Biography & Background
Education
- PhD in Chemical Engineering
University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa February 2018 – February 2022
Thesis Title: “Phase Equilibria Studies on Chemical Mixtures Encountered in The Natural Gas Industry”
- Masters Degree in Chemical Technology (Oil Refining profile)
Gubkin Russian State University of Oil and Gas, Moscow, The Russian Federation 2013 – 2015
- Bachelor of Technology (Hons) Degree in Fuels and Energy Engineering
Chinhoyi University of Technology, Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe 2006 – 2011
Research Interests
- Energy conversion and storage, including hydrogen production, storage, transportation, and application.
- Measurement of phase equilibrium data and thermodynamic modelling
- Clean energy production and synthetic fuels
- Process design and catalysis in energy systems
- Innovative energy technologies and sustainability
- Energy modelling and related policy formulations
- Process control
Journal Publications
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne Michael Nelson, and Kuveneshan Moodley “P-T-x Measurement and Modelling of Methane or Carbon dioxide +2,2′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)] di(ethan-1-ol)(TEG)/methanol Systems from T = 15 to 323.15 K”, Journal of Chemical and Engineering Data ,14 April 2022, https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jced.2c00061. Quartile (Q) 2
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne Michael Nelson, and Kuveneshan Moodley “P-T-x measurement and modelling of methane + propane + methanol or 2,2′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)] di(ethan-1-ol) and methane + propane + methanol + 2,2′-[ethane-1,2-diylbis(oxy)] di(ethan-1- ol) systems ”, Journal of Chemical and Engineering data, 08 March 2023, https://pubs.acs.org/doi/abs/10.1021/acs.jced.2c00776. Q2
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne Michael Nelson, and Kuveneshan Moodley “P-T-x measurement and modelling of 5/6 component systems (Methane + propane + methanol + water + TEG; Methane + propane + carbon dioxide + methanol + water + TEG) typical to those encountered in natural gas industry”, Journal of Supercritical fluids, 05 October 2023, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2023.106086 . Q1
- Paul Zvawanda, Peace-Maker Masukume “Efficiency Optimization in Solar Water Heaters: A Comparative CFD Study of Design Configurations”, Journal of Power Engineering and Engineering Thermophysics, 29 December 2023, https://doi.org/10.56578/peet020405 .
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne M. Nelson, and Kuveneshan Moodley “Solubility measurement of methane in triethylene glycol aqueous solutions (90,95,98 wt.% triethylene glycol) from 298 to 323 K and 18 to 2.5 MPa” Journal of Fluid Phase Equilibria, 09 May 2024, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fluid.2024.114114. Q2
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne M. Nelson, and Kuveneshan Moodley “Phase equilibrium data for carbon dioxide/methane/hydrogen + 2-methyl quinoline from T = 263 to 393 K and P up to 2.6 MPa. Journal of Supercritical Fluids, 23 November 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.supflu.2025.106848. Q1
Book Chapter
- Denzel Christopher Makepa, Tariro Tecla Manhongo, Paul Zvawanda, and Chido Hermes Chihobo “Integration of biomass and carbon capture for negative emission processes”, Reference Collection in Material Science and Materials Engineering, Elsevier, 15 September 2025. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-443-29210-1.00039-X.
Publications from Conference proceedings
- Lwazi Sibanda, Paul Zvawanda, Samson Mhlanga and Nduduzo Phuthi: Flipped Classroom: A Twenty-first Century Active Learning Pedagogy. 4th Exploring Innovative Approaches & Emerging Trends in Education For Sustainable Development (ESDIR) conference, Book of Abstracts, Abstract 139, Page 113, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, 16 to 18 October 2024
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne Michael Nelson, and Kuveneshan Moodley: Multicomponent phase equilibria measurement and modelling for chemical mixtures relevant to the natural gas industry. 26th IUPAC International Conference on Chemical Thermodynamics Program booklet, O-01FE1440, Page 96, Osaka, Japan, 2023.
- Paul Zvawanda, Paramespri Naidoo, Wayne Nelson and Deresh Ramjugernath: Phase equilibria for (methane + propane + methanol/triethylyene glycol) mixtures, University of Kwazulu
Natal’s Post graduate research and innovation symposium (PRIS) 2020 proceedings,V3, Page 132, Durban, South Africa.
- Paul Zvawanda, Albert Mufundirwa, Felicitous Mugwira: Design, development and testing of a plastic pyrolysis unit (converts waste plastic into synthetic fuel). The Book of abstracts,5th Oil and Gas Horizons, Gubkin University SPE Student Chapter, Moscow, November 2013
Peer review activities
- Programme Reviewer for the Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education (ZIMCHE) June 2026 to present. Programmes reviewed include Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Petroleum Engineering, and Master of Science degree in Petroleum Engineering.
- Reviewed a paper for the Zimbabwe Journal of Science and Technology (ZJST) in August 2021
Grant Awards:
- MSU Ordinary Research Grant award 2025, USD 5700 (A project titled: Zimbabwe National Hydrogen Energy Strategy: Pioneering a Sustainable Future Through Hydrogen Energy)- Ongoing. Principal Investigator
- MSU Special Grant Award 2024, USD ~ 6000 USD (A project titled: Production of highly purified fuel from non-biodegradable waste plastic- Ongoing) Co-Researcher
Professional Memberships
- Member of the Engineering Council of Zimbabwe (ECZ) 151100
- Member of the Zimbabwe Institution of Engineers: (ZIE): 111282
