The research work is carried out in the framework of a Dutch national TKI-BBE project 'Agritor' in a consortium of TU Delft and a utility company.

Your work will consist of:

1. Identifying and quantifying potentially attractive agricultural residue streams regarding their volumes and compositional characteristics and making a pre-selection based on their expected sustainability throughout the chain towards power and heat generation.
2. Setting up process simulation models for techno-economic evaluation of the value chains of decentral (small-scale) and central (larger scale) torrefaction of a selected number of residue streams. This will clarify the energy efficiency and economic feasibility of the cases studied.
3. Performing LCA studies based on the outcome of these process (-economic) models for the selected production-conversion chains. Herein, a selection will be made of the emission impact categories, in particular the greenhouse gas emission potential, the acidification potential etc. In the phases of both process modelling and LCA Pedigree analysis (expert consultation) will be performed, a very recently developed supporting technique for highlighting uncertainty of models used. Such a combined system analysis is promising to point out emission ‘hot spots’ throughout the entire biomass transformation chain and to formulate measures to solve these.

Applicants should have the following qualifications:

• PhD degree in chemical engineering, technical physics, or mechanical engineering, with proven affinity with chemical processes, thermodynamics and LCA. 
• Interest in both applied and more fundamental science and engineering in the energy field.
• Excellent background in the following areas: thermo-chemistry, chemical kinetics and thermodynamics, physical transport phenomena (heat and mass transfer) and life cycle assessment.
• Proven interest and skills regarding experimental research.
• Good communication skills and being a team player in a multidisciplinary setting.
• Good oral and written knowledge of English. TU Delft is a bi-lingual organization; good knowledge of the Dutch language is considered to be a positive aspect of your application.

Fixed-term contract: 2 years.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged. An International Children’s Centre offers childcare and an international primary school. Dual Career Services offers support to accompanying partners. Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

Delft University of Technology

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

https://www.tudelft.nl

Faculty Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

The 3mE Faculty trains committed engineering students, PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers in groundbreaking scientific research in the fields of mechanical, maritime and materials engineering. 3mE is the epitome of a dynamic, innovative faculty, with a European scope that contributes demonstrable economic and social benefits.

The ambition of the Department of Process & Energy is to perform world class education and research in the area of process and energy for a sustainable development. We focus our research on the following areas: Energy Technology, Engineering Thermodynamics, Large Scale Energy Storage, Intensified Reaction and Separation Technology, Fluid Mechanics, and Multiphase Flow. We are situated in the Process and Energy lab, a modern and inspiring academic environment with unique experimental facilities. For more information, see: https://www.tudelft.nl/en/3me/departments/process-energy/ 

The section Large Scale Energy storage focuses its research on storage of electricity, on the scale of solar plants and wind farms and on process integration with thermo-chemical conversion of bioresources. It aims at bridging the gap between electricity load and demand, especially needed for highly intermittent energy sources like solar and wind. The main theme of the group is the conversion of power to preferably high energy density liquid fuels and chemicals where sustainably produced hydrogen is coupled to a (biobased) carbon source e.g. CO2, CO or C. 

https://www.tudelft.nl/en/3me