PhD Position Scale-up of Energy Storage via Sorption-Enhanced CO2 Conversion to Fuel/Chemicals

Job description
The research programme CO2URAGE, funded by the Dutch funding organisation NWO in the framework of the Perspectief Programme, targets the conversion of intermittent electricity to platform chemicals and fuels making use of dynamically operated processes. This is a promising route to alleviate net congestion and make more effective and economic use of renewable electricity without an unnecessary discarding of generated power. This four year’s PhD position is aimed at using captured CO2 from point sources and hydrogen from water electrolysis to generate carbon-based base chemicals and fuels. One reactor system that can be made use of is CO2 hydrogenation using bifunctional materials. On the one hand such materials catalyze the reaction but also capture water in-situ so that the inherent chemical equilibrium is shifted to completion. This is called sorption enhancement. The bifunctional material will be loaded with water and for continuous operation of the process this must be regenerated. For this purpose we envisage advanced electricity based methods. As the process is aimed to be operated at large scale, the reactor technology to be selected is to be scalable.

At TU Delft within the department of Process & Energy we have available unique laboratory facilities that enable such scale-up to TRL5 level with good support by technicians. You will be formulating and carrying out the experimental work in this context, making use of advanced in-situ measurement techniques like radar technology. A post-doc will assist the work as well. The experimental validation study is accompanied by reactor engineering modelling for conversion and sorbent regeneration, in conjunction with another PhD student in the department who will perform CFD modelling and other researchers performing process system modelling within the consortium.

You will collaborate with experts from TUDELFT, TNO and several large and SME companies involved in the programme. Although there is significant progress related to chemical utilisation of CO2, the field of scalable and dynamic reactor development and operation has been lacking. As a PhD student, you will be responsible for achieving experimental proof of concept.

Job requirements

• An MSc degree in Mechanical engineering, Chemical engineering, Applied physics, or related field is required.
• Knowledge and proven experience with performing measurements and engineering reactor modeling and/or CFD.
• A critical and inquisitive attitude with regard to obtained results is expected, which translates into formulating new research questions.
• Ability to function both in a team and independently.
• Good communication skills. Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Willing to learn the Dutch language.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

PhD Position Scale-up of Energy Storage via Sorption-Enhanced CO2 Conversion to Fuel/Chemicals

Job description
The research programme CO2URAGE, funded by the Dutch funding organisation NWO in the framework of the Perspectief Programme, targets the conversion of intermittent electricity to platform chemicals and fuels making use of dynamically operated processes. This is a promising route to alleviate net congestion and make more effective and economic use of renewable electricity without an unnecessary discarding of generated power. This four year’s PhD position is aimed at using captured CO2 from point sources and hydrogen from water electrolysis to generate carbon-based base chemicals and fuels. One reactor system that can be made use of is CO2 hydrogenation using bifunctional materials. On the one hand such materials catalyze the reaction but also capture water in-situ so that the inherent chemical equilibrium is shifted to completion. This is called sorption enhancement. The bifunctional material will be loaded with water and for continuous operation of the process this must be regenerated. For this purpose we envisage advanced electricity based methods. As the process is aimed to be operated at large scale, the reactor technology to be selected is to be scalable.

At TU Delft within the department of Process & Energy we have available unique laboratory facilities that enable such scale-up to TRL5 level with good support by technicians. You will be formulating and carrying out the experimental work in this context, making use of advanced in-situ measurement techniques like radar technology. A post-doc will assist the work as well. The experimental validation study is accompanied by reactor engineering modelling for conversion and sorbent regeneration, in conjunction with another PhD student in the department who will perform CFD modelling and other researchers performing process system modelling within the consortium.

You will collaborate with experts from TUDELFT, TNO and several large and SME companies involved in the programme. Although there is significant progress related to chemical utilisation of CO2, the field of scalable and dynamic reactor development and operation has been lacking. As a PhD student, you will be responsible for achieving experimental proof of concept.

Job requirements

• An MSc degree in Mechanical engineering, Chemical engineering, Applied physics, or related field is required.
• Knowledge and proven experience with performing measurements and engineering reactor modeling and/or CFD.
• A critical and inquisitive attitude with regard to obtained results is expected, which translates into formulating new research questions.
• Ability to function both in a team and independently.
• Good communication skills. Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Willing to learn the Dutch language.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

PhD Position Multiscale Modelling of Sorption-Enhanced CO2 Hydrogenation Reactors

Job description
The research programme CO2URAGE, funded by the Dutch funding organisation NWO in the framework of the Perspectief Programme, targets the conversion of intermittent electricity to platform chemicals and fuels making use of dynamically operated processes. This is a promising route to alleviate net congestion and make more effective and economic use of renewable electricity without an unnecessary discarding of generated power. This four year’s PhD position is aimed at developing multiphase models to predict the dynamics and performance of sorption-enhanced CO2 hydrogenation reactors. An important feature is that the reactor should be heated electrically and should be scalable.

The PhD student will develop three-dimensional models to predict the hydrodynamics and heat/mass transfer in a complete reactor containing millions to billions of particles with basic wall heating. The precise type of reactor will be chosen in collabaration with other partners within this project. In case a (moving of fixed) bed is chosen, a coarse-grained CFD-DEM model or an Eulerian model will be developed, possibly making use of correlations from particle-resolved simulations. In case a fluidized bed is chosen, a traditional Eulerian Two-Fluid model (TFM) will be compared with a novel Lagrangian Continuous Particle Model (CPM). Initially, engineering correlations will be employed to describe the internal heat and mass transfer within the particles. Later, more accurate single-particle model results will be incorporated. The most suitable model will be expanded to investigate the efficiency of other electricity-based heating solutions such as microwave heating or electro-acoustic heating.

At TU Delft, the modelling work will be accompanied by another PhD student and postdoc who will carry out experimental work, which will allow for validation of the models. You will collaborate with experts from TU Delft, TNO and several large and SME companies involved in the programme.

Job requirements

• An MSc degree in Mechanical engineering, Chemical engineering, Applied physics, or related field is required.
• Knowledge and proven experience with reactor modeling and multiphase CFD simulations.
• A critical and inquisitive attitude with regard to obtained results is expected, which translates into formulating new research questions.
• Ability to function both in a team and independently.
• Good communication skills. Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Willing to learn the Dutch language.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

PhD Position Multiscale Modelling of Sorption-Enhanced CO2 Hydrogenation Reactors

Job description
The research programme CO2URAGE, funded by the Dutch funding organisation NWO in the framework of the Perspectief Programme, targets the conversion of intermittent electricity to platform chemicals and fuels making use of dynamically operated processes. This is a promising route to alleviate net congestion and make more effective and economic use of renewable electricity without an unnecessary discarding of generated power. This four year’s PhD position is aimed at developing multiphase models to predict the dynamics and performance of sorption-enhanced CO2 hydrogenation reactors. An important feature is that the reactor should be heated electrically and should be scalable.

The PhD student will develop three-dimensional models to predict the hydrodynamics and heat/mass transfer in a complete reactor containing millions to billions of particles with basic wall heating. The precise type of reactor will be chosen in collabaration with other partners within this project. In case a (moving of fixed) bed is chosen, a coarse-grained CFD-DEM model or an Eulerian model will be developed, possibly making use of correlations from particle-resolved simulations. In case a fluidized bed is chosen, a traditional Eulerian Two-Fluid model (TFM) will be compared with a novel Lagrangian Continuous Particle Model (CPM). Initially, engineering correlations will be employed to describe the internal heat and mass transfer within the particles. Later, more accurate single-particle model results will be incorporated. The most suitable model will be expanded to investigate the efficiency of other electricity-based heating solutions such as microwave heating or electro-acoustic heating.

At TU Delft, the modelling work will be accompanied by another PhD student and postdoc who will carry out experimental work, which will allow for validation of the models. You will collaborate with experts from TU Delft, TNO and several large and SME companies involved in the programme.

Job requirements

• An MSc degree in Mechanical engineering, Chemical engineering, Applied physics, or related field is required.
• Knowledge and proven experience with reactor modeling and multiphase CFD simulations.
• A critical and inquisitive attitude with regard to obtained results is expected, which translates into formulating new research questions.
• Ability to function both in a team and independently.
• Good communication skills. Fluent in English, both spoken and written. Willing to learn the Dutch language.

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)
Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

For over 180 years, we have been training engineers who make an impact worldwide in companies, government bodies, or as entrepreneurs. Our alumni turn knowledge into concrete solutions for the challenges of today and tomorrow.

These challenges are changing rapidly. That is why we focus on themes such as energy, climate, digitalisation, artificial intelligence (AI), and smart mobility every day. Our education and research are directly aligned with what society needs now and in the future.

At TU Delft, our people make the difference. With their knowledge and curiosity, our staff provide a high-quality education and conduct pioneering research that extends beyond the campus. You will have the opportunity to take the initiative, work with others, and grow as a professional.

Working at TU Delft means join an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering
From chip to ship. From machine to human being. From idea to solution. Driven by a deep-rooted desire to understand our environment and discover its underlying mechanisms, research and education at the ME faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so we can often make unique connections by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in ME’s outstanding, state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists. We translate our knowledge and insights into solutions to societal issues, contributing to a sustainable society and to the development of prosperity and well-being. That is what unites us in pioneering research, inspiring education and (inter)national cooperation.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering. Do you want to experience working at our faculty? These videos will introduce you to some of our researchers and their work.

Facilitair medewerker

Functieomschrijving

Als Facilitair Medewerker zorg je dat medewerkers en studenten op onze campus optimaal kunnen werken, studeren en samenwerken. Je bent zichtbaar aanwezig in het gebouw en zorgt dat alles soepel verloopt, van goed werkende apparatuur in collegezalen tot nette, toegankelijke en veilige ruimtes.

Geen dag is hetzelfde. Je ondersteunt docenten bij colleges door audiovisuele middelen gebruiksklaar te maken en storingen snel op te lossen. Je helpt studenten door te zorgen voor prettige studieplekken en een goed functionerende leeromgeving. Daarnaast pak je zelfstandig facilitaire aanvragen op, bijvoorbeeld op het gebied evenementen, horeca & vending, beveiliging, meubilair, verhuizingen en schoonmaak.

Je bent de verbindende schakel tussen gebruikers, collega's en leveranciers. Je signaleert onregelmatigheden in en rond het gebouw en komt met verbeter voorstellen. Naast je werkzaamheden op de werkvloer verricht je ook lichte administratieve taken achter de computer, bijvoorbeeld in systemen voor meldingen en registratie.

Je werkt in een team en samen met je collega's zorg je voor een goede dienstverlening binnen faculteiten en overige onderwijsgebouwen.

Binnen onze gebouwen vinden er jaarlijks circa 400 evenementen plaats. Je draagt zorg voor een optimale facilitaire ondersteuning rondom o.a. beveiliging, veiligheid, schoonmaak, en de reserveringen van o.a. expositiematerialen.

Functie-eisen
In deze rol ben je een georganiseerde en servicegerichte professional die ziet wat nodig is. Je combineert gastvrijheid met heldere communicatie, werkt proactief en oplossingsgericht. Je pakt zelfstandig taken op, maar zoekt ook actief de samenwerking met collega’s. Met oog voor detail signaleer je knelpunten en kom je met verbeterideeën. Je bent bereid deel te nemen aan de BHV-organisatie.

Daarnaast voldoe je aan het volgende:

• Je hebt minimaal mbo werk- en denkniveau.
• Je hebt bij voorkeur ervaring in het facilitaire werkveld.
• Je hebt bij voorkeur ervaring met het verzorgen van evenementen, schoonmaakprocessen en uitvoering hiervan.
• Je spreekt en schrijft goed Nederlands en hebt kennis van de Engelse taal.
• Je hebt bij voorkeur ervaring met software zoals SharePoint en TOPdesk.

TU Delft
Werken bij TU Delft betekent bijdragen aan oplossingen die er echt toe doen.

Al meer dan 180 jaar leiden we ingenieurs op die wereldwijd impact maken bij bedrijven, overheden of als ondernemer. Onze alumni zetten kennis om in concrete oplossingen voor de uitdagingen van vandaag en morgen.

Die uitdagingen veranderen snel. Daarom werken we elke dag aan thema’s zoals energie, klimaat, digitalisering, AI en slimme mobiliteit. Ons onderwijs en onderzoek sluiten direct aan op wat de samenleving nodig heeft, nu en straks.

Bij TU Delft maken mensen het verschil. Met hun kennis en nieuwsgierigheid zorgen zij voor sterk onderwijs, vernieuwend onderzoek en innovaties die verder komen dan de campus. Je krijgt de ruimte om initiatief te nemen, samen te werken en jezelf te ontwikkelen.

Wie bij TU Delft werkt, sluit zich aan bij een internationale community van professionals en studenten. Samen bouwen we aan kennis, innovatie en oplossingen die de wereld vooruithelpen.

Universiteitsdienst – Directie Campus Real Estate & Facility Management
Om de ambities van de TU Delft te realiseren is een omgeving nodig die uitdaagt en inspireert. Campus Real Estate & Facility Management werkt met meer dan 250 collega’s dagelijks aan onze ontwikkeling, het beheren van de gebouwen en terreinen en het faciliteren van de meer dan 30.000 gebruikers van de TU Delft. Duurzaamheid staat daarbij hoog in het vaandel. Onze ambitie: een CO2-neutrale en circulaire campus in 2030.

Wij creëren een omgeving waarin studenten, wetenschappers, medewerkers en samenwerkingspartners maximaal kunnen bijdragen aan een betere samenleving. Als medewerker van Campus Real Estate & Facility Management werk je dus in een bijzondere omgeving, waar je samen met collega’s, met heldere processen en in een open sfeer, bijdraagt aan de topprestaties van de TU Delft.