Job Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) - PhD in Chemical Process Intensification

Abstract
Biomass can be a valuable and sustainable source of chemicals and fuels for the future. In ECN, the MILENA process is developed, where biomass is converted via an indirect route comprising of a system of two coupled reactors to produce substitute natural gas. In this integrated system, a bed material (sand or olivine) is used to transfer heat (and/or oxygen) from an oxidation reactor (bubbling fluidized bed) to the gasification or pyrolysis reactor (riser reactor), where biomass reacts with steam (and oxygen) to a mixture of mainly methane, synthesis gas and some CO2. The unconverted biomass fractions, including tar, are fed into the oxidation reactor, where they are converted by air in order to heat up the bed material to the reaction temperature needed for gasification (>800 °C).  The bed material subsequently enters the gasification reactor to supply the heat needed. This procedure offers the advantages of a nitrogen-free product gas which can easily be upgraded to substitute natural gas (by cleaning and methanation) and a high thermal efficiency. To demonstrate the principle of chemical looping indirect gasification, the effects of both the catalytic function of the bed material and the heat and oxygen transport via the reactor design and operation need to be studied in detail.

The PhD candidate will investigate in detail the reactor performance of both interlinked reactors (bubbling fluidized bed reactor and riser reactor) in relation to their respective operating conditions, especially focusing on the heat and oxygen transport rates and the effect of the residence time distribution of the gas phase and the solid particles. An important aspect is the effect of particle segregation due to both size and density differences. A combined numerical and experimental approach will be followed. A cold-flow high-pressure and a separate high-temperature set-up will be constructed to experimentally investigate the reactor performance and test the bed material developed by partners of the project. Advanced experimental techniques, such as PIV (Particle Image Velocimetry)/DIA (Digital Image Analysis) for pseudo-2D set-ups and ECT (Electrical Capacitance Tomography) for 3D set-ups will be used to measure the flow profiles and solids mixing to quantify the rate of heat and oxygen transport as a function of the operating conditions. An extended phenomenological model will be developed, based on the experimental results and detailed knowledge derived from more fundamental numerical models, which will be used for process optimization and to study scale-up effects. Additional experiments will be conducted at lab-scale facilities at ECN to further validate the developed models. The developed models will be used to improve the heat transport between the reactors and to revisit the MILENA design to account for additional oxygen transport between the reactors.

Requirements
We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic PhD candidate with a master degree in Chemical Engineering, with a sound background in the area of process engineering. Applicants are expected to have excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical staff, ability to work in a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, good attitude to lead their own projects.

Suitable candidates are invited to send their curriculum vitae with motivation (half A4), a list of courses followed (with grades), at least three references, and a list of their publications by using the 'apply now'-button at the bottom of this page.

More informatioin can be obtained with dr. F. Gallucci (e-mail: F. Gallucci@tue.nl, telephone: +31(0)402472675).

More information about the employment coditions can be obtained with Mr. drs. C. Kuiters (e-mail: sollicitaties.st@tue.nl, tel.: +3190)2475725).