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Tim Kneafsey

Affiliate Scientist (Retired)

Building 074

M/S 74R316C

Phone: 510-486-4414

Fax: 510-486-5686

tjkneafsey@lbl.gov

Curriculum Vitae

  • Researcher ID
  • Google Scholar
  • Publication listing
  • Education
  • Experience
  • Patents
  • Awards
  • Professional Affiliations
  • Boards & Committees
  • Scholarly Service
  • Service to Berkeley Lab

Biography

Timothy Kneafsey P.E., Ph.D. is an affiliate Staff Earth Scientist (retired) in the Energy Geosciences Division at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) and the former Head of the Hydrocarbon Science Program. He performs laboratory and field experimental studies on a variety of topics including heat transfer and mass transport in fractured and porous rock. Studies include stimulating crystalline rock; measuring hydrological, geophysical, and geomechanical properties of methane hydrate-bearing sediments and supercritical CO2-bearing rock; probing transport of acid gases in geothermal systems; visualizing fluids (liquid and gas) flow through coal and rock while simultaneously measuring geophysical properties related to coal-bed methane and CO2 sequestration; and investigating issues related to CO2 sequestration including CO2-induced density driven brine advection. Dr. Kneafsey has used a variety of visualization tools in his investigations including direct and differential imaging, spatially resolved infrared thermometry, and x-ray CT scanning, and has a patent for a CT scanner design. Dr. Kneafsey holds Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical and Civil Engineering from the University of New Mexico, a Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering from the University of California at Berkeley, and a Doctorate in Civil and Environmental Engineering, also from the University of California at Berkeley. He is a registered Civil Engineer in California.

Publications

  • Researcher ID
  • Google Scholar
  • Publication listing

Research Interests

Experimental studies in reservoir processes and subsurface hydrology, including multiphase flow, phase change, thermal processes, thermal-chemical processes, gas hydrates, coal bed methane, tight gas, and carbon dioxide sequestration. Other interests include imaging tools to investigate flow processes.

Education

  • Ph.D. Civil/Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 1996, Minors: Chemical Engineering, Transport in Porous Media
  • M.S. Civil/Environmental Engineering, University of California at Berkeley, 1989, with Honors
  • B.S. Civil Engineering, University of New Mexico, 1987, with Distinction
  • B.S. Mechanical Engineering, University of New Mexico, 1983, with Distinction

Experience

  • Affiliate Scientist (Retired), LBNL, 2022-Present
  • Hydrocarbon Science Program Head, LBNL, 2017-2022
  • Staff Scientist, LBNL, 2012-2022
  • Mechanical Engineer, LBNL, 2007-2012
  • Geological Scientist, LBNL, 1999-2007
  • Post-Doctoral Research Fellow, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL), 1996-1999
  • Teaching Assistant, University of California, Berkeley, 1992-1993
  • Graduate Research Assistant, University of California, Berkeley, 1991-1996
  • Environmental Engineer, Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, San Francisco, California, 1989-1991
  • Environmental Engineer, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, San Francisco, California, 1987-1989
  • Secondary School Mathematics Teacher, U.S. Peace Corps, Holy Rosary Secondary School, Pujehun, Sierra Leone, 1983-1985

Patents

  • Freifeld, B.M., T.J. Kneafsey, J. Pruess, L. Tomutsa, P.A. Reiter, and T.M. deCastro, Portable imaging system method and apparatus, July 25, 2006, United States Patent 7,082,185

Awards

  • Outstanding Contributions in Geoscience Research, with Karsten Pruess, given by Geosciences Research Program, Office of Basic Energy Sciences, U.S. Department of Energy, 2010
  • Outstanding Performance Award, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, 2006
  • Regents Fellowship, University of California at Berkeley, 1988-1989

Professional Affiliations

  • Professional Civil Engineer in California

Advisory Boards, Committees, and Councils

  • Chairperson/Member, Safety Committee, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) - Earth and Environmental Sciences Area, 2015-Present
  • Chairperson/Member, Safety Committee, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) - Earth Sciences Division, 2005-2015

Scholarly Service

  • Guest Editor, Energy Conversion and Management, 2006

Service to Berkeley Lab

  • Earth Sciences Safety Committee Chairperson/Member, 2005 - 2010; 2012 - present
  • LBNL Director’s Awards Committee, 2020 - Present
  • COVID Activity Team Lead, 2020 - Present
  • LBNL Building Emergency Team Member, 2001-2009
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