PhD Position in Plastic Recycling through Gasification Routes @ NTNU
Prof. Thomas A. Adams II at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD Candidate on converting waste plastics into fresh olefins (ethylene, etc) using gasification routes. Gasification routes have some promising advantages over traditional thermal recycling because they could work with mixed plastics, plastic compounds, and even dirty (unwashed) municipal plastics. From the project description:
The Process and Power Program, Department of Energy and Process Engineering (EPT) at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) is seeking a PhD Candidate to research better process systems for waste plastic gasification using state of the art process systems engineering methodologies. This project considers the design, modelling, simulation, optimization, and eco-technoeconomic analysis of the downstream systems that clean the syngas, convert it to olefins, and eventually to virginal plastics. Some of the big unanswered questions include determining the optimal system designs for various kinds and qualities of plastics feeds, whether oxidative coupling of methane or methanol-to-olefins routes are better, and what are potential environmental benefits / cost tradeoffs at the supply chain / national level. The primary goal is the synthesis and analysis of excellent designs that are highly likely to reduce plastic wastes in our society with a net economic and environmental benefit for all.
Prof. Adams is looking for talented candidates with backgrounds in chemical process systems engineering, energy systems engineering, and other related fields. Expertise is sought in process simulation software such as Aspen Plus, Hysys, ProMax, life cycle assessment software such as SimaPro or OpenLCA, and optimization software such as GAMS, PYOMO are desirable, as well as knowledge of their underlying methodologies.
You can read the full description and apply through the official job posting on JobbNorge. Questions can be sent to Prof. Adams directly.
