The Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e) has the following vacancy
PhD Student advanced capillary microreactors (V37.679)
at Chemische Reactor Technologie Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry
The Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry (ST) is one of the nine departments of Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e). It was established in 1957. The department has approximately 500 employees (411 fte), 13 full professors, 370 undergraduate students (bachelor and masterstudents) 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.
Research of the group Chemical Reactor Engineering
The research of the group focuses on understanding and controlling the interaction of transport and reaction processes in the realization and testing of chemical reactors for a wide range of applications. Research projects are carried out in three areas, viz. "microstructured reactors and devices", "structured multiphase reactors", and "dynamic reactor operation
Tasks
Project description
The goal of this project is to design, synthesize, develop, and demonstrate a new type of catalytic capillary microreactor that is particularly suited for the selective and continuous synthesis of high-added value chemicals, such as fine chemicals and pharmaceutical products. In this advanced reactor device, bimetallic nanoparticles will be efficiently incorporated in mesoporous materials that will be deposited as very active and selective catalytic thin films on the walls of capillary microchannels with diameters in the order of hundreds of micrometers.
The potentially most stable coatings are sol-gel derived crystalline or amorphous titania and ceria-titania mixed metal oxides. These materials will be loaded with polymetallic nanoparticles to specifically activate a selected functionality of complex organic molecules, for example in selective hydrogenation. Long term coating performance and coating stability are important characteristics that will be optimized. The effect of synthesis conditions and gas-liquid hydrodynamic flow regimes will be studied in order to select the best window of operation at industrial conditions. Also scale-up issues will be addressed, such as fluid flow distribution. The performance of this novel type of capillary microreactors will be evaluated at ambient pressure and compared with the traditional industrial batch reactor where high pressure is usually required to provide sufficiently high selectivity to the desired products.
The research task of PhD student 1 will include:
- Synthesis of bimetallic (PdZn) nanoparticles and their characterization
- Synthesis of mesoporous mixed metal oxide thin films on the walls of fused silica capillaries
- Screening of the catalytic microreactors in hydrogenation of acetylene alcohols
The research task of PhD student 2 will include:
- Study of the reactant’s residence time in a capillary microreactor under annular flow conditions
- Establishing the feasibility of capillary microprocessing for large-scale synthesis
- Kinetic study in hydrogenation of acetylene alcohols in a microreactor and comparison with the traditional industrial batch reactor operation
Requirements
Candidates with an M.Sc. degree in chemical engineering, chemistry, process technology, or related disciplines are invited to apply for this position. A background in catalysis and/or chemical reactor engineering is preferred.
Appointment and Salary
We offer:
The gross monthly salary increases from € 2.000,- in the first year to € 2.558,- in the fourth year. There will be an evaluation after one year. TU/e offers attractive secondary job conditions.
Information
More detailed information can be obtained from:
Prof.dr.ir. J.C. Schouten
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Chemical Reactor Engineering, P.O. Box 513 (Helix, STW 1.35),
5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Tel. +31 40 247 2850, fax. +31 40 244 6653, e-mail:
SCRsecr.ST@tue.nl; website:
www.chem.tue.nl/scr.
Application
Application
Suitable candidates are invited to send their curriculum vitae with motivation (half A4), a list of courses followed (with grades), at least three references, and a list of their publications to:
Prof.dr.ir. J.C. Schouten
Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e), Department of Chemical Engineering & Chemistry, Laboratory of Chemical Reactor Engineering, P.O. Box 513 (Helix, STW 1.35),
5600 MB Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Tel. +31 40 247 2850, fax. +31 40 244 6653, e-mail:
SCRsecr.ST@tue.nl; website:
www.chem.tue.nl/scr.
Please mention de vacancy number (V37.679) in the subject of your e-mail.
You can apply for this job before 15-11-2009
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