Postdoc Contributing to the Development of the Circular Economy via Experimental Model Validation of Waste Gasification

Postdoc contributing to the development of the circular economy via experimental model validation of waste gasification  

The project ‘’Modelling and experimental validation of HTW bubbling fluidized bed gasification’’ is a collaboration between GIDARA Energy and TU Delft. The aim of the gasification process is to generate a syngas which, after cleanup and upgrading, will be suitable for fossil-free methanol production. In the project there is active collaboration with a PhD student who performs CFD modeling in combination with ANN modeling to arrive at a better process understanding for process scale-up. The goal of the research by the Postdoc is to perform accompanying validating experiments, both via Cold flow experiments using a downscaled version of the gasifier at TU Delft and hot testing at a hot fluidised bed gasification setup outside TU Delft. Next to (hot) validation experiments that concern heat and mass transfer, validation gasification measurements at the gasifier will be performed, targeting closure of mass- and energy balances and to obtain more insight in the conversion process of the challenging circular carbon feedstock for further scale-up. The focus of the Postdoc will thus be on experimental work, although knowledge of ANN and/or CFD modeling is considered to be positive in the evaluation.

• A PhD degree in Chemical engineering, Mechanical engineering, Applied physics, Aerospace Engineering or related field is required.
• Knowledge and hands-on proven experience with experimental research in (high temperature) chemical conversion systems.
• Some familiarity with ANN and/or CFD work is considered an advantage as well.
• A critical and inquisitive attitude with regard to 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. Basic knowledge of Dutch and/or German language is advantageous.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities. The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

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Delft University of Technology is built on strong foundations. As creators of the world-famous Dutch waterworks and pioneers in biotech, TU Delft is a top international university combining science, engineering and design. It delivers world class results in education, research and innovation to address challenges in the areas of energy, climate, mobility, health and digital society. For generations, our engineers have proven to be entrepreneurial problem-solvers, both in business and in a social context.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values  and we actively engage  to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

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 3mE faculty focusses on fundamental understanding, design, production including application and product improvement, materials, processes and (mechanical) systems.

3mE 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 3mE’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.

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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 inspriring academic environment with unique experimental facilities. For more information, see: https://www.tudelft.nl/me/over/afdelingen/process-energy/about-pe .

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.

The section Complex Fluid Processing focuses its research on understanding multiphase flows and transport phenomena inside process equipment, with the goal to enable knowledge-driven design and scale-up of sustainable process equipment. We do this through connecting models at different scales, from molecular simulations, via mesoscale simulations, to macroscale CFD simulations. Experimental input and validation is an important part of our work.

For more information about this vacancy, please contact prof.dr.ir. Wiebren de Jong, [email protected] or prof.dr.ir. Johan Padding, [email protected] .

Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 15 March 2024 via the application button and upload your motivation and CV.

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

For information about the application procedure, please contact drs.Linda Verhaar, [email protected] .

A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.