Netherlands : Post doc position in Chemical Process Intensification

Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry is one of the nine departments of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) established in 1957. The department has approximately 500 employees, 16 full professors, 370 undergraduate students and about 170 graduate students (140 Ph.D. and 30 design engineers). The department aspires to be an academic institution for education and research in chemical science and engineering that meets the highest international standards. The aim is to generate and to develop technology and scientific knowledge relevant for the long-term needs of society. Scientific curiosity and the use of newly generated knowledge are the main driving forces for the continuing enhancements of the three chosen fields of expertise: molecular, materials, and process engineering.

Chemical Process Intensification group
The main objectives of the Chemical Process Intensification group are the generation of new fundamental knowledge and the development of new reactor models with improved predictive capability for the industrially important class of multiphase chemical reactors, and the development of novel integrated reactor concepts based on this knowledge. This is achieved by employing a combination of state-of-the-art numerical models (at different levels of detail), advanced (non-invasive) experimental techniques and experimental demonstration of novel reactor concepts (proof of concept).
Possible examples are renewable feedstock based processes, processes with carbon dioxide as feedstock, the use of alternative energy forms, and integration of unit operations for designing of novel, integrated and multi-phase reactor concepts for sustainable energy. Enabling technologies can be in the areas of membrane separation, reactive separation, computational fluid dynamics, applied catalysis etc.
The group's mission is to be among the world's top academic research groups in its field and to be leading in the development of novel technologies for new, highly efficient, inherently safe, and robust integrated multiphase processing systems.

Job description
We have a post doc position available on the following themes:
Oxidative coupling of methane, ethylene, synthesis gas, dual function catalyst, membrane reactor.

Abstract
The direct route for the production of ethylene from natural gas via oxidative coupling of methane (OCM) in a single step is still high on the industrial wish-list, but has proven a major scientific and technological challenge. However, when the exothermic oxidative coupling of methane is combined with endothermic steam/dry reforming of the by-products of the OCM and additional methane, ethylene and syngas can be produced simultaneously in an autothermal process. Thus, a higher methane conversion (avoiding a large methane recycle) and efficient use of the by-products of the OCM is combined with optimal heat integration.

The integration of the exothermic and endothermic reactions is optimally achieved on the catalyst particle scale, which would make the reactor configuration much simpler (no lateral temperature gradients in the reactor) and cheaper compared to a non-isothermal membrane reactor. Detailed simulations on the integration of the reactions on the particle scale have been carried out in a previous ASPECT project titled ‘Simultaneous production of ethylene and synthesis gas combining the oxidative coupling and reforming of methane in a reverse flow membrane reactor with a dual function catalyst’, and have shown that it is theoretically indeed possible to integrate the oxidative coupling and steam reforming of methane on the particle scale, making effective use of intra-particle mass transfer limitations.

The simulations have led to a first possible design of the dual-function catalyst particle. In this follow-up project, we propose to actually fabricate the dual-function catalyst and to demonstrate its performance for the combined autothermal process experimentally. The deliverables of the project are new knowledge on the fabrication of dual-function catalysts, detailed reaction kinetics for this reaction system and an experimental proof-of-principle of reaction integration on the particle scale in a packed bed membrane reactor.

Requirements
We are looking for a talented and enthusiastic post-doc with a master degree in Chemical Engineering, with solid background  and a strong research and publication record in the area of heterogeneous catalysis and/or membrane reactors.  The candidate is required to have a sound experience in experimental work as well as modeling of chemical reactors.

Applicants are expected to have excellent communication skills with both technical and non-technical staff, ability to work in a multidisciplinary team of scientists and engineers, excellent knowledge of written and spoken English, good attitude to lead their own projects.

Conditions of employment
We offer a challenging job at a dynamic and ambitious university. The gross monthly salary in accordance with the Collective Labor Agreement of the Dutch Universities (CAO NU) starts with € 2861,-. Besides this, the TU/e has an excellent package of attractive benefits for employees, a child-care facility, and a modern sports complex. Assistance for finding accommodation can be given.

Information and application
For more detailed information about this vacancy you can contact prof. M. van Sint Annaland (m.v.sintannaland@tue.nl; tel.: +31-40-2472241) or dr. F. Gallucci (f.gallucci@tue.nl; tel.: +31-40-2472241).
For information concerning employment conditions you can contact drs. C.M. Kuiters, HR Advisor (c.m.kuiters@tue.nl; tel.: 040-2475725).

Please use the button 'apply now' to send in your application.
The submission deadline is September 30th, 2010.

Further Information

Application Deadline : 30 September 2010

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Posted on 2010-08-03 07:18:23

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