EngD Position in Complex Biomass Combustion on a Grate

Job description

The EngD programme is a 2-year post-MSc technological programme with a focus on technological design. This programme contains an educational part that will be followed at the University of Twente, and a design project that will be carried out in cooperation with consortium of companies (HoSt FT, HVC and Bio-energie Andijk) gathered under the BALANS project funded by RVO HER+ subsidy. The educational programme will have an in-depth and broadening character with ample attention for professional development and will be partly tailored to the design project.

Project description

In the Netherlands large quantities of complex non-woody combustible biomass are still not utilized for power and heat generation. One of the best opportunities to utilize the potential is efficient and low emission combustion in modern energy plants like Bio-energiecentrale Andijk. However, the physico-chemical properties of the biomass mix, make it very challenging for the energy plant. A low temperature melting point of the ashes leads to agglomeration and blockage at the grate, whereas evaporated sodium and potassium salts present in the fuel, after condensation in the downstream installed afterburning chamber and boiler, may lead to fouling and corrosion. As a consequence the combustion process of such complex biomass (even when mixed with the regular biomass) is characterised by high investment and maintenance costs, low energy efficiency and low plant availability.

The aim of this project is to design an economically attractive combustion process in a grate furnace that can utilize the full potential of the complex non-woody biomass waste streams. This development should realize low temperatures in the gasification zone and assure the required retention time of 2 seconds at minimum temperature of 850 degC. The task demands from the EngD student modelling of the processes which occur on a grate and in the furnace, with the main focus on:

CFD modelling of the biogas combustion in the furnace using Ansys Fluent and/or OpenFOAM

Modelling of the gasification process of various biomass feeds on a grate (Matlab based)

Design optimum conditions for complex biomass combustion

Your profile

We are searching for the best MSc graduated in the field of Thermal Engineering, Fluid Dynamics, Chemical Engineering, Energy Technology, Mechanical Engineering or related discipline with a demonstrable affinity with design and multidisciplinary assignments.

You can work in a team,

You have good communication skills,

You have a sound project approach,

You speak and write fluent English.

You must have the ambition and talent to accelerate in finding solutions / creating designs for complex technological issues with a multidisciplinary character.

Since a major part of the project will be executed using numerical tools, the former experience with CFD is a must. Previous international mobility and an expertise in biomass combustion are welcome.

Our offer

A very challenging position in an inspiring multidisciplinary environment;

A tailor-made post-master design program that has an educational component (50%) as well as a design project (50%);

On successfully completing the program, you will receive a certified and recognized degree. You will be entitled to use the academic degree PDEng and will be registered as a Technological Designer in the Dutch register kept by the Royal Institution of Engineers in the Netherlands (KIVI). The degree will soon be renamed to EngD (Doctor of Engineering), to be coherent with the more common abbreviation used in the Commonwealth;

A salary of € 2.089,- gross per month;

An annual holiday allowance of 8% of the gross annual salary, and an annual year-end bonus of 8.3%;

A solid pension scheme;

Minimum of 29 leave days in case of full-time employment.

Information and application

Please send your CV, motivation letter and any relevant certificates and references by February 10, 2023 through the apply now button.

Contact information

If you have any further questions about this vacancy or the EngD programme in Energy & Process Technology, please contact dr. ir. A.K. Pozarlik (Email: [email protected] Tel.: +31 (0)53 489 2658.

The first (online) interviews will take place in the week of February 20.

About the organisation

The Faculty of Engineering Technology (ET) engages in education and research of Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering and Industrial Design Engineering. We enable society and industry to innovate and create value using efficient, solid and sustainable technology. We are part of a ‘people-first' university of technology, taking our place as an internationally leading center for smart production, processes and devices in five domains: Health Technology, Maintenance, Smart Regions, Smart Industry and Sustainable Resources. Our faculty is home to about 2,900 Bachelor's and Master's students, 550 employees and 150 PhD candidates. Our educational and research programmes are closely connected with UT research institutes Mesa+ Institute, TechMed Center and Digital Society Institute.

How to apply Step 1

Apply. When you see a vacancy that appeals to you, you can apply online. We ask you to upload a CV and motivation letter and/or list of publications. You will receive a confirmation of receipt by e-mail.

Step 2

Selection. The selection committee will review your application and you will receive a response within 2 weeks after the vacancy has been closed.

Step 3

1st interview. The 1st (online or in person) meeting serves as an introduction where we introduce ourselves to you and you to us. You may be asked to give a short presentation. This will be further explained in the invitation.

Step 4

2nd interview. In the second interview, we will further discuss the job content, your skills and your talents.

Step 5

The offer. If the conversations are positive, you will be made a suitable offer.

Want to know more Pozarlik, A.K. (Artur)

Associate Professor / Programme Director PDEng Energy & Process Technology

Pozarlik, A.K. (Artur)

Associate Professor / Programme Director PDEng Energy & Process Technology

Do you have questions about this vacancy? Then you can contact Artur for all substantive questions about this position and the application procedure. For general questions about working for the UT, please refer to the chatbot.

Contact

Phone:+31534892658

Email:[email protected]

Your Colleagues

Bramer, E.A. (Eddy)

Personal page

Mahmoudi, A. (Amir)

Personal page

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Our university is a public institution that serves society. We are accountable to society for the ways in which we use our academic freedom. We are responsible for ensuring that the power of science and technology is harnessed to achieve the best possible impact in a changing world. We cherish our rich tradition of combining technical and social sciences in our five profiling themes: Improving healthcare by personalized technologies; Creating intelligent manufacturing systems; Shaping our world with smart materials; Engineering our digital society; and Engineering for a resilient world.

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We want our communities to flourish and show resilience, so we seize opportunities for innovation. We are knowledgeable and have an eye for what society needs. Our students and staff receive all the guidance they need in their quest for ecological, social and economic sustainability. “The University of Twente is all about people. Our sustainable technologies help to strengthen society.”

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