Internship | Experimental work and kinetic modelling of oxidative degradation of MDEA-Piperazine solvents

Internship | Experimental work and kinetic modelling of oxidative degradation of MDEA-Piperazine solvents

The Gas Treatment team at the Department of Sustainable Process and Energy Systems works to reduce the carbon footprint of energy and chemical processes by absorbing CO₂ using solvents and eventually converting it into synthetic fuels. Our team focuses on the development and scaling up of strategies to remove and purify CO₂ from a wide range of industries, including, but not limited to, waste-to-energy plants, cement production facilities, and large container ships.

What will be your role?

In this internship project, you will study the oxidative degradation of second-generation solvents for postcombustion CO₂ capture using oxygen depletion measurements. In the first stage, you will work in a lab environment, getting kinetic data of oxygen gas consumption in MDEA/Pz (Methyldiethanolamine-Piperazine) at different temperatures and CO₂ loadings. In the second step, the data from the first step will be used as input to create a kinetic model in Python or Excel. In the last step, the kinetic model will be integrated into Protreat to reproduce pilot plant solvent degradation data. The aim of this industrial internship is, therefore, to measure the kinetics of oxygen consumption in MDEA/Pz and to model this data into a kinetic model that can be used in process simulation software. The expected duration of this industrial internship is at least 4 months.

What we expect from you

• Master’s students from a chemistry, process or chemical engineering background with an understanding of reaction engineering are best suited for this project.
• Work in a structured way, be a team player and be capable of multitasking.
• Adhere to safety practices when working with chemical substances, high temperatures, and pressures in the lab.
• Be capable of communicating and reporting in English.
• Students should be comfortable working in an international, diverse, and multidisciplinary environment.

What you'll get in return

You want an internship opportunity on the precursor of your career; an internship gives you an opportunity to take a good look at your prospective future employer. TNO goes a step further. It’s not just looking that interests us; you and your knowledge are essential to our innovation. That’s why we attach a great deal of value to your personal and professional development. You will, of course, be properly supervised during your work placement and be given the scope for you to get the best out of yourself. Furthermore, we provide:

• A highly professional, innovative internship environment, within a team of top experts.
• A suitable internship allowance (615 euro for wo-, hbo- and mbo-students, for a full-time internship).
• Possibility of eight hours of free leave per internship month (for a full-time internship).
• A free membership of Jong TNO, where you can meet other TNO professionals and join several activities, such as sports activities, (work-related) courses or the yearly ski-trip.
• Use of a laptop.
• An allowance for travel expenses in case you don’t receive an OV-card.

TNO as an employer

At TNO, we innovate for a healthier, safer and more sustainable life. And for a strong economy. Since 1932, we have been making knowledge and technology available for the common good. We find each other in wonder and ingenuity. We are driven to push boundaries. There is all the space and support for your talent and ambition. You work with people who will challenge you: who inspire you and want to learn from you. Our state-of-the-art facilities are there to realize your vision. What you do at TNO matters: impact makes the difference. Because with every innovation you contribute to tomorrow’s world.

At TNO we encourage an inclusive work environment, where you can be yourself. Whatever your story and whatever unique qualities you bring to the table. It is by combining our unique strengths and perspectives that we are able to develop innovations that make a real difference in society.

• E-mailadres: yamid.gomezrueda@tno.nl