PhD Position Process Modelling Towards Green Steel Production by 2050

Passionate about contributing in green steel production? We are seeking a PhD researcher to work in process optimisation towards making the Dutch steel sector CO₂-neutral by 2050.

PhD Position Process Modelling Towards Green Steel Production by 2050

Job description

Despite its environmental impact, steel is crucial to modern society and development. Transformation is necessary for the steel sector to continue to be a relevant player in the Dutch and European economies; achieving ambitious environmental and social goals necessitates the development of innovative pathways in the present. This requires the assessment of the technical and economic performance (techno-economic assessment – TEA) of the alternative steel production pathways.

This research project will develop the process flow model for selected technology configurations, including electrified units, hydrogen-based processes (instead of carbon-based for reduction), scrap processing methods, and the utilisation of alternative carbon sources. It aims at evaluating the “transition steps” towards the production of green steel, considering specifically a selection of the following options: scrap and direct reduced iron (DRI), electric arc furnace (EAF), reducing electrical furnace (REF), hydrogen-based direct reduction process (DRP), fossil-free operation of the HIsarna plant using biomass (bio-methane and bio-char) and hydrogen, carbon capture and utilisation of the HIsarna, DRP, and EAF gases (to produce synthesis gas). The project will identify technical and/or economic trade-offs and hotspots and areas for potential improvement, exploring various scenarios and analysing the uncertainties.

As a PhD candidate you will:

• Investigate the steel sector alternatives to produce steel in a more sustainable way.
• Evaluate the constraints and opportunities of the current existing steel-making process (Tata Steel IJmuiden); how to transition from a brownfield process into a complete sustainable process.
• Assess the techno-economic impact of different alternative processes, from the traditional coal-based blast furnace to green steel production.
• Evaluate electrification and heat integration optimisation, taking into account the factory limits and the subsequent processing steps (where the properties of high-quality steel are finalised), considering continuous and batch processes (like the EAF).
• Build on previous developed models.

Your research will provide insights to and receive insights from a network of researchers working on the overall steel-related system change.

This PhD position is part of the National Growth Funding “Groeien met Groen Staal” (GGS) programme which aims at making the Dutch steel sector circular, CO₂-neutral, and high-tech by 2050. This project is positioned within Theme I "System change". The programme offers an ambitious high-gain challenge that goes beyond what’s state-of-the-art to find greener alternatives to well-established processes and raw materials in the industry.

This position will sit at the Energy and Industry section of the Technology, Policy and Management Faculty of TU Delft, and will be co-supervised by the Large Scale Energy Storage section of the Mechanical Engineering Faculty of TU Delft. The candidate will join both teams, with a focus on the defossilisation of the process industry, carbon capture and utilisation as well as electrification of the industry and renewables based energy storage via integration of electrolysis processes.

Job requirements

We are looking for a researcher who:

• Wants to make an active contribution to the steel sector.
• Holds a master's degree in chemical engineering, process systems engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial ecology, or a related field.
• Has proven experience in process modelling (e.g. ASPEN, gPROMS, ChemCad) and programming (e.g. Python, Matlab), with strong programming skills.
• Has knowledge of the steelmaking industry or of other process industry (e.g. modelling, experimental tests, techno-economic assessment, etc).
• Enjoys working with thermodynamics, pinch point analysis and heat integration.
• Has strong analytical and systems-thinking abilities.
• Has excellent communication skills, written and verbal, in English.
• Enjoys working in an interdisciplinary group and is a team player.
• Preferably has experience with batch and continuous process modelling and integration.

Join this unique programme where you can learn and apply your knowledge to contribute to the steel-making process of the future, in a team of almost 100 researchers!

TU Delft (Delft University of Technology)

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.

Faculty Technology, Policy & Management

The Faculty of TPM provides an important contribution to solving complex technical-social issues, such as energy transition, mobility, digitalisation, water management and (cyber) security. TPM does this with its excellent education and research at the intersection of technology, society and policy. We combine insights from both engineering and social sciences as well as the humanities. TPM develops robust models and designs, is internationally oriented and has an extensive network of knowledge institutions, companies, social organisations and governments.

Conditions of employment

Doctoral candidates will be offered a 4-year period of employment in principle, but in the form of 2 employment contracts. An initial 1.5 year contract with 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.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities, increasing from Promovendus gross per month, from the first year to the fourth year based on a fulltime contract (38 hours), plus 8% holiday allowance and an end-of-year bonus of 8.3%.

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.

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

Additional information

For more information about this vacancy, please contact Dr. Mar Pérez-Fortes and/or Prof.dr.ir. Wiebren de Jong, emails: m.d.m.perez-fortes@tudelft.nl and wiebren.dejong@tudelft.nl.