PDEng position in Energy and Process Technology: Pilot plant for the next step in low energy drying of food and other high value products.

Are you interested in high-end technological design? Then, the Professional Doctorate in Engineering (PDEng) programme Energy and Process Technology is very interesting for you. The PDEng programme is a 2-year post-MSc technological programme with a focus on technological design. This programme at the University of Twente contains an educational part that will be followed at the University of Twente, and a design project that will be carried out in cooperation with consortium of companies gathered under the ENGENDER project. The educational programme will have an in-depth and broadening character with ample attention for professional development and will be partly tailored to the design project.

Project description

Application of a concept of vortex chamber operating at high G-forces to spray drying of food, chemicals and pharmaceutical products offers tremendous opportunities for energy saving, investment reduction and product innovation. The aim of the ENGENDER project is to translate this concept into a well-engineered pilot plant which is the next step in low energy drying of food and other high value products.

The specific objective of the PDEng design project is to develop an optimized spray drying process in the novel reactor based on the vortex chamber technology. Experimental investigations will be executed in the state-of-the-art PDIA atomization test rig. Data regarding droplet size, distribution and velocity will be used to select a nozzle for the further scale-up and applied in the CFD computations for vortex chamber dryer design and operating window optimization. An Eulerian-Lagrangian approach will be utilized to predict the flow of continuous and discrete phases. Here, Ansys Fluent and UDFs functions will be applied to take into account drying process and water evaporation from the core of the droplets. A high quality of the spray powder products with simultaneous reduction of energy costs is of prime interest.

Activities:

• Experimental measurements of the spray parameters
• CFD aided design of an operational window for drying in vortex chamber 
• Techno-economic analysis of the designed unit

We are searching for the best MSc graduated in the field of Thermal Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Chemical Engineering, Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering, Food Technology or related discipline with a demonstrable affinity with design and multidisciplinary assignments. Besides, it is important that you can work in a team, have good communication skills, have a sound project approach, and speak and write fluent English. You must have the ambition and talent to accelerate in finding solutions / creating designs for complex technological issues with a multidisciplinary character.

Previous international mobility, experience in the field of CFD, drying technology, fluidized bed, vortex chamber and atomization and spray measurements is welcome. An interview will be part of the selection procedure.

We offer a very challenging position for two years in an inspiring multidisciplinary and international environment. 

• salary of € 1.970 gross per month;
• holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary and a year-end bonus of 8.3%;
• solid pension scheme;
• Minimum of 29 holidays in case of full-time employment.

On successfully completing the programme, you will receive a certified degree. You will be entitled to use the academic degree PDEng and will be registered as a Technological Designer in the Dutch register kept by the Royal Institution of Engineers in the Netherlands (KIVI).