Patrick Kirchen, University of British Columbia

Research

Greenhouse gas mitigation Methane emissions Natural gas engines Optical diagnostics Real-world emissions Spectroscopy Dual fuel combustion GHG reduction

Latest papers

An ML-Enhanced Laser-Based Methane Slip Sensor Using Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy.
ACS sensors · 2025 · senior author
Optical characterization of stratified-premixed natural gas direct-injection combustion regimes.
International journal of engine research · 2023 · senior author
Heat release rate and emissions regimes of stratified pilot-ignited direct-injection natural gas combustion.
International journal of engine research · 2023 · senior author

All 5 publications

Latest funding

Intelligent Marine Vessel Optimization Framework for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions
NSERC · 2024 · Co-investigator
$60,400
Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel for GHG Reductions of Heavy Duty Trucks
NSERC · 2021 · Principal investigator
$448,733
Carbonaceous nanomaterials for improving combustion emissions of a gas turbine model combustor
NSERC · 2021 · Co-investigator
$211,000

All 16 grants and awards

5 publications.

01

An ML-Enhanced Laser-Based Methane Slip Sensor Using Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy.

Mhanna M, Rochussen J, Kirchen P

ACS sensors2025Senior author

DOI: 10.1021/acssensors.4c02374 PMID: 39814599

02

Optical characterization of stratified-premixed natural gas direct-injection combustion regimes.

Rochussen J, Knight M, Clark G, Kirchen P

International journal of engine research2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1177/14680874221107188 PMID: 37096028

03

Heat release rate and emissions regimes of stratified pilot-ignited direct-injection natural gas combustion.

Rochussen J, McTaggart-Cowan G, Kirchen P

International journal of engine research2023Senior author

DOI: 10.1177/14680874211046912 PMID: 36776418

04

Comprehensive analysis of the air quality impacts of switching a marine vessel from diesel fuel to natural gas.

Peng W, Yang J, Corbin J, Trivanovic U, Lobo P, Kirchen P, Rogak S, Gagné S, Miller JW, Cocker D

Environmental pollution (Barking, Essex : 1987)2020

DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115404 PMID: 32829034

05

Characterization and Reduction of In-Use CH4 Emissions from a Dual Fuel Marine Engine Using Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy.

Sommer DE, Yeremi M, Son J, Corbin JC, Gagné S, Lobo P, Miller JW, Kirchen P

Environmental science & technology2019Senior author

DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.8b04244 PMID: 30712340

Intelligent Marine Vessel Optimization Framework for Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Co-investigatorNSERC2024Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Jaiman, Rajeev RK

Keywords: computational fluid dynamics; fuel consumption; greenhouse gas emission; intelligent marine vessels; machine learning; multi-objective optimization; simulation-based design; surrogate modeling

$60,400

Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel for GHG Reductions of Heavy Duty Trucks

Principal investigatorNSERC2021Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Kirchen, Patrick PN

Keywords: dual fuel combustion; ghg reduction; heavy duty transportation; hydrogen engine; in-use emissions; optimization

$448,733

Carbonaceous nanomaterials for improving combustion emissions of a gas turbine model combustor

Co-investigatorNSERC2021Alliance Grants

Principal investigators: Kheirkhah, Sina SK

$211,000

Towards Low GHG Natural Gas Energy Systems

Principal investigatorNSERC2020Discovery Grants Program - Individual

Principal investigators: Kirchen, Patrick

Keywords: greenhouse gas mitigation; methane emissions; natural gas engines; spectroscopy; optical diagnostics; real-world emissions

$276,000

Characterization and Mitigation of in-use GHG Emissions from Natural Gas Engines

Principal investigatorNSERC2019Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Principal investigators: Kirchen, Patrick PN

$319,999

Development of advanced natural gas fueling strategies

Principal investigatorNSERC2018Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Principal investigators: Kirchen, Patrick

$466,334

Development of a thermally-efficient, durable, and low emission natural gas-fueled electric power generator

Co-investigatorNSERC2018Collaborative Research and Development Grants

Principal investigators: Kheirkhah, Sina

$48,800

Application of Membrane Reactors for Oxidative Coupling of Methane

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Engage Grants Program

Principal investigators: Kirchen, Patrick

$25,000

Engine Dynamometer System for Dynamic Engine Investigations

Principal investigatorNSERC2017Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Kirchen, Patrick

$149,986

Fast-Response Broad-Spectrum Aerosol Measurement System

Co-investigatorNSERC2016Research Tools and Instruments

Principal investigators: Rogak, Steven

$126,000

From CIHR, NSERC and SSHRC funding decisions: CIHR since 2008, NSERC since 1991 and SSHRC since 1998, including their latest published competition results.

Frequent collaborators

Mechanical Engineering
Sustainable Energy Engineering

Co-authors at University of British Columbia, colored by department. Thicker lines mean more shared papers; select anyone to open their profile and their own map.

Gordon McTaggart-Cowan

Sustainable Energy Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2023

Steven Rogak

Mechanical Engineering

1 shared papers, latest 2020

Write to this professor

A short, specific email works best. This draft uses one of their recent papers; replace the parts in brackets with your own details before sending.

Applying for

Paper to mentionMention their NSERC grant from 2021

Subject: Prospective PhD student: Greenhouse gas mitigation Dear Professor Kirchen, My name is [your name], and I am a [your current degree or role] at [your institution]. I am applying for a PhD position starting in [term and year]. I read your paper "An ML-Enhanced Laser-Based Methane Slip Sensor Using Wavelength Modulation Spectroscopy." (2025), and it connects closely to my own work on [your research topic]. [One or two sentences on what you did and what you learned.] I also saw your NSERC-funded project "Hydrogen-Diesel Dual Fuel for GHG Reductions of Heavy Duty Trucks" (2021), and I would be glad to contribute to work in that direction. Are you accepting new PhD students for [term and year]? I have attached my CV and transcripts, and I would be glad to talk at a time that suits you. Thank you for your time. Kind regards, [your name]