2 PhD Student’s Reactor and separation technologies for biomass processing

Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry

The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry is one of
the nine departments of the Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) established in 1957. The department has approximately 500 employees, 16 full professors, 370 undergraduate students and about
170 graduate students (140 Ph.D. and 30 design engineers). The department aspires to be an academic institution for education and research in chemical science and engineering that meets the highest international standards. The aim is to generate and to develop technology and scientific knowledge relevant for the long-term needs of society. Scientific curiosity and the use of newly generated knowledge are the main driving forces for the continuing enhancements of the three chosen fields of expertise: molecular, materials, and sustainable process engineering.



Project background

The replacement of petroleum-based platform chemicals by their bio-based counterparts is of increasing interest. Within the different sources of biomass, abundant and inexpensive non-edible biomass (lignocellulosic biomass) is particularly attractive because its use as raw material permits a sustainable production of chemicals without affecting food supplies, nor forcing extensive changes in land use. An important challenge in biomass processing is how to selectively convert with high yields complex biomass structures into target molecules. While the use of catalysis has enormously contributed in this direction, selectivity remains a challenge, thus hindering the potentials of biomass conversion to platform molecules. The successful implementation of sustainable processes relies not only on the development of efficient catalysts but also on the development of reactor and separation technologies that can achieve enhanced processing performance.

Project description

In this project, the PhD student(s) will investigate and design a novel reactor and separation technologies for the conversion of biomass to industrially relevant target molecules. A multi-scale approach will be used to design an integrated multi-catalyst multi-reactor system that is able to combine sequential reactions, coupled with intermediate in-situ separation steps. This system will operate with optimal kinetic and transport properties to effectively drive the selectivity towards target products.

The project will cover the following aspects: 1) material synthesis, characterization and testing; 2) kinetic and mass transfer studies; and 3) reactor design and development using modeling and experimental validation of integrated system.

Applications are invited of candidates with a MSc degree

• A master's degree in chemistry, chemical engineering or related disciplines. Expertise in chemical reactor engineering, catalysis and/or inorganic chemistry is preferred.
• A research oriented attitude.
• Ability to work in a team and <interested in collaborating with the industrial partners>.
• Fluent in spoken and written English.