Pisindu Danusha

Dedicated Mechanical Engineer specializing in Renewable Energy, Wave Energy Systems, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD).

Busan, KR.

About

Highly accomplished Mechanical Engineer and Ph.D. Candidate specializing in Renewable Energy, Wave Energy Systems, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). Proven expertise in advanced numerical modeling, design optimization, and experimental validation, leading to significant performance improvements in energy conversion technologies. Committed to advancing engineering education and research, with strong experience in mentoring students and developing curriculum. Seeking a lecturing position to leverage extensive research background and foster the next generation of innovative engineers.

Work

Heat and Flow Control Laboratory, National Korea Maritime and Ocean University

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Graduate Research Assistant

Summary

Spearheading research in renewable energy systems, focusing on wave energy converters and hydrogen safety, through advanced CFD modeling and optimization.

Highlights

Developed and validated a numerical model for crossflow air turbines, leveraging existing experimental data for accuracy.

Achieved a 10% performance improvement in crossflow air turbines by optimizing nozzle and blade designs under steady flow and regular wave conditions using CFD.

Conducted comprehensive CFD simulations to analyze H2 diffusion from leaks and assess explosion risks, enhancing safety measures for green hydrogen production.

Provided critical CFD simulation support for the design and optimization of rotor sail systems, contributing to eco-friendly ship propulsion.

Pump Intake Design and Testing (Pvt) Ltd.

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Project Assistant

Summary

Contributed to the design, construction, and testing of industrial sump pump intakes, focusing on fluid dynamics optimization.

Highlights

Assisted in the design and construction of model sump pump intakes for industrial power plants.

Contributed to optimizing pump intake performance by implementing anti-vortex devices, effectively reducing vortices and swirls.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya

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Undergraduate Researcher

Summary

Conducted research on optimizing wave energy conversion devices for Sri Lankan climatic conditions, developing predictive models for energy production.

Highlights

Developed a mathematical model to accurately predict the annual energy production of wave energy devices.

Optimized device parameters to maximize energy output under specific wave conditions.

Calculated Mean Annual Energy Production (MAEP) using advanced statistical methods (Scatter Table and Power Matrix Method).

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya

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Undergraduate Researcher

Summary

Led a design project for an energy-efficient solar-powered air conditioning system, integrating novel heat and mass transfer solutions.

Highlights

Designed and fabricated an energy-efficient air conditioning system powered by passive solar energy.

Innovated humidity reduction using a silicon-filled desiccant wheel, improving system efficiency.

Conducted research on adsorption refrigeration, utilizing ethanol and activated carbon for sustainable cooling.

Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Peradeniya

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Undergraduate Research Mentor

Summary

Guided and developed the research capabilities of undergraduate students in mechanical engineering.

Highlights

Mentored two undergraduate students, providing comprehensive guidance on research design, methodology, and data analysis.

Cultivated students' technical skills, critical thinking, and problem-solving abilities through structured mentorship and regular meetings.

VS Turbo (Pvt) Ltd.

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Mechanical Engineer

Summary

Managed manufacturing oversight, maintenance operations, and system modifications for hydropower plants, ensuring operational excellence and reliability.

Highlights

Oversaw the manufacturing of two Vertical Pelton Turbines for a 6.9 MW hydropower project, ensuring strict adherence to technical and quality standards.

Directed preventive and breakdown maintenance activities, optimizing plant and equipment uptime and operational efficiency.

Supervised mechanical repairs across multiple mini hydro power plants, enhancing system performance.

Engineered and implemented modifications for key components, significantly improving system reliability and performance.

Cargills Quality Dairies (Pvt) Ltd.

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Trainee Mechanical Engineer

Summary

Gained hands-on experience in industrial plant operations, focusing on refrigeration systems and regulatory compliance.

Highlights

Developed Process & Instrumentation Diagrams (P&ID) for an ammonia refrigeration plant, ensuring compliance with safety and health regulations.

Supported maintenance operations for critical plant systems, including ammonia refrigeration, boilers, HVAC, and diesel generators.

Vidullanka PLC.

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Trainee Mechanical Engineer

Summary

Assisted in maintenance and technical documentation for mini hydropower plants.

Highlights

Contributed to routine maintenance activities across several mini hydro power plants.

Prepared accurate As-built drawings, supporting plant documentation and future modifications.

Volunteer

Vice President

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Mechanical Engineering Society

Led initiatives to enhance professional development and knowledge sharing within the engineering student community.

Highlights

Organized a CPD certificate-level white belt course in Lean Management, benefiting aspiring engineers.

Coordinated a series of successful webinars and talks on industry-relevant topics like green building, Quality Assurance, Lean Six Sigma, and TPM.

Project Manager - ‘Arunella’ Social Welfare Project

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Engineering Students' Union

Managed a social welfare project under the Engineering Students' Union.

Secretary

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Engineers Without Borders, Peradeniya Chapter

Provided administrative and organizational support for humanitarian engineering projects.

Project Manager

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Engineers Without Borders, Peradeniya Chapter

Directed community-focused engineering projects addressing critical local needs.

Highlights

Successfully implemented a water filtration project, providing clean water to a rural village affected by Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD).

Organized and managed a successful blood donation campaign, contributing to community health initiatives.

Editor

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IMechE Student Chapter, Peradeniya

Oversaw editorial content for the IMechE Student Chapter.

Education

National Korea Maritime and Ocean University

Ph.D. Candidate Mechanical Engineering Grade:

National Korea Maritime and Ocean University

MSc. Mechanical Engineering Grade: 4.50/4.50

Courses

Turbine design

Finite element analysis

Advanced computational fluid dynamics

Advanced fluid mechanics

University of Peradeniya

BSc. (Hons.) Mechanical Engineering Grade: 3.25/4.00

Courses

Energy technology

Energy technology for the process industry

Computer-aided modeling and finite elements

Introduction to research methods

Awards

Brain Korea 21 Scholarship

Government of South Korea

Awarded for master's degree studies in 2023/2024, recognizing academic excellence.

Platinum Award - Most Outstanding Undergraduate Energy Research

Sri Lanka Energy Managers Association

Received first place for outstanding undergraduate energy research in 2023.

Best Paper Award – 'Performance improvement of crossflow air turbines for wave energy conversion in oscillating water columns: a CFD study'

3rd International Conference on Engineering and Technology, Colombo, Sri Lanka

Recognized for significant contributions in improving crossflow air turbine performance through CFD study.

Best Paper Award – 'A Comparative study on the impact of guide vanes on the performance of biradial turbine'

13th National Congress of Fluid Engineering, Daejeon, Korea

Recognized for co-authored work on the impact of guide vanes on biradial turbine performance.

Publications

Performance improvement of a crossflow air turbine for oscillating water column wave energy converter by nozzle and blade optimization.

Ocean Engineering

A study on optimizing nozzle and blade designs to enhance the performance of crossflow air turbines for wave energy converters.

Design Optimization of Crossflow Air Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion in Oscillating Water Columns

KSME Annual Meeting 2024 International Session

Accepted for presentation, focusing on design optimization for wave energy conversion.

A Numerical Study on Nozzle Optimization for Crossflow Air Turbines in Wave Energy Conversion

7th Asian Offshore Wind, Wave and Tidal Energy Conference

A numerical study focusing on nozzle optimization for crossflow air turbines.

Optimization of Crossflow Air Turbines for Enhanced Wave Energy Conversion Efficiency in Oscillating Water Columns

5th International Conference on Applied Convergence Engineering

Focuses on optimizing crossflow air turbines for enhanced wave energy conversion efficiency.

Performance improvement of crossflow air turbines for wave energy conversion in oscillating water columns: a CFD study

3rd International Conference on Engineering and Technology

A CFD study on improving the performance of crossflow air turbines for wave energy conversion.

A Numerical Study on Nozzle Improvement of Crossflow Air Turbine for Wave Energy Conversion in Oscillating Water Columns

13th National Congress of Fluid Engineering

A numerical study on nozzle improvement for crossflow air turbines.

A Comparative study on the impact of guide vanes on the performance of biradial turbine

13th National Congress of Fluid Engineering

A comparative study on the impact of guide vanes on biradial turbine performance.

Study of flow characteristics of a pair of rotating airfoils in tandem.

13th National Congress of Fluid Engineering

Study of flow characteristics of rotating airfoils.

Estimation of Annual Energy Production and Device Parameter Optimization in Sri Lankan Wave Climatic Conditions.

14th International Conference on Sustainable Built Environment

Estimation of annual energy production and device parameter optimization in Sri Lankan wave climatic conditions.

Skills

AutoCAD

Computer-aided design, CAD.

SolidWorks

Computer-aided design, CAD, 3D Modeling.

Ansys 19.2

Computational Fluid Dynamics, CFD, Numerical Modeling, Simulation.

Microsoft Office 365

Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook.

Microsoft Project 2016

Project Management, Scheduling.

Renewable Energy Systems

Wave Energy, Hydro Power, Solar Energy, Energy Conversion.

Fluid Dynamics

Fluid Mechanics, Aerodynamics, Hydrodynamics.

Numerical Modeling

Mathematical Modeling, Simulation, Data Validation.

Engineering Design

Turbine Design, System Optimization, Component Design.

Finite Element Analysis (FEA)

FEA, Structural Analysis, Stress Analysis.

Research & Development

Experimental Design, Data Analysis, Scientific Writing.

Project Management

Planning, Execution, Monitoring, Team Leadership.

Mentoring & Teaching

Curriculum Development, Technical Training, Student Guidance.

References

Prof. Min Yoon

Assistant Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, National Korea Maritime & Ocean University, minyoon@kmou.ac.kr

Prof. Young-Ho Lee

Emeritus Professor, Center for Offshore Wind & Green Hydrogen Ammonia Research, National Korea Maritime & Ocean University, lyh@kmou.ac.kr

Prof. Prasanna Gunawardane

Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Peradeniya, sdgspg@eng.pdn.ac.lk