Postdoc Hydrogen Flash Reactor for Iron (Fe) Powder Regeneration (HyFFeR)
Postdoc Hydrogen Flash Reactor for Iron (Fe) Powder Regeneration (HyFFeR)
You cannot apply for this job anymore (deadline was 22 Nov 2023).
Browse the current job offers or choose an item in the top navigation above.
and funded by the future chemistry program at EIRES-Eindhoven Institute for
Renewable Energy Systems.
Job description
Project description
The production and use of green hydrogen are expected to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Hydrogen produced from renewable sources such as wind or solar energy, is an essential building block of the metal fuel cycle. In this cycle, metal particles such as iron are used as a fuel to generate high temperature heat, which can then be used to generate electricity or provide process heat. The metal particles are then regenerated through reduction of metal oxides, completing the cycle. To sustain this cycle on a global scale, the iron mass must be circulated smoothly, requiring overall equal rates of iron combustion and regeneration. The reduction technologies that are currently under investigation, i.e., fluidized-bed reactor with hydrogen gas and electrochemical reactor, both take tens of minutes to hours to reach full reduction. These technologies can hardly match the high combustion rate of iron powders, which convert Fe to Fe3O4 in less than a second. Therefore, a more rapid way to reduce iron-oxide fines must be explored.
Reduction of iron oxide powder in suspension, also known as flash ironmaking technology, is an innovative process that promises significant improvements in iron production rate and energy efficiency. In this process, iron oxide particles are suspended in a gas stream, which serves as the reducing agent, causing reduction of the iron oxide particles to occur.
The objectives of this project are to develop a laboratory-scale, drop-tube hydrogen flash reactor and use it to study the reduction behavior of iron-oxide particles at elevated temperatures (> 1200 ℃).
Project team
The supervisors for this project are prof. Xiaocheng Mi and prof. Giulia Finotello from the section Power and Flow. Prof. Mi is experienced in CFD and MD modeling for various combustion reactive systems. His research focuses on developing unconventional combustion technologies for clean energy applications. The research interests of Prof. Finotello include development of advanced experimental techniques and numerical tools to investigate multiphase reactive flows such as iron powder regeneration and combustion. You will be part of a highly profiled interdisciplinary team where the expertise of a variety of scientific fields comes together. TU/e is in one of the smartest regions of the world and part of the European technology hotspot 'Brainport Eindhoven', well-known high-tech industries and start-ups.
The production and use of green hydrogen are expected to play a significant role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change. Hydrogen produced from renewable sources such as wind or solar energy, is an essential building block of the metal fuel cycle. In this cycle, metal particles such as iron are used as a fuel to generate high temperature heat, which can then be used to generate electricity or provide process heat. The metal particles are then regenerated through reduction of metal oxides, completing the cycle. To sustain this cycle on a global scale, the iron mass must be circulated smoothly, requiring overall equal rates of iron combustion and regeneration. The reduction technologies that are currently under investigation, i.e., fluidized-bed reactor with hydrogen gas and electrochemical reactor, both take tens of minutes to hours to reach full reduction. These technologies can hardly match the high combustion rate of iron powders, which convert Fe to Fe3O4 in less than a second. Therefore, a more rapid way to reduce iron-oxide fines must be explored.
Reduction of iron oxide powder in suspension, also known as flash ironmaking technology, is an innovative process that promises significant improvements in iron production rate and energy efficiency. In this process, iron oxide particles are suspended in a gas stream, which serves as the reducing agent, causing reduction of the iron oxide particles to occur.
The objectives of this project are to develop a laboratory-scale, drop-tube hydrogen flash reactor and use it to study the reduction behavior of iron-oxide particles at elevated temperatures (> 1200 ℃).
Project team
The supervisors for this project are prof. Xiaocheng Mi and prof. Giulia Finotello from the section Power and Flow. Prof. Mi is experienced in CFD and MD modeling for various combustion reactive systems. His research focuses on developing unconventional combustion technologies for clean energy applications. The research interests of Prof. Finotello include development of advanced experimental techniques and numerical tools to investigate multiphase reactive flows such as iron powder regeneration and combustion. You will be part of a highly profiled interdisciplinary team where the expertise of a variety of scientific fields comes together. TU/e is in one of the smartest regions of the world and part of the European technology hotspot 'Brainport Eindhoven', well-known high-tech industries and start-ups.
Specifications
- max. 38 hours per week
- Eindhoven View on Google Maps
:fill(white)/logos/tue-en-wide_acOLN2b.png)
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e)
Requirements
Talented, enthusiastic candidates with excellent analytical and communication skills holding a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, or related field are encouraged to apply. The following skillsets are required:
- Proven hands-on experience in multiphase flows.
- Experience with experiments in combustion.
- Experience with particle / flow simulation tools is beneficial.
- Strong experimental and design background.
- Experience to work in a multi-disciplinary team of researchers.
- Excellent communication skills and written/verbal knowledge of the English language.
Conditions of employment
A meaningful job in a dynamic and ambitious university with the possibility to present your work at international conferences. You will work on a beautiful, green campus within walking distance of the central train station. In addition, we offer you:
- A full-time employment for 18 months.
- Salary in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, scale 10 (min. €3,877 max. €5,090).
- A year-end bonus of 8.3% and annual vacation pay of 8%.
- High-quality training programs on general skills, didactics and topics related to research and valorization.
- An excellent technical infrastructure, on-campus children's day care and sports facilities.
- Partially paid parental leave and an allowance for commuting, working from home and internet costs.
- A TU/e Postdoc Association that helps you to build a stronger and broader academic and personal network, and offers tailored support, training and workshops.
- A Staff Immigration Team is available for international candidates, as are a tax compensation scheme (the 30% facility) and a compensation for moving expenses.
