Daffer AlYami

Masters Students (MSc)

MSc Student

Current

Social Profile:

Biography

Daffer AlYami is a seasoned chemical engineer with over 10 years of industrial experience in process design, startup, and optimization within major refining and gasification projects. Before joining KAUST as a master’s student, he held key roles at Saudi Aramco, YasRef, and JIGPC, where he led critical commissioning and production operations. He holds certifications in Project Management (PMP) and Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and has contributed to multiple techno-economic and sustainability studies in advanced gasification and hydrogen production. His academic and professional journey reflects a strong commitment to sustainable industrial transformation and leadership in innovation-driven environments.

Selected Publications

  • Al-Rowaili, F.N., Khalafalla, S.S., Al-Yami, D.S., Jamal, A., Ahmed, U., Zahid, U., and Al-Mutairi, E.M. (2022). Techno-economic evaluation of methanol production via gasification of vacuum residue and conventional reforming routes. Chem. Eng. Res. Des., 177 (2022) 365–375. DOI: 10.3390/su132413588
  • Al-Rowaili, F.N., Khalafalla, S.S., Jamal, A., Al-Yami, D.S., Zahid, U., Al-Mutairi, E.M. (2021). Techno-economic evaluation of hydrogen production via gasification of vacuum residue integrated with dry methane reforming. Sustainability., 13(24), 13588. DOI: 10.3390/su132413588

Education

  • BSc in Chemical Engineering, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (KFUPM), Saudi Arabia

Professional Profile

  • Process Engineer, Saudi Aramco, 2013– Present
  • Gasification Process Lead Engineer, Jazan Integrated Gasification & Power Co. (JIGPC),  2019 – 2022
  • Production Engineer, Commissioning Engineer, Yasref - Commissioning Engineer, 2015 – 2016

Awards

  • Downstream Townhall Excellence Award, Saudi Aramco, 2022

KAUST Affiliations

  • Division of Physical Science and Engineering (PSE)
  • Chemical Engineering Program
  • KAUST Catalysis Center (KCC)
  • Graduate Student Council (GSC)
  • AlChE KAUST Student Chapter

Research Interests Keywords

Waste Upgrading Catalytic Cracking Crude to chemicals Hydroprocessing Micro kinetic modeling Computational fluid dynamics Gas-solid reactors