PhD or Research Assistant in the in the field of hydrogen production by photocatalytic water splitting in novel low-cost photoreactor systems (f/m/d)
This project aims at developing a fully functional prototype of a low-cost solar fuel production system consisting of an advanced photoreactor for photocatalytic water splitting and a separation module for extracting sufficiently pure hydrogen from the biphasic product of the photoreactor.
In collaboration with a parallel PhD project, addressing on the reactor development, the focus of this project is on the separation module and on the integration of the two units into a prototype system. The technical challenge to be overcome is the extraction of pure hydrogen from the 2:1 hydrogen/oxygen gas mixture generated by photocatalytic splitting of the water into the elements. Different technologies shall be evaluated theoretically and tested experimentally in the lab. For the most promising technology a scaled-up system compatible with the advanced photoreactor prototype in size shall be built and validated, first in standalone configuration and second integrated with the photoreactor into a fully functional system.
Organizational unit
Institute for Micro Process Engineering (IMVT)
Job description
The nature of the work is mainly experimental. However, simulation models shall be developed to assist the optimization of the separation technology. Moreover, for the integrated system process simulations using AspenPlus, AVEVA or Matlab/Simulink shall be developed in order to optimize the operation and to provide data for an assessment of the techno-economic performance of the solar hydrogen production process.
Your Tasks will comprise
- Planning and investigation of the hydrogen separation form a two pase flow containing hydrogen and oxygen
- Processimulation of the hydrogen production through photocatalytic water splitting.
- Optimization of the processdesign and operation conditions
- Techno-economic assessment of the process
- Documentation and communication of the research results
Beside the scientific work, you have the opportunity to do a doctorate.
Starting date
01.06.2024
Personal qualification
You should hold a Masters in Chemical, Process, Environmental Engineering, or equivalent, coupled with a passion for research. Experience in process engineering (separation system development) is a definite advantage, as well as sound experimental problem solving. Excellent English language proficiency is essential.
Salary category 13, depending on the fulfillment of professional and personal requirements.
Contract duration
3 years
Application up to
12th of May 2024
Contact person in line-management
For further information, please contact Dr. Jinju Zhang, email: jinju.zhang2@kit.edu; Tel. +49 721 608-24088 or Dr. Peter Holtappels, email: peter.holtappels@kit.edu; Tel. +49 721 608-26995.
Please apply online using the button below for this vacancy number 190/2024.
Vacancy number: 190/2024
We prefer to balance the number of employees (f/m/d). Therefore we kindly ask female applicants to apply for this job. Recognized severely disabled persons will be preferred if they are equally qualified.Contact
Personnel Support is provided by:
Personalservice (PSE) - Human Resources
Ms König
Phone: +49 721 608-25077,
Hermann-von-Helmholtz-Platz 1, 76344 Eggenstein-Leopoldshafen, Germany