Qualification Type: | PhD |
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Location: | Newcastle upon Tyne |
Funding for: | UK Students, EU Students, International Students |
Funding amount: | £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate) |
Hours: | Full Time |
Placed On: | 14th June 2024 |
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Closes: | 30th June 2024 |
Reference: | PINZ05 |
The studentship provides 100% fees (Home & international), a minimum tax-free annual living allowance of £19,237 (2024/25 UKRI rate), and a research training support grant of £20,000.
Overview
This PhD project is part of the CDT in Process Industries: Net Zero. The successful PhD student will be co-supervised by academics from the Process Intensification Group at Newcastle University. Circular Carbon is one of the largest producers of biochar (ca 3000t/a) in Europe to date, with an industrial facility recovering agricultural residues from the global market leader in cocoa butter production. Circular Carbon currently uses pyrolysis, a thermochemical conversion technology, for biochar production and currently uses the gaseous product of pyrolysis for renewable pyrolysis steam production. While currently successful, the increasing demand for biochar and its by-products in high-value applications necessitates a thorough examination of the existing process and products to optimize efficiency and enhance overall performance.
This PhD project aims to systematically investigate and enhance the pyrolysis process of organic residues, focusing on improving efficiency and product quality. The research will cover various aspects of the process, including exploring the entire operational range across different production scales to minimize environmental impact and production costs. Additionally, the study will assess potential revenue streams for Circular Carbon by analysing advanced application scenarios for the solid, liquid, and gaseous by-products of pyrolysis. These analyses will be based on process and product characterisation, comprehensive life cycle and techno-economic assessments to align with evolving market trends and client needs, as well as to support biochar-based carbon dioxide removal initiatives.
Number of awards: 1
Start date: 17th September 2024
Award duration: 4 years
Sponsor: EPSRC
Supervisors
Academic Supervisor: Dr.Anjali Jayakumar
Eligibility criteria
You must have, or expect to gain, a minimum 2:1 Honours degree or international equivalent in a subject relevant to the proposed PhD project (usually chemical engineering or chemistry, but please get in touch if you think your qualification may be relevant). Enthusiasm for research, the ability to think and work independently, excellent analytical skills and strong verbal and written communication skills are also essential requirements.
Home and international applicants (inc. EU) are welcome to apply and if successful will receive a full studentship. Applicants whose first language is not English require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all sub-skills.
International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme.
How to apply
Once registered select ‘Create a Postgraduate Application’.
Use ‘Course Search’ to identify your programme of study:
You will then need to provide the following information in the ‘Further Details’ section:
You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.
Contact details: pinz.cdt@ncl.ac.uk
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