PhD Position CFD-FEM Modelling of Electrically Heated Reactor Concepts With and Without Reactions

How will you electrify our future CO2 conversion reactors?

Job description

In this challenging PhD project, you will help develop electric heating technologies for CO2 conversion reactors, supporting the transition away from conventional fossil-fuel-heated refining processes toward the refinery of the future.

CO2 conversion reactors depend on adequate heating and heat management. Several thermochemical pathways involve high-temperature (> 300 °C) endothermic reactions that require technically feasible, efficient and economically attractive heating by green electricity. A typical example is the dry reforming of biomethane, which is taken in this project as a model reaction to develop and further mature electric heating technologies. The developed technologies can be readily transferred to other relevant reactions for carbon-based chemistry, including reverse water-gas shift (CO2 + H2 <-> CO + H2O).

In this challenging PhD project, you will combine knowledge and models from three different domains: electromagnetism, thermo-hydraulics and reaction kinetics.

In particular, the project aims to develop both surface heating solutions, through resistive and impedance heating, and volume heating solutions, through impedance and induction heating, for catalytic flow reactors. The work will be performed in the Process and Energy Department of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty (Johan Padding), in close collaboration with the Electrical Engineering Faculty of TU Delft (Mohamad Niasar) and the Chemical Engineering and Chemistry Department at TU Eindhoven (Martin van Sint Annaland).

Your work will start with the design, modelling and evaluation of resistive heating concepts in collaboration between T.EN, NEM, TU/e, and TNO. A theory review will be performed jointly, resulting in guidelines for reactor design, taking into account the electrical breakdown strength of the reaction environment. Based on advanced technology for internal resistive heating of chemical reactors, several different configurations will be evaluated with your CFD-FEM models and tested at TRL4 (10 kWe) at TU/e to identify the most promising configurations and operation modes, first only for heating purposes, followed by an experimental demonstration for dry methane reforming.

For volume heating, integrated 3D-printed structures that combine heating functionality with active materials (catalysts) will be designed by T.EN with TU Delft and TU/e.

Next to the resistive heating solutions, you will design, model and evaluate impedance and inductive heating concepts in collaboration with T.EN, NEM, TU/e, and TNO. Several different configurations, including direct inductive heating using a dedicated coil and impedance heating using auto-inductive effects in different reactor geometries, will be evaluated by your CFD-FEM models and tested at TRL4 (10 kWe) at TU/e to identify the most promising configurations and operation modes, first only for heating purposes, followed by an experimental demonstration for DRM.

Job requirements

You are a recent graduate looking to use your modelling skills and curiosity to create a greener process industry. With your pioneering mindset and communicative nature, you thrive in a complex multi-disciplinary team consisting of universities, knowledge institutes and companies, and you are not overwhelmed by the ambitious nature of the project.

You also have:

• An MSc in Electrical Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Applied Physics or related field
• Proven experience with finite element and/or finite volume modelling of continuous fields in a multi-physics context
• Affinity with chemical reactor engineering
• Sound knowledge of Maxwell's equations for electromagnetic fields

TU Delft

Working at TU Delft means contributing to solutions that really make a difference.

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 joining an international community of professionals and students. Together, we create knowledge, innovations, and solutions that help move the world forward.

Faculty Mechanical Engineering

ME is a dynamic and innovative faculty with high-tech lab facilities and international reach. It’s a large faculty but also versatile, so unique connections can often be made by combining different disciplines. This is reflected in its state-of-the-art education, which trains students to become responsible and socially engaged engineers and scientists.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract includes an official go/no go progress assessment within 15 months, followed by an additional contract for the remaining 2.5 years assuming everything goes well and performance requirements are met.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. The TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment with an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor. The Doctoral Education Programme is aimed at developing your transferable, discipline-related and research skills.

TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, discounts on health insurance, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.