KIRBY
S. CHAPMAN
Professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering
Director of K-State's National Gas Machinery Laboratory
Kirby
S. Chapman is professor of mechanical and nuclear engineering
and director of Kansas State University's National Gas Machinery
Laboratory.
His research focuses on the development of strategies to reduce pollutant emissions and improve thermal system efficiencies of turbo machinery, internal combustion engines and gas turbine engines.
Chapman's efforts specifically center on large-bore reciprocating engines used at natural gas compressor stations and small natural gas engines used in the natural gas gathering industry. His research is conducted at K-State's National Gas Machinery Laboratory, which is home to the Turbocharger Test and Research Facility as well as several engine test cells. Chapman also researches radiative heat transfer, computational fluid dynamics and thermal comfort. He is a recognized expert on reducing pollutant emissions from engines through optimal air management and combustion control.
Chapman serves the industry as the chair of American Society of Mechanical Engineers' internal combustion engine division, technical program chair of numerous internal combustion engine conferences, and as an adviser to the Gas Machinery Conference executive board. He has also worked with alumni to initiate a community learning program focused on the oil and natural gas industry that includes a unique integration of undergraduate students, graduate students and industry professionals. The learning community will educate, train and prepare students for work in the energy industry.
Chapman received his bachelor's in mechanical engineering from Purdue University and his master's from Michigan Technological University. He earned a doctorate in radiant heat transfer, nitrogen oxide emissions model development and computational fluid dynamics from Purdue University. He joined the K-State faculty as an assistant professor in 1990.
Chapman can be reached by phone at 785-532-2319 or by e-mail at chapman@k-state.edu.