PhD Position Process Systems Engineering (PSE)

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on Process Systems Engineering

Job description
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to work on Process Systems Engineering (PSE) activities in the EU project EMPHATICAL, in collaboration with TNO, Politecnico di Milano, CSIC, CIRCE, SWERIM, DLR, LEAP, INERIS, Comillas Pontifical University, UCL, Bright Renewables, Sumitomo SHI FW, Vargön Alloys AB, CELSA, Care For Engineering, and CO2 Value Europe.

Efficient Methanol from Pumped Heat and Calcium Looping (EMPHATICAL) targets residual CO/CO2 containing gases from the metallurgical industry for processing through the energy efficient integration of innovative oxy-blown calcium-looping capture technology, purification and conversion of CO2 to e-methanol with green H2 as a feedstock. This culminates in a first of a kind TRL7 demonstrator for establishing the economic viability and sustainability of the integrated process capable of achieving net zero for the metallurgical and methanol production industries. In this project,

TU Delft will lead the work package on Components multi-scale modelling, optimisation and validation, with a particular focus on CO2 purification and methanol production and purification.The objective in this task is to develop a simulation tool for a cl-HPAD column in Aspen Plus and Aspen Dynamic, focusing on distillation column designs for e-methanol production with considerations for process flexibility, turndown ratio, and dynamics. The rigorous process simulation will explore heat integration options, pressure variations, and energy efficiency. The key challenge to address is the mechanical stability of the column. A design of a full‐scale column should take into account the pressure differences between adjacent channels. The current design of the cl-HPAD configuration has been optimized for performance. Sensitivity analysis will determine optimal operating and design parameters. TU Delft will optimise and evaluate the cl-HPAD, focusing on detailed design, packing, and performance enhancement through multi-objective optimisation. Experimental results (from TNO) will validate process simulations, refine the process model for scale-up, and assess the structure's performance under varying pressure differences.

Requirements
We are looking for candidates that meet the following criteria:

• Hold a MSc degree in Chemical Engineering
• Prior expertise in process sytems engineering (e.g. process design and simulation)
• Prior knowledge of chemical process modeling
• Ability to work in a team and mentor other students
• Ability to communicate scientific results
• Excellent oral and written English with good presentation skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with process simulators (such as Aspen Plus).
• Experience with heat pump assisted distillation processes.

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.

At TU Delft we embrace diversity as one of our core values and we actively engage to be a university where you feel at home and can flourish. We value different perspectives and qualities. We believe this makes our work more innovative, the TU Delft community more vibrant and the world more just. Together, we imagine, invent and create solutions using technology to have a positive impact on a global scale. That is why we invite you to apply. Your application will receive fair consideration.

Challenge. Change. Impact!

Faculty Applied Sciences
With more than 1,100 employees, including 150 pioneering principal investigators, as well as a population of about 3,600 passionate students, the Faculty of Applied Sciences is an inspiring scientific ecosystem. Focusing on key enabling technologies, such as quantum- and nanotechnology, photonics, biotechnology, synthetic biology and materials for energy storage and conversion, our faculty aims to provide solutions to important problems of the 21st century. To that end, we educate innovative students in broad Bachelor's and specialist Master's programmes with a strong research component. Our scientists conduct ground-breaking fundamental and applied research in the fields of Life and Health Science & Technology, Nanoscience, Chemical Engineering, Radiation Science & Technology, and Engineering Physics. We are also training the next generation of high school teachers.

Click here to go to the website of the Faculty of Applied Sciences.

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 € 2872 per month in the first year to € 3670 in the fourth year. 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.

For international applicants, TU Delft has the Coming to Delft Service. This service provides information for new international employees to help you prepare the relocation and to settle in the Netherlands. The Coming to Delft Service offers a Dual Career Programme for partners and they organise events to expand your (social) network.

Start date: 1st of February 2025 (slightly negotiable).

Additional information
If you would like more information about this vacancy or the selection procedure, please contact Prof. Anton A. Kiss, via a.a.kiss@tudelft.nl .

Application procedure
Are you interested in this vacancy? Please apply no later than 24 Jan 2025 via the application button and upload the following documents:

• CV
• Motivational letter (max 1 page)
• Your BSc and MSc academic records (including courses and grades)
• The names and contact details of two references  

You can address your application to Prof. Anton A. Kiss.

Doing a PhD at TU Delft requires English proficiency at a certain level to ensure that the candidate is able to communicate and interact well, participate in English-taught Doctoral Education courses, and write scientific articles and a final thesis. For more details please check the Graduate Schools Admission Requirements.

Please note:

• You can apply online. We will not process applications sent by email and/or post.
• A pre-employment screening can be part of the selection procedure.
• For the final candidates, a knowledge security check will be part of the application procedure. For more information on this check, please consult Chapter 8 of the National Knowledge Security Guidelines. We carry out this check on the basis of legitimate interest.
• Please do not contact us for unsolicited services.

38 hours per week

Mekelweg 5