stillingsbetegnelse:
PhD project: Hydrogen assisted Catalytic Biomass Pyrolysis for Green Fuels

jobbeskrivelse:
Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering – CHEC Research Centre. A PhD position is available within the strategic research project on synthesis of green transportation fuels from biomass called H2CAP-Hydrogen assisted catalytic biomass pyrolysis for green fuels. The position is funded by The Danish Council for Strategic Research (now Innovation fund Denmark), the Technical University of Denmark and Haldor Topsøe A/S. The present PhD position aims at experimental studies for converting biomass, e.g. wood and straw, to bio-oil which can replace fossil diesel and gasoline fuels. In order to be independent of fossil fuels it is vital to develop processes that convert biomass to liquid fuels which are compatible with the current infrastructure. Biomass can be converted to bio-oil, along with char and gas, by flash heating (pyrolysis) to 400 to 500 °C in oxygen free atmosphere. The properties of this bio-oil are very different from crude oil, since it is made of oxygen containing hydrocarbons and contains large amounts of water. The main objective of this project is the development of a catalytic biomass hydropyrolysis process and associated catalysts for producing high quality, low oxygen bio-oil with high degree of energy recovery. The central point of the process is to carry out the necessary catalytic hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) in the gas phase simultaneously with biomass flash pyrolysis in hydrogen atmosphere at elevated pressure. The project will include the following activities: •Literature survey of catalytic (hydro)pyrolysis and options for subsequent upgrading to liquid transportation fuels. •Starting up and commissioning of bench scale equipment for catalytic hydropyrolysis in a fluid bed reactor with a downstream fixed bed HDO reactor, currently under construction at DTU Chemical Engineering. •Synthesis and characterization of hydropyrolysis catalysts suitable for fluid bed operation. •Performing an experimental investigation of hydropyrolysis of different biomass sources with systematic variation of process parameters. •Performing detailed physical and chemical analysis of bio-oil products using e.g. elemental analyzer and GC-MS. Qualifications Candidates should have a master's degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, physics or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. Candidates with knowledge in pyrolysis, catalysis and analytical characterization methods will be preferred. Candidates should be interested in an experimentally based PhD project where most of the research time is spent in the laboratory/pilot hall, speak and write English fluently, have good communications skills and be interested in teamwork with another PhD student, a postdoc, workshop and technicians. Approval and Enrolment The scholarships for the PhD degree are subject to academic approval, and the candidates will be enrolled in one of the general degree programmes of DTU. For information about the general requirements for enrolment and the general planning of the scholarship studies, please see the DTU PhD Guide. Assessment The assessment of the applicants will be made by Professor Anker Degn Jensen. We offer We offer an interesting and challenging job in an international environment focusing on education, research, public-sector consultancy and innovation, which contribute to enhancing the economy and improving social welfare. The specific project will be carried out in close collaboration with a postdoc at DTU Chemical Engineering and the company Haldor Topsøe A/S. We strive for academic excellence, collegial respect and freedom tempered by responsibility. The Technical University of Denmark (DTU) is a leading technical university in northern Europe and benchmarks with the best universities in the world. Salary and appointment terms The salary and appointment terms are consistent with the current rules for PhD degree students. The period of employment is 3 y

Arbejdsgiver Navn: Danmarks Tekniske Universitet

Arbejdsgiver telefonnummer: 45252525

Arbejdsgiver faxnummer: 45881799

Job kort beskrivelse:
Undervisning og forskning på universiteter og højere læreranstalter

land: Danmark

region: Hovedstaden

krævede uddannelse: Ikke angivet

Kilde til jobtilbud: AMS, Offentlige arbejdsformidlinger, Danmark