Milo Parra-Alvarez joined NREL in July 2020 as a postdoctoral researcher in the High-Performance Algorithms and Complex Fluids Group. In his current role, he develops multiphase computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations of algae bioreactors for the production of biofuels and raw materials. He also incorporates physics and data-driven modeling into his CFD analysis for the development of reduced order models, optimization, and uncertainty quantification.

He has a strong background in reacting multiphase flows in RANS and LES, large-scale simulations in high-performance computing environments, and scientific data analysis using uncertainty quantification and machine learning tools. His experience includes the implementation of mathematical and numerical tools to represent gas-solid and gas-liquid flows using statistical techniques, the development of supporting models for overarching multiphase methodologies in open-source code and scientific data, and tool developments to streamline simulation results and scientific analysis.

Research Interests

Reactive multiphase modeling

Large-scale CFD modeling

Uncertainty quantification

Surrogate modeling (reduced order modeling) 

Physics-informed machine learning modeling 

Education

Ph.D., Chemical Engineering, University of Utah 
M.S., Chemical Engineering, National University of Colombia 
B.S., Chemical Engineering, National University of Colombia

Professional Experience

Research Associate, University of Utah (2017-2019)

Associations and Memberships

Member, American Institute of Chemical Engineers
Member, Combustion Institute 

Featured Work

PCA and Kriging for the Efficient Exploration of Consistency Regions in Uncertainty Quantification, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute (2019) 

Large Eddy Simulation of Ash Deposition in a Large-Scale Laboratory Furnace, Proceedings of the Combustion Institute (2019) 

Radiative Properties of Coal Ash Deposits with Sintering Effects, 27th International Conference on Impact of Fuel Quality on Power Production and Environment (2019) 

Application of LES-CFD for Predicting Pulverized-Coal Working Conditions after Installation of NOx Control System, Energy (2018) 

Development of a Digital Twin for a Biomass Boiler: Preliminary Results, WSSCI Fall Technical Meeting (2019) 

Modeling the Effect of Ash Build-up in Fire-Side Furnace on Radiation Heat Transfer, WSSCI Fall Technical Meeting (2019) 

Uncertainty Quantification and Validation of a 15 MW Oxy-fired Coal Combustion System, 11th National Combustion Meeting (2019) 

Modeling the Ash Buildup Layer on Steam Tubes and Effects on Radiation Heat Transfer, 9th International Conference on Coal Combustion (2019)