Design Criteria for Mine Water Treatment

SUTTON Alex

Graduate

PhD

New Technologies for the Removal of Phosphates from Wastewater

ALKHAZRAJI Ban

Graduate

PhD

The Transport Behaviour of Coal Tar & Creosote in Severn Estuary Alluvium

EMANUEL David

Graduate

MPhil

An Investigation into Parameters Affecting the Production Of UCG Gas

KONSTANTINOU Eleni

Graduate

PhD

Rates And Mechanisms Of Chemical Processes Affecting The Treatment Of Ferruginous Mine Water

GERONI Jennifer

Graduate

PhD

Mechanisms of the Removal of Metals from Acid and Neutral Mine Water under varying Redox Systems

FLORENCE Kay

Graduate

PhD

The Optimisation of Stope Leaching: A Laboratory Investigation Into The Extraction Of Uranium From A Low-Grade Ore

PENMAN Kristina

Graduate

MPhil

In-Situ Microbial Dissolution of Iron Mineral-Bearing Wastes for Metal Recovery

ROBERTS Mark Thomas

Graduate

PhD

Structural and Geoenvironmental Applications of Waste Quarry Dust

PILEGIS Martins

Graduate

PhD

From Threat to Asset: Water In Sdteelworks How Modern Steelworks Can Improve Water Related Performance Via Benchmarking And development Of High Density Sludge (HDS) Process

SUVIO VIRTANEN Piia Katariina

Graduate

EngD

Bioremediation of wastewaters utilising iron oxide-bearing wastes

AL OBAIDI Safaa Abdalrasool Ali

Graduate

PhD