stillingsbetegnelse:
PhD scholarship in Fermentation of Synthesis Gas and Design of Bioreactors

jobbeskrivelse:
A PhD position is available in connection with the strategic research project SYNFERON which is funded by InnovationsFonden. When biomass is heated up to extremely high temperatures it is converted to synthesis gas (syngas) that cannot be stored and must be used right away. Furthermore, syngas is not compatible with the gas grid nor can it be used for the energy consuming transportation sector. Therefore, it needs to be converted, e.g. to liquid and/or other gaseous biofuels, but existing conversion processes are relatively expensive and a significant percentage of the energy content of the syngas is lost. The main target of SYNFERON project is the efficient conversion of syngas to liquid and gaseous fuels. SYNFERON will use an improved gasification technology that will produce a higher quality synthesis gas, followed by fermentation of synthesis gas to biofuels with microorganisms producing alcohols or methane. The ultimate goal is a complete design, which will include high efficiency biomass gasification, cost-efficient fermentation processes, advanced product separation and purification technologies with low energy consumption, process analysis and optimization and comparison with competing technologies on the market. SYNFERON is a solid, interdisciplinary project with a lot of expertise from both the academic and the industrial world. It is coordinated by the Department of Chemical and Biochemical Engineering at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and partners are the Dansk Gasteknisk Center, Aquaporin A/S, Biosystems APS, Highterm Research Ges.mbH and Iowa State University. Responsibilities and tasks The main obstacles with the fermentation of syngas is the mass transfer of poorly soluble syngas compounds (CO, H2) to the water-based microbial cultures and the relatively low growth rate of the microorganisms which result in very low conversion rates. The objective of this PhD study will be the selection of an appropriate bioreactor configuration that could overcome mass transfer limitations and achieve high cell density for efficient syngas fermentation. The applicant should preferably have qualifications within several of the following areas: •Handling of pure and mixed microbial cultures under anaerobic conditions in batch and continuous operation mode. •Attached growth (biofilm) bioreactors. •Bioreactor design and scaling-up. •Modelling of biological processes, bioreactors and mass transfer phenomena involved. •Simulation tools such as MatLab, Aquasim or similar. Qualifications Candidates should have a master's degree in engineering or a similar degree with an academic level equivalent to the master's degree in engineering. 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 an evaluation committee headed by Associate Professor Ioannis V. Skiadas. 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. 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 years. Further information Further information may be obtained from Associate Professor Ioannis V. Skiadas, ivsk (at) kt.dtu.dk. Application Please submit your online application no later than 10 October 2015. Applications m

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